Bullet Journaling--An August Start

Cover of my bullet journal

Keeping a calendar, detailing notes in a planner, journaling activities and making to do lists have been part of my daily task list for many years. For about 15 years, I worked four different part time jobs, picked up/dropped off the daughters to swim lessons, dance lessons and play dates. An accurate calendar was a must!

When I worked a full time job plus two part time jobs and balanced attending the swim meets and water polo matches, I was introduced to a planner system. I found many techniques in a planner helpful and it was easy to transition because I was already documenting much of my life in my calendar system. I have tried a digital planner/calendar; however, I prefer a paper system!

A key to the various marks

Dedicated journaling began four years ago when six of us got together and tackled the lessons in an Artist's Way by Julia Cameron together. I found the morning pages a great help to identify what was blocking my creativity as well as how to expand my skill sets. The time we spent together was
invaluable. I doubt that I would have gained as much insight through the process had I taken the journey on my own.

Last August, I stopped journaling. When I found that I didn't miss it, I didn't pick it up again. My blog posts, joining the 2018 Finish-A-Long, my calendar and my planner provided me the formats to continue to explore, develop and hone my various skills.

View of the index

Last April, I saw a posting on FaceBook about a sketchbook revival that was a free online workshop intended to start, maintain and grow sketchbook practice. I want to develop my drawing skills so I took it. I loved the course. I tried different techniques. Some techniques were beyond my skill level; but, I picked up little "nuggets" of information from each presenter. I didn't stick with the practice.

I follow Barbara Black who blogs at My Joyful Journey. In July, she posted her top three tips to time management and shared her journal. I found some overlap of what she does and what I was doing. Then a member of "The Quilt Show" (TQS) brought up bullet journaling and mentioned she was trying to find a better way to organize aspects of her life. She shared a link to a video at bulletjournal.com. She also shared BoHo Berry's youtube video about her setting up her bullet journal. While I enjoyed the video, I thought, too much work!

Daily log page

A few days passed; I googled BoHo Berry and found her blog. I went down the rabbit hole and researched bullet journals. I looked at several bullet journal set ups. I rewatched BoHo Berry's youtube video and I watched several more! Then, I decided to try it for four months. I had a lined small book on hand. I began my new journey at the beginning of the month and I spent nothing!

Why I took the leap is because I could see the value in having my quilting ideas in the same "container" as my to do lists.  I LOVED the index as I would lose where I wrote some of the same information in my planner. Before my planner days, my calendar was a small book. Using this system, I can go back to a less complicated calendar which will be cheaper in addition to taking up less space! The journal and the calendar will be less than I spend on the planner. Eventually, I'll doodle/sketch in the journal. The paper in this journal is too thin for paint; but, pencil and/or ink sketches will work fine. I can get out my color pencils for playtime too! This system will provide me more flexibility than I have had. It will truly be my own!

Monthly goal page

I'll share a few photos of my first journal. It is truly a Work In Process. (WIP) I plan to adapt it as I go and to keep it simple so it is easy to use.

Before the bullet journal, my to do lists were longer. I realized I have a number of tasks that I do daily. I started a Habit Tracker page for the month. The space I have saved writing walk with the dog and quilt is small; but, adds up over time. Also, sometimes, I'd miss the bigger chunks of my day because I'd be focusing on the exercise. Now, my habit tracker is like background music--there; but, not the focus of the day. I like the streamlining the habit tracker provides and I will be tracking other activities in the future.

My daily task list has shrunk. Even better--I'm getting what is on the list completed. I do plan to add an envelope to the front and back cover as there might be bits I want to save. I do carry the journal around with me so I can refer to my monthly goals or add entries. At the beginning of the day, I review my list and at the end of the day, I add the appropriate mark to the list entry. I also plan for the next day.

I am thinking about adding a week at a glance page. My first month has gone well. I completed all but three of my monthly goals. Of the three I didn't complete, I made good progress on two of the three! I've even started to doodle on the pages. My journal is beginning to evolve! I'm glad I tried the bullet journal!

Since this is my last post for the month, I need to tally of the participants that I taught this month:
34 Basic Life Support CPR (240 YTD); 12 Babysitter's Training (22 YTD) This is a total of 46 for August (total 370 YTD).