I’m an avid user of the Bullet Journal method since about 20 months. I wanted to drain my head from stacks of obligations, hobby project knowledge and daily duties onto paper, specifically onto paper, because my daily screen time is already quite a lot.
I had been playing with several note taking apps and digital agendas but all did not satisfy my needs. The problem was that I was not fully aware of what requirements I had for my agenda, until I read an article about Bullet Journaling in a Dutch Newspaper. The Bullet Journal methoud sounded like something that I had to give a try at least. Its outlines, flexibility and form appealed to me, and after reading Ryder Caroll’s book twice, I was ready to get started.
Looking back at the first weeks of my first Bullet Journal, the most notable thing now is the search for form: it slowly evolved from a sloppy, inky mess into a structure that was workable for me.
A Bullet Journal, or any agenda, should fit your needs
A Bullet Journal, or any agenda, should fit your needs, but how do you know what you need? Since Bullet Journaling is very basic, you start out quite easy. Everyone has tasks to fulfill, notes to take and events to describe: you start out adapting the basics of the method.
In those first weeks, you might notice you ask yourself at some point: “but how am I going to fit this type of information into the method?” And you’ll probably realize it’s up to you to invent your own extension to the method, which is totally fine.
In these past months, I’ve made several modifications to the method that fit my needs. The Bullet Journal method is a pluggable method, it’s a coherent system to build upon.
the Bullet Journal is a workhorse for me
In a series of posts, I will explain the extensions I made to the Bullet Journal method, hoping you might find inspiration for your adaptation, or so you will: implementation. Do not expect to find beautiful doodles or extensive decorations here: I’m a minimalist; the Bullet Journal is a workhorse for me. I don’t use my Bullet Journal to express creativity, I use it as a hand written, data filled external companion to my mind, life and experiences.