Bite the Bullet Journal

Have you tried to BuJo?  BuJo is the shortened tern for Bullet Journaling, an analog system of organizing your life.  Ryder Carroll, the creator of this system has developed a website to further inform the novice Bullet Journaler.  Check out the Bullet Journal website for a lesson.

The Gear

I sourced several blogs and Pinterest pages dedicated to all things BuJo.  Many seemed overwhelming and complicated.  Drawings, tons of color, debates upon which pens MUST be used are all details that had this project on a back burner for over a year.

Once I discovered the simplicity of this system and this starting video created by Ryder Carroll, I knew I hit the jackpot.  Like this video states, start simply and simply start!  The sooner you hit the book, the closer you are to organized.  Get a notebook, anything will do.  Get a pen or pencil, anyone will do.  Avoid the complex blogs of women who agonize over the color pen they used for recording their water intake and just get started!

There are a few books in our library collection regarding journals and just one "Bullet Journal for Beginners," but this and the "Start Here" video gave enough inspiration and clarity to the program attendees that any preparation I did beyond that was unnecessary.  This project becomes very personal, so less is more in beginning your system of organizing.

Aside from the books and video instructions, I found Amanda Rach Lee, BuJo Guru.  You can follow her bullet journal journey on her website, Tiny Ray of Sunshine.  With Amanda, discover how to organize areas in your life other than the day-to-day stuff.  I made sure of getting good quality notebooks (the dotted kind) and Staedtler Triplus Fineliner pens to start our bullet journals as a group. After several hours of researching, putting these pens to use proved them to be my favorite!  Try a few pens to know what's best for you.

We put the 3-D printers to work by printing stencils for every participant in the group.  This made it easy for the less-than-artsy folks to create beautifully planned pages with a professional edge.  These files can be found on Thingiverse and are free to use.

These Middle Mondaze are a chance for Middle Schoolers, ages 13+, to set aside some time for Mindfulness.  Bullet Journals help get you organized.  Mandala Painting will surely relax your mind and get you closer the core of your heart.  Join us on Monday, February 19, from 2:30-3:30 for a colorful, calming experience.

If you missed the first round of bullet journaling, join us for Bite the Bullet Journal (take 2) on Monday, April 23.  Your busy life will thank you.