Why I Love My Bullet Journal

If you read my 2018 resolutions post, or follow me on Instagram you might now that this year I started bullet journaling. For those who do not know, the bullet journal system was created by New York designer Ryder Carroll. Its premise is a way to organise your tasks, events etc. through a series of symbols. Whilst at university, I loved having a diary to keep myself organised with my studies and events. Since leaving, I found it hard to keep the same style of diary but still wanted to have a way of organising my tasks. Last year I found Amanda Rach Lee’s YouTube channel and my love for bullet journaling emerged. Amanda is an incredible artist and I could not wait to the end of each month to see what theme she had chosen for the following month. I wanted to wait till 2018 to start my journal, and I knew I was going to re-create Amanda’s spreads.

Bullet Journal

Getting Things Done
When using your bullet journal, there is a system of how you write down your tasks and events for each day in either your weekly spreads or for whenever you are using it. For each task, I start it with a bullet point dot, once I have completed it, I turn it into a cross. This system has helped me get so much stuff done during the day, making me feel a lot more efficient. 

I prefer this now to an online checklist as a physical checklist as it feels like I’ve accomplished more as I can see that I have done everything. Now, there is rarely a day during the working week that I don’t have tasks written and completed. 

Keeping Track of My Habits
One of the main spreads that I wanted to include when I started my bullet journal was a habit tracker. It is a great way of helping me stick to everyday habits from making sure I’ve taken my vitamins, to check if I have drunk enough water. At the moment I track six habits, but you can do as many as you like. Each habit has a box for each day of the month and if I have completed that habit, I colour in the box. 

At the end of the month, I have a look to see how many boxes have been coloured in and how I can improve on it for the next month. 

A New Found Love For Stationary
I did always love buying stationary at the start of each academic year and at university I would organise each of my subjects with a different colour. That is also a great tip for revision! However since starting my bullet journal and watching Amanda’s videos, I have been introduced to a new world of stationary.

My favourite pens to use in my bullet journal are the Tombow Dual Brush Pens. Whether I am using it for calligraphy or as an accent colour, I just love using these pens. I currently own 11 colours but that will expand over the course of the year – it doesn’t even make a quarter of the colour selection available. 

Beforehand I would ever write with biros, and if I need to write something quickly on a scrap of paper, I still will. With my bullet journal however I prefer to use a fine liner. It feels more professional and helps keep my handwriting look nice and neat too, especially if I want to show my journal off. Currently I am using the Sakura Pigma Micron 0.3 Fine Liner

A Great Relaxing Activity
If I am feeling a bit stressed or I just want to relax a little, colouring and drawing helps so much. So it is no surprise that putting together my weekly spreads every Sunday is the most relaxing part of my day. Amanda’s spreads are so stunning and very easy to replicate so there is no worry about getting it perfect. 

I will definitely be using my bullet journal for next year as it is just a great tool in my life. If you would like to see more bullet journal content, I would recommend following Amanda on her social media. I might also do a flip-through post at the end of the year if people would like it!

Would you try bullet journaling? 

Ellyn xx


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6 comments

  1. Oh, I would definitely try this! I'm always looking for ways to become more organized

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    1. It is easily the best way that I have found, you make it work for yourself so it's easy to keep up with.

      Ellyn x | Life Of A Beauty Nerd

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  2. So cute! I bought a bullet journal but I need to get into the habit of using it! I tend to use my email calendar at work or on my phone! ��

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    1. It's mainly about finding a way for it to work for you, maybe try setting a time every morning to plan with the bullet journal? That might help.

      Ellyn x | Life Of A Beauty Nerd

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  3. I absolutely love my bullet journal! it's so great to have a blank notebook that you can make into anything really! I also love watching Amanda's videos!

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    1. They are really fun aren't they! Amanda is such a great artist! I love her livestreams as well.

      Ellyn x | Life Of A Beauty Nerd

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