Bullet Journaling

So, I have never really been into the whole journaling thing. I try it every couple of years and quickly lose interest, probably because my life isn't that exciting and mostly, I write about how much anxiety I have about everything. Not exactly an riveting read, but I try it to deal with said anxiety. Sadly, it never helps.

However, about a week ago, I discovered

bullet journaling, which has turned me into a journaling monster. I have spent an hour, at least, every day, writing in this thing since it combines a bunch of stuff I love. Now, you might be asking, what is a bullet journal? I had the same question, so after a in-depth internet search, I can now vaguely explain it.

First of all, it is a journal. But it is also a planner, a sketchbook and a way to track whatever you want. What I love about it is that it is highly customization to fit the needs of the user. I am one of those people who always has doodles, lists and reminders surrounding them, usually on Post-Its or other scraps of paper. They end up shoved in pockets and drawers, found months later when they are no longer useful to me. I have tried the whole use-your-cell-phone thing and it doesn't work for me. I either forget what the fuck I am supposed to do, or just ignore it. Not really an effective way to manage things.

So, I took the plunge and decided to give this whole bullet journaling thing a try. And I am in love. Or at least, super like. I can track what I have read, jot down short notes of my day, have to-do lists, track ym habits (good and bad) and really, do whatever I want to do with it. You can make it crazy simple and basic or you can get crazy and add design elements. (I get crazy and make it all fancy). It basically allows me to be artistic and also attempt being organized. I also find it helps me with my anxiety since I can express myself as little or as much as I want.

So, how I got started:

1. I used Google and Pinterest to find articles and guides
2. Spent hours looking for the perfect dot-grid journal on Amazon (and end up making my boyfriend help me pick one)
3. Yay! It arrived. Make an Index, a Future Log and then, get overwhelmed and start searching the internet again.
4. Sad that I don't have pretty colored pens and nice black ones. Buy pens.
5. Wait for pens by outlining everything in black using my one nice black gel pen (well, boyfriend's nice black pen)
6. Pin page ideas to Pinterest
7. Still learning, but it is getting pretty. Plus, I added some book lists, idea lists and a habit tracker. Look at me go!
8. Realize I am making it more complicated than it should be
9. Relaxed and had fun.
10. Pens arrived. Color time!

I don't recommend this path for anyone, since it is all over the place and I tend to get a little over-fixated on small things. Don't do that...it just makes you anxious and you start having an existential crisis over a notebook. However, if you are interested in this whole thing, do a web search and see. Maybe it is the journal for you...it was for me. Plus, I am finding some truly beautiful pages that make me ache for that level of skill. I will get there...it is now my life goals. Kidding...sort of. Anyways, check it out and let me know what you think.