When you spend too much time on the internet, you end up getting a lot of information. The past couple of months have been all about bullet journals! You’ve probably heard about them, but do you actually know what they are and how they work? Most people get a bit confused by this weird mix of a diary with a to-do list, though it sure has our attention!
Here’s where you’ll find out:
- What they are
- How to start your own
And mainly even better:
- Awesome hacks that will make your life so much easier! ‘
Cause we all love hacks so much.
“Art, freedom and creativity will change society faster than politics.” - Victor Pinchuk
What Is a Bullet Journal?
Good news is we do have an answer for you, the bad news is you’re probably not going to like it. The thing is, a bullet journal is actually a to-do list, a planner, and a diary all at once. Though it’s hard to understand how that could work, once you get started, you’ll see how simple it actually is.
You can find a detailed explanation on how to get started at Buzzfeed, but here are some bullet points (hah) to give you a general idea:
- Find the right size notebook, not too big (so it’s easy to take it with you anywhere), and not too small (so it’s practical to use)
- Number your pages and organize them so you can keep a daily and monthly log
- Remember to keep a page or two for an index table content (which you’ll update as you go)
- Use symbols for bullets points, such as a dot for an event, an arrow for something scheduled, and so on
Now that you have the basic info, here are some ideas that can help make your bullet journal even more awesome!
Keeping Track of Your Expenses
Even though you can find ways of getting your paperwork organized, it can be easy to lose track of your expenses. Since this hack helps you have control of your financial situation, it’s especially useful if you’re planning a big buy in the near future.
The bullet journal can help you always know what’s within your budget:
Separate a page or two (each month) so you can follow how much you’re spending on your credit (and/or debit) card. You can even make a color chart to follow the essential expenses, where you could’ve saved some bucks, and where you can invest a bit more the next month.
Planning Something Big
If there’s something big happening this year - maybe you’re traveling, getting married, or having your house remodeled - separate two pages of the journal to plan it thoroughly. What you already did, what you still want and need to do, and what you’ll need other people to help you with.
Tracking Your Sleep Quality
Getting a good night’s sleep can make your day shine, so use your journal to try to improve your sleep quality. Keep records of how many hours you’re sleeping each night, what kind of dreams (or nightmares) you had - also keep a couple of pages to analyze your dreams.
More than that:
Find some tips on how to improve your sleep quality, and write down the ones that worked (and how/why they worked). That way, when you’re having trouble you know what to do!
Managing Time Better
Okay, this one was kind of obvious, right? If you’re doing the to-do list, planner, and diary combo, it’s a no-brainer that you’ll be able to manage your time better. You can write down the time you took to complete the tasks on your to-do list to help you better plan the following days.
Keeping a Reading List
Keep a page to make a reading list or a to-watch list (or both!) for every book, movie, or series you’ve been meaning to read or watch. You know, those you kept on postponing because you never found the time for it. This is your year!
Drawing Your Monthly Log
Yep, along with the whole combo we’ve said the bullet journal is, it can also be a sketchbook (versatile enough?). This is a really cool option if you want to exercise your creative brain! Once you’ve decided and written down the key points for the month, make some doodles with colorful pens.
And since we’re talking about colorful pens…
Swatching Pens and Markers
How about a page strictly to test your pens? That way you can both see if the pens are working and if the colors are what the ones you want to use.
Here are some ideas:
- Fill in a mood mandala to test your pens! It doesn’t need to be perfect, just go with your gut!
- Rearrange your furniture! Draw them down and brainstorm how to make the best out of the space you have to use.
Remembering Birthdays
Most people like getting attention on their birthdays (and yes, I’m including myself here). So, take a couple of minutes and organize the dates for the important people in your life.
In addition to that:
- Write down holiday dates you consider the most important
- Anniversary dates are always a big deal
- Make sure to schedule the events you’re planning to attend
Charting Your Crafts
If you’re a DIYer, take two pages for each project you’re working on and get planning! Write down the materials you need (what you already have and what you still need to get), how much time you’re planning to use (and how much you actually did). All the information that can help you manage the time better and plan your next crafts!
Hope this helped you get inspired with your own bullet journal! Any questions or suggestions, make sure to leave us a comment down below!
