June 25, 2021

a bulletproof way to unwind

Hi there,

We live in an incredibly fast-paced world, and it is essential that we take some time to unwind. One of my favourite relaxing activities - besides yoga and cooking - is bullet journaling. I find it a fantastic way to free my mind. Have you wondered how to start bullet journaling? Let me help you take the first steps: All you need is 15 minutes, a pen, a notebook, and you're good to go.

First things first - What is a bullet journal?

Bullet journaling is a technique that enables you to have an overview of all the things you need in one notebook. It's like a planner with your own creations of To-Do lists, shopping lists, notes, calendar layouts or mindmaps. You decide what goes in your bullet journal - it is entirely customisable and made to fit your needs. If you're curious to see what my bullet journal looks like, feel free to have a look at the video down below.

Here are my 5 tips on how to start your bullet journal:

#1 - Gather your supplies

All you need to get started is a pen and a dotted notebook. Everything else is optional. I, for one, use a dotted book refill [xl] which I keep in my grand voyageur [xl]. I carry it with me everywhere I go.

#2 - Prepare to unwind

Make a cup of tea or coffee, maybe light a candle, or turn on your favourite Spotify playlist. In fact, do whatever helps you unwind and relax: go to a nearby park, enjoy your free time on your balcony or settle down on a comfy rug. As long as you bring along your notebook and a pen, you are ready to start whenever and wherever you like.

#3 - Think about the purpose of your bullet journal

Would you like to keep it simple or get creative? There are many different (creative) bullet journal layouts and ideas out there - don't hesitate to have a look around on YouTube or Pinterest for inspiration. You can also have a look at our blog post where we explain the traditional bullet journaling method and the concept of "Logs" by Ryder Caroll in more detail.

#4 - Find the right mindset

Your first notebook will be your learning notebook. Explore different options and you will soon find a bullet journaling flow and structure that works for you. Feel free to draw out your first layouts with a pencil and then go over them with a pen. Over time, you will get more confident and find a structure that fits your needs.

#5 - Start off with the basics

I suggest starting off with a simple monthly, weekly, and daily layout. From there, you can adjust your bullet journal month after month, for example by adding lists. As you get more experienced, you can start adding symbols, colours, sticky notes and more.

How I assemble my bullet journal in my grand voyageur [xl]

Everything fits perfectly in my grand voyageur [xl]: The dotted book refill [xl] is for my annual, monthly and weekly overview as well as drawings, mood boards and to-do lists. Additionally, I use two regular dotted notebooks [xl] for specific projects. I inserted the third notebook by means of an extra ribbon set [xl]. For a more personal touch, I love using sticky notes and paper clips to my bullet journal. They also help me find certain pages more easily. My go-to sticky notes are safely stored in the pouch of clip pocket [xl].

Are you ready to unwind and start you first bullet journal? Or are you already an experienced bullet journaler? I would love to see how you structure yours!

Feel free to show me your bullet journal via wecare@paper-republic.eu or by tagging us on instagram!