Do you even bullet journal

By Grethel Muralles

Say goodbye to smartphone planners and downloadable internet calendars, and say hello to the new and improved method of keeping track of your life. That’s right folks, pen and paper have made a comeback with bullet journals.

Bullet journals (BuJos) are the new hip trend that have stormed the internet for the past few years. BuJos are more than just planners to organize your daily, monthly, or yearly schedules.

They are creative spaces to reflect on your goals and ambitions and to jot down all of your thoughts. In other words, a bullet journal is a three-for-one deal: a calendar, a planner, and journal.

BuJos have sprouted to stardom because of their flexibility. Whether the owner is a student, a stay-at-home parent, or a business owner, bullet journals allow people of all backgrounds to plan out their time in whichever format suits them best.

Ryder Carroll, a Brooklyn-based digital product designer, is the creator for the format and method that is used for the bullet journal. Carroll spent nearly 20 years perfecting the method in order for him to maintain an organized and efficient lifestyle.

Carroll’s method starts with an index to make finding pages and tasks much easier, a few pages to plan out the year, and two pages of important dates and tasks for each month. If needed, there can be pages for weekly tasks or goals.

Although some may argue that bullet journals take too much time, they do not have to be extremely elaborate.

Carroll’s original journal was much less “extravagant,” yet it was just as effective. Calligraphic fonts or aesthetically pleasing designs are only personal stylistic choices that have erupted through the media. 

Personally, I follow Carroll’s layout. But I also like to give my bullet journal a special touch by adding in a small reflection at the end of each month on what I did well and what I plan to fix for the following month.

Taking some time to think about what I’ll be doing in the future, whether it be a week or a month away, helps alleviate my stress.

As for designs, although I am not too elaborate, I do take some time to color, draw, design, and be creative.

All in all, bullet journals can be of help to almost anyone because of its simple method that offers extreme customizability.