The Start of a New Bullet Journal
Updated at the bottom
I am days away from starting a new bullet journal. I’m at that point where I don’t have enough space left to squeeze another month in the current journal, but I’m leaving a few pages unused. Hate waste. Also hate having my months in two different spaces. Alas.
In addition to the regular bullet journal sections, I also keep a few running lists in my journals. One is a “Things that make me happy” list. I decided to drop my “Things I’m worrying about” notes into regular months and mark them with a worried face (instead of a box, which is what I use to note tasks, or a dot, which is what I use to note thoughts). I have a list called “Things I want,” so I can note things I’d like to one day obtain, though the fact that I never get these things is probably a sign that I don’t need this list. I have another list called “To be read” of things to be read, and one called “Reading list,” which notes what I’ve read since the journal began. (46 books this time.) There is a list of names I like. It’s always smart to travel with a list of good names.
And now I’m thinking about dividing a section into fours and trying these lists every month or so.
- Things I Want
- Things I Want More
- So I Choose
- And Will Stop
It’s from that linked post, which is about an Elizabeth Gilbert talk and an Amber Rae book. It’s easy to say no to things you don’t want to do. It may be cringe-y in the moment, but it’s not as if you have regrets about not doing that thing, even if you have regrets about how someone else took your “no.”
So this is an interesting exercise to list out all the things you want (or think you want) to do. Then pare it down to the most important things. Then choose one and look back on the rest, releasing them.
This is how I removed “learn Irish dancing” from my to do list. Goodbye, Irish dancing. I look forward to watching other people dance without taking the time to learn myself. I said goodbye to book projects that didn’t seem worth the time. Goodbye to games that looked really good but I didn’t want to play at the expense of other activities.
Hello new bullet journal.
Update:
I’m happy to show people how I bullet journal and the various sections. I’ve added quite a few over the years. Let me take pictures, and I’ll post them after I finish setting up the new journal.
And then show the second bullet journal that I use to balance work projects. So I actually use two very different bullet journals daily to keep everything straight and make sure everything gets done.
8 comments
I love your lists! I have done a lot job keeping up with my bullet journal this summer, but you are inspiring me to pick it back up again. I love that you are reevaluating your lists. I’ve also always wanted to learn Irish dancing, but I think I would break myself at this point (and be the oldest one in class by decades). Funny thing is my tap classes are held on a shared studio with… Irish Dancing!! For those last few pages, could you do some lists, or reflections, to close out that journal? Then it won’t feel so wasteful. I get not wanting to leave those few pages empty. Holy new journal!
So I’m so curious about this, as I am not nearly organized enough to keep this kind of a journal.
How do you divide it so you don’t run out of space or waste space…are these lists in a section of their own, or do they go along with the monthly section? When you start a new journal, do your lists come with you, or do you start new ones, like a clean slate?
And I love that you used the term “cringe-y”! Did you hear that from the twins? I only ask because I never heard that used before my middle-schooler started using it and now I used it to totally annoy her.
I have never figured out exactly, HOW, to bullet journal…but I did recently get into art journalling /dreams journal and I am LOVING it. 🙂
Between you and Jess, I’m won over about needing to start a bullet journal. Would LOVE to see an example (Jess has some pictures too, but I’m still unclear how to tackle)
I’m so glad you posted about this because earlier this week, I had searched and pulled up your initial bullet journal post in an effort to start putting one into practice. Can’t wait to see the pics and learn more how you use them. And I love your addition of lists…seems like a great and fun way to get details out of your head.
I’ve kinda tried bullet journaling… but we’re not fast friends. I love making lists and writing, and I do keep a gratitude diary of sorts. I’ve decided to make my own type of journal/planner including various things, and see how I go!! Sounds like you are really good at, and loving yours. Would love to see the pics! Even though I don’t bullet journal myself, I enjoy looking at others and pinning them on my journaling Pinterest board!
I bought a bullet journal but then never started it. Oops. (This is typical of about half my plans for self-improvement: they never even get off the ground.)
I don’t use a bullet journal (I have a Filofax with a day on two pages calendar insert that works quite well for me), but I am fascinated by journalling and organizational tips & always enjoy hearing about what others do & how they do it, so I will look forward to your photos! I sympathize with your dilemma (wasted blank pages/splitting the month between spaces)… that would probably drive me nuts too. 😉