Photo by Estée Janssens on Unsplash
There are a variety of planning systems and planners out there that can help you stay organised in all areas of your life. Being organised is not just about getting to appointments on time. Organisation is about your approach to tasks and being able to plan activities efficiently.
Not everyone will like the same planning systems or keep themselves organised the same way, you can have paper based planners or digital options. A bullet journal is a great way to keep you organised and tailor the pages to what you may need them for.
What is a bullet journal?
A bullet journal is a method of personal organisation that was developed by Ryder Carroll. Bullet journalling is a way that you can schedule your day, week or month. The journal is blank for you to be able to design a system that will suit you and your planning needs.
Starting a bullet journal is a simple task that can help you organise your life all in just one notebook. There are plenty go bullet journal essentials that can help you start your bullet journal journey. The beauty of a blank planning notebook is you can track so many aspects of your life and design the bullet journal how you want it, whether it is a simple design or a more creative design, both work and can breed productivity. You can start using a bullet journal to keep yourself seriously organised.
Here are 9 ways you can use a bullet journal to keep yourself seriously organised:
1. Sleep tracker
Tracking your sleep can be very beneficial for your mental health but also allows you to track patterns that could explain productivity levels. Sleep can have a huge impact on your life and mental health, poor sleep can negatively affect all aspects of your life. Regularly recording your sleep patterns can help you create good sleep hygiene especially if you struggle with your sleeping routine.
2. Habit tracker
Using daily habit trackers means you can list the most important tasks for you to complete on a daily or weekly basis. Creating a habit tracker us a great way to introduce new habits you want to start. Referring to a habit tracker can work as a great prompt or can hold you accountable for each task. A tracker like this can help you stay motivated to check off as many tasks as you can, there is something about a challenge that can be so motivating. If you struggle with remembering to do certain tasks like taking medication regularly for example using a habit tracker can be such a helpful tool.
3. Blogging schedule
If you are a blogger using a bullet journal can help you stay organised and successful with your blog. You can use the pages to write down blog post ideas, a schedule or you can even write draft posts. Being able to plan out ideas and check off each aspect of the steps you need to achieve to schedule or share your blog post. Having a blogging schedule not only allows you to stay organised but it means you are able to plan content ahead of time. Planning content ahead of time can help you to not feel overwhelmed so you can enjoy the process and not risk the dreaded burn out.
Photo by Estée Janssens on Unsplash
4. To do list for the month
Making lists are a useful way to remember important tasks and plan out your month. Creating a page in your bullet journal for a to do list can help you stay organised in your home and work life. On the page you can add tasks throughout the month that need to be achieved. Having a page for these tasks allows you to have your reminders all in one place. When you are planning each week you can refer to your main tasks for the month, this will help you be the most productive with your time and achieve all the tasks by the end of the month.
5. Budget tracker
Using budget trackers are helpful in keeping track of your money, what you spend and what you save. If you are saving for something important like a house, a car or even a wedding. Using a budget tracker could help you not only stay organised with your money but you can identify areas where you could start to save more. If you struggle with keeping track of your money using a budget tracker can be a great step to start managing your money. Money worries can be a big cause of stress, you can avoid this with using a budget tracker.
6. Household tasks
Recording cleaning tasks and other household tasks in your bullet journal can be an effective way to stay on top of cleaning in your home or household tasks that need to be done around the house. Once each task is completed you can check them off the list. You can add to the list as tasks arise and then you can allocate time to certain tasks. Using it in list form can help you keep you home organised in your home. An organised home can create a relaxed and calming atmosphere, which can help to reduce stress and boost your mental health.
7. Meal planning
Planning your meals ahead of time can be so beneficial. Planning and preparing your own meals can help you learn better portion control, that will limit wasting food which is better for the environment. Planning your meals ahead of time can help you save time, you can shop and know you have all your meals for a week or the month. By preparing ahead of time you can buy multipacks or in bulk that can help you save money. You can refer to your meal planning pages daily to stay on plan.
8. Self care tracker
Self care is so important to nourish your mind, body and soul. Self care is important but is something you have to choose to take part in. Creating a self care tracker will allow you to see how often you actually put yourself first. It can act as a reminder for you to be taking time out and looking after yourself. Self care can be inexpensive and small gestures to yourself can make a positive impact on your mental health. When you set up your tracker you can choose to list activities you know you enjoy and that makes you happy.
9. Mood tracker
Mood or mental health trackers are a vital use of bullet journal pages. Creating a mood tracker allows you to understand and explore your feelings and it can you identify any triggers that you tackle. It can help you with stress and anxiety. Keeping your mind organised is a helpful way to create a positive mental attitude which can change your mindset and your life.
These are just 9 ways you can use a bullet journal to be organised. How do you use a bullet journal to stay organised? I’d love to hear in the comments.
