How to Maintain a Bullet Journal

I can honestly say that I now own the most stickers I've ever owned in my entire life. Seven year old me is jealous AF and super proud of the woman she grew up to be. I was going to write a post on how to start a bullet journal, but from my experience maintaining a bullet journal is the real fun part!

Starting is Simple...overcoming the initial anxiety of creating your own content on a blank page is the hard part. But, as the cover of my dotted bullet journal says..."Nevertheless she persisted."  

 Barnes & Noble

My first few pages weren't that good. Even though I'm an arts & crafts type girl I struggled getting the hang of it at first. It could be my OCD when it comes to notebook things. If I mess up I want to desperately pull out the page and start again. With a dotted journal without a perforated edge you can't do that every time. Thank God for Washi tape and correction tape. The first batch of markers I bought bled right through the page which frustrated me as well. Then days got a little intense and I ran out of room with the way I set it up. 

But Pinterest...saved the day.

My Pinterest Bullet Journal Board - Here

There is no wrong way to bullet journal and the more you deviate from the traditional the more fun you will have maintaining it. Pinterest provided so much great inspiration I'm now officially hooked. Every time I see a cute sticker pack I buy it, I have a few sets of markers now that I just love, and the color pens...oh the glorious colored pens...I will never just have blue and black again! 

I still can't seem to get a handle on the habit tracker and mood trackers...I keep forgetting to fill it in and then I can't remember how I was feeling or doing. Oh well...I'm embracing my sporadic love of drawing. When I'm in the mood, it makes me very happy and this Pin-inspired drawing is my favorite spread yet! Anything with Jack Skellington and Nightmare Before Christmas inspires me more.

Pinterest Inspiration Link: Jack Bujo spread

I've tried multiple ways to set up my weeks too...This set up below worked well for September but I did have to go light on the stickers from lack of space. I haven't decided what weekly set up I'm doing for October yet but it will be fun when I do.

I do feel like setting up my weekly spreads and checking them daily has made me more aware of my schedule and I do feel productive. I know I definitely have been paying bills more on time because it's laid out in front of me better too!

In conclusion, here are:

TEN TIPS TO MAINTAIN A 

BULLET JOURNAL

1. KEEP GOING!

2. Pinterest & Instagram for inspiration

3. Use Pencil first

4. Embrace Stickers

5. Test All New Markers for Bleed through!

6. Washi Tape & White Out for Mistakes.

7. Keep your weekly spreads together then do the fun stuff for the month in the beginning or end pages of the month. 

8. Stencils are your friend. It's okay if you can't draw the perfect banner!

9. If it becomes a chore to you, stop. Don't force it. 

10. Remember there is no wrong way to create your OWN Bullet Journal

One more thing about Stickers (Yes, I'm slightly obsessed)

For the best Stickers I've found Create 365 The Happy Planner sticker packets are really awesome with tons of variety. You can get them at any craft store - A.C. Moore, Michaels, & Joann's. 

Do you have a Bullet Journal?

How do you maintain the habit? 

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