Start with a bullet journal. Better late than never.

After a period of reflection (read holiday), going to work in an orderly way is nice again. Many people are still working from home. I myself still work non-stop at home, my whole house is full of papers. There are yellows everywhere, notes and my notepad is full of things I have to do. Not clear at all and if I have to search for something, it takes me a long time to do so. Starting a bullet journal can offer a solution. For you too.

Here are four helpful tips to get you started. Because: better late than never. Oh wait: "What is bullet journaling?" > Keeping a Bullet Journal is a method of personal organization originally developed by designer Ryder Carroll. The system organizes scheduling, reminders, to-do lists, brainstorming, and other organizational tasks in one notebook .

Tip 1 - Start (and keep) it simple

When you first start your bullet journal, you often can't see the wood for the trees. Because everything is possible and there is so much, especially if you have come across bullet journaling on Pinterest. It makes sense that you feel overwhelmed by the hundreds of lists you feel you have to keep up with and have more work organizing than executing. Stop! When you first start out, start small and simple. Keep the ideas you come across in a special folder. Not everything has to be done right away. Just focus on your daily and monthly schedule until you get into a routine. Just remember that the goal is to make organization and planning fun, not to be perfect.

Tip 2 - Make it a (good) habit

It may just be that over time you barely touch your bullet journal. That's a shame, because you're trying to achieve something with journaling. To best use the bullet journal system, you need to make it systematic. Try to set a fixed time when you keep your journal daily. Relaxed in the evening before going to sleep or in the morning with your first cup of coffee. When you create a habit, you develop a rhythm and it will start working for you.

Tip 3 - Ooh, a bullet journal community!

One of the great things about bullet journaling is the community associated with it. There are so many Facebook groups, Pinterest boards, etc. that allow you to find and connect with other planner addicts. Bullet journalers come from all walks of life: teens, parents, professionals, hobbyists, freelancers, students, and creatives. More good news: the people in this community are generally positive, motivated and encouraging. Nice is not it?! Have a look here .

Tip 4 - Get beautiful things at home

Yes, you can start with a cheap notebook and any old pen. But you only get really motivated, and make it a routine more easily, if your journal looks and feels good.

The Hieroglyphs bullet journal, as this A5 notebook is called, for example, is available in five different colours. It is useful that you can write down what is where in the index and with the three bookmarks you can also easily find certain pages. Because some work does not have to be done immediately, but sometimes half a year later, I write it down in the 6-month log. There is also a weekly log, monthly log and even a future log. The daily log is of course the most important. It is clearly explained how you can use symbols to mark off tasks that you have done, but also how you can move them to the next day or month.

You don't just have to use the bullet journal for business purposes. Privately you can also use it as a diary, travel blog (nice to indicate on the map in the bullet journal where you've been), but also as mindful planning or to sketch nicely.

My work chaos has been put back in order thanks to the bullet journal and my house has been cleaned up. And I will certainly also use it privately to let my thoughts run wild and to write everything down so that my head is nice and empty again. Are you curious? You can order the Hieroglyphs bullet journal at Bol.com.

Video: Minimal bullet journal setup > for productivity + mindfulness

Finally, a nice inspiration video to get you in the mood.

Welcome to the Bullet journal world! Just in time for fall 😉🍂