There are a million and one ways to plan, organize, and create structure in your life. None of them are inherently right or wrong, better or best. It’s all about preference. That said, from experience, a thousand sticky notes scattered across your workspace and home probably isn’t the most efficient system.
That’s where we bring you one more technique to help you reduce your need for sticky notes and keep everything tucked in one convenient and “organized space.” That technique is bullet journaling.
Bullet journaling helps you work in flow with your personality, dreams, desires, and the unique ways you tick. Today, we will introduce you to this method and show how you can use it inside the Nourished Planner.
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s you.
What is Bullet Journaling?
A bullet journal, as defined by its creator Ryder Carroll, is a hybrid of a planner, diary, notebook, and to-do list, designed to help you do more with less. At its core, it’s a method of note-taking using bullet points. Over time, your bullet journal becomes a beautiful snapshot of your life, organized in a way that fits you and your needs.
If you want to try bullet journaling, here’s what you need to know: keep it simple.
The nuts and bolts:
- Symbols: Quick visual cues to indicate if a task is a to-do, event, appointment, or priority.
- Rapid Logging: Using your symbols, you can quickly log events, to-dos, appointments, and thoughts.
- Logging: Organizing your notes, thoughts, and tasks in tables, charts, or lists for easy reference.
How to Bullet Journal
Ultimately, there is no right way to bullet journal. That’s what makes it special. It’s about what works for you, with the understanding that bullet journaling can help you record and organize anything. It might be monthly goals, daily tasks, personal reflections, work projects, or school assignments. It’s the idea that one space can become the only place you need to return each day.
However, the main idea with bullet journaling is simple: jot down quick notes instead of writing full sentences. Use rapid logging with symbols and a few words to convey what needs to be done. As you complete tasks or attend events, mark them with an “x” to signify completion. This keeps your progress visible and motivating.
Choosing Symbols
Symbols are at the heart of bullet journaling. Choose ones that work for you and keep a log so you can refer back as your system evolves. Here are some ideas to get started:
- period {.} = to-do
- circle {o} = event
- cross {x} = complete
- less than sign {<} = scheduled
- dash {-} = note
- greater than sign {>} = move to later
Symbols can be anything you like. It could be check boxes, color codes, or drawings. The key is clarity and efficiency, not following someone else’s “rules.”
Be creative and create a log of symbols that fits your unique style and approach.
Don’t overthink it
Bullet journaling should save you time, not add stress. Start simple with your weekly tasks and gradually add charts, habit trackers, and project lists as you feel comfortable. Mistakes happen—just roll with them, stick to it, and find a rhythm that sparks motivation and creativity.
The bottom line:
Bullet journaling isn’t for everyone, but for those it fits, it’s freeing and effective. The level of complexity is entirely up to you. But when combined with the Nourished Planner, it becomes even simpler: the planner provides your basic weekly and daily layouts, while the bullet journaling space allows you to get creative and personal.
Bullet Journaling Inside The Nourished Planner
We love bullet journaling. We just don’t love drawing out all the monthly, weekly, and daily spreads. Perfecting those lines can be tricky. That’s why the Nourished Planner provides the essentials with plenty of white space to make it your own.
Use the weekly spread for rapid logging, the dotted pages in the back for habit tracking, budgets, or project planning. Decorate it, chart it, color-code it, and make it yours.
Remember: There’s no right or wrong way to schedule your life, only the way that works for you.
Try bullet journaling using our free weekly planning page: print it out, start rapid logging, and even add charts to manage your next project. Don’t forget to snap a picture and tag us at #nourishedplanner—we love seeing how you use this simple step to get more done in less time!
