The Importance of a Bullet Journal
A bullet journal (often called bujo) is a customizable, paper-based organizing system that can be used for anything you need, including tracking daily tasks, tackling long-term projects, journaling, keeping medical notes, and holding any detail of life you may want access to at some point.
What makes me want to share it as a potential tool? All it requires you to gather are some basic concepts, a notebook, and a writing utensil. The main difference between bujo and any ole notebook is an index. It may seem a tiny thing, but it’s a huge helper for organization! What’s that confirmation number, again? Let’s check the index…okay, page 88. Where is that detail I needed from meetings with my manager?...Could be pages 11, 34, 46, 72, 88, let’s look.
Before I get more detailed about the system, it seems important to lay out why you might want to try it out:
Increased productivity: A bullet journal can help you to stay on top of your tasks and deadlines. By writing down your tasks and priorities, you can be sure that you are not forgetting anything.
Reduced stress: A bullet journal can help to reduce stress by providing a place to track your thoughts and feelings. By writing down your worries and concerns, you can get them out of your head and start to feel more in control.
Improved focus: A bullet journal can help you to improve your focus by allowing you to break down large tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. By focusing on one task at a time, you can be more productive and efficient.
Enhanced creativity: A bullet journal can help to enhance your creativity by providing a space to brainstorm and sketch out ideas. By writing down your ideas and thoughts, you can start to develop them further and turn them into reality. If you want to, your bullet journal can itself be a creative expression, using templates, gorgeous pens, washi tape, etc.
Personal development: A bullet journal can be used to track your personal development goals. By tracking your progress and setbacks, you can identify areas where you need to improve and make changes.
Further, bullet journaling can be a helpful tool for people with ADHD by providing a way to organize thoughts and stay on track. Here are some specific ways that bullet journaling can help ADHD-ers:
Externalize thoughts and tasks: Bullet journaling can help people with ADHD to get their thoughts and tasks out of their heads and onto paper. This can help to reduce mental clutter and make it easier to focus on the task at hand.
Break down large tasks into smaller steps: Bullet journaling can help people with ADHD to break down large tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. This can make tasks seem less daunting and help to prevent procrastination and decision paralysis.
Set priorities: Bullet journaling can help people with ADHD to set priorities and focus on the most important tasks. This can help to avoid feeling overwhelmed and ensure that important tasks are not forgotten.
Track progress: Bullet journaling can help people with ADHD to track their progress on tasks and goals. This can help to boost motivation and stay on track.
Provide a sense of accomplishment: Bullet journaling can help people with ADHD to feel a sense of accomplishment by crossing off completed tasks. This can help to boost self-esteem and motivation.
Supplies you may want to consider for starting your bullet journal:
Notebook: You can use any! After years of using it I have settled on what is commonly understood to be the most compatible notebook with bullet journaling, the LEUCHTTURM1917, a dotted, A5-sized notebook with a built-in index and 251 numbered pages.
Pen/pencil: Again, you can use any! I am partial to Frixion erasable pens. I like how they write, that they seamlessly erase, and their replaceable cartridges. A con is that their erasing function is heat-based, so your bullet journal would need to stay out of prolonged heat.
Ruler: I personally feel like I need a short ruler to create crisp lines when I want them. There are many options like this one.
Book: There are so many ways to learn about the method that are widely available online. For me, having the book that is written by the creator of bujo supported my brain from going into overload, helping me build my understanding little by little.
Whatever way you decide to approach the bullet journal, here are some general tips for getting started:
Start simple: Don't try to do too much too soon. Start with a basic system and add more complexity as needed.
Be flexible: Bullet journaling is a flexible system, so don't be afraid to adapt it to your needs. There is no right or wrong way to bullet journal.
Use color and symbols: Color and symbols can be used to make your bullet journal more visually appealing and easier to scan.
Review your bullet journal regularly: Take some time each day or week to review your bullet journal. This will help you to stay on track and make sure that you are not forgetting anything.
Don't be afraid to experiment: The most important thing is to find a system that works for you. So don't be afraid to experiment with different layouts and methods until you find something that you like and that helps you to be more productive.
The way you relate to it can and will change over time. I notice I go through phases of enjoying making my bujo aesthetically pleasing and others where I keep things super duper simple. When I started out, I included monthly and yearly calendars. I haven’t added a calendar in a few years. There is no right or wrong way to use a bullet journal. Consistency is key!
