My Bullet Journal Story
I have always been an organiser and lover of paper and pens. I am a list maker, diary keeper and planner. I had a mess of different systems running, including a diary, lists in various notebooks, post-its, apps and a digital calendar. Luckily I discovered the Bullet Journal concept in January 2016, when I stumbled upon a Instagram post. I love the flexibility of the system, being able to include everything I need and the freedom to change it when I want. My bullet journal is currently my to do list, diary, goal setter, habit tracker, meal planner and notebook. As much as I love to admire a pretty planner, I try not to spend too much time planning, which is why I have quite a minimal, simple but functional bullet journal (which I love). "Your planner doesn't work unless you do" - you can do all the planning in the world but unless you are achieving goals and getting stuff done, it's just a pretty notebook. I definitely agree with Austin @minimaljournal that "It's about getting crap done, not making your crap look good".Walkthrough
Monthly overview
I haven't used the original Bullet Journal Monthly layout as I am a digital future planner. I do however use a monthly traditional Calendar layout to keep track of work shifts, my partner's work trips, birthdays and Instagram challenge prompts.![monthly](http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0882/3478/files/blog_1-Monthly-Calendar-1024x1024_84908ebf-8140-4771-a65f-0391786e4a92.jpg?v=1535245147)
Habit Tracker
I use a monthly Habit Tracker to track health, self care and hobbies. While I am definitely trying to work on my physical and mental health, I try not to look at it and feel guilty if I skip a day. I tend to think of it more as tracking the last time I did something.![tracker](http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0882/3478/files/blog_2-Habit-Tracker-1024x1024_86398ff9-886c-4aac-ad0e-8336b4dda084.jpg?v=1535245153)
Gratitude Log
I have also been using a monthly Gratitude log inspired by @tinyrayofsunshine which I endeavor to fill in every day. Finding things to be grateful for is definitely good for my mental status - I need to find the positives as I can be a bit of a pessimist!![Log](http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0882/3478/files/blog_3-Gratitude-Log-1024x1024_d1d064f0-f64e-4cb4-8dd6-a2943433f1f5.jpg?v=1535245184)
Weekly Overview
I love a good weekly - I lay out the coming week on a Sunday in terms of work, events, meals, workouts and major day specific tasks. I also list To Dos - general, home & work. This helps me organise my week and get through everything, especially having the visual of the upcoming week.![Weekly Overview](http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0882/3478/files/blog_4-Weekly-1024x1024_adba2fef-a217-4dc9-a8f8-1cd0b1a3c85b.jpg?v=1535245163)
Daily log
The workhorse of the bullet journal and my favourite spread where things really get done. I find it really satisfying to see everything that I'm achieving. I set my daily up in the morning while having breakfast and coffee. I include work, events and tasks, and find a simple layout best for the way my brain works.![Daily Log](http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0882/3478/files/blog_5-Daily-1024x1024_99e84c23-b4f0-455e-9722-3b546c119fce.jpg?v=1535245195)
Future planning
I haven't really used the future planner I originally put in my bullet journal, however I use this House Planner every month - it helps me keep track of seasonal chores & maintenance. I reference it at the start of each month and tasks get added to my weekly spreads.![Future Log](http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0882/3478/files/blog_6-House-Planner-1024x1024_a5e0cc57-2cf2-4631-96c2-bb6f9d7bdebc.jpg?v=1535245200)
Collections
Some of my favourite collections include a Waiting on List, 30 Before 30 Bucket List, Go To Meals, Every Week & 2016 Goals. You can check out all of these collections on my Instagram @bujo.auslife.Waiting On
Inspired by @tinyrayofsunshine, this helps me keep track of anything I'm waiting on - parcels, email responses, tax invoices etc.![Collections](http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0882/3478/files/blog_7-Waiting-On-1024x1024_2dec9ea9-9932-4409-bf26-b279d7c6a399.jpg?v=1535245206)
Go To Meals
This is another powerhouse for me as my partner and I suck at deciding what to eat. By arranging them into time categories it makes catering for rushed weekday schedules and lazy weekends that much simpler.![Laura Nutrition](http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0882/3478/files/blog_8-Go-To-Meals-1024x1024_1c7da413-fa17-42f6-988c-1d1179443046.jpg?v=1535245211)
Digital Planning
I am a bit of an Apple geek, and I am a digital future planner. I use a shared Calendar with my partner and shared Reminders lists for grocery shopping and paying bills. Other Apps I use regularly are Dropbox for sharing photos and accessing notes at work, and Evernote for storing recipes, travel planning, tax related documents & anything from the internet. I have recently been loving tracking finances digitally too, using a Numbers budget spreadsheet.How to Bullet Journal like Laura
- Daily (10-15mins)
- Wake up, get coffee, check weekly spread and plan out the day.
- Check off tasks, add more, check off again throughout the day.
- At the end of the day fill in Habit Tracker and Gratitude log.
- I migrate tasks as needed - I like to know which day I have completed a task so will tend to migrate it to the day it was completed. Migrate unfinished tasks weekly.
- Weekly (15mins - Sunday)
- Check digital Calendar and make weekly layout, migrate and add tasks.
- Monthly (20-30mins - end of Month)
- Make up Habit Tracker, Gratitude log and monthly Calendar. I add tasks from my House Planner to my weekly to do list and aim to get them done throughout the month.
- I like to review my 2016 Goal page at the start of the month to refresh and refocus.
Laura's Gear
• Leuchtturm 1917 Hardcover(A5, Dotted, Black)---
Bullet journaling has empowered me to get the things done that need to be done, so that I have more time for enjoying life and self care. I found that while I was studying at uni I wasn't looking after myself.
Paul Copcutt - Personal Brand
October 16, 2023
Wow I am in awe – great suggestions and insigts.