If you’re still going old school and using a planner instead of an electronic calendar, yet find it hard to use one for more than a few weeks, bullet journaling may be for you. Structured planners with pre-printed pages that have a variety of styles and layouts. Often times have areas that we don’t use and don’t provide space for things we really wish they had.
After all, in traditional planners there usually aren’t pages for journaling, keeping important lists, or blank pages to do a brain dump. So, if we want those things, we have to use another book and have something else to carry around and keep track of.
Bullet journaling offers you a way to create your own planner, just the way you like it, with all the pages you really want. The options are endless. Here’s how to get started:
Get a notebook
Something with either blank pages or dot grid pages is perfect. Make sure it’s small enough that you can carry it around with you.
Get some pens
If you’re a creative person, you probably love writing with different color pens so this is a perfect way to journal and plan. Felt tip pens or gel pens are usually a good option, just get a variety of colors.
Now you’re ready to get started!
- On the first page of your notebook, create a table of contents. Count the number of pages in your book and subtract however many pages you need to create a table of contents. For instance, if there are 100 sheets in your book and you need 2 of those sheets to list the numbers for them, you’ll want to create a table of contents that has 98 pages.
- Create a future log labeling the 12 months of the year so you can list future events and appointments for each month.
- Create a monthly log to keep track of the current month’s events, appointments, and important tasks. List numbers 1-30 (or 31) down the page, then write the letter for each day of the week next to the corresponding date. Now list the important things you need to remember next to the date it happens. For instance, next to W15 (for Wednesday the 15th), Mom’s Birthday.
- Create a daily log to keep track of each day’s tasks. Using the next set of blank pages, list the days and dates of the week on each page. You should be able to fit 3-4 days per page, leaving space in between to list tasks.
After you have your planner ready to go, you can use the rest of the pages any way you’d like. Fill these pages with lists of your favorite recipes, what to pack when you travel, places you want to go, doodle your vision board, draw, sketch, write poetry. Whatever strikes you. Just be sure to note the page number in the table of contents so that you know where to find what you’re looking for when you need it.
Bullet journaling is a great way to free your creativity and imagination so you can create the perfect, personalized planner for you.
Want to learn to relax and let that creative side come out and play! Contact me for s FREE life coach consultation via phone at 970-682-4405 or email at andrea@witherswhisper.com. I look forward to helping you explore who you are and what you want to become.