Earlier this month, on my Instagram and Facebook sites, I shared my quick process of simplifying my weekly tasks with the use of a blank piece of paper, a permanent marker, and good ol’ regular pens. I wrote: “When my calendar looks too busy and life starts to feel stressful, I like to take a blank piece of paper and re-write this week’s tasks, events, and goals. Something about re-writing it helps me to better mentally wrap my head around the week that lies ahead!”
This process works GREAT, especially when low on time and high on overwhelm.
However, in The Gifts of Imperfection (a new Top Five Fave), Brene Brown reminded me of something I know full-well, as an occupational therapist, but sometimes forget to apply to my own life: the importance of cultivating creativity and play!
She writes:
“Play is as essential to our health and functioning as rest.”
Brene Brown
And states,
“When I make creativity a priority, everything in my life works better.”
Brene Brown
I couldn’t agree more.
When the days are full and the weeks feel long, one super easy way I can scratch the creative and playful itch is by taking just a few extra minutes to plan my week by bullet journaling (#BUJO). It’s just as simple as the strategy above, but incorporates a hint of color, counting, and a couple extra writing utensils — aka, a few of my favorite things!
Here are the steps I follow, when bullet journaling in a dotted, 5 x 8.25 (“cahier”)-sized notebook from YellowPaperHouse on Etsy:
1. Outline the left, top, and right sides with a Size 1, Micron Pigma Graphic Pen (or a black, felt, Papermate Pen would work well too).
2. Create the monthly heading by drawing a horizontal line, 2 dots down from the top.
3. Create the daily heading space by drawing another horizontal line, 2 dots down from the bottom of the monthly heading.
4. Create the daily, task columns by drawing a vertical line 13 dots over, from the left-sided border. Draw another vertical line, 13 dots over from the line you just created, to make a total of three columns for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Note: Make sure, when you create the columns, to NOT extend up into the monthly heading space . . . unless you want to!
5. Use the Size 1, Micron Pigma Graphic Pen (or a felt, Papermate Pen) to write the month at the top, and each of the days of the week.
6. Add color — and switch up the colors from week to week! — by using a mix of Crayola Twistables and Tombow, Dual Brush Markers!
7. Repeat the steps on the following page, but there’s no need to create a monthly heading! Just add the days Thursday, Friday, and Saturday to the daily headings. Split the Saturday column in half by drawing a horizontal line, 9 dots down from the bottom of its daily heading and add a daily heading for Sunday!
Remember, “it’s not that big of a deal” if you make a mistake. After all, your playing! Have fun and enjoy!