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Original poster

Does anyone Bullet Journal?

56 replies

KittyMcKitty · 27/12/2018 17:14

I really want to start and think it’s a system which will work for me but I just feel slightly overwhelmed by it all!

Interested to hear from those who do and to find out how it works for you.

OP posts:
SilverySurfer · 27/12/2018 17:44

Never heard of it - what is it?

EggbertHeartsTina · 27/12/2018 17:47

Do an advanced search for the thread “BuJo wankers”, not sure it’s live anymore but is good for finding out more. I’d love to get into it but can’t be bothered to start Blush

longnight · 27/12/2018 17:47

I do I have been for the past 9 months I find it really helpful but I follow the original Ryder Carroll method.

soloula · 27/12/2018 19:58

I think it’s one of these things that seems overwhelming then you start and you have an ‘ah ok, I get it now’ moment. I started at the tail end of 2017 and I love it. I originally started mine as purely functional but now I’ve tweaked the system to work for me, I also enjoy the aesthetic side of it and it’s a wee creative outlet for me. I love that it helps me stay on top of all my tasks that I have, all my appointments/events/birthdays etc are all logged and I don’t forget anything. And I like that I can step away if I don’t have much on and leave it for a week or two (or more) and when I go back it’s just straight onto the next page rather than having big empty pages shaming me in a diary lol. I’d watch the Ryder Carroll videos and then go for it. You might not like the system to start, but that’s ok, you adapt it to suit you and your life and what you want to get from it. I’m just debating how to set up my new one for 2019 as I found that towards the end of last year when both my dc were finally at school at nursery my future logs were getting filled up quickly. But that’s ok as it’s a blank notebook and I can do what I want with it.

dangermouseisace · 27/12/2018 20:50

Yup.

I’m hopelessly disorganised- it’s the only thing that works for me. Organised mum did not work for me at all! I put everything in it- use it as a diary, put lists in it...shopping lists, books I want to read lists, random note scribbling, It works best if you have a decent size book. I find exercise book size, but much thicker, works well. The ones I get are around £12 but it’s worth it.

Do it do it do it. It’s easy, really.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 27/12/2018 21:23

I do, but only in a very simple way. Just a notebook with different sections. I draw a bullet point, colour it through when the task is done, or arrow through it when I move it to another list.

I have to do lists, long term wish lists, long term jobs lists etc. It's workable for me, I carry it everywhere, and I get through my tasks more efficiently- and I don't forget things!

Hohocabbage · 28/12/2018 10:36

Yeah I’m about to buy my fourth journal, I find I drift in and out of using it thoroughly but the one book system definitely works for me

pontiouspilates · 28/12/2018 10:43

I have two - one is handbag size and purely functional (following t Ryder Carroll's original method) The other is larger and used for tracking runs, books, gigs, weightloss and is generally more creative.

Original poster
KittyMcKitty · 28/12/2018 11:10

Thank you everyone I think I just need to take the plunge!! I think it’s the blank book which is a bit daunting!

OP posts:
Prokupatuscrakedatus · 28/12/2018 11:23

But it really, really works - especially when the internet is down and all your digital helpers stop working or google decides not to synchronize today and shows you an empty calendar.

And there is no obligation to be all arty and creative about it unless you enjoy it. I am as creative as a can opener so my BuJo has not frills or lettering or anything but the facts.

Kazzyhoward · 28/12/2018 11:27

Isn't it just a "do it yourself" filofax?

Original poster
KittyMcKitty · 28/12/2018 11:32

Kazzyhoward yes in essence although it can be tailored to however you want it and some people do v creative/ beautiful things with them.

OP posts:
Whereisme · 28/12/2018 11:34

I keep thinking about starting one, but get put off when I Google it and see all these beautifully artistic ones!

pontiouspilates · 28/12/2018 11:36

Essentially yes Kazzy, but obviously you customise it to suit you.
Kitty a blank book is really daunting, you just have to jump in there and start.
Loads of stuff on Pinterest for those of a more creative bent.

Original poster
KittyMcKitty · 28/12/2018 11:46

Those who already BuJo (loving the abbreviation) do you use books with dots / grid?

OP posts:
Wandastartup · 28/12/2018 12:00

I’ve gone back to a Filofax after a brief flirtation with google calendar and a year of organised mum. I have bought a bigger newer one!

Hohocabbage · 28/12/2018 12:15

I’ve just ordered a dot one but previously always had lined. I print off calendars from the internet and stick them in the front. I think where it’s different from a Filofax is that there aren’t sections for different things - like to do lists in one section - things just come as they happen and then you put them in your index.

pontiouspilates · 28/12/2018 12:41

I prefer the flexibility of a dot
journal.

Prokupatuscrakedatus · 28/12/2018 12:43

I use a blank one made for me by my DN and started at the end of November when the old book was full. A ring binder is to bulky for me.

HarrySnotter · 28/12/2018 12:54

I'm not trying to sound like a wanker - really I'm not - but is this not just writing lists?

A Google has just brought up journals to buy.

soloula · 28/12/2018 13:08

I use a dotted a5 journal. The dots are nice as a guide but disappear into the background once you start writing, if that makes sense. I feel like grids would be too noticeable...

GrouchyKiwi · 28/12/2018 13:11

My sister does it. Her journals are little works of art. Apparently she finds it very helpful for keeping track of goals and motivating herself to get tough jobs done.

soloula · 28/12/2018 13:12

harrysnotter it is and it isn't. The nice thing about bullet journals is you can make them what you want. If you want to just use them as to-do lists every day you can. That's where they differ from a filofax or preprinted journal as I've always found there are bits that don't suit me - not relevant categories, not enough/too little space in sections....I love the flexibility of having a blank journal to make my own.

brizzledrizzle · 28/12/2018 13:14

What do you use them for?

soloula · 28/12/2018 13:21

In mine at the moment, it's my calendar/diary with to-do lists to keep me organised. I log what books I've read as I've been doing a reading challenge this year to try and read more books. I had a sleep log for a while for dd2 to try and help spot patterns when she had nights she was waking at 4am. I put all my Xmas lists in. I have habit trackers to keep me on top of good habits - drinking enough water, playing piano daily, reading daily. I have a period tracker where I keep note of when I get my period, any cramps, pmt and what not. I log my expenses to keep track of money. I use it for all sorts of other things. And this is all contained in a wee a5 journal. It's a great wee system.

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