I Love My Bullet Journal
Introduction to Bullet Journaling
A few weeks ago, one of my clients (now someone I consider a friend), sent me a link on Pinterest to Bullet Journals. I was immediately hooked. I am the type of person that does not procrastinate and the only way to get everything done is to make a list. As a web designer by trade, I am very digitally inclined with everything. I have OmniFocus and Evernote to keep everything synced between my iMac, MacBook Pro, iPhone and iPad. Nothing escapes me and I have no excuse.
So, why this reversion back to paper and pen excite me? My friend gave me one of the Leuchtturm books as a gift. My first reaction was that I couldn’t move the pages around. What if I changed my mind? Even with the Table of Contents that I would create, I live in a digital world where I can change my mind. I don’t have to think things completely through, just get them down and move ’em around.
Ah, but that’s the catch and the hook. When I first set up the book, I allowed lots of pages between sections. Messed up many pages. Then sat back and thought really hard about it. I could use my leather bound Daytimer and that would solve the problem. Turns out Daytimer refills are harder to find than they used to be since NO ONE does paper anymore. But, prevail and conquer. I found the refills and ordered.
I played with Daytimer and the Leuchtturm – handled both – wrote in both – set up sections in both…then I realized that the Daytime would not fit in my purse and the Leuchttrum would. The feel of the paper in this book and they way it’s structured just said – PICK ME! and I did.
Analog vs Digital Planning
Training the brain to think before doing is an old concept and one that is outdated, but one that is required to do be a bullet journalist. I know, with the table of contents, it’s supposed to help. But, you still need to sit down and really think what it is that you want to do in your bullet journal that you can’t do digitally. Trust me, just be prepared for brain fog. Get yourself a MOO eraser and a pencil you like.
Tabbed Sections
Even though I have thought it out and know what I want, still could not get past the need to quick open. So, I got some of the
Bullet Journal Supplies
I have OCD also when it comes to seeing something someone has that I think I might want, then I HAVE to have the complete set. (end up giving lots of stuff away as my friends can account to) But, here is what I have in my bag (which is a nice travel bag I got free with some make up purchase years ago).
- TUL pen and pencil
- MOO eraser
- Set of 10 Staedtler Triplus Fineliners
- Set of colored pencils
- Ruler that fits in the back pocket of the book
- Small post in tabs
- Washi tape – I really don’t use this as much as I thought
- Scrapbooking stickers with motivation – another I don’t use much
- White out tape – not found a brand I like yet though
- Pencil sharpener
- Scissors and exacto knife
Pencil Holders
I got one of those stick on pencil holders that Leuchttrum carries, but took it off. If you have a skinny pencil you like, then it works fine. Otherwise, it’s a waste of space. I did a search on Pinterest for Bullet Journal Pen Holders and found lots that I really liked, so I just made my own. My son says it looks like something an old lady geek would have…okay, so I am an old lady geek. It works great though. Even has a little pocket on the back to hold my cell phone.
My Bullet Journal Images
Here are a few shots of my own bullet journal.