Wow, there are a lot of ways to use a bullet journal. Maybe you’re like me when I was getting started and did a quick search online which quickly made me feel overwhelmed with how or what to start with. And for this reason, I’ve compiled my favourite bullet journal ideas into this blog. If you’re brand new to bullet journaling it was invented by Ryder Carrol.

Why you’ll love these bullet journal ideas

The whole reason Emilio and I create content is to help people like you feel empowered to live your life on your terms. We wrote even wrote a book about it. Our students literally transform their lives by upping their organization skills and doubling down into self-care and purpose. One of the ways this happens is through journaling. So if you’re ready to start making positive changes in your life try out the bullet journal ideas below.

Keep your bullet journal simple to start

Although we’re sharing with you 10 different bullet journal ideas, please know that getting started is as simple as writing pen to paper. So let go of perfection or thinking you need to be artistic to get the true benefits of bullet journaling. This is a common misconception. Watch me briefly explain the idea of bullet journaling on CTV. Please remember we’re sharing these ideas to inspire you.

And look I’ll show you an example of how I progressed to getting more creative (which isn’t necessary) by providing photos of my reading list templates below.

First attempt at a reading list:

Second attempt at a list:

Third attempt at a reading list:

Every year I have more fun and enjoy the process of creating my reading list. If you have time and want to colour then go for a creative template. If you just want to keep it minimalist then a simple list works well.

10 Bullet Journal Ideas

1. Daily Entry
   The most simplistic form of journaling is to make notes on a daily basis. Whether you journal to keep track of your ideas, work, or passions; a daily entry is the easiest way to get started with bullet journaling.
   
2. Tracking Habits
   Wow, being mindful of your habits can do real wonders for awareness in your life. Often times as humans we tend to have overly optimistic or pessimistic views of our own personal history. The habit tracker allows you to stay accountable, so whether you’re trying to break a bad habit or form a good one — this is a great place to make that happen.
   
3. Designing Your Ideal Week
   Emilio and I are huge advocates for designing how you want your week to look like. Emilio keeps his week digitally on Google calendars, but I still prefer the one-pager for visual effect. Your week may not always happen the way it looks on paper, but if you can even get a little close to your dream week why not go for it, right?
   
4. Creating a Song Book
   Obviously, this may only apply to those among us who enjoy singing or playing an instrument, but having some favourite songs in your journal can help you tap into your inner rock star. No need for wifi when you’ve gone your lyrics in your bag 🙂
   
5. Taking Notes from Meetings
   There is a lot of evidence coming forward that making a concerted effort to record notes during important meetings or learning opportunities can help forge pathways in your brain for a lasting memory. I personally find it very helpful to jot down a few big takeaways when I’m trying to learn. Also, helps keep me from falling into a deep sleep.
   
6. Doodling
   Scribbles, circles, abstracts, or specific drawings can help make your journal a fun written history to look at. By creating your bullet journal you are not only benefiting from the practice of journaling, but you are literally creating the coles notes of your life. Who knows, there might be a keen biographer who’ll use this to write your life story one day. 
   
7. Practicing Daily Gratitude
   A great practice to help retrain your brain to focus on the positive. We’ve written a blog post all about this practice.
   
8. Special Interest Pages
   Our example is the moon cycle and the names of the full moon in indigenous cultures of North America. This just demonstrates that you can create a special interest page about anything you are learning about, curious about, or trying to be mindful of. 
   
9. Time Management
   Below is a weekly spread in Emilio’s journal where he wanted to be conscious of where and how he was spending his time. As a self-employed person, he found this information super valuable for helping him focus on what is really important in his life.
   
10. Lists – ex. Self Care, Bucket List
    It is a lot easier to execute some self-care or follow your dreams when they’re always available to revisit. Taking some time to think about what fills your cup is a big step towards knowing how to help yourself in dark times. And of course, your bucket list is a great tool for living a life you’ve always dreamed of.
    

A bullet journal is designed by you, for you

At the end of the day, I really hope you understand that your journal is YOUR journal. This post is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of how many bullet journal ideas exist. Make your journal what you need it to be so that you feel confident in using it. And of course, if you have any comments leave them below – we’ll be right there to answer!

First of all, thank you for being here. The fact that you’ve stumbled upon or searched for ways on how to be more positive means that you’re on the right track. I used to find myself falling into long periods of depression and it didn’t seem to matter how much self-medicating I did, I still felt down.

Luckily, people who were suffering just like me have shared their stories of finding ways to stay positive, and one in particular resonated with me; that was daily gratitude journaling. It all came from discovering a morning routine that worked for me designed by Shawn Achor.

Focus on gratitude

Even when we’re at our worst and life seems to weigh us down there are still things that can bring joy, that we can be grateful for. However, if you are currently struggling with depression I want you to know about Canada’s Crisis Help Lines. You are worthy. Please reach out for help.

