Bujo for 2019 and a new favorite lipstick

December 31, 2018

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. 

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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.

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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?}

21 comments

  1. I like the Life Application Bible. It has an explanation below the text. Especially good for Revelations!

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  2. Scratchy throat here, too. Drinking hot ginger lemon honey concoction in hopes to ease it. I used to read the Bible in great chunks, but am finding more thoughtfulness now in focusing in on a short passage or even a verse to take me through the day.
    I journal, less now than I used to and my journals are becoming quite loose and messy with lists and bullets and paragraphs and a very few sketches. Do what works for you. I'm still intending to try the diary/calendar that will sit on my kitchen counter in hopes to stay organized.
    Happy New Year, Deborah!

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  3. No advice! My niece gave me a journal with lots of prompts for Christmas. I am not sold. Have fun with your bullet journaling. Wonderful to see the baby so often. Babies are such blessings to their families. Happy New Year, Deborah!

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  4. First I must say your nails look gorgeous!
    I live by my daily planner/journal, but last year I changed it up to suit me, so I think you could make your journal and daily planner work for you however you wish to do that.
    I liked your idea of the sticky note for your daily needs then trash it once it's completed. Great idea!
    Sometimes those daily planner journals have more to offer than one really needs, so designing our own way seems best.
    You will figure it out I'm quite sure.

    Blessings for the New Year~

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  5. I have never even heard of bullet journaling, guess I live under a rock. :o)) But, I have a prayer journal that I've kept for years and years and I make "to do" lists everyday. I sure hope your scratchy throat went away and didn't produce a full fledged cold. Happiest of years to you in 2019!

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  6. Dearest Deborah,
    We do have an oak Barrister bookcase with glass door, nearly filled entirely with leather journals by year and others. We kept that up for more than 20 years! NO more journaling for us.
    With the Apple Age there is no need for it anymore. Also for keeping all sorts of notes on hand, the iPhone is the very best.
    No, my yearly ink and ink cartridge purchases have dwindled over the years. Still keep my fountain pen and traveling fountain pen (cartridge) at hand though. But I certainly do hope you will manage to get yours done the way you like it.
    As for lipsticks, just ordered me two more of my favorite Aerin Rose Balm in Whisper. Love them.
    Wishing you and yours a Happy New Year and hope you feel better soon! Enjoy the baby...
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  7. I guess I'm living under that rock with Lea...lol! Here I was, really getting into your post, and then I saw those nails...they are beaUtiFUL! I think my bujo (if I did it) would be about as organized as the rest of my life (HA!) but I say make it your own! Who needs more rules in their life? Do what works for you. And just to let you know, I will be looking for that lipstick! Get over that scratchy throat real soon and go hold that grand baby! Happy New Year, Deborah!♥

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  8. Your new journal is beautiful and I love the glittery pen! I tried bujo and didn't keep up with it. Hope you are more successful than I. Maybe it's time to try again. Hope you are soon able to hold your new grandbaby soon! Wishing you the very best New Year!

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  9. I hope you enjoy the bible study and bullet journaling. Lovely nails! Best wishes for a lovely 2019!

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  10. Like you, I started and stopped a bullet journal. But as I brought it out again, I saw my notes regarding gift-buying, holiday meals, future health reminders, etc. were helpful and SO personalized because there were no pre-set divisions! I want to try again without artwork. Yes, returning to Ryder Carroll's original template will help! I do use a dotted page journal for my Bible Study (I use ESV) as sometimes I like to visualize what I learn from Scripture I find the dots are helpful in my drawings and creative lettering. I like expressing some creativity there as I meditate on God's Word, I will be more practical in my bujo. I don't want these years of retirement and good health to just while away. Thank you for helping me solidify my thoughts!
    This is my first comment though I have read for a while. I especially enjoyed your April 2017 post, "Why I am not #blessed". Thank you for sharing that insight!
    Happy New Year to you and yours. May 2019 be productive, fruitful and glorifying to our Lord.

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  11. Good luck with the bullet journaling, Deborah. The only thing I do is keep a thankful journal that I write down something everyday. Your nails look beautiful btw!! I hope your scratchy throat gets before so that you can hold that sweet baby! Happy New Year to you and your family.

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  12. Happy New Year, Deborah.

    This is the first time I've heard of bujo. How interesting! I keep a gratitude journal which is usually done in bullet form. So I guess I was bullet journalling without knowing it.

    I hope you were able to ward off the scratchy throat which seems to be making its rounds. I got hit by a nasty cold shortly after Christmas. I'm on Day 7 and I'm just starting to feel better...just in time to return to work!

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  13. Best of luck with the Bullet Journal - I always feel the same way about a new journal - it can be daunting! Go for It - I love the color! ...and the nails too!

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  14. I have 3 journals running right now, and I feel the pain! I don't know about bullet points, but I've never tried it. I generally don't do bullet points except in my farm journaling, which I've fallen behind in. Good luck! I hope you feel better soon.

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  15. I tried bujo once upon a time, but it just didn't take with me!!! I tend to be a very poor journaler anyway. I have many laying around, some empty, some started...but as much as I love to write I just can't seem to keep one going:( I think it's because I absolutely hate my own handwriting and I much prefer to type (I love to type)!!! I may take another look at bujo...just to see:) Right now I am (yet again) behind on writing my own blog and commenting on my favorites. Alas, the story of my life!!! So many plans in my head; just need to execute them:) Hope your bujo goes better this time. My only advice (and I'm a terrible one to give advice on any kind of journaling) is...do what floats your boat. Whatever you enjoy; whatever makes you happy; whatever works for you. DO YOUR OWN THING!!! Happy 2019!

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  16. Congratulations on becoming a very happy and proud Grandmother. I am not really into journalling, as it seemed like just another task for me. But, I have done it to record things for a period of time. And that was great.But lately, I have been a-thinking it all. Time to look at journalling.

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  17. I've never done a daily planner, although I have a monthly calendar that sits on my desk. I've never heard of Bujo, but that's not surprising as I usually find out about things when the new concept is ending, rather than when it starts, lol! I think your nails look lovely, and appreciate your tip about the lip color that lasts. Enjoy those snuggles with the little one, and hoping you feel better quickly! Blessings :)

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  18. Good afternoon, my lovely friend! Ah, what a delight to visit your beautiful place on this gloomy Wednesday. We woke up to snow today and tomorrow we are supposed to get more. I used to be a snow bunny, but I confess that I would rather be sitting on a beach right now-HA! :)

    I am not exactly one for journals though I wish I was. Maybe I should try this form of journaling... Thanks for sharing :) And I'm loving those pretty colors of lipstick!

    I hope your New Year is off to a great start. Love and hugs to you!

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  19. Good morning Deborah,
    Happy New Year! Love your journal (and your beautiful nails!). I have used a planner for the past couple of years and I do like to journal when I have time. I am somewhat obsessed with paper stuff anyways....I will have to look for that lipstick. I tend to stay away from using it for the same reasons you did....it always ended up somewhere else! So if it stays on, that's great! thanks for the tip! Hugs! Linda

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  20. WELL...I’ll have to check out that journal as it is a new year and joaurnals are a must for me..and I haven't used Maybelline for ages... so maybe it's time as most other lipsticks are not doding the job.. OMG ...How time changes and brings you back full circle. Your nail look great but the way ..Thanks for sweet ideas...Hugs

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  21. I've been bullet-journaling for a few years now. I am always renewing my effort to write neatly and make it all look nice... The to-do parts are easy to make tidy, but when I write about what happened, things get messy! Still, it has been a great help to have my customized system, always evolving. I hope you are enjoying it!

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