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Bullet Journals: 2017


Slache
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I used a Leuchttur Medium Dotted this year and I love it for 3 reasons:

 

1. Page numbers.

2. The dots allow me to have multiple lists side by side that actually look good.

3. Two bookmarks.

 

This year I want to combine home and school into one thing so I want the Master. I wouldn't want to carry the thing around, but mine stays at home anyway.

 

Mine is basic with daily things beginning on page one, and collections beginning in the back and moving forward. I like some of the school ideas from this blog post.

 

I need better pens. What do you suggest?

 

Now tell me about yours. :D

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I don't keep a bj, just a quadruled notepad (& as I confessed in another thread, sticky notes everywhere) 

 

For pens though - I got dd as a gift last year the Staedtler Trilplus Fineliners (for mindmapping & fancy note taking like all the cool kids on studyblr) and they are LOVELY. 

 

 

 

Do they bleed?

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Do they bleed?

nope, not unless you go on very very cheap paper and even then, it's very minor. 

 

They print like this ... 

 

argh that link won't work..... 

 

Here's another one. Fingers crossed http://studycaitlinstudy.tumblr.com/post/133286286526/emmastudies-managed-to-summarise-this-weeks

 

 

Stabilo pens are similar

Edited by hornblower
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I am new to keeping a bullet journal. Just started in sept and still often forget to creat my lists when i get really busy. My current one is just a plain lined hard cover from the $ store. My 2017 one has unlined plain pages from amazon. My must have is my colored pens. Love my pens.

Edited by swellmomma
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I am new to keeping a bullet journal. Just started in sept and still often forget to creat my lists when i get really busy. My current one is just a plain lined hard cover from the $ store. My 2017 one has unlined plain pages from amazon. My must have is my colored pens. Love my pens.

What's the point of colored pens?

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Vinyl covered composition notebook and mechanical pencils (like these) . They are lightweight, cheap and handy. I've definitely departed from the pure bullet journal version, but it's the only calendar "system" that works for me.

 

I paste a small copy of my google calendar I print out at the beginning of each week at the top of the left-hand page and write my weekly menu on it. My lists are on the right hand page, except work, which is below the calendar. I usually write the page numbers in while I wait at music lesson or something.

 

Like bullet journaling, I just turn the next page when I need to make a list for a project or holiday, or whatever, then add it to my index.

 

I've had nice notebooks, but I find my composition notebook is much more practical and not as heavy. I use a generous amount of calendar stickers and washi tape as the mood strikes.

 

I also have a sticky note that moves from page to page for my "important but not urgent list" so I don't have to keep carrying those things forward.

 

No school in mine, though. Dd has a standard issue teacher planner, and all my lesson plans and work papers live in one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Smead-Project-Organizer-Dividers-89200/dp/B001CE8IVG/ref=sxr_rr_xsim1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=2286650982&pd_rd_wg=44StD&pf_rd_r=5WYGV19JTJPSQ1V0YGDB&pf_rd_s=desktop-rhs-carousels&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_i=B001CE8IVG&pd_rd_w=7vsAk&pf_rd_i=project+folders&pd_rd_r=2HKJ1M73RMTB1RZP6W61&ie=UTF8&qid=1480384867&sr=1

 

Everything fits in my purse/ bag.

 

This is fun to read what everyone does.

Edited by elladarcy
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Hopefully I'm not disrupting your thread, but can someone explain the whole bullet journal thing to me? I see threads pop up and am always wondering so figured I might ask here. Are they for people who like lists? Like a to do journal or something more? A blend between a scrapbook and a diary?

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I'm doing the traveler's notebook version of a buju.  I have 1 insert for calendar stuff, 1 insert for collections, 1 insert for my 4-H stuff, and 1 insert for journaling.  I have a separate notebook for school.

 

I use some "Green" notebooks from Barnes & Nobles.  I love them because my fine-line Sharpies don't bleed through.  They bleed on everything else.

