Bullet Journal 2.0: Wrap Up & Final Bullet Journal Tips

June 16, 2017

If you have made it this far, congratulations! You are at the end of my Bullet Journal 2.0 blog series. We’ve covered everything from the backbone and structure of the bullet journal to the fine details and extras. Hopefully, I have answered your questions, reassured your confidence, and helped you start or recommit to the system. In this final installment, I’ll wrap everything up and offer my final bullet journal tips and advice. To read all of the posts, click here.

Bullet Journal 2.0 Wrap Up

As we conclude this blog series, I want to start by saying thank you! Thank you for sticking around and reading my posts weekly– I know they’ve been a little sporadic. And thank you for all the kind words on social media and in your emails. This has become so much more than just a blog. It’s a small, compassionate, and caring community. I couldn’t ask for better supporters. So thank you for that.

The last piece of this series is supposed to just tie the loose ends together. If you didn’t have the time or came in late and don’t want to read all ten posts in this series, I’m going to point you to the most important posts here:

• Part 1:  This is the most important part of the series if you are just getting into bullet journaling. It’s all about the backbone of the system. You’ll find all the basic and completely necessary components without any of the extra personalization. It’s where I suggest everyone starts. Just get a solid grip on the basics before trying to make a gallery worthy journal.
• Part 2: Go read this if you know the basics of the system, but haven’t yet decided how to start. It’s a mini-guide to your supplies, resources, and tools you can use.
• Part 8: Part 8 is dedicated to everyone who is too intimidated to start a bullet journal. There’s soooo many beautiful spreads and complicated layouts online that it can be intimidating. This will help you see past those and jump into your new planning system.
• Part 9: All of your last minute questions get answered in this post. What’s a good notebook? Should I take my bullet journal with me or leave it at home? Etc.

Of course, as the writer, I hope you read the whole series, but I don’t blame you if you don’t. Read what you can, and if you still have questions, shoot them my way in the comments or through email.

Final Bullet Journal Tips and Advice

Okay, now I’m going to share some real love with you guys. I’m not putting on any fronts, and I’m not going to sell you anything that I honestly don’t think is an extraordinary product or idea. So here it goes.

 

Wait on buying every new pen that comes along

It’s not worth it. From first-hand stationery addict experience, it will just suck the money out of your bank account. Those markers that you saw on Instagram. Wait. If you still think you need them in two weeks, buy them. But, don’t compulsively head to Amazon and order them. I have probably 20 packs of markers and pens that I’ve never used except to swatch them. It’s a sad, hard, shopaholic lesson.

 

Find a pen you LOVE and get a few

Okay, so I just told you not to buy everything you come across on Instagram or Pinterest. I’m sticking to my story. But, I do recommend you find a black pen that works like magic for you, and then buy a 3 or 5 pack. You don’t want your favorite pen to run out of ink and be stuck with a shitty black ballpoint pen that feels foreign and makes your writing look like a three-year-old’s.

 

Don’t add ALL the monthly pages

I’ve been there and added 17 different pages for one month. I tracked my mood, my meals, my habits, my workouts, daily doodles, and on and on. It quickly became a chore that I wasn’t enjoying doing. And when I wasn’t enjoying it, I was rushing through and not really using each page to it’s potential. Start with your most necessary pages, try them out for a month, and then add one or two if you feel comfortable. Don’t jump in with a thousand tracker you have to fill in each day, though. It’s not worth getting burned out and then giving up the system entirely.

If you do give up, it’s OK

I had a full week– it was actually this week, that I didn’t fill in anything. I was busy with work and the kids. And, I didn’t feel good so I just didn’t open my bullet journal much. I felt defeated at first. This is what my blog is all about. I can’t be giving up on the thing that I’m telling people to use and be consistent with. That’s hypocritical! But, after a little time and honest reflection, I was okay with it. I got back into it, filled in my day and my habit tracker and continued on. Because I know that it’s better to let go of a week or a few weeks and jump back in and use the system than to give up on it and all it’s benefits. If you find yourself in that position, don’t assume it’s over. It’s a notebook. You can always start again and pick up where you left off.

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I really hope you all enjoyed reading this series as much as I enjoyed creating it. It felt so purposeful and helpful. I do truly hope the feeling is mutual. I know there are still tons and tons of questions out there. Don’t be afriad to ask! I am more than happy to help in any way I can. Also, if you have any suggestions for future posts, feel free to shoot your ideas my way! I’m here for you guys, so this is as much you as it is me.

Other Posts in the Series:

[ Part 1: WTF is a Bullet Journal]

[Part 2: Before You Get Started]

[Part 3: The Future Log]

[Part 4: The Monthly Log]

[Part 5: Weekly Logs vs. Dailies]

[Part 6: Habit Trackers]

[Part 7: Collections]

[Part 8: Getting Over the Fear of Starting]

[Part 9: Bullet Journal FAQs]

[Part 10: You Are Here]

That was it for the series, but there’s lots more juicy content to come. Subscribe to my newsletter to stay up to date with posts and get access to my FREE VIP Resource Library.

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