2016 New Bullet Journal

The concept of using a bullet journal is new to me. I know that it's probably been something that's been used for years now, but, as usual, I am late to jump on the band waggon. I actually stumbled across this method by accident when looking up vintage things on pinterest the other day.  It's basically a notebook that you customise to suit your needs and include lists, quotes, to-do-lists, event planning and all sorts of other fun and essential things that is part of your life.  If you would like to see some examples of bullet journals, then click here!

Seeing as I made this accidental discovery only two days before the new year, I thought why not give it a go and see if it works? So I dug out a perfect sized, tightly bound notebook given to me as a gift a few years ago, and I knew it would be perfect.

I scratched out a rough draft of topics that I wanted to include and set to work putting it all together. I'm really happy with how it turned out, and I'm finding it really easy and straight forward to use already. I'm not sure if I've done mine as an 'authentic' bullet journal, but that doesn't matter as it works for me. I think that's one thing that I like about it the most; its versatility. You really can include any thing you like in it!

The topics I've included are ...

• books read
• books to read
• movies/board games to buy
• school holiday activities
• birthday gifts
• waiting for ...
• books lent out
• birthday party planning
• op-shop bargains (I couldn't leave this one out!)
• blog post ideas
• story ideas
• quotes I love
• bible verses
• personal goals
• Christmas planning
• family books read
• monthly memories

As it's just the first day of 2016, I still have a lot to fill out! But, I'm really looking forward to having everything I need all in the one place for the whole year. It fits in my handbag too, which is so helpful when going out. I've tried a calendar on my iPhone, and I just can't help myself! I MUST write things in a notebook! I think it may be an illness.

I really like how I can write out what I need to get done for each day in its months section too, using the key to check things off as I go (See second image left side page for key).

Washi tape has to be included ... along with freehand drawings and designs.

For the pictures of my family on their birthdays, I printed out (just on normal computer paper) these cute little photographs. They're personal, cute and beautiful!

I created little tabs along the side of the pages just by folding washi tape over the edges, making a durable and cute little plastic tape tag to easily and quickly find the sections (these are also colour coded in the second picture).

It still has a long way to go, but obviously, that's the idea. Using it throughout the whole year to keep things organised.  I'm excited by the life God has blessed us with and I really want to live it to the full! I'm so thankful to Him for His many many graces and mercies to us, these I will record on the pages as I go (I am also beginning a new gratitude journal for the year).

I think once this journal is stuffed to the brim with bits and pieces of our lives, I'll tuck it away safely in our family memories box to savour over the coming years. 

Happy New Year to you all and I really look forward to getting to know you all so much more this year! I hope your year is blessed and over-flowing with precious moments that you take the time to enjoy and that your relationship with the Lord deepens.

Oh ...

... one more thing ...

... my amazing husband may have let me buy this little cutie three days before Christmas.

Meet 'Aslan' our ten week old pure rag doll kitten ... 

Isn't he just scrumptious! I am completely smitten!