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Bullet Journals ... anyone use them and able to advise please

12 replies

Blownaway22 · 14/12/2020 11:32

Thinking of one for almost 13 year old DD. Is she too young? If not, please tell me what I need to make it a fun gift for her. Aside from a suitable journal - pens, tape (???), stamps, I have no idea! Thanks!

OP posts:
Kanaloa · 14/12/2020 11:49

If you look on amazon you can get a bullet journal kit with everything included. If you’d rather make it yourself, washi tape is lovely, you can get big packs of it online. My dd is getting some vsco stickers to decorate her notebooks and water bottle, maybe these would be nice too. I like stabilo pens but brush pens are popular too, maybe some pastel highlighters.

I do use one, not sure about if a 13 year old would get much out of it, just depends on that particular child. Maybe you could browse pinterest with her for ideas, lots of inspiration on there.

lazylinguist · 14/12/2020 11:53

I'm a big fan of Bullet Journals and have been using one for years now. Tbh though, I use it to organise my life. I'm not sure how useful it would be to a 13yo as they don't usually have much to organise! My dd tried starting one age about 12 or 13 but didn't get on with it because it didn't have any real purpose for her.

Blownaway22 · 14/12/2020 12:22

Thanks for your replies ... having been googling in the meantime I was beginning to wonder whether it would be suitable for her. Looks like she’d need lots of time to organise it and I suspect it’s one of those things you have to ‘want’ to do. Think I will park that idea for now ... back to the drawing board! Thanks again.

OP posts:
Ginfordinner · 14/12/2020 12:24

DD uses hers to make a diary. She puts in all her university deadlines and other activities. She pretties it up with drawings.

awwkkwwaard · 14/12/2020 12:26

I have had one and I love it - I don't use it to organise my life as such, but for noting weight loss, what books I read, savings etc, but then I am a bit of a stationery addict... I cleared out my office the other day and found 27 notebooks... Blush

teawamutu · 14/12/2020 13:12

I bought a journal just as covid hit and never got round to starting. It's so complicated! Is there an easy guide for tracking things like hobbies and fitness?

figgyitypudding · 14/12/2020 14:31

It can be as artsy and complicated, or as simple and easy as you want it. It's just a notebook that you turn into a diary that suits your needs.

Does she already keep a diary/ planner? If she does, or has shown interest, then it might be a nice thing for her to try.

Mine is now mostly used for work and for tracking birthdays. I have the dotted Leuchtturm journal because it has three ribbon book marks and a little pocket in the back, and it's hardcovered and handbag sized.

In mine, I have the year drawn up so I can add future events on a long term plan. Then I do a weekly page. 6 x boxes on the left side of the double page (weekends go into one box) and on the right page, a little box bottom right to plan my evening meals and the whole rest of the page for my to-do list. All pertinent calendar events from my work online calendar are written into the boxes, so I start the week with a clear idea of what's happening, just because I've reviewed and written it down physically.

I use the blank pages afterwards to make meeting notes or plan stuff that happen that week, so I can easily find minutes/ info. Then when the week is over, I draw up the next week's double-page.

There are loads of guides on Pinterest on how to do bullet journalling for school. She might find it useful to have a look- things like class notes, assignment deadlines, reading to do.

@teawamutu, when I first started, I tracked exercise and sleep and water intake, but I have a fitbit watch that does the first two, and I don't actually care about my water enough to colour in little boxes. Now, I don't use it to track things like that. It's got to work for you and fit into your routine and life. Otherwise it becomes a chore!

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 14/12/2020 14:35

A dotted notebook (as opposed to lines) is a good starting point. It's easier to add in grids and lines etc.

She may be a smidge young unless she has specifically taken an interest in advance. Pinterest is a good place for ideas on what sort of things you can journal in there.

Submariner · 14/12/2020 14:42

At it's most basic it's a nice notebook with coloured pens and washi tape. I would have loved that when I was 13! She can use it for anything, diary, homework planner, writing down what books or films she's enjoyed. I would get a few bits and introduce her to some age appropriate YouTubers or Pinterest boards. At that age it can just be a bit of fun.

BogRollBOGOF · 14/12/2020 14:59

I use mine as a running/ fitness journal and have a seperate one for household stuff.

The beauty is how flexible and personal it is. It can be functional or creative. Serious, spiritual or hobbies.

MustardMitt · 14/12/2020 15:00

Bullet journalling can be as time consuming as you want. I use it for work, so I’m not arsed about it looking pretty or anything. I don’t use it for personal because tbh I’m just not the type to.

If you can get to Kenji, they do fab BuJo’s and washi tapes and pens which are the foundation of a fancy bujo! This is the type I like - this was £5.

Bullet Journals ... anyone use them and able to advise please
OhCormoranAllYeFaithful · 14/12/2020 15:45

Inspired by this thread I picked one up in Hobbycraft today to pop in my own stocking, it was down to a fiver.

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