The fast-paced college lifestyle we’ve all gotten used to seems to get more and more overwhelming each year. The competitive nature of school and life has us pushing to involve ourselves in the most demanding activities and apply to the toughest jobs, all on top of a full course load. For me, this ambitious schedule is made more feasible through one thing: bullet journaling. Unlike a typical planner, a bullet journal is an-all encompassing way to organize your life to a tee. You’re making each page yourself, so you don’t have to limit yourself to just one aspect of your overcrowded agenda. It’s the perfect way to stay organized and unleash your creativity. Here’s how bullet journaling has changed my life and how it can do the same for you:
Organize your ENTIRE life.
I think a common misconception for the bullet journal beginner is that bullet journals are used solely for keeping track of your assignments or your to-do lists. I have pages dedicated to just about every thought that goes through my head. Meditation techniques I want to try out, creative writing prompts, things I’m grateful for, personal goals, affirmations, and photo collages are all things I’ve included in my journal. For a visual person like myself, having all these aspects of your life all laid out in one place is really valuable (and aesthetically pleasing of course).
Track Your Goals
I can’t count the number of times I’ve set a goal for myself only to forget about it a few weeks later. Personally, I am also a big believer that writing down your goals helps you eventually accomplish them. When you have something written to look back on and keep you accountable, you’re much more likely to follow through.
See Your Own Progress
I’m sure a lot of us have fallen victim to imposter syndrome at some point in our lives, or the feeling that what we’ve accomplished isn’t due to our own merit. A bullet journal helps counter this feeling because you can have a set list of everything you’ve done to work toward your goals. When the imposter syndrome creeps up on you, it’s easy to look back on your progress and take stock of the fact that your achievements aren’t due to luck or chance, but your own hard work.
Unleash Your Creativity.
I know that Pinterest results can make bullet journaling look intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Neat handwriting and artistic skills are just an added bonus. There are some really simple spreads that anyone with a pen and paper can accomplish. If I’m in a rush, I’ll go for a more minimalistic spread or just a template I’ve found off Pinterest. When I have that extra time, I really like to go all out- painting, drawing, adding photos, and making a more elaborate spread than I normally would, which is an amazing creative outlet!
Unplug and Relax
There’s not many times where you can just fully unplug. Even if I’m physically not doing anything, I usually have my phone in my hand or a Netflix show playing in the background. Bullet journaling allows me to take a few minutes out of my day to fully be present and take note of the things I’m grateful for and the things that I want to achieve, to lift my mood and keep me positive.