This is really helpful! Didn’t overly know what went into a bullet journal before 🥰 thanks for sharing x
I am glad it is helpful. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Lovely suggestions here! I think keeping to a regular sleeping schedule is so important, and I love that you’ve included it here as one of the ways to use your bullet journal 🙂
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Bullet journals are such a great way to keep track. It is so much easier to have a visual to work from. I have begun thinking about my blogging bullet journal for next year because I have found this years so useful.
Great points here Lauren x
Definitely should give it a go, it is so helpful. If you have any questions or need suggestions, just DM me xx
This is so helpful as I know my organization has gone a bit awry lately so this will help me get back on track!
I am glad this has been a helpful post for you!
This is so helpful! Thank you 🙂
These are great tips, thank you!
These are great suggestions! Bullet journals sound like a great way to get organized!
They really are! You should give them a try!
I really enjoyed this post! I’ve never had a bullet journal which is silly as I really do need to be much more organized with my time. You’ve convinced me that I need one so looking right now!
This is the perfect time as you can start anytime, but even more perfect to start in January. There are plenty of affordable options. If you need any help or questions. Message me. Could you link your blog so I could read?
Great tips!
I like the idea behind a bullet journal. My only issue with it is that I might spend more time decorating it than actually using it, lol!
That is one myth that is really not true, there are simple fast ways to decorate, simple spreads, or use the time to decorate as some self care. Thank you for reading and commenting.
I am glad this post has been helpful. Can you link your blog?
The link is an error and doesn’t work? 🥺
Oh I love all of these ideas! Think a budget tracker and meal planner would be so useful for me!
Tash – A Girl with a View
I love how you organized so many different trackers through your bullet journal. Your collection over time looks amazing! YeSSSS on the meal planning!! So much easier to plan out what you need to buy and everything. I like that it is a safe place to jot down your thoughts!
Nancy ✨ mdrnminimalists.com
Thank you for your kind comments, I really appreciate it. Bullet journals are a great planning resource. Thank you for reading.
I am looking at designing my own bullet journal to sell so keep your eyes peeled. Can you link your blog so I can read ☺️
This is so well laid out! The closest I have to a bullet journal is my blogging schedule which is essential to keep me organized. Thanks for sharing!
That’s great it works for you! Thank you for reading and commenting.
Bullet journaling is so beautiful and creative! Thank you so much for sharing this! lovely suggestions!
Thank you for reading and commenting.
This is really awesome. Such a great way to keep your life in check.
http://www.fashionradi.com
I don’t have a bullet journal yet but I can see how it would be really helpful for my blogging schedule and managing daily tasks. Thank you for sharing these ideas Lauren! Have a wonderful December month xx
Thank you Jenni. I hope you have a great month and great Christmas!
Thank you xx
Thanks for sharing, this looks a great way to help, I will probably forget to fill it in 🙂
These are amazing ways to use your planner to help keep yourself and your life organized and to help keep yourself on track with healthy habits!
I wanna start Bullet Journal too!!!! Can you recommend me some good diary?
JENY| https://jenyscloset.wixsite.com/jenyscloset/post/pretty-in-pastel
I have heard of bullet journalling, but I’ve never done it. They seem like a great way of keeping on top of things. I think it’s about time that I made my own xx
Hannah | https://luxuryblush.co.uk/
I really need to give bullet journalling a try. I think I will have one running alongside my diary to track goals and tasks rather than appointments etc. One thing I won’t be tracking is my sleep – with a nocturnal toddler that would be far too disheartening.
I like how customizable bullet journals are. They really allow you to choose what is important to you to keep track of at any given time. I am playing with the idea of making one that is just a series of different lists.
That would be great, perfect to start using it in the new year
yup! definetly going to start keeping a sleep trackers (my eyebags will thank me)
Can you link your blog
Yeah so simple layouts, that what I did and it really boosted my productivity.
I’ve never made a bullet journal before, but I really need too as they look such a great way to be creative whilst also keeping you on track. A sleep tracker is such a great idea xx
Hannah | https://luxuryblush.co.uk/
I hope this helps you create one!
This is awesome. I need this for my blogging work schedule. I’m currently using an app on my phone. Thank you for sharing this!
I am so glad that this has been a helpful post for you. Thank you for reading and commenting.
These are all great ways to use bullet journalling. I already use a budget tracker and a gratitude journal, and your post has given me some ideas for other things to track.
That’s great. Thank you for sharing.
I love all these ideas. I’ve been meaning to start a new bullet journal for the new year but I just couldn’t decide how to get started!
I hope this helps. Thank you for reading and commenting.
I love bullet journals, but after two failed attempts I might have to admit that i just can’t make them work for me. I use an old style calendar but have a few bullet journal things going on in it.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
It is not for everyone. It is great you tried though. That is good you found something to work for you.
These are definitely all really good ideas. Keeping track of what we do, what we think and what we feel is a great way to be more mindful. This is really helpful advice!