My maternal grandfather, in addition to being my hero, was a large man and a country vet who had a work ethic the likes of which I have not again encountered in my time on this planet.
You know how people talk about that if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life?
Well that was him.
He never worked but always worked.
It was near impossible for him to be idle unless he was asleep or reading the paper at night, (and even that he did with pencil in hand, sipping tea and making notes and looking up words. That man loved words.)
In fact, once, when I was 16 years old, I pulled into his driveway to find him lying under his tractor.
He wasn’t moving, and I knew at that moment that he was dead.
So I ran over to him, shouting and already crying, hoping that maybe it was just a terrible-but-somehow-OK head injury that had rendered him unconscious.
“It’s OK Tweety,” he told me, sitting up and smiling. “I was just trying to figure out how to fix this thing. I’m fine. I’m just fine.”
We was 78 years old.
My grandpa always had a long to-do list, but he was also always busy, so sometimes he would lose track of things. For most of the time that I knew him, he carried a “brain” in his back pocket.
“I can’t do anything without my brain,” he would laugh, and he would often pull it out and flip through it to remember his next task, what he needed at the grocery store, or the plans for a small but useful invention.
I wish now I had even one of his many, many brains. I’d love to look through his quick notes, written in the illegible scrawl of a busy doctor with hands the size of banana bunches.
I found myself thinking of my grandpa last week at the library.
I was talking to my friend about my attempts to organize my thoughts. Things were feeling rather scattered, and I had actually missed a few appointments and tasks, which sent me spinning.
“I just think that I’m a paper person,” I said. “I just need to get everything written down and out of my brain.”
Suddenly, saying it outloud, it made so much sense. Apps and online calendars just weren’t doing it for me. Structured planners with 2×2-inch blocks weren’t working.
I needed a BRAIN.
But like my grandpa’s — an external one. A place for everything.
I had stumbled on the idea of bullet journaling at the beginning of this year, but it seemed very overwhelming at that point. Besides, I had invested in a fancy Kate Spade planner (which only survived a month. I think I ask a lot from a planner — I need it to multitask.)
And so I started researching bullet journaling a bit more, and eventually, I was won over.
By the office supplies.
Man am I a sucker for office supplies.
In my old Newspaper Woman days, when I was feeling particularly overwhelmed, my pal Sharon and I would go to McDonald’s for Cokes, and then hit Staples.
I’d come back and use the caffeine buzz to completely reorganize my desk.
And so I went online and admittedly, had a little bit of fun, purchasing stuff to create a bullet journal.
I created my bullet journal with:
- This notebook (I LOVE the dots!)
- Washi tape
- Pens
- More pens
- Post-it tabs
- and these paper clips because CATS.
And I set about getting everything in one place.
And I think I’m in louvre because:
- I need a daily to-do list — that’s kind of the whole idea of bullet journaling!
- I need a non-daily to-do list. That’s totally my current Page 2!
- I need to write down my rhythms and routines in one place — Eureka!
- I’m tired of reinventing the wheel every week with meal plans and grocery lists.
- I’ve got a section for blog stuff, which is good because Post-its on my desk sometimes migrate.
- I’ve got a section for school stuff, which is good, because I will tell you I am having a lazy summer, but come on, the wheels are still going. (But now I can write stuff down and let it go!)
- I had been struggling with how to track my work hours — I’ve got a page for that!
- I’ve even got a section just for books. Books, glorious books. In one place.
- And maybe best of all, I can pick a page, label it Brain Dump, and go to town. (And then go to sleep!)
This all feels, of course, like something I should have done a long time ago.
But maybe you need to drop a few balls before things fall into place, right?
At this point, I am loving my new brain.
And frankly, it’s helping my previous one CHILL OUT. Yeah!
This was fun to read. I have various notebooks and notepads floating around. I seriously need to combine them into a journal.
I think this is one of the best blog posts I’ve ever read. It was what I was searching for, only I didn’t know it. Thank you! My life, and brain, is about to get even better because of this. 🙂
Pam, you totally got me started on this organizing kick! Your summer printables helped me get everything down on paper in a way we could all see it, and that was when it occurred to me that I just really like paper. And colorful markers. Because colorful markers just make life better 😉
Oh! Thank you! I hope it helps! 🙂
I just started bullet journaling about 2 months ago and love it! Planners never worked for me because I could never find the “perfect ” one. But online calendars weren’t doing it for me either. (Though we do have a family cozy account). I love how bullet journaling is completely custom tailored to me!
