Like most moms, I juggle a lot of balls. I have my work, my blog, my running, two kids with activities, social activities, the house, the cat (who is on every other day meds), and a gecko (who also gets fed about every other day, but is inconsistent). I’ve tried coschedule for blogging, I maintain multiple Google Calendars, and I have lists all over the damned house. And yet, somehow I recently forgot to fill out an important form, I almost missed a meeting I needed to attend, and my house desperately needs organizing.
I keep hearing about this whole Bullet Journal thing and honestly, it reminds me of the heavy use of day planners that I used to do back when I worked full time. (And yes, I actually do still have them in a box in the bedroom, because hey, I may someday want to know what I was up to on this day in 1998 and Facebook won’t tell me that far back.)
- At heart, I’m a writer. I don’t mean that I write stories or even that my blog writing is all that awesome. What I mean is that I write things down to remember them and to organize my thoughts. As much as I love computers and technology, there is something about using an actual pen and paper that works for me.
- I already use a notebook to organize my work. And another one for blog topics and notes for drafts. So, having everything in one place, in an organized manner, is actually going to be an improvement over my current system. At the very lease, I’ll only have to keep track of one notebook instead of 2 or 3.
- I carry too much in my head. Or I pretend to carry it in my head, but really I forget things on a regular basis.
- I have pieces of paper all over my house. I actually do really well with daily to do lists, but sometimes I don’t finish everything. Then I either need to add it to the new list I’m starting or keep the old piece of paper. I confess I usually keep the piece of paper until I can cross it off as done. The end result is lots of little pieces of paper to keep track of. I think I will be much better off being able to just look back a day or two or look at the monthly task list.
- I have a ton of half used composition notebooks in my house. Every year during elementary, the kids have to have several different composition notebooks for subjects. Nine times out of ten, they come home at the end of the year with only a third or less used. Since my kids refused to reuse them, I have quite a selection. It’s a great way to try out the system without making a financial investment.
I don’t know if Bullet Journaling is the answer, but I figure it can’t hurt. Don’t worry though – I’ll still have my Google calendars. How else could I look at my calendar, my husband’s calendar, my boss’ calendar and the school calendar all at once? Because, yes, some days I need to do that just to go for a run…
I’m linking up with Courtney, Mar, and Cynthia for Friday Five. The topic for today is fitness, but obviously I went rogue this week…
It’s amazing!!! Go for it!!! I never expected it to make too much of a difference for me, because in general, I am a big planner. But, after using the bullet journal for about 5 weeks now, it’s like the best thing that has happened. All my stress is now in writing, rather than in my mind. I simply love it!
I’ve been using it for a day and a half and I already love it. I’m still figuring out where to write short term, but not today “to do’s” but I’ll figure out what works best eventually.
I can relate to all this! I’m a paper journal gal too and yes, i’ve kept some old ones! I am not techy enough to use a Google calendar..haha
I was hoping you would show a picture of how you will be doing this bullet journal. I keep hearing people talk about them.
I will do some photos in a later post. If you look at the bullet journal website, I basically followed their simple directions to get started.
Great post! I’ve been really interested in bullet journaling but just haven’t made the time to set one up. I feel like I have a ton of things in my head too!
I did a very basic set up and I’m adding as I go along. It basically only took about 15 minutes to get started and I used a notebook I already had.
I’m not a list maker unless I am feeling really overwhelmed. I’ve never heard of a Bullet Journal! What is it?
If you aren’t a list maker, it’s probably not your thing. Check out pinterest or google bullet journal and you’ll see a ton of examples.
I’ve never heard of a bullet journal, but I did ask for a Franklin Covey day planner for Christmas! I felt like such an adult adding it to my list. Haha.
It’s just a way of organizing your schedule and various other things, all in a personally designed notebook. If you look on pinterest, you can see that some people are super creative. I’m not that person.
I have to say when I first saw this title I thought it said ballet. Knowing you, I was like ‘what”? lol. I still need to write things down in a paper calendar. The phone stuff does not work well for me. I need to see things. Good luck to you!
Me too – if I don’t write it down, I don’t remember it.
I have a whole Pinterest board of Bullet Journal ideas. I’ve started prepping my journal for 2017… fun stuff.
I used one years ago & LOVED it & then got caught up in the Erin Condren planners. Now I’m torn what will actually work for me in 2017. We’ll see.
I’ll have to check your board out! I’m always looking for new ideas. 🙂
Ooh, what’s your pinterest board? I’d love to check it out.
https://www.pinterest.com/rebeccajo/planners-keep-life-in-order/
I keep hearing about bullet journals but I’m not sure I understand how it’s different than a regular day planner. I look forward to hearing more and your opinion once you’ve been using it for a while 🙂
It’s like a day planner on steroids. Just has a lot more places to dump information in an organized manner so you don’t have to carry it in your head or have lists everywhere.
I started bullet journaling in January and I absolutely love it! It’s easier to carry in my purse instead of lugging my A5 Filofax around. I still haven’t perfected my system yet – I might try a combo of Erin Condren and BuJo for 2017, but writing out daily and weekly pages and lists really helps me get a grip with our chaotic life!
Thanks for sharing and good luck with your journal!
I need to figure out how I want to do the weekly page. I don’t have one for this week, but may try one for next week.
I should be better, but I keep a notebook and a task list…. but like you, I’m keeping track of several things.
It’s like yours, just all in one place.
I haven’t heard of the Bullet journal. I write lists, have an old school paper planner, and get appt cards when I’m at a doctor or dentist office. I retain info best when it’s written down rather than on my phone or Google docs. I hope your journaling effort works!
It’s a lot like a paper planner with built in lists. I always used to have a paper planner when I worked full time and this is filling that need, but working with my current life.
I have a couple of journals going–one for writing my thoughts and one for workouts. I fare so much better when I’m writing things rather than plugging it into a calendar online.
This is kind of the same thing, but all in one place. So far I’m loving it.
I still don’t understand what a bullet journal is. My husband is a list maker. I am one that will make a list and forget to check it!
It’s basically just one place for all of your lists and calendars. I like that I was able to empty my master to do list out of my head LOL.
I’m intrigued by bullet journals but fear I wouldn’t keep it up…
I already do the same basic steps – just in a lot of different places. I’m experimenting with being able to put it all in one notebook in an organized manner.
Is it a specific kind of journal? I’m a lot like you, I like to write, and it does help me remember things, although I don’t consider myself to be a good writer.
And I, too, have multiple journals.
I started using a pad for to do lists, again, recently. It works — as long as something gets on the list!
I’m just using a notebook, but if you google bullet journal, you’ll see the organizational concepts.