How To Start Your Own Bullet Journal – With ANY Notebook
I’ve shared with you the first lesson I learned after becoming a widow. It basically saved my life, reduced my anxiety, and let me plan what needed to be done instead of reacting to events as they popped up. My bullet journal has also helped me plan and manage this website!
I want to help YOU set up your own bullet journal! If you’ve done any searches for bullet journals, you have probably seen a lot of amazing, beautiful journals filled with gorgeous artwork and amazing lettering. Well, don’t fear! That is not ME, and if it is not YOU, I’ll show you how to make a bullet journal that will be functional and useful, and exactly right for you!
Keep reading for pictures and a description!
I’ve been keeping a bullet journal for almost a year now, and I started out with a plain, empty journal that was laying around the house. After a few months, I knew that this was something I would keep doing, so I splurged a little (for me… splurging is spending about $25.00) and bought a traveler’s notebook. This is the system I have been using for eight months now, and I love it! But, don’t worr! You don’t have to slurge to get started right away! ANY notebook can function as the perfect bullet journal!
If you ARE interested in the materials I have, I’ve included links below to share them with you.
Our ClassCee Life is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, this means that if you purchase an RV cooking tool linked on the page, Our ClassCee Life may receive a small commission. This will not affect your purchase price. Thank you!
So, let’s get started!
This is a great short video on the basic premise of bullet journalling. I looked around my house for an old, abandoned notebook and found one that had been used the previous year by one of my daughters for school. She told me that she didn’t need it anymore, so I took out the pages from her science notes out and began setting up my bullet journal!
First, I measured the paper and found that instead of the 7 1/2″ width that was listed on the cover, I had 8 inches. I marked the 4″ halfway point and separated the page into two columns. I labeled the left column “Index” and the right column “Key.” I wrote in pencil first and then went over it with pen. I didn’t worry about how neat my penmanship was… I just went for it!
The next page became the future log. I use this more than I thought I would! Because I only create one or two monthly pages at a time, anything that is planned further in advance will be listed here! Again, I divided the paper into two columns (4″ each) and then divided the lines to get six sections of five lines for each month. You can use two pages for a future log if you want more room, then you would have each column divided into three sections of 10 lines each. Do whatever will work best for you!
Next, I set up my monthly spread for September. I created a 1″ column on the left, and another column 2″ from the right edge to add an area for planning tasks and listing upcoming events for next month. The next month box, for me, has become incredibly important! This is how I have been able to keep my anxiety down, by having a list of what is coming up to keep me prepared!
Finally, I created my weekly spread. Again, I divided the sheet into two columns, then I counted the number of lines and divided it by four to make eight sections. I needed 7 1/2 lines for each row. Having eight sections allowed me to create a box for each day and an extra box for “Next Week”. Just like my Next Month on the weekly spread, this has become my real life saver because I can prepare for things in advance and not have them come up as a surprise for me to deal with in the last minute.
Now that the basics are set up, it’s time to use the three spreads (future log, monthly, and weekly) to record what is planned, what is happening, and what has been completed. There is a lot of power to filling in those little boxes and circles!
I tend to keep four weekly spreads created at a time so that I can use that to plan. I also use my Google calendar. Each Saturday morning I dedicate some time to updating my bullet journal by creating new monthly or weekly spreads as I need them, and checking my Google calendar to make sure I haven’t forgotten anything. It’s become a peaceful way to start the weekend with a nice pot of coffee!
This bullet journal system has truly saved my life!
If you, or someone you care about is dealing with grief, here are some tips for coping with grief from people who are dealing with it themselves!
5 Things I Learned Since Becoming A Widow Series
Our ClassCee Life provides general educational information from someone who has experienced great loss. You should not substitute information on the Our ClassCee Life website for professional advice.
