150 Collection and List Ideas for your Bullet Journal
One of the things that I love about Bullet Journaling is the fact that is so versatile and that you can make it your own, by creating any type of collection or list you want. Since this March, that I've started bullet journaling, I have created many collections and various spreads to help me with my planning, to visualise my goals and to keep track of things. But I thought it would be nice to create a list of all the possible ideas of lists and collections I could create in my Bullet Journal, in order to take it further from the basics.
The following list was created from a research I did online, from Instagram and Pinterest inspiration, as well as from lists and collections I've already created myself. And today I'm going to share it with you.
One of the things that I love about Bullet Journaling is the fact that is so versatile and that you can make it your own, by creating any type of collection or list you want. Since this March, that I've started bullet journaling, I have created many collections and various spreads to help me with my planning, to visualise my goals and to keep track of things. But I thought it would be nice to create a list of all the possible ideas of lists and collections I could create in my Bullet Journal, in order to take it further from the basics.
The following list was created from a research I did online, from Instagram and Pinterest inspiration, as well as from lists and collections I've already created myself. And today I'm going to share it with you.
I've also created a FREE printable version of this list for you :)
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If you have any lists or collections that you've created in your bullet journal that I haven't included in the list above, please let me know in the comments below so that I can add it. ;)
The battle of the best black pen
I've always been into stationary, ever since I was a little girl. I just love pens! And my obsession with black pens has escalated in the past few months, since I started bullet journaling. I am on the quest of finding the best black pen!
I have a ridiculous amount of black pens in my arsenal. But today, I will talk about the ones I tend to use the most. I have different favourites for writing, drawing and handlettering. So, let's get started.
SAKURA MICRON 01, 02, 03
The quality of these pens is amazing! Very good for detailed drawing but they're also great to write too. Their black is really dark (much darker compared to the Staedtler equivalents) and I really like them. There's only one negative that I've found during the time that I've been using them. When you draw with a pencil and then you go over the pencil with one of those pens, once you're finished and you want to erase the pencil marks, then the eraser makes the marker look more faded and not as dark as it was in the beginning. That means that you have to go over it and possibly ruin your drawing, or leave it as it is. Nevertheless, I am constantly using them for drawing cause they're really good!
>> Click to Buy
PILOT G-TEC - C4
This has become one of my favourite pens to write. Especially if you make small letters, then this is the pen for you. The writing is smoothe and effortless. I tend to grab this one more that the rest lately, especially when I write my affirmations for my Miracle Morning routine. However, I've seen a lot of people draw with this one as well, like Ms. Centolife on YouTube.
>> Click to Buy
UNI-BALL SIGNO BIT 0.7
This is the pen that I always use to make my cursive handwriting on my bullet journal, or anywhere else! It glides like a dream on the paper and gives one of the darkest blacks without bleeding through the page. I just love it!
>> Click to Buy
UNIBALL VISION NEEDLE 0.7
Another great pen that I really like. Again, like the previous one it glides on the page and writes like a dream with very good pigmentation. The only downfall is that it could bleed through the page, depending on how much you press the pen when you write. That's why I don't use it for my bullet journaling. Nevertheless it's a great pen to have. It's also waterproof and fade-proof.
>> Click to Buy
STABILO COLORGEL 0.4
This one is quite new for me, but I really, REALLY like it. It's a gel pen that has a very good grip, making it very comfortable when you write. I also like the design - it's a bit different. I tend to use it for my cursive as well as when I write my snail mail letters, because it makes it so easy. If I was back to school, this would be the pen I would use to write my notes with.
>> Click to Buy
PILOT G-2 O.7
This is an old favourite of mine that I tend to grab from time to time. I find that it helps me to write more neatly and my letters look good when I use it. I have various ones around the house and in the car. If you like gel pens this is a very good one to have.
>> Click to Buy
PENTEL ENERGEL 0.7
This was an impulse buy when I was waiting at the till and I really like it. It's the pen I keep in my bag. It has a thicker grip than the Pilot one but the result is almost the same.
>> Click to Buy
PILOT FRIXION BALL 0.7
This is my new favourite toy! I use it everyday with my bullet journal, my blog journal and anything else I want to write. The reason is that it's erasable and makes my life so much easier. I just love it! After I talked about it on Instagram, a lot of the girls said that these pens are sensitive to heat, so for example, you have to make sure you won't get your journal out in the sun because the ink will disappear. However, I read that the ink in these pens will actually reappear when the temperature reaches below - 10 C (under 14 Fahrenheit), so keep that in mind too. They come in lots of colours. I have the pink, red, blue and black ones. There are also refills for some of the colours.
>> Click to Buy
STAEDTLER PIGMENT LINER 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7
These were the first liners that I started using when I was drawing and doodling and I still really like them. I don't like the way they make my letters when I write, but for drawing they are amazing. They dry instatly so there's no smudging. And I don't seem to get the same problem with the eraser as I do with the Sakura ones that I've mentioned above. Really good investment for money.