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I'm using a $1 composition notebook I had on hand and have been doing this only since October. I wanted to try it out and didn't want to get anything real expensive until I knew it was right for me. I have spent money on washi tape, cute page flags, cute mini-clothes pins and I bought a pack of inkjoy pens.

 

I do a monthly page with a to-do list so I have an idea of what's going on that month and what I want to get done.

 

Then I do weekly pages. I use the Waldorf colors of the week (purple is Monday, red is Tuesday, yellow is Wednesday) that way I know what day of the week something is happening and then I use highlighters in different colors for different tasks with a timer so I know when and what kind of task needs to be done each day. I have 2 kids, homeschool stuff, different activities and a part-time job to keep track of on time.  So color-coding really helps.  With each weekly I add in a meal-plan for dinners, a habit-tracker and a weekly to-do list.

 

With my next journal, I want something that has grids rather than dots, lines or plain. I like working with little boxes.

 

It's helped me so much keep on top of tasks and things that need to be done and we're doing a lot less scramble at dinner time and more well-planned balanced meals.

 

 

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Hopefully I'm not disrupting your thread, but can someone explain the whole bullet journal thing to me? I see threads pop up and am always wondering so figured I might ask here. Are they for people who like lists? Like a to do journal or something more? A blend between a scrapbook and a diary?

 

It's more of a planner. I use it with a weekly calendar, to do lists, creative outlet, habit-tracker, episode tracker (for TV shows), lists for important things (like holiday planning), wish lists, decluttering maps, or just really everything can be tracked or kept track of in one. 

 

I found that a regular planner wasn't meeting my needs and I needed something with a little more flexibility like a space for an open to-do list. Our schedule is just so crazy now with two in high school.

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Hopefully I'm not disrupting your thread, but can someone explain the whole bullet journal thing to me? I see threads pop up and am always wondering so figured I might ask here. Are they for people who like lists? Like a to do journal or something more? A blend between a scrapbook and a diary?

 

At the base, it is basically a bound notebook with page numbers and an index. You can do it purely as lists rather than with a calendar, but I think most moms need a real calendar of some sort. I'm married to my google calendar, so everything goes there, but since I can print it, I add it to my "weekly dock", which is how I think of my 2-page spread, since it's often open on my desk. I'll make notes about weather and other fragmentary things I might want to remember, right on the calendar.

 

As I finish my notebooks, I keep them on the shelf. I've been surprised how often I go pull them off of the shelf, for example when trying to recreate what volunteer hours dd worked and forgot to write down....

 

There's lots of videos around, but I take most of them with a grain of salt. If some of the videos are to be believed, some spend so much time fiddling with their notebooks that they don't actually accomplish anything. :o)

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What's the point of colored pens?

 

For me they are pretty mostly, though I also color code.  In all I do in life I love colored pens, post its and index cards.  For my journal I use the pens to look pretty.  THe color coding I do is school related things in red, social in orange(rarely have any orange, haha too intorverted), extracurrics in blue, work in purple, personal in green (like appts), and errands in yellow.  Makes it easier to see priorities that way.

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I went with two year diaries for next year. One to write actually must be there appointments in and the other the plan the nitty gritty of the day. I have a pretty good track record of making awesome plans then abandoning them in about a month so we'll see how it goes. I also use a regular notebook for lists notes etc. my favourite to use is a small artist sketch pad as I love the freedom of blank pages.

 

I tend to use notebooks up every couple of months.

 

I will say for me a huge amount of writing plans etc is less about referencing back to the plan and more about taking time to put my thoughts on what I want to do into some kind of order.

Edited by Ausmumof3
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Hopefully I'm not disrupting your thread, but can someone explain the whole bullet journal thing to me? I see threads pop up and am always wondering so figured I might ask here. Are they for people who like lists? Like a to do journal or something more? A blend between a scrapbook and a diary?

