‘Tis the season for reflection, so what better way to reflect than to share some of my favorite things of the year.
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Next up for My Favorite Things of 2018 is all things that helped me find organizational peace this year.
- Traveler’s Notebook and Bullet Journaling
- I have been using a bullet journal for over a year now, but it was not until this year where I finally found planning peace in doing so. Before this year, I kept playing with what I tracked and how I tracked it. I was messing around with daily formats and could not find any way that worked for me. I spent more time on Pinterest looking at these gorgeous spreads, experiencing serious envy at the artistic talent of others. Then, I let it all go. I found a habit tracker system that works for me. I found the right number of inserts to carry on a daily basis, and I found a daily setup that is functional and something I can beautify without spending all day long. What used to take me a good half-day to establish each month now only takes me an hour. I spend no more than fifteen minutes each day in planning or updating my lists. Moreover, I found the best traveler’s notebook covers in which to carry my bullet journal. Imperfectly Perfekt makes the most stunning notebooks and planner covers you will ever see. Everything she sells is made by her own hand, including every design that she hand-etches onto the leather. She only opens her store up for sales once a week and sells out of her allotted inventory within minutes, and for good reason. I am lucky enough to own six of her creations, and I cherish every one of them.
- Etsy
- Etsy is my go-to place for all my organizational needs when it comes to inserts for my notebook, stickers, and what have you. There are three or four shops I frequent, and others I like for occasional purchases. I don’t limit my shopping to just planner items though. I found my makeup organizers on Etsy. I found my cross-stitch project bags on Etsy. I found holiday decor on Etsy. Let’s face it; I found way too much on Etsy, but I love knowing that I am helping someone with his or her business.
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One way to find peace is to remove chaos from your world. One way to do that is through organizing. That is why I included Etsy, my traveler’s notebook, and the bullet journal system among My Favorite Things for Organizational Peace.
When I started using the bullet journal, I was consumed by what everyone else does, too. But, like you, I decided that I didn’t have time to stew over that. This is my third year of using a bullet journal and I keep it pretty simple. I’m with you, I don’t have all kinds of time to organize my organizer!
Simple is best! I got very tired of losing an entire Sunday to planning every week.
I have this time off and all I want to do is organize. It’s a beast within me. I cannot bullet journal at all. Lately I’ve been using my Keep app to make checklists and someone mentioned Anylist which sounds pretty cool. I know bullet journaling isn’t really just a checklist but that just goes to show you how little I know about the process.
Bullet journaling is whatever you want it to be. Perhaps I will write a little bit more about how I use a bullet journal over the next few weeks.
Planner peace is a hard thing to find. I went with a digital planner/journal this year and it has worked incredibly well.
ps
Your traveler’s notebook is gorgeous.
I have been using this method for over a year now and don’t see myself changing it any time soon. Before then, I was forever getting new planners because I was always searching for “the one”.
I am way too much of a mess for bullet journaling, but you’re making me think I should pull out my travelers notebook to try again. Yours is so pretty! Maybe that can be a goal for me for 2019…
My bullet journal is very simple. In fact, I mostly use inserts by other people because I do not have the time or inclination to create my own. Then, I use other people’s stickers to add color and sass and make it a little more my own. I try to keep it very simple.