Bullet Journaling 101

Bullet journaling has become a huge thing since it originated from Ryder Carroll. His original video that gives us the basic how-to has over 7.2 million views on YouTube. Putting 'bullet journal' into YouTube generates about 800,000 results. Each shows you different people's take on bullet journaling and what they find most useful and most creative.

Here's mine.

This is my second official bullet journal (although I've been playing with the idea and different versions of it for the past two years). I've mentioned it before here and here and here. There are likely other mentions too. Currently, I use the Leuchtturm 1917 dotted notebook in 'New Pink'. I love it. I think I've more or less perfected my process and found something I really like and suits my organization and work schedule really well. 

HOW I ORGANIZE IT: 

1. Index - this is the whole foundation of bullet journaling
2. Key 
3. Future Log - 2018 broken down into months with important dates, events and appointments written as soon as I get them
4. Calendex - with birthdays, events, doctor appointments and half-year goals listed
5. Budget
6. A list of books I've read with short reviews/notes
7. Recipes
8. Health-related things
9. Travel notes
10. Monthly Log
11. Weekly Log
12. Daily Log

The basic structure suggested by Ryder Carroll includes the index, future log, monthly log and daily log. Everything else is extra. I like the extras because I think it reminds me of the things I still need to focus on. Last year, I found including a 'Book Club' and my travel section to be super useful.

This year is a little different because I'm in school so my bullet journal is more fitted for that purpose. After about 4-5 months, I have a format that works well for that purpose. The picture above is my February monthly log outlined.

On the left page, I have my future log - tasks I have to do throughout the month. I also have a kind of habit tracker. I'm tracking my yoga classes, my big meals eating out, my buying coffee, and the days I spend no money at all.

On the right page, I have a small calendar that I use to track my assignments. The bigger calendar shows everything. It shows my pay dates, special events and dinners, holidays, appointments, etc. It is all the events I have throughout the month.

As the month unfolds, everything fills out a little more. I think my goal for my bullet journal is not to have wasted space. With each month and each different setup, I will remove things I don't use or don't check. For example, last month I had a page dedicated to assignments and readings. I found that I never checked that page though. I would refer instead to my weekly log and transfer from that instead. The assignments and readings page wasn't that useful for me. I didn't include it this month.

I find the bullet journal system really helps. I highly encourage anyone interested to try it and see how the system can help them stay better organized. It's also a great way of keeping notes and having a reminder of how a year unfolded - down to the willy-nilly thoughts and each brilliant idea. In the past, I've included first draft tattoo designs, notes for interviews, etc. Moreover, it's a system that is completely customizable. Ryder's is the launchpad but ultimately, you're the designer.

Now, some hot tips before you, dear reader, run off to start your own bullet journal:

• Watch Ryder Carroll's original video on how to start a bullet journal. This is the backbone of your bullet journal. It is the bullet journal in its simplest and arguably most crucial parts. 
• Any journal works. You don't need to splurge on a fancy journal. However, I recommend that it is a numbered notebook because the index works based on numbered pages. 
• Start simple first. There are so many videos on YouTube that will suggest that bullet journaling is this complicated creative process that takes hours of setup. It shouldn't. It's supposed to be something useful and practical. At the end of the day, it is a kind of all-purpose planner. It is not a creative art project - not really. Watch a couple videos, start off with some basics. What do you think you will really use in your day-to-day life? What suits your needs and purposes? 
• Don't beat yourself up about it. Remember this system is supposed to help you. It doesn't have to look like anyone else's. I think it really shouldn't. If it doesn't suit your purposes to cover it in doodles or use it every day, don't. 
• Have fun with it! Almost every YouTube bullet journal setup suggests that bullet journals are a process. No one has a journal that looks the same day to day, month to month. Change it whenever you need to. Get creative with it. Mess it up. Do you, boo. 

Bullet journals are kind of a huge thing now. I love the system. I find it useful. It helps my productivity and goal setting. I hope it helps you too. 

Tattoo Deck 1

First images are sourced from Tumblr.
Bottom two tattoos are by Ruby Wolfe, who I'm currently consulting for my third piece. 

Check-In

The time is 6:25PM.

I have four days. A changeover between two semesters. It is impossible to imagine that my first semester of this program is done. It is impossible to imagine that I am halfway through with this year, halfway closer to being with my future. To think that soon I can be truly meeting the people and the world that will make up the chunk of the next part of my life... That thought makes everything spin. It makes my heart skip a beat. Pound a little faster.

