Feature Photo!

Then there was that time I had one of my Monthly Layouts featured in:
www.theguardian.com

I featured this layout in my June Monthly Layout Blog post.

This is an article about Bullet Journal and it's effects (proven or Not) on the writer in form of expression/therapy/mental wellness.  Check out more about the Writer:

Nicola Davis

Nicola Davis writes about science, technology and health for the Guardian and Observer and was commissioning editor for Observer Tech Monthly. Previously she worked for the Times and other publications. She has a MChem and DPhil in Organic Chemistry from the University of Oxford. Nicola also presents the Science Weekly podcast.

Practicing the Bullet Journal System has really made a difference in my mental wellness.  I am usually very busy, my motto:  "I only need 18 more hours today.... but no one else can have them...."

If I didn't have to sleep I would get so much done.  Alas, I'm not in school anymore (I didn't sleep along high school-college).  I have held several jobs at one time and always seem to put others needs above my own.  This week I fell behind in my journal and I have been in the weeds.  A wonderful night out with my husband on Sunday led to great fun, but cut into the time I usually spend riffling through the lists that roll over from week to week.  I have 7 calendars and emails to match, a 6 year old, a theater company, a home ETSY business, and some resemblance of a life....

Having a Layout selected for a Blog is an awesome reminder that I do good things and spending a little time working though my lists is good for me.

So, check back next week for a new Awesome Layout!

Happy Journaling!

New Weekly Layout!

This week has already proven to be super busy... but very productive.

I've been working on a side project for A Broken Umbrella and lots of hours have been spent getting things ready over the past few weeks... and will continue for the next few months.  Which meant that this week I had to create a super quick and simple Weekly Layout.

Last week was a 3 day weekend, and I had ample time to layout the month of June and create a fancy layout last week, they were super detailed.  Unfortunately, I spent my weekend at work on Saturday for 10 hours and another 6 hours painting on Sunday, so I was really short on time.  This week's layout is super simple.  I've kept my daily tasks on the left, last week I found I was cramming a ton into that left page.  This week I separated out a few things, giving myself an area that was about the size of a 3"x 3" post it note to work with on my daily lists.  So far it's been working out nicely.




On the right I plan through my larger (non-day specific lists).  This week I separated out my water and sleep trackers (from my daily lists) this saved so much time!  In last week's layout I had to break each day out for a tracker, which involved many more smaller lines/boxes.  This week I just had 2 small grids to make and was fun!  Also, I walked away from my color highlighters this week.  Trying to keep things simple. I have been filling in my grids with lines with my handy dandy Straedtler 0.3 pen, which is my standard log pen.  No need to carry around all of my markers, though I miss them, I've been far less concerned about tracking by color.


Speaking of tracking by color.  Last week I took a step away from my rainbow food tracking to a simple day plan.  I took things a step further this week by planning out my whole meal plan (work days only).  This has made mornings much simpler.  At night while I'm tracking my notes/reflections/lists from the day I put my food together in the fridge based on meal plan I created and in the mornings I can just throw everything in my lunch box.  The goal is to eat though the refrigerator and not my feelings.  When I'm left to pick out food I will always go with what I want to eat instead of what I should eat.
I love eating my feelings......
my feelings always want cheeseburgers...

This week I've laid out a plan and so far I'm sticking to it, yes I know it's only Tuesday.  So far, I have had enough food with me every day and if I take my feelings of the equation, I find that I can only eat what I have, and it's a much healthier option.

Here's to making a plan and sticking to it.  Making a plan is always easier to follow then making the plan, but I'm working on it.  Thanks for checking out this week and see you soon!  I have a bunch of new listings in the shop and hope to have another post about them coming soon!

happy journaling!

HELLO JUNE!

So excited for a new layout this month.  I usually do my journal prep the weekend before a new week; it's a nice check in time, figure out the next week and take some time to draw!  It just so happened that the beginning of this week was a 3 day weekend!  I had extra time to draw and organize the plan for June!

Every month I change my washi tape edge, this helps me designate which pages have specific dates based on the color of the edge.  It's a quick reference for me.  I've recently discovered washi tape ( I know I'm behind....)  Anyway, I found this geometric mint green, coral, gray, black, and white tape that reminds me of Friendship bracelets, and I love friendship bracelets!

June is designated to friendship and creativity!!!
So I made this super bright cover page!

So far, June is just fine!  The weather is turning warmer and I have been able to spend more time outside, which really does help my mindset.  I think it's part of the inspiration this month... be lighter and have fun!  Sometimes I forget about fun!!!
Opposite my hello page I add my monthly work schedule, it's a great way to stay away from checking my schedule electronically, less screen time please!






























For my layout this month I changed up my calendar layout to a more traditional Bullet Journal Style, similar to Ryder Carroll's original simple layout.  I did break my lines into columns to help delineate my tasks.  So far in layout it has really been helpful.  I'm able to scan daily appointments or tasks and add into my daily lists.

I won't lie, last month's tracker was intense.... I was tracking far too much.  SO! I simplified my list a bit and added a column for priorities, NOT WORK PRIORITIES!

I was tracking reflection points daily and taking up some space in my weekly journal pages, so this month I created a monthly reflection area.  I think this will help me stay focused, but not bogged down with having to take a minute to reflect every day.  Now when I have a reflection I can write it down in my monthly layout and be able to scan my list much easier.

Beside having to track some upcoming babysitting for my son, since his school is out 3 weeks before mine.... I think I'm ready for June and some Sun!

Happy Journaling!