Could You Benefit from Bullet Journaling?

Last Updated on November 7, 2019 by Jody Halsted

This is the second article in the Bullet Journal series – read the first article here!

My typical day:

  • Up at 6am for 6:30 bike ride
  • Breakfast
  • Write 2 hours
  • Email (why is there so much???)
  • Connect on Twitter
  • Schedule social accounts (different tasks on different days)
  • Clean a part of the house (different areas on different days)
  • Walk/ train dog
  • Work in garden
  • Cook dinner

What that doesn't include: running kids hither & yon (+ working on school depending on the time of year); online education courses; spending time with my husband; showering

I'm the first to admit that I pile a lot on my plate. Probably too much. But that doesn't stop me from seeming to add more.

And maybe it helps you see why a traditional planner just didn't fit…  While I have a lot going on I also try to keep things really fluid and easy to reschedule. My life moves fast- and I need a planner system that can keep up with it.

Could You Benefit from Bullet Journaling?

Who Can Benefit From Bullet Journaling

In today’s busy world, where we have to keep track of information, plans, activities & more, almost anyone can benefit from bullet journaling. This particular system of staying organized has some unique properties that make it particularly helpful for people who thrive on lists and appreciate a non-digital system. Here’s a quick rundown to help you decide if bullet journaling is right for you.

If You Use To-Do Lists Bullet Journaling May Be For You

If you’re a fan of to-do lists and have one sitting at your desk or your kitchen counter, then a bullet journal may work very well for you. Think of it as a large, ongoing to-do list that also helps you keep track of appointments, important ideas, and the like. And since it’s all in one journal, no more frantic searches for that little list that held everything you needed to do today. (That is unless you misplace your journal – but that will be a bit easier to find than a piece of scrap paper).

If You Are Looking For An Analog System Bullet Journaling May Be For You

Weekly schedule in my Bullet Journal
I'm still trying to find my perfect weekly layout, but I'm liking this one so far.

Our electronic devices are great, but sometimes you want to go back to pen and paper. If you want an organized, easy to deal with system that requires no batteries or Wi-Fi, then this will be a good fit for you.

Even if you think your Google Calendar handles everything for you, I would like to encourage you to give this a try. I actually lay my day out on Google calendar, just to keep it from overlapping too much; but there’s just something about writing things down by hand that helps us process them differently. (Google : does writing things down help you remember – there are so many studies that show how much writing helps our brains!)

If You’re Looking For a Creative Outlet Bullet Journaling May Be For You

If you are looking for a creative outlet but you just don’t have the time to sit down and sketch, paint, or create, then bullet journaling may be a good fit for you. As you plan your day, you can let out your creative side as you doodle and decorate your daily pages. Of course this is completely optional…  I don't have an artistic bone in my body but I love looking at the Instagram images of those who do….

If You Feel Like You’re Keeping Track Of Too Much “Stuff” In Your Head Bullet Journaling May Be For You

Bullet Journaling for list makers!
Just one of the lists I have in my BuJo.

Do you have a constant running tally in you head of everything you need to do and remember today? That takes up a lot of brain space. A bullet journal may be the perfect solution because it helps you jot down all those appointments, to-dos, meetings, and ideas you don’t want to forget as they come up.

Writing them down allows you to forget about them and stop running that constant long list of stuff in your head that you need to remember. Just think of what you can do with all that extra brain capacity and how much less stressed you’ll feel when you stop to worry about forgetting something.

If You Need Something Mobile Bullet Journaling May Be For You

A big advantage of the bullet journal is that it’s nothing more than a notebook and a pen. You can sit down anytime, anywhere to plan, check on your progress through the day, or add a new line item. There’s no need to hunt down a power outlet and it works just fine in bright sunlight.

Frankly it’s nice sometimes to unplug and get some thinking done away from your computer or smartphone.

If You Feel Like The Days Are Flying By Bullet Journaling May Be For You

Bullet Journaling for vacation memories!
The Bullet Journal is perfect for jotting down vacation memories!

This may be the most important part of the BuJo for me…  the ability to not only use it as a planner but also as a journal. When I'm traveling I will write the people, places, and stories into my journal. On ‘normal' days at home I'll write frustrations, accomplishments, or just something funny the kids did. If I took a photo I want to remember I'll print it and put it in the journal. (I use a Polaroid Zip to print photos on-the-go. I'm also a sucker for washi tape and stickers.)

Even if you don’t count yourself in all or even most of these groups, I encourage you to give it a try. You may not think of yourself as a list or “pen and paper” type person, but may find that this is just what you needed to stay on top of everything that’s thrown at you on a daily basis.

Recommended Bullet Journal Supplies
The Bullet Journal tools I use & recommend!

What is your biggest planner frustration? Do any of these descriptions fit you? Could Bullet Journaling be for you?

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5 Comments

  1. I get so easily distracted by all of the notifications on my phone, that even looking through my electronic calendar can take time. Also, it’s easier to write down “8:00am Dentist” than it is to tap 10 different things to get that same appointment onto my phone. 🙂

    1. Isn’t that the truth! I’ve turned off most phone notifications as the constant ping-ing interrupts me too often! Also, when I write things down I remember them so much better!

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