 

You can start here: http://bulletjournal.com/

 

A lot of people expand on the basics, though, and make their journals more.  There's also something called omni journaling, which seems to be like a planner/diary/scrapbook/journal all in one.  There's an excellent FB group, too: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BulletJournalJunkies/. 

Edited by DragonFaerie
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Hopefully I'm not disrupting your thread, but can someone explain the whole bullet journal thing to me? I see threads pop up and am always wondering so figured I might ask here. Are they for people who like lists? Like a to do journal or something more? A blend between a scrapbook and a diary?

 

All of the above. And the layout can change from day to day or week to week when you get tired/find one is not working.  And keeping all your lists in the same places so you don't lose them/have them on hand when you need them (which books in that series do I own already?)

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I don't keep a bj, just a quadruled notepad (& as I confessed in another thread, sticky notes everywhere) 

 

For pens though - I got dd as a gift last year the Staedtler Trilplus Fineliners (for mindmapping & fancy note taking like all the cool kids on studyblr) and they are LOVELY. 

 

 

 

I'm getting these. Is that good?

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You can start here: http://bulletjournal.com/

 

A lot of people expand on the basics, though, and make their journals more. There's also something called omni journaling, which seems to be like a planner/diary/scrapbook/journal all in one. There's an excellent FB group, too: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BulletJournalJunkies/.

Is it just me or is that Omnijournal a work of art? My journals are very much more practical and less pretty!

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You can start here: http://bulletjournal.com/

 

A lot of people expand on the basics, though, and make their journals more.  There's also something called omni journaling, which seems to be like a planner/diary/scrapbook/journal all in one.  There's an excellent FB group, too: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BulletJournalJunkies/. 

Loved the omni journaling video this morning. Wow. Each page is a work of art.

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I still love mine.  I use the dotted Moleskine.  I needed a new one just before school started, and I decided to start drawing out a weekly planner on a two page spread - I like that - it's nice to see the week at a glance.  My previous 2 notebooks are just daily to-do lists.  Which I still like, and I still do that some weeks.  In looking at different planner ideas, I did a lot of pinterest searching for ideas.  I am totally blown away by what some people do - a drawing on a page to let you know that you are now entering the december section of the book, etc. Wow!  And great sketching.  It makes me want to sketch stuff.  But not really.

 

Mine is not fancy.  I use a pencil and just draw some boxes.  No water color or markers or stickers or tape.  Sometimes I use sticky notes to keep a running grocery list.  I don't even add tabs (though I saw some really cute ones on mochithings  and I think I need them, along with everything else on that website)

 

I don't always remember to pull out my notebook, and I don't always do the things that I write in my to do lists, and I never cook all of the meals in my "meals this week" section, (I crossed out yesterday's dinner plan twice and changed my plans for today, the rest of the week isn't looking good either...) but I like having all of my notes in one place.  And I do use it most of the time. I love x-ing out little boxes.  

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I saw these threads for years and didn't get it. Then one day something clicked. I've had my BJ since April and it's been nothing short of life changing.

 

The thing that made it really click for me was discovering that it didn't have to be pretty! I am not artsy. I like looking at cute BJ pages, but my journal does not resemble that in any way, shape, or form. Well, except I have learned to love washi tape. 

 

I also have the Leuchturm 1917 (however you spell it) and it's pretty much perfect for me. I have the squared, but I'm going to try the dotted next. One journal is shaping up to last me 9 months. 

 

 

I've messed around with different systems, and I think I'm at the point that I pretty much know what works for me. 

  • I do not calendar in my bj. Every day, I open up the calendar on my phone and write the day's appointments on my daily page. I follow that by migrating to-do list items. As the day goes on, I add in new to-do items.
  • I set up every month with a page that breaks the month down into weeks. I just find that I think in weeks. Oh, I need to remember to call the doctor next week- write in in the section for next week.
  • I tried to give each day its own page and put little inspiring whatevers on it- nope. I've gone completely utilitarian with my daily set up. I have my list, and when the day is done, I start the next day below it.
  • I do have a future log with the 12 upcoming months, right after the index.
  • I do put meeting notes and other random things on whatever the next page is.
  • I use the index.
  • I do not put daily homeschool tasks in it. I only have one kid- I don't really need to. I only put long term planning in my bj.

