The Joys of Journaling and Planning
I know we have all heard the phrase, “a failure to plan is planning to fail.” And you probably rolled your eyes while reading it like I just did. Now, I’ve probably owned a journal or planner of some sort every year since I started schooling. How well did I keep up with it? Eh…it was a struggle. I can honestly say right now I have several blank weeks in my 2020 planner and it’s not the pandemic’s fault. (LOL) Although, I will say using a journal or planner to help monitor different aspects of my life has been more beneficial than a hassle.
I’m the classic “out of sight, out of mind” dreamer type of individual, and the consequences in adulthood are not very forgiving. It got to a point I could not afford (literally or figuratively) to not keep better track of elements in my life. Whether it be my thought patterns, fitness goals, budgets or even posting on here, tracking it tangibly on paper has been helpful to me.
So what systems work for me?
Classic weekly/monthly planner
A monthly budget overview sheet
A bullet journal
Classic Weekly/Monthly Planner
In my old school weekly/monthly planner, I tend to put everything I have to do or places I’m going. At the start of the month, I try and plug in everything on my monthly spread like my work schedule, birthdays/holidays, trips, important meetings, deadlines, the usual. Then on the weekly spreads, I drill in more day to day tasks as well as those meetings and necessary errands. When I’m trying to map out how I’m going to get things done, it’s in here.
The planner I use:
Day Designer
Planner
Monthly Budget Spread
My Budget Printable. (Y’all I made this in Google Docs, easy-peasy.)
As I explained my personality before, you can likely guess that doesn’t lend itself well to budgeting. The bright side is I like to preserve my independence to dream, which means I’m very debt-averse and dislike being completely broke. To achieve that, I had to start looking at my money as it flows in and out. I dislike sitting in front of a spreadsheet (sorry, not sorry), so I made a printable customized to me that includes the categories I need. I sit down at the beginning of every month and plug in debt totals (car and cards), income, regular expenses, and so on. It’s made things much less daunting, and I’m no longer afraid to peek at my account balances because if I’m sticking with the plan stuff doesn’t go as off the rails.
Bullet Journal
Lastly, I love my bullet journal! I started it a few years ago. According to Good Housekeeping, the method was created by Ryder Carroll. “Equal parts day planner, diary, and written meditation, bullet journaling turns the chaos of coordinating your life into a streamlined system that helps you be more productive and reach your personal and professional goals,” the article explains. It’s a major catch-all for me. What I love about it is the fact that it grows with me. I add to it based on what I need in that moment or in that month. There are some pages I create monthly, but the rest is truly up to me. Using my bullet journal is also therapeutic, not only when I free-write, but while doodling to create some of my spreads as well. I pull out my markers, pens, stickers and go to town!
Some spreads I like:
Monthly wins. At the end of each month write a few lines about what went really well for you to not only reflect then, but to look back over throughout the year.
Wellness wheel. This is new for me, but it’s been helpful to make sure I’m taking care of my life in a more holistic way and not neglecting elements of myself.
Travel funds. I like creating spreads for upcoming trips to help me breakdown costs into bite size chunks.
Fitness/health tracker. Mark off how much water you’re taking in every week or how many nights you sleep more than eight hours. Whatever you need to focus on.
Quotes. Is there a quote that really sticks out to you right now? Put it in your journal with some fun lettering to look back on and inspire you.
*Bonus* Vision Board
I used to do the larger scale vision boards with the magazine clips, glue, the whole nine. I’ve also made one on my Pinterest account. However, I realized I didn’t have a good place to display it for frequent viewing. This year, I decided to put my vision board in my bullet journal. I have four pages dedicated to my 2020 vision. I carry this around, so it’s much easier to look at on a regular basis and visualize. Check it out on my IG post.
I hope hearing how I journal and plan encourages you to pick up your pen and pad to keep your life together in these uncertain times. Feel free to send me pictures to show off how you plan! Tag #HeyBrittPlans and my IG account on your post.
Plan and Prosper,