How Im Starting A Bullet Journal

✏️ how i’m starting a bullet journal

as someone who isn’t artistic 🙈

i've wanted to start a bullet journal for so long (i even asked @a-fox-studies for design recs months ago — thank you again for those!!), but i still kept putting it off.

i felt like it was something that would be time- and resource-consuming in an unfulfilling way for me because i would make unaesthetic mistakes that would make spreads unusable for me in the future without regrets, etc., etc.

so here's what i'm doing to finally start the bullet journal of my dreams 😍

step 1: go digital

i did a lot of research so you don't have to and found the best freemium free-form notes app (with customizable pens, a sane eraser and select tool, and that also supports text and images, etc.).

DrawNote by DragonNest has so many features for free and even more cool ones if you want to pay different tiers, but i was able to make the spread above with just the free version, so i'm already very satisfied 😌

step 2: play around with it

i tried out a bunch of different pens and styles and colors to see how they look and get familiar with the apl, i tried loading images, organizing my spreads into folders within the app, etc.

what i really like about the digital format is that i can make mistakes and it's like they never happened and i didn't waste a single overpriced stationery item 😅

step 3: only use it for one thing at a time

i'm only planning to use the October tracker above for my vitamins so far since that's what i need the most motivation to remember to do lately 🙃 and i think it's a small enough goal that i can be consistent with it for this month.

i already have so many other ideas for different spreads i want to do for other things in my life, but i want to make an effort to pace myself so that i can do this sustainably because it seems really fun and i'd hate for it to start feeling like a burdensome chore due to my own carelessness 🥲

💌: hope this helps anyone who also feels they're not artistic or aesthetic, but wants to start a bujo! 💛 let me know if y'all want an update at the end of the month on how it's going~

Cactus Fruit

While my name is a flower

I was never meant to make

Or have the power

to create

An orchid blossom in the desert

Because I was supposed to

create a cactus

Nopales

Agave

Pinos y

Huizaches

Shifting from a gardener

to a landscaper

Transitioned to a foreigner

Where people escaped her

So I learned how to grow tunas.

Vegetating comestible fruit

My love feeds the roots

Bajo cada luna

Spikes emerge

Stiff and strong

Pink blushes deeper

Until

Someone who is courageous enough

Enticed with the fruit’s intensity

Will take a bite

Savor its complexity

And divine difficult plight

That brought it life

Simtulating each papillae

For a unique profile

Which another cannot replicate

In soft soils, without smiles. 

ten habits to adopt for a beautiful life 💭

+ curated shopping: rather than over-consume in fast fashion and trends, buy fewer, high-quality items. frequent vintage shops, boutiques, or markets where you can find unique, timeless pieces.

+ focus on wellness and exercise: consider activities that are beneficial for the body and calming for the mind, such as yoga, pilates, or long walks in nature. choose activities that allow you to connect with your surroundings and maintain balance.

+ mindful eating: prioritise healthy, whole foods and cooking meals from scratch. organic produce, artisanal products, and perhaps even locally sourced ingredients could be staples in your kitchen. eating is a mindful practice, enjoyed at a leisurely pace.

+ cultural engagement: regularly visit museums, art galleries, and theatres, or participate in cultural events that inspire and enrich their creative spirit. value learning and exposure to the arts as a way to keep life vibrant and intellectually stimulating.

+ reading and continuous learning: develop a well-curated collection of books, including classic literature, philosophy, and art, and dedicate time regularly to reading and reflecting on what you've learned.

+ minimalist technology approach: stay up-to-date with necessary technology, but maintain a minimalist approach to its use. limit screen time, avoid social media distractions, and instead prioritise face-to-face interactions or hands-on activities.

+ intentional socialising: carefully cultivate your social life, with a focus on deep, meaningful connections rather than frequent, casual interactions. you likely enjoy hosting intimate gatherings at home, where you can experience conversation, ambiance, and connection.