Practicing daily gratitude helps retrain the mind to focus energy in positive areas. And by actively thinking about things that you are grateful for, you set yourself up for approaching life’s experiences with a healthier attitude. Trust me, just look at the photo of my first daily gratitude journal page below – I’ve been doing this since November 2016. And I am happy to report that I have been tracking my depression in my bullet journal and it is now rarely evident.

How to be more positive: a daily journal exercise

It may seem too simple, but the challenge lies in making this simple exercise a daily habit. And if you can create this habit you will be on your way to living more positively.

Daily gratitude layout

Write three things you are grateful for: examples below

1. I am grateful for a safe home and warm bed.
2. I am grateful for my friend who called me last night just to talk.
3. I am grateful for my pet who gives me love and affection.

Write one positive experience from the last 24 hours: example below

Yesterday it felt great to get outside for a walk. The sun was shining, I saw a woodpecker, and when I arrived home I felt energized.

Set up your gratitude journal tonight

Now that you’ve seen my sample journal entry and you have the layout all you need is the desire to try it for yourself. If you want to give gratitude a try I recommend collecting a piece of paper (or journal), a pen and put them beside your bed tonight. When you wake up in the morning make writing out your gratitude the first thing you do. I’m grateful that you’re here and you read this post. Please leave me a comment with your thoughts.

Desiderata by Max Ehrmann (1872 – 1945) offers wise advice to contemplate.

Reminders can help ground us when life is overwhelming

I am sharing this reading by Max Ehrmann because I featured it in my bullet journal this year.

I found this newspaper cut-out on my deceased grandmother’s fridge when we were cleaning out her home. I wondered to myself when she cut it out and how often she read it. It’s interesting to recognize ‘reminders’ in other people’s spaces.

Do you have something placed somewhere to remind you of something?

In truth, the auto-pilot functions of life sometimes allow us to forget the importance of stopping and taking time to ponder. And sometimes that is all we do need, is to let go and relax. But I bet if you look hard enough, people place reminders all throughout their homes and work spaces to help them remember something that is important to them. Whether it be a photograph or a piece of art, a sticky-note or a favorite toy — reminders are all around us.

Personally, I do like to ponder some philosophy every day — deep thoughts — to remind myself to not take life to seriously. If you’re feeling overwhelmed try these tips for decreasing it.

How can something written 100 years ago still mean so much?

Take 5 minutes and read this passage out loud. Ask yourself:

• Are there any words you don’t understand?
• Is there anything that speaks to you at this moment in your life?
• Did you feel that reading it was a waste of time?

Desiderata (Latin: “Things Desired”)

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the ignorant; they, too, have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations of the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in the sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.

– Written by Max Ehrmann in 1927

Let’s solve your daily frustrations with minimalist solutions that don’t cost money.

Big changes can occur with simple ideas. 

We recently presented a workshop on the topic of Minimalist Solutions to Every Day Frustrations. We broke the ideas down based on the 7 Ingredients for an Extraordinary Life (if you haven’t read our book, you can buy it here). Those 7 ingredients are Body, Mind, Work, Social, Family, Stuff, and Giving Back. Those headings are to help guide us in discovering our frustrations. 

So, take 3 deep breaths and shake some part of your body.

Now, think about your daily life, your routine or lack of routine. Do you have any frustrations that come to mind?

Example: Not having enough motivation to exercise, impulsive shopping, too many activities and feeling overwhelmed, poor relations with family members, etcetera.

The acknowledgment of these frustrations is not meant to make you feel bad. Once you can identify a frustration you are then more able to take steps to eliminate them. And if you can’t think of any frustrations that’s okay too. Smile and be proud that you’re in a good place.

Scroll to the area that matches your frustration.

BODY 

In order to feel well each one of us will need different amounts of sleep, food, and exercise. If one of those areas are being neglected it can leave us feeling frustrated with our Body. The following are 3 minimalist solutions to help get you back on track.

MIND 

It’s a power centre and requires attention to stay healthy. Some of us need more stimulation and others require a pull at the emergency breaks. 

STUFF 

If you want to take steps to evaluate your belongings please start by reading our post on decluttering.  

FAMILY 

The best minimalist suggestion we have for you is to communicate. If face-to-face visits are challenging or physically impossible then we recommend writing letters, making phone calls, or a digital version of both. Also, preserving memories can be a very healing and happy experience.

SOCIAL 

Take a moment right now and ask yourself, “Do I need more social activities or less social activities?” There is no magic number, everyone needs different amounts of social engagement. The following suggestions will help you be accountable and have some fun. 

WORK 

A vast majority of us will spend a good chunk of our time on work. Whether you work 9 to 5, shift work, or are seeking a new position our suggestion remains the same.

GIVING BACK 

The final area. An area of your life that should come when you feel you are ready to give your energy away. We don’t recommend jumping into this when you aren’t feeling able to look after yourself. Avoid burn-out or compassion fatigue by making sure your cup is full before Giving Back.

We believe that this can be one of the most rewarding areas of your life. The easiest way to be able to do it often and with intention is by looking after yourself and trying to stay away from frustrations in your own life. Also, giving back is a great way to gain perspective, maybe even feel a bit more gratitude. 