From the beginning of September to here has felt like a journey. It really has. I feel exhausted. I feel tested. I feel raw, exposed and so closed off. Some of it has been exhilarating, some of it daunting. Some of it was heartbreaking. Some of it I'm still afraid to put to words. Time has moved so quickly too, that I'm not really sure what has happened and what was a little made up. The human mind is so imperfect. Memory is half history, half design. I'm sure the reflecting I do in this little gap will change, will muddle with more time. It always kind of does.

If I were to imagine writing home, here's what I have to say:

1. I really like what I'm learning. I know I'm getting better at it.
2. Heartbreak took a huge toll on me. I didn't think he could hurt me the way he did. This is defining a lot more of my perspective, outlook and attitude than I want it to. I am not happy with where my romantic life and personal headspace are. 
3. I am going to have to work a lot harder to do the best I can. To be better, to be the best. I cannot complain about this. It's the only way to succeed.
4. Being in a position when I'm good at this, can really really be my dream job. I think.
5. I want to hustle. I know my body has its limitations and it has more limitations than others, but I never want to let this stop or define me or my opportunities and capabilities.
6. I will succeed. I refuse to do otherwise.
7. I am going to be happy. 
8. I am going to create something wholly myself, for myself, by myself. I am myself in every single way. I can look at things and decide without a doubt whether something is me, or isn't. I am going  to create something that is me, for me, by me. I will do it.
9. I will let my work speak for me when I cannot speak for me.
10. I'm both excited and terrified to start really dipping my toes into this world. Adland. This feeling makes me think I'm on the right path. 

One of my teachers help me with coming up a headline. She helps me place my own idea. She asks me what am I trying to say in the ugliest words? This was it. With nothing written well, I want to say that life hasn't been easy but I don't think it's supposed to. I think I can do it though. I think I can do it well. I'm up for the challenge. I'm not done fighting.

This is just the start.

DRAFT

Below is the first draft of a piece of long copy. I really liked the imagery and the voice of this piece. Being able to write stuff like this, is kind of the reason why I went into copywriting. I want to be able to tell stories - powerful, moving and beautiful stories.

Describe your last experience of falling in love.  

You met your husband at age 22. It was a Saturday night outside of the university pub. You bumped into him because you weren’t paying attention and had one too many. You looked at him to say sorry. He smiled and then you lost your words. You fell in love. It was the first time.  

You lost your first job at age 24. You drove an hour and a half to sit at the beach and cry. You sat right by the water. Waves licked your toes. Sand tickled your skin. You watched the sun set. It hugged you as it left. You fell in love.  

You had your daughter at age 30. She wrapped her little hand around your finger. You whispered hello. You fell in love.  

You started painting again at age 40. You fell in love.  

Through a lifetime of falling in love, stumble into it again.

 My final submission did not look like this or sound quite the same. But I wanted to keep the first draft.

Dear Reader, let me know what you think. This is my favourite part of writing. I love creating imagery and feeling. How did I do? Can I sell you not just a product, but a lifestyle? The near-perfect life? A dream?

Day-in-a-life

I've been meaning to do this for a while. There's always an intention somewhere but it seems to get lost. As in, I typically don't remember to pick up the camera early enough or enough to do a cohesive day-in-a-life.

Here is a written one instead.

4:30AM Wake up. Brush teeth, wash face. Apply makeup.

5:00AM Single slice of toast with Kraft smooth peanut butter.

5:15AM Walk out to the bus stop.

5:30AM Work starts.

7:30AM On a 15-minute break, I had a cheese croissant and an iced caramel macchiato.

10:00AM Work ends. Pick up a blonde upside down Americano with extra room.

10:20AM Come home, check email and such.

10:30AM Jump into the shower.

10:45AM Reheat congee. Eat congee for lunch with a package of seaweed.

11:30AM Streetcar to Lakeshore and Kipling.

12:35PM Copywriting class.

3:30PM Commute back downtown.

4:45PM Order an Americano at Jimmy's Coffee. Work on linears for Portfolio 1B.

6:35PM Commute home.

7:00PM Dinner with parents. Mom's homecooked meal.

7:30PM Look up tattoos. Emailed an artist about a possible appointment.

8:00PM Put together ad in InDesign.

9:00PM Put together this blog article.

9:20PM Check tomorrow's weather. Plan tomorrow's outfit.

9:25PM  Remove makeup. Skincare routine.

9:35PM Make a hot lemon tea. Daily journal. Bullet journal tomorrow's tasks, next week's schedule.

9:45PM Freak out over the multitude of things I have to do.

10:00PM Brush teeth. Finish up skincare routine. Move from desk to bed.

10:10PM Moisturize body. Watch Friends on Netflix. Check social media on phone. Double check alarm.

11:00PM Bedtime.

A 2017 Look