 

Hacks that have really worked for me:

  • Washi tape tabs on the edge are really helpful. I line up the tabs in the same spot for each topic (Women's ministry, Homeschool group, my college classes).
  • When I have a conversation with someone, I write the notes on whatever page I'm at, but I have a separate index for those notes.
  • I tabbed off about 40 pages at the back of my journal for sermon notes. 

 

 I keep the journal with me all day long. It has brought such peace to my life. Instead of forgetting things and constantly feeling like I am being overtaken by my to-do list, I feel like my life is manageable. It has also upped my productivity. If there is something I want to get done, I add it to the list. Just its presence propels me to suck it up and do it. Check marks are way more satisfying than arrows.

 

 

 

 

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Hopefully I'm not disrupting your thread, but can someone explain the whole bullet journal thing to me? I see threads pop up and am always wondering so figured I might ask here. Are they for people who like lists? Like a to do journal or something more? A blend between a scrapbook and a diary?

 

In its very simplest form, it's a task management tool. A to-do list. 

 

Plenty of people turn it into way more than that. For me, it's been a game changer in managing my life. 

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I am tempted to set this up. I love lists but I can never seem to consolidate them. And I have a simmer of overhel lately as I keep thinking I have forgotten something. I keep a planner now and I love it but it's not excellent for managing my todo lists or larger project or just keeping up.

 

I don't want to maintain another monthly calendar but would love to truly track some things a little better than I do now and maybe a bujo would be the way to go. Or it's simply another way I can pretend I am being productive.

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After many months of contemplation, this thread spurred me to start a bullet journal (which probably sounds the death knell for the "cool" factor of bullet journalling, but, whatever).

 

I found a quick start guide on BuzzFeed that wasn't quite so overwhelming.  Dd was reading over my shoulder, and was swept away by the idea.  She insisted we go get journals NOW, so we went to Target and got an inexpensive 3 pack.

 

So far mine is set up pretty much like my planner, but with more room to write notes where I want.  I figure I can change up my set up every few pages as I figure out what I like and don't like.

 

In the meantime, dd's is a work of art with all sorts of colorful doodles.  Christmas trees!  Stockings! Red and green writing! The biggest problem is that she keeps wanting to compare, and sometimes seems disappointed with how boring mine is.  She seems to be trying to convert some friends, though, so maybe they can fancy-it-up together.

 

Anyway, thanks for having a yearly thread.  I just wish I'd happened across it before I purchased (and wrote in) a 2017 planner  :laugh:

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Have you seen a spiraldex template, Slache? I'm not sure I can freehand one.

 

I use Staedtler triplus fineliners--I have the set in the color way you posted, Slache, and I bought a 4pac of black ones.  Each of my children has an assigned color (their towels, water bottles, etc. are all also the same color) and it's a good visual way for me to see what's going on as they all get older and have their own activities.

 

I have three planners in my life: 1 is my school master plan, 1 is a traditional Erin Condren style planner, and my third is a 4x6 bullet journal that is my brain overflow for things that don't fit into my traditional planner.  My third planner tucks into the back of my traditional planner and they both go with me everywhere.  If I tried to consolidate them all into one planner, it would be a ton of work, so I like my hybrid system.

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I stocked up on my favorite Oxford notebooks before I moved from Europe. They are A5 size, 90 gram graph paper, 36 pages.

 

I puffy heart love 90 gram paper, and everything else feels like a compromise lol.

 

My bullet journal is utilitarian, and I only use black ink. I do, however, have super nice handwriting so it has that going for it if I slow down enough to be mindful of my handwriting. 

 

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Have you seen a spiraldex template, Slache? I'm not sure I can freehand one.