I’m still trying to “perfect” it tho!
I am in love with this. I have been using a notebook with a calendar in the front for a while now, and while it is working much better than any other “system”, I do lose track of all my pages and notes after a while. The idea of the index and the daily pages with all the things on them is so good. Excited to try out (after I feed my own office supply addiction of course), using my pretty pens that you introduced me to!
Yeah for bullet journals! I have been keeping one for a year now (on my 3rd now,) and it is my favorite thing. I tried online tools as well, but paper and pen is where it’s at for my brain too. And it’s funny, but I have that exact same turquoise soft cover one on the go right now! My original plan was to go through all the colours of the rainbow (I started with red, then purple) so they would look nice on the shelf when they were done, but I think I will just keep ordering the pretty blue, I love it so. Glad you found a system that works for you!
Yes! This past December I spent the whole month looking for the perfect planner and nothing was right. Then I found on Pinterest a large family homeschool mama who made her own. My world changed. Instead of $65 on the fancy but not quite right planner, I spent $15 on a 5subject notebook and supplies. I can keep all in one spot homeschool plans, dr appoinments, book lists, travel ideas and plans, menu plans, exercise plans all in front of me. I need pen and paper as well. Any app I tried lasted a couple weeks and fell flat.
I’ve Ben meaning to start bullet journalling since September. It’s on my to do list buried in my bag. Write now my agenda is the back of the current knitting pattern. It’s got a grocery list, homeschool plan and 1/2 a poem. Off to look at your board, ha!
I hit a year mark of bullet journaling this month!! I lovelovelove it. I am definitely still tweaking the system, maybe trying to smoosh too much into one book (3 months in 46ish pages?) – I could do more of the brain dumping there, which still gets spread out a bit, but I use mine to outline the month, outline the week, keep track of daily to-do’s and notes on what *actually* happened (it was project-based journaling that got me started on this track…obsessively writing down what my kids were doing!), and I have a resource page for future reference, a book list, and a nerdy bird list going…This is also where trip plans and directions get stashed so I don’t lose them!! And when we were traveling, I kept a log of gas and lodging spending…Basically, I use it for everything, but it’s only as organized as my mind, so…but at least I know where it all is! Thinking about color-coding, maybe that will help!
Yay! Another bullet journaller! I’ve been using a bullet journal for nearly a year. Someone on the Project based homeschooling course was talking about them when talking about PBH journalling, and I watched the video and almost immediately gathered the children up so that we could leave the house and go get me a notebook. i started that afternoon, and I haven’t stopped since. infact i just blogged about it last week, with a load of links to resources and stickers and things that i use.
Ooh! Perfect Katie. I’m heading over it to check it out. I love seeing what other people are doing with their bullet journals! 🙂
I feel like this is why bullet journaling may stick for me — I love how personalized it is, and how you can create a place for everything!
Love it! My one big thing right now is that I don’t want to write things in my bullet journal until I’ve figured them out, so I’ve been working on a cleaning routine, which is currently on the back of an envelope. BUT, that envelope is tucked in the pocket of my journal so win? Maybe? 😉
Perfect! I never thought of that with the dividers!!
I love the blue. I realized the other day that it might be my accidental favorite color right now when I looked at my journal, my cell phone case, my pen and my tea mug and they were all that shade!
I bought MORE pens. Can you believe it? Clearly I have a problem.
I think you’re right about planners never feeling perfect. And then I give up using them. I like that at least a bullet journal can be a work in progress! 🙂
I will never, ever say that is a problem! (so clearly, I may have a problem too…)
I just started “BuJo” too – my closest friend referred me to the method (and the videos) – and after seeing it in action, I realized that it what I was already doing! I can’t handle calendars. I need fresh blank paper (no lines – but I like your dots – I may try that) for each fresh new day.
She also taught me the “dash/plus” system for writing lists! = Life-saver.
Do you have a tried-and-true method for planning months in advance? I haven’t found one I loved – too intense with the graphing and indexing.
Anyway. Yay for paper and pens.
