10 Ways to Customize Your Bullet Journal

By Vivian El-Salawy on January 30, 2017

So you’re probably wondering what a bullet journal is in the first place – maybe you’ve heard of it before in passing or have had some interest but still can’t wrap your head around it. Really, a bullet journal can be whatever you want it to be. It can be a to-do list, a sketchbook, a diary, a notebook – but at its core, it’s your unique and creative way of developing an organizational system. And the best part about it is that all you need is a notebook and a pen/pencil.

Most bullet journals consist of a key with signifiers for different topics, organized on a greater level with page numbers and topics.  The “bullets” can often times be your signifier, but that decision is ultimately up to you.

With your bullet journal, you have the ultimate creative freedom to do whatever you please with it. However, maybe you don’t know what direction you want to go in? Here are 10 ways to customize your bullet journal to your liking:

Spunky Netflix List

Image via Pinterest

We all make a list of movies and television series that we have yet to watch – whether It’s on our “list” on Netflix, a notepad on your computer or iPhone, and so on. Your bullet journal well let you track what television shows you want to watch and at the same time, monitor your current viewing of films.

Build A Library

Image via Bullet Everything

This doesn’t necessarily have to just be a “list of books”. Create your own paper library. What are your favorite reading spots? What books do you wish to read? What have been your favorite books or genres? What books have you read and reread and how many times?

Create Physical Health Goals

Image via Bullet Everything

Bullet journals let you think outside of the box when it comes to tracking and monitoring daily, monthly, or annual goals. For instance, most people log the food they eat or sometimes their daily exercise routines, but a bullet journal allows you to additionally track how much of what you do each day: take vitamins, drink water, go for a walk, do your yoga routine, and so on.

Track Mental Health

Image via Pinterest

Some people already track their physical health whether it be through journaling or through new developing technologies such as iPhone apps or Fit Bits. However, tracking mental health isn’t nearly as popular of a habit. Think about how much tracking your current mental health levels would help you manage and maintain future mental health levels. Through color coding different moods and emotions to graphing levels of stress or anxiety, you can track what when you feel that way, perhaps why you feel that way, and then start working towards relief. Record breathing techniques and work them into your daily routine. Find what is best for you as an individual.

Divide Your “To-Do” Lists

Image via Pinterest

Often times, responsibilities get cluttered on one list. A great way to manage them is by dividing them up into a variety of categories. Create a “to-do” list for chores vs. homework, manage things you need to buy, rent, sell, or return, and so on.

Track Finances

Image via Pinterest

Whether it be groceries, leisurely spending, or spending for occupation/school related purposes, track your spendings and/or earnings in a creative way. Most people hate doing the math, but if you make it look pretty – maybe you’ll stick to it.

Plan Travel

Image via Pinterest

Let’s be real, you can do anything if you put your mind and heart into it, such as going on vacation. Not many people have the willpower to save up the money for travel, but if you consistently track, manage, and plan your dream vacations through bullet journaling, then maybe one day you’ll be able to make that dream a reality. Better yet, once you reach that dream destination – use your bullet journal to log your paradise.

Freestyle 

Image via Bullet Journal

Not everything in your bullet journal has to be strictly business and organization. Leave some room for doodling or creative writing for a boring hour of your day or a “general notes” section. There really are no rules when it comes to bullet journaling, so you can essentially use each and every page for whatever you desire. If you’re an artist – leave some pages to color test. If you’re a musician, add lined pages for writing music.

Track Packages and Mail

Image via Pinterest

This tip can be especially handy for, well, anybody. Track what packages you have ordered and received – especially if you live in a residential area where packages are left at your doorstep.

Open Yourself Up

Image via Pinterest

This bullet journal doesn’t have to be all about you. Think about what’s important to you – quotes? Experiences? Devote pages to people you care about or you want to learn more about. Let them leave a featured journal page so you can always keep a piece of them in your own creative realm. Share this bullet journal with others – even if it’s not for the sake of writing in your journal. Maybe they’ll learn that they wish to create a world of their own as well.

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