I have loved to journal since I learned to write. Before Social Media was even a thing, and long before Bullet Journal was born, before I could spell “Winnipeg” on the train trip I took with my Grandmother at the age of five, I was recording my thoughts and adventures in whatever notebook I could find.
It was not only easy to do, it was necessary to my peace. I have never had to find a routine, or be consistent. I simply had to write.
Then came the awareness of Travelers Factory Company notebooks. Paper Republic journals. Hobonichi Techos. I went down the journaling rabbit hole revealed to me on Instagram and now have an embarrassing large collection of each brand. (This photo shows only a part.)
Don’t get me wrong. Each vegetable tanned journal, or limited edition cover, each size of Traveler’s Notebook, has been a joy. I have taken them to Switzerland, Italy and Japan. I have written in my own quiet study. And I have kept awake into the night pondering which I should use consistently.
Then came the Bullet Journal. What an idea! Record your thoughts in bullets! Now they are categorized into an acronym for NAME: N (Note), A (Action), M (Mood), and E (Event). It’s easy to capture what is happening, how you are feeling, what you are thinking or doing with a simple bullet point.
But, where does the journaling I’ve done all my life come in? How can I adapt the speed of my pen, which matches the speed of my thoughts, to a single point? And so, while listening to the Bullet Journal Livestream today, I asked this question:
“How can I incorporate long form journaling, which may examine feeling too much? (I have journaled in long form for decades, and it is my preferred method of journaling.)”
I was amazed when I saw my question appear on the screen. Apparently, it was deemed worthy of answering…
The first thing Jessica Chang said, after she read it out loud, was that it sounded like a lot of self judgement was going on. (Imagine her discerning that from the first part of my question alone!) But then, Ryder answered it like this (paraphrased):
Bullet points anchor myself. What is most alive for me? I can unpack it in a long form entry. Long form journaling can be immensely valuable, but it is too time consuming for me…Long form journaling is getting an idea of what’s happening; get to the purpose of why.
I realized that Ryder’s ADHD has required him to journal one way, and I journal in a completely other way. But, that is the beauty of his system: it is flexible enough to adapt to the journaler’s needs. And, I loved how he suggested that those who keep a bujo need to determine why something is going on, and why they are reacting to it in a certain way. What changes need to be made to meet your intentions?
There was so much meaningful content in this livestream today, which can be found on YouTube. I can see how the Bullet Journal system has evolved over the twelve years it has been in existence, and it is so very much more than what I’ve seen online: pasting down cute stickers, and highlighting headers with Mildliners, and calling it “journaling.”
I've also lept a diary since the age of 10 or so, although it's nothing like as neat and colourful as most bulletin journals I see. It's such fun (sometimes sad, sometimes cringe) to reread at times. I think long form works best for me, because I was trying to capture a moment, an atmosphere, a person rather than always clarifying my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteWhen you say you also have kept a diary since the age of 10, do you still do so? I know what you mean about “mine not looking like theirs”, but I was so struck when Ryder has said, “Your journal works for you, you don’t work for your journal.” Mine is not to be kept for cute stickers, some art collage thing that is so often termed “journaling” on Instagram, or sketches. It is not meant to be pretty as much as a repository for my thoughts, my memories. And yes, well they are often fun to reread, they are also cringe worthy. But, ultimately, I hope that shows my growth process.
DeleteI kept a bullet journal for a year or so, but didn't stick with it. I do enjoy posting a monthly summary on my blog, which helps me keep track of what I've read, watched, visitors to our home, travels, etc. I do maintain a travel journal whenever we go out on the road in our RV, and I try to transfer those entries onto my blog. I'm still catching up on that, though! I'm hoping to start posting about our trip to Vancouver Island. That was in 2023!
ReplyDeleteI remember sending you The Bullet Journal Method after I read it in 2018. It is A LOT more meaningful than most of the accounts show on Instagram, which to me, resemble a Kindergarten art project more than actual journaling.
DeleteThe most meaningful components are as you say: keeping track of what you read, watched, and traveled. What an important piece of memory keeping that is!
I like how Ryder emphasized that each journal is for what the user needs/wants. Maybe I want to write for hours in long form; maybe you want to write about books and films and places. As long as we find a purpose, and have a place to read and reread about our lives, we are accomplishing what is “needed.”
Maybe skip the Vancouver trip from two years ago?😉
I don't mind blogging about a trip from two years ago. It gives me a chance to re-live it and look at all of my photographs. :)
DeleteThat’s true! It’s always good to revisit what we’ve written or photographed. I love reliving the past, perhaps a little too much for parts of it.
DeleteI tried bullet journaling for about two years. It might have been you who told me about the idea, or at least, inspired me with pen and paper ideas <3
ReplyDeleteBut I have a hard time with any kind of journaling anymore, the "real" sort that is with pen on paper. I have gone back to typing up a few notes into a Word document, which feels pretty shameful (guilt!!) considering my ideals. And even that I don't do consistently.
What I really like is the idea of a Daybook. Any of these handwritten forms should be done beautifully, it seems to me, and I don't feel the leisure. But I obviously like to read and think about journaling, and your post is very helpful in that way <3
Tell me more about a Daybook? I’m not sure I know what that is, exactly. I like to read and think about journaling, too, and I’m so glad if I have inspired you in the past in that way.
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