I just want you to know, I completely understand the appeal of a good pen (or a stack of good pens) and the perfect book for writing in (I’ve also become a big fan lately of the dots and graph paper). I used to carry around a whole bag of books, journal, sketchbook, my ongoing to-do list, address book etc. That was back when I was in school and biked everywhere and I was constantly misplacing books and it was insane! So I consolidated everything into one book, blank pages, hard covers. Phone numbers and addresses went in the back, and there were no rules about what went in the front. Looking back, these books are full of drawings and to-do lists and journal entries that all together make for an interesting look at that time in my life. Now I use a similar system but I also use a datebook for keeping track of things more long term since I’ve got a kid now and have to keep track of both our schedules. One more nerdy journally thing, I love putting little boxes instead of bullets so I can have the satisfactions of checking things off as they are completed.
I love checking things off. I read a while back that we get an endorphin rush from checking things off a list! 🙂
Ooh. What is the dash/plus system? And so far, I just put a June calendar at the front of my book and then made an “Upcoming Dates” page, but I’m not sure if that’s the best system or not!
I wish I had a link to an official dash/plus guide (I haven’t googled it) but my friend explained it like this:
When making a list give each item on the list a ” – ”
When the item is complete turn the dash into a ” + ”
If at the end of the day the item is undone turn it into a ” -> ”
This way every day starts fresh, eliminating the pull to look back at “checkbox” lists. Everything moves forward for is left behind completed.
I just want you to know this post has made me fall in love with you. Lol I swear I’m not a creepy stalker. I am going to make a “brain” this week! My mind is very much the same-I used to do something very much like this when I was a teenager! It makes me crazy to use a planner or have different things in different places. Thank you for sharing this.
I have been using a bullet journal for a few months now, but still tweaking it. One thing I love is that I don’t have to feel guilty if I don’t write something everyday….that used to drive me nuts when I found the prefect/cute planner and then I would not use it for two days—those blank pages sat there judging me! But with the bullet journal, I just turn the page and start again. I have my kids using something similar for homeschool. Each day we make a list and check things off (usually–I think I am going to add a “this is what I did instead” list for the end of the day, cause unchecked boxed don’t give the whole picture. Now to my VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION…speaking of pretty office supplies (I too have an addiction to staples)…what do you use to corral all your pretty pens? Especially if you are carrying the journal around with you?
that’s where I stumble with all planner systems – I argue with myself over whether or not it’s “worthy” of writing down — i think it’s the absurd procrastinator-perfectionist syndrome I can’t seem to get away from
The paper clips – I want them all – dog, squirrel!
I know! So cute!!
I totally get that. I’ll get a new planner and want to keep it pristine!
I do carry it out with me most of the time! I have one of these pencil cases: http://amzn.to/1B9rtoD
Aww! Thanks!!
LOVE this!!!
Very cute! This may seem like a silly question, but does it attach to your journal somehow, or do you just carry them together?
It doesn’t attach, but that is an amazing idea! I’ve seen things on Pinterest where people create like stretchy elastic things for their bullet journals to hold their pens too!
Dude. Can you show me more images? I need to see this in action. Right now I have a big notebook with blank paper in it so this might work so well!!
I’m going to work on some more images this week! I’m trying to figure out how to do it without showing too much, you know? 😉
I get it!
As much as I love paper, Toggl has been a life saver for tracking hours. https://www.toggl.com/ Plus: cats!
Oh man Kortney. I think you might have just changed my life! 🙂
VAs have to look out for each other ; )
For sure!!
Please tell me more about your “june hours.” I’m trying to set up my own journal, thanks to you, and need ideas!
Hi Karrie! I use that page to track my work hours. I’m a freelancer and virtual assistant, so I have a lot of clients and need to keep track of my time! 🙂 Good luck with your journal. I hope you love it!
I also do bullet journals 🙂 I just love writing! My life would be a total mess without it. But it’s not as chic as yours, LOL. Will definitely buy some washi tapes and colored pens. Excited!!!
homeschool curriculum
excellent post! I need to do this!! love stationary and don’t get on with ‘apps’ I’m much more a journal person x
Reblogged this on adventureswithmonster and commented:
this is amazing, I am making it my business to make myself one of these journals this week!
I’m also a recent BuJo addict as of June, completely obsessed w/all things bullet journaling. Stumbled onto your blog post and honestly, hands down my favorite read/summary of BJ’ing. Your grandfather’s brain resonated with me so well! Also agree with EVERYONE’s comments as to the realization that expensive, fancy planners or so cute, but didn’t work for me at all. I read a great quote the other day “brains were meant for creating ideas, not storing them” … BuJo’s are the perfect place for that and more! Anyway, wanted to thank you for such an outstanding post. New follower and can’t wait to see your Pinterest BJ board!