If you’re currently not in a position to give back consider accepting help from someone around you. Accepting help can be a great way to catapult yourself into feeling well again, which will then put you in a better position to give back to others. Do you see? It’s a beautiful ripple effect. So the only minimalist solution for this area of your life is to look after yourself so that you’re then able to look after others. 

Try Our Top 4 Healthy Exercises with Bullet Journaling

(Learn how to bullet journal here)

In the photo above, you can see that I keep it simple. I invest no more than 3 to 10 minutes each morning to write my daily gratitude. I started to test this healthy habit in the fall of 2016 based on Shawn Achor’s Happiness writings. 

You can learn more about The 23 Minute Morning Ritual here.

I decided that it did not need to be complicated and that I wanted to know how often I do the hobbies I say I do to others. Meaning, am I actually taking action or do I just talk about it. After one month of tracking habits, I realized that “yes, there were definitely things I said I did often, but it turned out I RARELY did them.”

Watch the fast-paced video tutorial we made to show you A Minimalist Habit Tracker.

It’s simplistic in the sense that you only need to list 10 things, but it’s impactful because if you have a visible list; you may feel more compelled to take action on those care items.

Read and print off a template if you prefer that to watching the video above. 

The lifestyle design exercise is something we speak about extensively and have even written a book about. And it’s definitely a living document that we revisit at least every 6 months because life is always evolving. 

To get a more in-depth understanding of the exercise I encourage you to read our hardcover book which is available at select libraries in Southwestern Ontario or purchase your own copy here (please pass along when you’ve finished it). 

Get Your Bullet Journal Quick Fix at Five with CTV’s Rosie Del Campo

I’ve always written in journals, but the Bullet Journal is different.

After being introduced to the idea of Bullet Journaling by an Instagram account, Boho Berry, I was immediately intrigued. I started doing some research and discovered that using the #bujo (the short form hashtag for Bullet Journal) could be an amazing way to display AND organize your entries. 

As you might have learned from my excitement in the interview with Rosie Del Campo of CTV’s Quick Fix at Five… Bullet Journaling can be adapted to suit any need.

However, I have never been one to tell lies. The Bullet Journal does come with a learning curve. I had to search high and low to design a journal that suited my needs. There wasn’t just one place to learn about the things you should know before putting your pen to paper. Trust me… I went through a couple “sample” journals in finally designing a journal that worked for me. 

Bullet Journal is inspiring people to get back to their creative side.

The benefits?

• less distractions
• one place to store your ideas, notes, lists, doodles, appointments, reminders, etc
• a powerful tool for reflection
• a form of active meditation
• exercise for the right side of your brain

You can dive deep into the world of Bullet Journaling, but don’t let that intimidate you. It’s worth it. 

If you love tangible items over tech; Bullet Journaling is for you. 

The concept of Bullet Journaling can be applied to any type of journal. It’s versatile and you design what you want to use.

But there in lies the catch. YOU design it.

Yep, that’s right. You create, with your favourite writing instrument, each page of your journal and/or agenda. For some people I know that is an immediate turn off, so I wanted to know… well how long does it take to set up?

If you’re going to create a Minimalist Bullet Journal. Set up is 30 minutes to an hour.

If you’re going to create an Artsy Bullet Journal. Set up could be anywhere from 30 minutes to any length of time you want to put into each elaborate page.

Why wouldn’t you just buy a journal already set up?

Personally, I have bought journals in the past and often they had a bunch of un-used pages or sections that I wouldn’t touch. No journal really ever had it all — unless it was blank! Now, I know lots of others who are happy as clams with their pre-designed journals — and that’s awesome! — but using the concept of Bullet Journaling I can create exactly what I want from a journal. Also, I love to use pen on paper, doodle, keep notes, and have found that my digital apps are leaving me feeling distracted. With just the pen and paper this still happens, but a lot less often 😉

Before you embark on creating your own Bullet Journal ask yourself these questions.

• Do you like writing with pen and paper?
• Can you set aside time every day to make this journal a habit?
• What kind of journal do you want? (Minimalist, Artsy, Agenda Style, List Keeper, Tracker)
• What would you like to keep track of?
• Would you like more time to disconnect?
• Are you looking for a tool for reflection?
• What size of journal and how many pages will you require?

I’m quite surprised by how much I enjoyed making my own Bullet Journal and will be testing the system for a year. I already have a daily gratitude journal that I have been doing for over one year. I love the powerful reflection it gives me. Also, it gets my mindset in the right place each morning before I start my day which has been great for my mental health. If you want to learn more about that morning ritual I wrote a blog about it here.

We’re going to be creating an Online Course to help you through creating your own Bullet Journal. We are going to add in value by sharing our experiences from our work with organization from the last 5 years. We’ve tested and witnessed great strategies and crappy ones, so we’ll share all that too and how it benefits your bullet journal. The course is now live.

Do you think that by going digital we lose skills (like writing)?

Live Video of our “Bullet Journaling” Workshop