Okay, this trend has been around for a while. I even tried it a couple years ago, and decided I didn't like it. But I'm thinking of giving it another go, only this time, my way.

Bujo, in case you don't know, is bullet journaling, and it's been all over social media for several years now. Just search for it. The information out there and all the different examples and formats are overwhelming. But if you go to the original website, where the founder of the system, Ryder Carroll, explains it, you'll see it doesn't have to be complicated. It can be a fairly simple way to set up your own planner for the year, without investing in a big, fancy one.

I've never cared for planners because they always have sections in them that I never use, or they don't include sections that I do want.

A bullet journal allows you to customize your journal so you have it exactly the way you want, with the sections and pages you need.

I invested in this pretty berry-colored journal (found on Amazon) which is composed of dotted pages, helpful for bulleted items, boxed items, artwork, etc. Some people go major into the artistic and creative side of bullet journaling and it can be quite intimidating to see some of the beautiful creations online. (Also, lots of fun.)

I chose the dotted version, rather than lined. Hmmm . . . hope I like it.

I'm always nervous about writing in a new journal, because I want it to look pretty. And only contain lofty and well-thought-out ideas. Ha. But that defeats the purpose of a journal, right? It's supposed to house the building blocks and ideas that will help you eventually come to those brilliant and satisfying conclusions. (Or not. Sometimes I feel like I journal continuously about the same things, over and over, without making any headway!)

But when I stare at that first, pristine blank page, I have to remember one of my favorite bits of advice: If you expect perfection or nothing, you'll get nothing every time.

So I'm going to just dive in, and try not to worry if it doesn't look beautiful at the start. I'm also going to tweak the bujo idea a little.

Bullet journals are really planners -- daily, weekly, and monthly to-do lists and goal-setting. They aren't really for recording thoughts and prayers and dreams in prose form, as I like to journal. I'm going to try and set up some kind of combination of the two.

I think the reason I didn't like doing the bujo a couple years ago was all the to-do lists mixed in with my journaling. Don't get me wrong -- I'm a huge list-maker and planner. It just seemed messy to have everything together (that's why a big part of the journal is your index pages, so you can find stuff). So I think that this time I might put at least my daily to-do's on a sticky note on my journal page for the day. Then I can throw it out when the list is complete (pretty satisfying), and it doesn't take up space in my journal.

I am tired of having a grocery list, a to-do list, a prayer journal, a gratitude journal, a regular journal, a future purchases list, etc. all over the house. This seems a great way to combine everything together. 

******

In other organizational news, I just labelled all my new-fave lip colors. The print is so small on the end of these tubes, I had to get a magnifying glass just to read the labels, and then go to the Maybelline website to double-check because I still couldn't be sure I was seeing the names right.

I LOVE this lip color. It's the Maybelline SuperStay 24 Liquid Lipstick. One end is the color and the other end is a moisturizing balm to put on after the color. I rarely wore lip color before because it was always coming off on my coffee and tea cups or napkins or clothes. This stays on until you remove it. Literally. I've woken up after a night's sleep when I first started wearing it, having eaten and brushed my teeth, etc., the day before and it was still on. If you don't like the idea of a stain like this you might not enjoy it, but I am sold.

******

My youngest son recommended this study Bible. I've always read the NIV, so I am excited to try this ESV. I'm going to spend today looking at different reading plans. A couple years ago, we read the Bible though three years in a row, and I think I want to get a plan together for this year as well since the past couple years I haven't been as intentional about my reading.

I'm staying home today because of a little scratchy throat. Don't want to be near the new grand baby if I'm coming down with something. I've been able to see him almost every day since he's been born. I could sit and hold him for hours! (And have.)

So anyway, today is a great day to be getting out all my lists and plans and washi tape and markers and sit with tea and just remember 2018 and look forward to 2019. We are going really low-key tonight with leftover lasagne and Netflix!

Happy New Year to all of you, my friends!

{And has anyone done bullet journaling? Are you as overwhelmed/awed/curious as I am by the journals posted online? Any advice?}