>> Click to Buy
FABER-CASTELL BROADPEN 1554 0.8
This is one of the pens that I use to do my headings with or I use it when I want to have something stand out, since it has a thicker tip. It has a very peculiar tint to it. It's a black-purple pen that I actually like.
>> Click to Buy
PAPER MATE
This is one of my old time favourites. I have various colours and I tend to use this one when I want thicker lines in my doodling, when I'm drawing quotes or when I do some handlettering. Very versatile one.
>> Click to Buy
PENTEL SIGN PEN
Like the Paper Mate one I use this one for writing quotes and doodling. They're also great to write on envelopes or boxes. It's really black and depending on the pressure you apply you can get different thickness in the lines.
>> Click to Buy
So, there you have it! These are my current favourite black pens. There's something in each one that I really like. However, I am still on the search for the best black pen. So, make sure you tell me yours in the comments below ;)
My Hand Lettering Practice + Free Worksheets
Since last year I've been obsessed with hand lettering. I took the 30 Days to Better Hand Lettering Course by Caroline from Made Vibrant, which I loved. I bought countless markers, brushes and pens, including a set of Tombow markers. And for a few months now I've been practicing like crazy.
As far as hand lettering is concerned, practice, practice and more practice is very important! And you have to start from scratch. Not from the letters and the alphabet, oh no. But from the lines, the midstrokes and the coils. You won't believe how frustrating it is trying to perfect your uperstroke - arghhhh!
To my quest to perfect my hand lettering, I've found loads of free worksheets online that I've printed quite a few times and I set myself once or twice a week where I practice for an hour. I would love to practice almost everyday, but my current schedule doesn't allow me to do so. But, even the two hours per week have done wonders to my hand lettering!
The following are 4 sets of practice worksheets from some amazing websites I found online and that I've spend countless hours going through many of their posts on hand lettering. I've printed them many times and practice with them over and over again.
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| The Postman's Knock |
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| Dawn Nicole Designs |
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| Lyssy Creates |
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| Destination Decoration |
One more amazing blog with everything you need to know about handlettering and calligraphy is the Destination Decoration. Elizabeth has some very detailed posts and videos to guide you along. You can download her basic strokes worksheets here.
I've been really enjoying learning hand lettering and I intent to continue practicing. I'm thinking of joining Liss's Freestyle Calligraphy Online Course. She is amazing! I'm also thinking of taking part in one of those Hand Lettering Instagram Challenges next month. Have you taken part in any of those?
The Miracle Morning - 30 Day Life Transformation Challenge
After reading Hal Elrod's The Miracle Morning book, I am ready for the 30-day Life Transformation Challenge that he sets in it. Once you read the book, you basically go through certain steps where you answer some clarity questions, you assess your life with the 'Level 10 Life' wheel and then you go on and set your Level 10 Goals.
I created a two page layout in my bullet journal, as I've seen it in Kara's website, but I also have 3-4 pages of more detailed Level 10 Goals in it as well.
The book shows a simple approach to achieve what you've ever wanted, by having a specific morning routine that includes Silence, Affirmations, Visualisation, Exercise, Reading and Scribing.
I already have a similar morning routine, where I dance and meditate and lately I tried to incorporate some visualisation too, but this is more focused and intense since there are specific steps and it's done every single day. I am up for giving myself some challenges and therefore I decided to do it starting from tomorrow, Monday the 13th of July 2016 (why wait until next month?)
So, for the past two days I've been trying to set myself ready. I always believed that the more prepared you are for something, the less likely it is that you'll mess up and fail. I took each step separately and made sure I have everything I'll need for it.
SILENCE
For this part of my morning routine I'll be meditating for 10 minutes. I've been using Headspace for quite some time now, but I wanted to add something else as well and I found a new application called Calm where I'll try their 7 Days of Calm program before deciding if I'll pay for it monthly.
AFFIRMATIONS
I wanted to create a page with affirmations that was as personal to me as possible, instead of finding various affirmations online each day. My goal was to have a set of affirmations that I can read all together as one paragraph, or that I can choose one, if I want, each day to repeat as a mantra. So, I came up with the following being inspired by Louise Hay, Hal Elrod, Pam Grout and many online resourses:
- Something amazingly awesome is going to happen to me today.
- This is going to be a great day.
- I make today the best day of my life, because there is simply no good reason not to.
- Today I will take one step towards my dreams.
- I create beautiful experiences.
- I am in charge of how I feel and today I choose happiness.
- I am committed to live in constant joy. Joy is my natural state.
- There is nothing to fear.
- Life emanates from me. I create the world with my thoughts, my beliefs, and my energetic frequency.
- I already have everything I could ever want or need.
- The universe has my back and is constantly sending me blessings, gifts, signs and guidance.
- Making money is easy.
- I can afford anything I want. In fact, I am so prosperous, I never need to worry again.
- Things always work out for me.
- I am successful in everything I do.
- What I think, I create.
- Amazing opportunities exist for me in every aspect of my life.
