With the school year quickly approaching, many students are looking for a way to keep assignments and deadlines organized. Since many classes are going to be online this year, it is more important than ever to be self-sufficient and stay on top of your schedule. School can also be stressful at times, so a creative outlet that also keeps you organized is the perfect solution. Bullet journaling has gained massive popularity in recent years and can be done with only one notebook and a few pens. This type of journaling, created by Ryder Carroll, involves writing down to-do lists, reminders, calendars, and schedules. These bullet journal spreads are so customizable and allow each person to show their personality through themes and color schemes. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind if you’re getting started!
- Use affordable supplies to create spreads
When many people think of bullet journaling, expensive markers and journals immediately come to mind. While many journaling YouTubers recommend calligraphy markers and fine-tip pens that cost quite a bit of money, it does not require that much money! Bullet journal spreads can turn out just as nice if you use pens and markers you have at home. At Five Below and Dollar Tree, you can purchase notebooks, pencils, markers, pens, and washi tape for anywhere between $1-$5. As you begin to become more invested in journaling, you can purchase higher-quality supplies, but you definitely don’t need to spend extra money. Some of my personal favorite affordable school supply brands are Crayola, CraZart, and PaperMate.
- Choose spreads that apply to your life
The possibilities of spreads that you can add to your bullet journal spreads are endless and can seem overwhelming at first. However, it is most important that you pick which spreads are most applicable to you and your daily routine. Some possible bullet journal spreads include a mood trackers, habit tracker, grocery list, monthly calendar, or even a brain dump. If you want to implement specific habits into your daily routine, hold yourself accountable by writing down how consistent you are throughout the month. On the other hand, if you want to eat healthier, try a food tracker to keep track of what you are fueling your body with. Spreads are so customizable and can be altered based on how you want to change your lifestyle!
- Start simple
Bullet journal spreads on Pinterest and Instagram always look so complex and intricate, which can often deter beginners from starting their own journals. However, there is no reason to be intimidated! Just start small and simple with a single weekly spread or a To-Do list of everything you need to accomplish. You don’t need to be super artistic or even have neat handwriting. The purpose of a journal is to keep you organized and give you a creative outlet, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself to make photo-worthy spreads. The longer you stay persistent, the more comfortable you will get with creating spreads and expressing yourself! Stick to habit trackers and lists that you actually use to prevent yourself from getting bored and unmotivated with your journal!
- Build journaling into your daily routine
The only way that bullet journaling can be effective if you are persistent and keep working on it every day. Make sure that your spreads are manageable and make you feel excited and motivated. A habit tracker is only useful at the end of the month if it is filled out consistently and thoroughly. Try choosing a specific time during the day where you write down deadlines and fill out habit trackers. This way, you are more likely to remember to look at your journal and stay more organized. Design your journal in a way that makes you excited to work on it and express your creativity. This can be through choosing a color scheme, which you can find inspiration for online!
Hopefully these tips will help you start a bullet journal of your own and start the new school year off organized! Have fun with it and use journaling as a way to destress. Since many of us will be doing online school, there is so much more time to devote to our creative outlets!
