What is a bullet journal?

So anyways, I’ve discovered bullet journaling. It’s apparently quite a thing at the moment. The friend I lunched with on Sunday is into it. She explained it and I was hooked immediately. In fact, the question isn’t really why I’ve discovered it, but rather why I haven’t discovered it before now.

After all, I’m a prime candidate for a bujo (as it’s known in the instagram world) convert:

• I love stationery and journaling, and was previously into scrapbooking.
• I love planners.
• I have a million and one different journals for a million and one different purposes.
• I love journals (I already said that, didn’t I?).
• I’d love to be more organised.
• I have problems sticking to the daily journal habit. Who am I kidding? I have trouble sticking to any habit.
• I lose track of books I want to read, places I want to go, music I’ve heard, ideas and inspiration I’ve had.
• I want to be able to track the events of my life in a way that is easy to record, and easy to refer back to, and doesn’t require a lock and key.
• I like a good bullet point.

What is bullet journaling?

The official website calls it “rapid logging” which, I suspect, is a fancy schmancy word for making quick notes.

It can be as simple or as busy as you like. It can be words or illustrations or a combination of both. Mine is purely words – as you might expect of me.

The real beauty of this, though, is that it’s a planner, a diary, an ideas portal and a to-do list all in one.

What do you need?

A journal – any journal – but preferably one that calls to you in some way. I’ve gone away from my usual moleskine this tie and chosen a rather buff looking German made Fantastic Papers journal. It has Swiss binding, and a flexible, soft front cover. You also need a pen. Or pens – if you’re going to make it all look prettier and more imaginative than mine will ever be. In case you’re interested, my pen is a moleskine pen.

What’s in the journal?

First up there’s the index. Every page is numbered, and the first couple of pages in your journal are for this index.

The next four pages are your long-range planner – or future planner. These double pages show you the major events in your next 12 months in a glance.

Next up we have the monthly planner – the current month by day – marked with the major events and tasks.

After that, it’s pretty much up to you.

My bullet journal has:

• a double page for each week. I’ve divided that into days and on each day I’m popping notes about what happened, what I had to do, what I did do, what the temperature is, any purchases, steps, whatever. I suspect this will change and grow as I go. Some people will track habits, note down their gratitude habits, general mood, alcohol free days (yeah, right)…whatever.
• Books I want to read
• Places that inspire me
• Ideas that pop up

Some examples I found on instagram:

How do you use it?

There’s a series of symbols you can use to identify tasks, events, ideas, whatever. There’s even a set of symbols that show tasks that have been completed, tasks that need to be scheduled, or tasks that need to be taken into the next week or the next month.

The website suggests a few, but I find that I’m starting to make up my own.

There’s a world of inspiration on line – just search instagram for:

#bujo

#bujojunkies

#bujoweekly

#bujomonthly

#bujoinspire

#bujotracker

#bujodaily

You get the idea… Here are some more examples. Mine is just words and very boring, but this is what can be done.

I’m just starting out with this, so I’ll keep you posted with my progress – and maybe even give you a sneaky peek into my journal…It might be early days, but I think I’m hooked.

What about you? Have you ever heard of the bullet journal before? Are you a journaller?

Ok, it’s Thursday, so that means sharing our happy. Like the Partridge Family sang C’mon Get Happy! Am I the only sad case old enough to remember that?

Feel free to link up a post that reflects what you’re lovin’ about life. All bloggers are welcome! Fashion, food, beauty, business, personal, parenting … whatever … If you’re not a blogger then use the #lovinlife hashtag to tag instagram photos or tweets about the things that are making you smile. You can also click on some of the Lovin’ Life links below and see what else is in the blogosphere. So much to love …

To join in the Lovin’ Life Linky, all you’ve got to do is: Link one post about what you’re currently lovin’ in life. Read two or three posts from other Lovin’ Life Linkers and leave a comment so they know you’ve dropped by. Spread the Lovin’ Life word and feel free to link back. The linky goes live at 7.30am every Thursday and finishes at 7.30am of a Monday (Australian Eastern Time).

Click on the link below to join in…

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