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.