New Year, New Bullet Journal

Saturday, December 29, 2018
I always start a new bullet journal at the beginning of the year. I have a few pages left in my current bullet journal, but it would only be enough for about a month and I like the fresh start anyway. That new bullet journal feel reminds me of the first day of school and I love it. I have always used the Leuchtturm1917 medium dotted journal, but I made the switch from softcover to hardcover a year ago and I'll never go back. So much sturdier when you're toting it around everywhere for a full year!

When I start a new bullet journal, I always add my future log in the first pages. Three months per page, with a mini calendar at the top, birthdays and anniversaries next and important dates underneath that. I always add things like holidays, daylight savings time, election dates, weddings, meetings, etc right away so those are easiest to see in the list. Then I go back and fill in any smaller events or things I need to remember.

After my yearly overview, I have a section for my review and goals. I transferred my 2018 review from my old bullet journal to my new one so I can look back at what I accomplished, what made me happy and what I best spent my time doing. I've also listed out the goals I have for the year prominently on their own page, and then created two more pages for my financial goal tracking and my reading goal that I always set for myself. Even if I don't accomplish them all, I like to have something to aim for!

Next up I have a bunch of collections that center mainly around my home life. My project list helps me keep track of all the stuff that needs to be done around my house. Hopefully I'll tick off more this year than last year... Opposite that, I have a cleaning log to help me remember what needs to be done and keep me more accountable for actually doing it!

Then I have a space to reflect on my wardrobe throughout the year. I did this for the last two years and it's really helpful to identify pieces I wear a lot and might like more of or similar items, and to help identify items that just don't work for me. It's also really nice when the season comes around again to look back on last years reflection to figure out what I might need to buy or replace this year. 

I also keep a list of go-to meals at the front of every bullet journal for a little help when I'm meal planning each week. It gets tiring trying to come up with new things each week, so it's nice to have some easy, dependable meals to fall back on when you can't be bothered to be creative.

Last year I started a big transition in my life to living in a more low impact way. I'm a long way from perfect, so I decided I'll keep a list of things I notice in my life that aren't very low waste or eco friendly so I can come up with a plan to replace them for better alternatives. My plan so far is to create myself a little timeline so I can gradually but steadily make progress in this area.

In kind of a 180 degree turn, next I have a single spread to keep track of things I want or need (I don't really want a vacuum cleaner, but I want one, you know?). Even though it's literally a list of things to get, my intention is that it makes me really think about the item I'm listing, consider it a bit first and only if I still think I need it will I buy it. In other words, try to keep those impulse purchases to a minimum! This page is also a place to jot down gift ideas throughout the year. In this post-Christmas haze I always end up feeling like next year I need to be more proactive and better organized with gifts, so maybe this will help.

Finally, I have a bucket list. Places I want to go, things I want to do, etc. This is my first year making one but it's already inspired me to me a bit more intentional with my free time.

That's it for this year's annual collections! The next pages will be straight into January monthly pages, and I'm sticking to the same layouts I've had for the last 2 years. If it ain't broke, don't fix it and all. I hope you're having a lovely new year so far, and see you next time!























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