 

I use Staedtler triplus fineliners--I have the set in the color way you posted, Slache, and I bought a 4pac of black ones. Each of my children has an assigned color (their towels, water bottles, etc. are all also the same color) and it's a good visual way for me to see what's going on as they all get older and have their own activities.

 

I have three planners in my life: 1 is my school master plan, 1 is a traditional Erin Condren style planner, and my third is a 4x6 bullet journal that is my brain overflow for things that don't fit into my traditional planner. My third planner tucks into the back of my traditional planner and they both go with me everywhere. If I tried to consolidate them all into one planner, it would be a ton of work, so I like my hybrid system.

I have a square, 3 layered hyperdex because I was excited and needed it NOW! My kids are color coded too. I might print out some dexes at work so I can trace them as needed.

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I would like to start a bullet journal.... is there any thing like pre-cut strips of washi tape? I just want a little piece to be like a tab, but not sticking out. I'm thinking even the colourful dot stickers from the dollar store would suffice.

 

Yes. Do you have a Michael's craft store nearby (use a coupon!) or shop on amazon?

https://www.amazon.com/ideas-Create-Planner-Important-Sticky/dp/B00XHBT6X6/ref=sr_1_26?ie=UTF8&qid=1481140025&sr=8-26&keywords=planner+accessories

https://www.amazon.com/Erin-Condren-Stylized-ACC-STYSNM-01/dp/B01GJSMKGI/ref=sr_1_33?ie=UTF8&qid=1481140071&sr=8-33&keywords=planner+accessories

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Mine is basic with daily things beginning on page one, and collections beginning in the back and moving forward. I like some of the school ideas from this blog post.

 

 

 

Okay. Y'all are inspiring. I started my very first bullet journal. :) 

 

Are there any old threads on here or links you would suggest to help me integrate some of my homeschool stuff into it besides the link Slache posted above? I'm a disaster with planners because they're never quite right. I think this is something I might actually stick with and if I can have everything in one place all the better. I'm tracking for three kids. Any blogs, youtubes, or pics most appreciated. I'm spatially challenged so something with lots of pictures or videos is easier for me to take in when it comes to this stuff! 

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Okay. Y'all are inspiring. I started my very first bullet journal. :)

 

Are there any old threads on here or links you would suggest to help me integrate some of my homeschool stuff into it besides the link Slache posted above? I'm a disaster with planners because they're never quite right. I think this is something I might actually stick with and if I can have everything in one place all the better. I'm tracking for three kids. Any blogs, youtubes, or pics most appreciated. I'm spatially challenged so something with lots of pictures or videos is easier for me to take in when it comes to this stuff!

This is the blog that sold me:

http://www.thelazygeniuscollective.com/blog/how-to-bullet-journal

I've always been intimidated by the fancy stuff, but this inspired me to see how I could actually use it for me. So I'm going to give it a try!

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This is the blog that sold me:

http://www.thelazygeniuscollective.com/blog/how-to-bullet-journal

I've always been intimidated by the fancy stuff, but this inspired me to see how I could actually use it for me. So I'm going to give it a try!

 

Ha! I read that one last night myself! :) I was googling trying to figure some of the layout stuff out. That's a great blog. 

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Dangerous links, ladies, verrrrry dangerous. I know you hate looking, but.... what I'm thinking of would be adhesive all over, so nothing would stick out of the book, like flags do. Just a pre-cut piece of "tape" that I could fold over the edge of the paper, but not have to carry a roll around. Does that make sense?

I've seen that some people use different colour markers to mark on the page, so when they fill through they see the colour/placement, but I don't want to do that, either.

In my vision, I see having, say a red piece of tape on all the monthly pages.

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Some night when thou hast insomnia, get thee to pinterest. https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=homeschool%20bullet%20journal&rs=typed&term_meta[]=homeschool%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=bullet%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=journal%7Ctyped

 

The bullet journal + homeschool search leads up a bazillion amazing threads. Best of all, with the photos, you can scroll through the eye candy.

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