Productivity is the need of the hour. However, amongst all the readily available digital solutions that keep you organized, a bullet journal is keeping your pen & paper habits in check. So, What is a Bullet Journal & Why You Need One?

There are dozens of videos, articles, guides that explain in great detail what a bullet journal is and how to use one. But this is not that kind of a post.

In this post, we’ll talk about why writing with your hand is so important. We’ll briefly go over what a bullet journal is. But most importantly, why do you need one.

As I wrote in my very first post, when I entered University, my habit of putting pen to paper started deteriorating. It wasn’t until my Final Year that I realized how much ideas and creativity I had lost in the process of becoming digital.

Isn’t that the case with most of us? Our lives have become so digitalized that the art of writing down in journals is fading as we speak.

The joy of crossing off a task from the to-do list with a marker, making long lists of everything you need to buy on a little notepad, or doodling while brainstorming on a piece of paper, all of this is dying slowly.

Also Read: How to Ace At University: 9 Ways

The Importance of putting pen to paper.

So, why is writing with your hands so important to be more productive? After all, you’re noting down the same stuff on your phones and computers. What difference does it make?

Well, writing down has been proven to have endless psychological benefits. It helps your brain explore ideas outside the box and express the thoughts that have been sitting in your brain seeking an outlet.

While learning something new or working on a task, writing it down helps you focus better and even memorize better compared to typing it out or just reading it off somewhere.

Not just that, your brain gets the much-needed exercise when you write things on paper which helps it stay sharper and maintain its ability to grasp well as you grow.

“Journal writing is a voyage to the interior.”
― Christina Baldwin

Another reason we need to start writing things down today is that we have a million things on our minds. How often do you find yourself getting overwhelmed by all the ideas you have or all the pending tasks that need your attention?

Almost every day, I’m sure.

The best thing to do with all those bustling ideas is to write them down! Not only would it declutter the chaos inside your head but would also make it possible for you to work on its potential or come back to it later.

What is a bullet journal?

Okay, so, what is the best way to practice it? How can you make it a part of your life, considering how busy it is?

Undoubtedly, there are numerous ways you can use or benefit from writing in your day-to-day life. But something that would fit into your schedule, make your life more organized, and will also help you achieve more is…Bullet Journaling.

I saw this trend on social media months ago and got all curious about it. After doing some research and still having no idea what a Bullet Journal was exactly about, I came across a Buzzfeed article which finally answered all my questions.

You can read the Buzzfeed article here: WTF Is A Bullet Journal And Why Should You Start One? An Explainer

So as the article explained, a Bullet Journal is a to-do list, a planner, and a diary – All in one. It’s a method of using bullet points and rapid logging which, as Ryder Carroll (the creator of the bullet journal method) suggests, helps you track the past, organize the present, and plan for the future.

You can find out more about the Bullet journaling method on its official website.

There are also several communities/groups of people across social media platforms who are passionate about the art of bullet journaling. You can join these forces and get ideas/inspiration for your journal or share your spreads and inspire others.

Some useful links/resources:

Reddit:
https://www.reddit.com/r/bulletjournal/
https://www.reddit.com/r/bujo/

Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/bulletjournal/_created/

Instagram, Youtube & Twitter:
You can follow #bulletjoural or #bujo

There’s so much more stuff on bullet journaling out there, but the above should be enough to get you started!

Why do you need to bullet journal?

There is more than one reason why I recommend you to start a bullet journal but its benefits mostly depend on how you use it or how much you dedicate yourself to it.

Below is a list of a few ways you can benefit from a bullet journal:

1. Helps you achieve more.

So, I’m guessing we’re all familiar with the concept of The Law of Attraction. The basic idea of LOA is that you attract in your life whatever you focus on.

By maintaining a bullet journal, you give yourself the power to channelize your mind in the direction you want and enable you to focus on the things that need your attention.

When you write down what you want to achieve or the ideas that you want to work on, all the scattered thoughts in your brain get aligned and you give yourself a PLAN.

Also Read: 20 Business Services You Can Start From Home

2. Gets you organized.

Of course, since it’s a planner, a to-do list, and a diary, getting you organized is the main job of a Bullet Journal. When you journal using this method, you have the flexibility of putting absolutely everything in one place.

So, the hassle of carrying around multiple notebooks, notepads, or diaries is gone. Also, when you get into the habit of journaling and noting things down every day, you become more observant, self-aware, and disciplined.

Also Read: 10 Brilliant Ways To Style And Use Open Shelves

3. Gives you a creative outlet.

In addition to getting yourself organized and planning out your everyday life, journaling can be a great way to express your creativity.

People often use their journals to write and draw/ paint in apart from the simple functions that you can use it for.

It’s a great way to put down everything that goes on in your mind on paper so you can make your bullet journal as personalized as you want.

Also Read: How To Set Up A Home Office That Works For You

4. Keeps track of things.

Self-improvement is something we all aim for but are usually incapable of keeping track of. Journaling helps us not only set goals for ourselves but to keep track of how well we are following them and how much we are improving from them.

It’s like a fun and easy way of evaluating ourselves in a progressive way. When you are aware of the things you lack and the qualities you possess, it becomes easier for you to realize your potential and recognize opportunities for improvement.

Also Read: Air Purifying Plants: 10 Houseplants That Purify Air