The aesthetic of bullet journals is something I live for. I could spend hours scrolling through Instagram watching people write with beautiful calligraphy, looking at insanely perfect spreads, and getting inspired by all the creativity. So last month I decided it was time to start my own bullet journal. Not one I could use as a planner, my constant scribbles of assignments and activities would definitely destroy the aesthetic I would have worked so hard to create. I have instead made mine a “quote journal,” where I can take quotes that make me smile, and write them in an “artistic” way. It’s not necessarily the easiest hobby, but it’s one I’ve grown to love. And here’s what I have learned from this past month:
Patience
Unless you are naturally gifted in the calligraphy department, it takes a lot of time and energy to get the “look” you’re going for. It usually a process of penciling what you want to write, erasing everything because it’s not centered, trying again, realizing one letter doesn’t look good enough, erasing again, and repeating until eventually you feel it’s ready for permanent ink. Then it’s a process of determining what colors to use and how to use them. It’s sometimes a long process to get what you want, so you have to be ready to just sit and work.
Focus
I’ve tried to multitask while bullet journaling, and it never works out. You have to be able to focus on the words you are putting on the page, the way you put them there, all of your intentions have to go towards the journal. Sometimes it’s easy to get distracted by your phone, other people, or television, but when I journal, I put it all away and take time to be present with what I’m doing. This focus has started leaking over into other aspects of my life.
Breathing
Not going to lie, getting up the courage to finally write with permanent marker on something you want to look perfect is a daunting task. It’s easy to hold your breath and wait for it to be over. But what’s even better is breathing through it. Breathing through the strokes, not holding that tension in your hands or body, and calmly going about the letters. It make everything less rigid, from your project to your mood, breathing calms you, and journaling should be a calming activity.
Self-Positivity
It’s really easy to be hard on yourself. To find every little mistake you made and what you should have done to make something better. Hindsight is 20/20. Of course everything could be improved, but look at what you’ve accomplished! It’s an amazing feeling seeing what I’ve created (or recreated from Pinterest). I love seeing the outcome of all the work, patience, and focus I’ve put into something. And it reminds me that I am amazing, and I can do anything. Which is why bullet journaling is a gift from above.