Love this! I can SO relate to this… love your writing style. Holly
My name is Kimberly, and I am addicted to office supplies….
I finally did it! I wrote a step-by-step set up guide to Bullet Journaling. (I even had the guts to include 2 short videos.)
I included an explanation of the dash/plus system I mentioned in the comments above.
Are you going to use your Bullet Journal for your homeschool records this year? If so, do you have any tips/tricks?
Ahhh! I can’t wait to see it. Heading over there now!
Thanks for the excitement! I feel the same. My brain is thanking me – and you inspired me! So thank you 🙂
So, what’s the verdict for your bullet journal so far? Any sites you can recommend to get me started? I’m already on board with the idea. I think binder clips and neon notecards will help w the little things I don’t want to get lost in the shuffle or I don’t want to rewrite.
I am really liking many things about bullet journaling, but I also have a pet peeve and I haven’t figured out a way around it yet — I can’t figure out how to write in future plans, and man — that drives me nuts. But I keep most of my ideas on my pinterest board, and there are all kinds of links in there: https://www.pinterest.com/ksanderson/bullet-journaling/
I’m new at this but could you start at the back and move forward? I’ll check out the Pinterest board. Thanks!
Hi! Just found your post (through Pinterest). I’m a BuJo-er already but now am a homeschool mom and have repeated my viscious cycle of purchasing (or handling, at least) SEVERAL teacher planners and nothing seems right, especially after BuJo-ing. Are you using your BuJo for homeschool planning, or just tracking? Or both? Neither? What are you using? Will look through your Pinterest, etc. but also thought I’d ask here. 🙂 Thanks!
Hi Kim! It’s funny — I have my bullet journal out tonight and a doing some homeschool planning, so I think there will be a post coming down the line! 🙂
Wow. Someone like me! I thought I was nuts due to all my scattered thoughts and in thinking I could actually find a way to organize it all. (Planners are too orderly for my randomness 🙂 I got a small notebook once from Dollarama, but I think I need 2 of these! One small one I have with me while I’m out, as your grandfather carried around, and another for when I’m at home. Because ideas slip away to quickly! Thanks for the post.
Have you seen the Future Log that BulletJournal.com mentions? When I first started bullet journaling it wasn’t part of the video, when I got my new journal I went back and was looking at it again and they talk about the future log which might help your future plan issues. 🙂 (It’s on the get started page :))
I haven’t!! I’m off to check right now!!
I loved reading this because I have these exact thoughts some times! Thank you for sharing.
I call my journal my brain as well! My first was this green journal with a back pocket … I stuffed that thing with so much stuff. I would call it “my little green brain” … help! I can’t find my brain! … and people would give me a look like I was confused XD
Loved this post! I’m a planner/paper addict so I’ve tried everything out there. Have any of you ever considered a travelers notebook for your bullet journal? I LOVE it – it’s the perfect system. It’s a leather cover with elastics to hold individual notebooks. I keep 3 notebooks in one relatively neat package of my Midori traveler’s notebook. I have my simple dated planner first then use the other notebooks for everything else – including, but not limited to, all the lists mentioned above. It tucks neatly in my purse and is easy to tote around. Just thought I would mention it in case someone else’s brain works like mine!
I just found your blog and read your 2016 year plan at simple homeschool!! I LOVED IT!!!! SO ENCOURAGING! But… I am so scared and nervous to try this…. I’ve been stalking ideas on pinterest but I feel like I will become MORE scatter brained…..is that possible??
I totally went out and bought a notebook to keep me organized. It’s totally what I’ve been looking for and combines the things I love and are neccessary for a smooth day with my kids.
Thanks for this awesome post. Off to break in my journal.
YEAH! Thank you for saying hi Sandra!
How funny that I named my pinterest board, Bullet Journaling- MY BRAIN…. and then I found your post about Bujo’s . I knew it had to have a lot of good info and I was right. I feel like I can begin mine with confidence now that I have seen yours because it is almost exactly the style I need to make mine. Thanks so much for the confidence to do what I want to do. I have started so many different lists and planners and I must have a “million” different notebooks started that I’ve never finished. This will work. I know it will. Thanks
I always have to have a Bullet Journal! It took me a while to get used to the pieces that worked for me and now that I have figured out what works, I cannot do anything without it! Love to see the Homeschool Sisters with a Bullet Journal!