Bullet journal self-care consists of taking care of your inner-self through incorporating simple steps into your spreads to work towards a more positive mindset. While everyone is looking for a quick-fix, improving your inner self is a process.
Why? Because we all want quick-fix results. We don't want to hear that it's going to take time and that it's a working progress.
My father once told me “it is not a switch on, switch off button”. At first, I didn't grasp the concept of this, but with time I totally get it.
While you may be told it's your decision to be positive or productive, and that's totally true, except the most important detail, and that is baby steps.
Expecting yourself to be something in a quick-fix solution can potentially give you the opposite effect. Instead use your bullet journal to baby step your way to working towards a positive mindset, step by step, day by day.
How to be Be kind to your mind!
If you want quick results, your not being kind to your mind. It's ok that progress takes time.
While self-training yourself to being the best version of YOU is hard work. If you don’t take control of the driver's seat, no one is going to do it for you.
Taking baby steps is the best way to work towards achieving a better you!
What do I mean by baby steps?
Having a healthy positive mindset is not something you switch on. It's something you practice daily. This is where bullet journaling comes into play.
It is scientifically proven that by writing and drawing, you can relieve stress, stay more focused, and can have major benefits to having a healthy mindset.
While you may not feel the results straight away, with time, you will realize that your focusing on the positive aspects of your life.
1. 'one-word' spreads
2. Gratitude Log
3. Positivity Notes
4. Positive Quotes
5. Mood tracker
6. Bullet Journal Doodles
7. Brain Dump
8. Memories spread
‘One-word’ spreads
Look up words that:
- Inspire you
- Make you feel better
- Motivate you
- Make you feel good about yourself
- Mean something to you
- spark your creativity
During your first couple of spreads, you may not feel the effect of simply looking up words and their meaning and adding them to your bujo spreads. But with time, to decide which word you want to use, you will find yourself paying attention to positive words and how they make you feel. This is beneficial because your putting in a little time every time you create this spread, to focus your brain on a positive aspect. You will find yourself paying more attention to words that move you in a positive way, without even intentially doing so.
Gratitude log
I read this Instagram story when I first started researching bullet journaling, about a mom of four girls. So She would create monthly gratitude logs with her daughters. Within time, she realized that her daughters started focusing on things they were grateful for, no matter how big or small, to add to their spreads.
There is always something to be grateful for, you just have to look for it and acknowledge it and as a result, you will be much happier than thinking of all the things that are missing in your life.
Positivity notes
Simple notes to add in any spread like a little sprinkle of inspiration to your day. By adding some inspiration wherever you can. This way, you are intentionally training yourself to focus on what’s positive, no matter how minor they may seem.
Adding quotes to your bullet journal
Adding quote pages in your bullet journal is like embedding a positive, motivational reinforcement in your brain.
And when looking back through your journal, the quote spreads you created may be just what you needed to boost your day.
Mood trackers
This is to keep track of your mental health and report on what's working month to month. With trial and error, you are seeing what works on making your mind healthier and potentially achieving happier days throughout the month.
Tracker are a great way to improve and stick to any habits.. read more about their benefits here.
Ultimate Habit Tracker Guide You Need To Be More Productive
Doodles
Adding doodles to your day may seem like a waste of time. But it's scientifically proven to being a great ‘stress reliever’. So doodle anything that comes to mind. Create spreads with doodles that make you smile. It’s tiny things we do in our day, that help us take a break from “adulthood”.
Taking a little time to doodle is a great creative outlet that can calm you from your thoughts, and clear your mind.
Want to know more about doodles, read this next...
50 Insanely Easy Doodles – Why stay-at-home moms need to draw
Bullet journal self-care brain dump
That's right, brain dump. A place to write all the running thoughts, ideas, feelings and to-do lists. Whatever it may be, jotting it down will make you feel like you cleared your head of every thought. This can allow you to be more focused at tasks you have prioritized in your day, rather than thinking of a billion things at once.
And whenever you need to remember an idea, reference back to this spread.
A Memories Spread to show someone special how you feel
There are so many different ways to express how much a love one means to you. Saying 'I love you', hugs and kisses is all great. Creating a spread dedicated to that person allows you to express yourself in another way. Also, they will appreciate the extra time you took to make the spread.
Every time I flip through my journal, I get to this page and remember all the things I love about my older brother. It not only made him happy, But I get happy just looking at it.
Practice Bullet Journal self-care. Your loved ones will thank you for it
While you may feel selfish to focus on yourself, you are really also benefiting everyone around you. A more positive you will affect all those around you.
While attending to everyone's needs may feel like the most beneficial way to helping your loved ones, burning yourself out and being over-stressed will dramatically reflect on all those around you.
Help yourself and you will be helping your loved ones at the same time.
How to make time to practice Bullet Journal self-care?
Don't get overwhelmed. It's time to organize your time, prioritize your daily lists and give a little time to yourself to practice some self-love. Baby steps, little by little, day by day.
Why practice Bullet Journal self-care?
By practicing self-care, you are prepping yourself to being more focused and productive. There's no point in achieving anything if your not in a healthy mindset. There's no point in looking good on the outside if you don't feel good on the inside.
Bullet journaling is about planning and organizing your life but also reflecting on yourself and improving yourself in all aspects of your life.
So don't wait till tomorrow, don't expect everything to change today, take it day by day, and hopefully, you will achieve a better version of yourself!
Got more self-care bullet journal ideas? Let me know in the comments below. I would love to add them to the list!
Interested in bullet journaling and don't know where to start check out my full guide with free template downloads to get you started in no time...
Ultimate Bullet Journal Guide-Free Templates You Need To Start
Head over to this section to see all our layout posts, that include a ton of free resources so you can bullet journal with ease!
Happy journaling everyone and stay safe!
For more inspiration, don't forget to check out my Pinterest account about all things bullet journaling!