A few months ago I linked to Kate Messner’s post on bullet journaling. She’s such an on-the-ball author (Kate has seven books coming out this year, I believe), I knew any organizational system she uses would be worth looking into. I found her explanation and examples of bullet journaling really insightful.
I started my own low-key version after reading her post. While I don’t list day to day events (I still use my calendar for that), I’ve found it helpful to have one place to stick all my notes — work related or not. Here’s a glimpse at what I’ve got down for May.
On the left I have notes about my son’s eighth-grade dance. Our church, which meets in my boys’ school, tries to give back throughout the year. One way we’re helping this time around is by decorating for the dance. It’s an 80s theme. Think Rubix cubes, fun movie posters, and Pac Man!
On the right is May at a glance. My current calendar is a weekly one, giving me plenty of space to write in daily tasks. But if I want to see the general flow of the month, I can’t. That’s why this overview is so handy.
Here’s my checklist for May, which I know will grow as the days pass. It’s life, it’s work, it’s big stuff and small. I’m working again on a manuscript I affectionately call Jasper. Though it’s not due back to my editor until August 10, I want to be sure to get my rhythm down now. I’ll check off each day I work and record the amount of time I’ve spent (my own version of a sticker chart).
I’m also deep in the middle of my Laura Ingalls Wilder class. Well, I’m actually a bit behind. Thankfully participants can finish at their own pace.
Over in the Wetlands releases in July (!!), so it’s time to start thinking about some guest blog posts as well as add to my Louisiana mailing list (my plan is to send postcards to the schools and libraries in the ten coastal parishes).
Then there’s that dance. The shelves in my office closet. A writing mentorship (I’m reading and responding to two picture book manuscripts a month for a local writing friend). A birthday sleepover. The end of school. An eighth-grade graduation. Other books I’d like to read. A piece of writing for SCBWI-NM’s Enchantment show. My calendar is great for the everyday, but I’m loving the bullet journal for fleshing it all out.
Anyone else out there bullet journaling?
This looks like something I should try. I need boxes to check off and lists to show what I’ve accomplished, so I stop feeling like I get nothing done when I have, just not everything. Thanks for the post, Caroline!
I’m like that, too. And somehow a month-long list all in one place is really, really helpful (and satisfying).
Yes, I do this! (I thought I was the only one… 🙂 My husband gave me a pretty notebook as a gift that I soon labeled: “Faith’s Book of To-do’s, Goals, and other LIsts to Keep Her from Going Crazy.” 🙂 And it has. I need to see my months at a glance, my weeks at a glance, AND my days at a glance and in an organized manner, so bullet lists really help with that.
All the best with your revisions!!
Love this, Faith. Did you click through to see what Kate does? I think you’ll appreciate it.
I do this, but I didn’t know it had a name. I’ll check out Kate’s blog, too.
Boy, we moms are busy! Thanks for sharing, Caroline. 🙂
Wouldn’t trade the mom part for the world. I know you wouldn’t either.
After reading Emily Freeman’s post, and then Kate Messner’s post (at your suggestion), I gave it a go. The monthly to-do list has been helpful and satisfying to fulfill, but my daily lists sometimes become overbearing. I may try a weekly list instead.
Yes! Emily is bullet journaling, too!