- I deserve the best and I accept it right now. All my needs and desires are met before I even ask.
- I am just as deserving of extraordinary happiness, health, wealth and success as any other person on this planet!
- I am loved.
- I am the best mother I can be.
- I am blessed with an amazing, loving and supportive family and loyal, kind and understanding friends.
- I am creative, smart and talented. I love to inspire people.
- I am strong and confident.
- My body is filled with energy.
- I love my body and I take care of it every day filling it with nutritious food and by exercising.
- I listen to my body and give it what it needs on every level.
- My body is peaceful, healthy and happy, and so am I.
- My mind and body are in perfect balance. I am a harmonious being.
- I relax and enjoy life. I know that whatever I need to know is revealed to me in the perfect time and space sequence.
- I am grateful for all that I am, all that I have and all that I experience.
- I am grateful for my beautiful life.
- I am whole and complete.
- All is well in my world.
I wrote them in my bullet journal and I've also printed them and I have a copy in my office and by my bedside table. I've created a FREE printable for you too!
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VISUALISATION
I wanted to create a two page layout in my bullet journal, but I don't want to rush it. I want to take my time and create something special. But in the meantime, I've created a Visualisation Board on Pinterest that works just fine for now.
EXERCISE
As far as my exercise is concerned, I was already working out on average 3-4 times a week. So, the plan for the next 30 days is to run 3-4 times a week following the 5K Runner App. that I had stopped using and then started all over again two weeks ago. The rest of the time, I am going to walk for 30 minutes and then do some weight lifting exercises and some squats. Once I finish with the app, I'm going to be going swimming everyday for an hour - which I love and I can't wait!
READING
For the reading part of this morning routine I decided to finally read the book Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, that I've been meaning to do for some time now. I am going to be reading 1-2 chapters per day. After that, I'll continue with the Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert.
SCRIBING
I am excited about this part of the morning routine, but I am also worried about it. I like to journal and write, but I am not consistant and in the past whenever I tried to write every day, I gave up. So, this time I am determined to make it work. I already have my notebook dedicated for my writing ready - it's a pale yellow Moleskine Journal cahier squared. I decided that for this part, I can do one of the following so that I always have a choice:
- Write about whatever I want that day.
- Write my affirmations or the affirmation that I've chosen for that particular day lots of times.
- Choose one of the prompts from this journaling prompt list I found online, that looks really interesting.
My schedule for my morning routine will be:
WAKE UP AT 5am
SILENCE: 10 mins
AFFIRMATIONS: 10 mins
VISUALISATION: 10 mins
EXERCISE: 40-60 mins
READING: 15 mins
SCRIBING: 15-20 mins
And I am ready! You can get your copy of Hal Elrod's 'Miracle Morning' book here. If you'd like to join me in this miracle morning life transformation challenge, please leave a comment below so that we can support and inspire each other. :)
What is your current morning routine?
Dot Grid Everything!
I used to be a straight lines girl. Sometimes I would fuss about the line spacing, or the colour of the lines, but that would be it. Since March though, I discovered the magical world of dot grid and my whole life has changed!
Ok, that may be a bit dramatic! But seriously, for the last three months everything I buy has to have dots! From my various notebooks, to my post-its and my note taking papers - dot grid is everywhere.
It all started when I bought my first Leuchtturm1917 bullet journal in dot grid and saw the difference.
So, why do I prefer the dot grid from the squared, lined or plain ones?
1. It helps me keep my writing and my lines straight.
2. Easier to make shapes even without a ruler.
3. You can draw without the lines/squares obscuring the drawing.
4. You can create even to-do list tick boxes.
5. They are good for diagrams - makes scaling a bit easier.
6. You can even write vertically.
Here is a list of all the things I'm currently using on a daily basis that are full of dots:
- My Leuchtturm1917 A5 Dot Grid Light Blue personal bullet journal that I use all the time! I've made a detailed review about it if you're interested here.
- My Moleskin Dot Grid Black blog bullet journal that I've just started using and I love it! I have made a post comparing the Leuchtturm1917 vs the Moleskine (though at the time I had a squared Moleskine). Even though I still believe that the Leuchtturm1917 has more advantages compared to the Moleskine one, however I tend to prefer the paper in the Moleskine notebooks. I know that it's thinner and it's not perfect for drawing or for darker and more wet pens, nevertheless, the pen seems to glide on the paper and I like my handwritting better on this one. For the purposes of my blog bullet journal, where I'm not drawing that much, it's perfect!
- My A4 Dot Grid Notepad by Fabriano. I just discovered this italian brand and I love it! It's made of ecological paper in a pale ivory shade and the quality is amazing. They also have various types of notebooks in dotted grid that I'd like to try out.
- My FULLFÖLJA notebook from IKEA. Small and compact, I carry it always in my handbag to write my notes on the go.
- My FULLFÖLJA notepad from IKEA. It has 500 dotted sheets and I love writing all sorts of notes on them! I've also created an A4 dot grid page with a paper plane design on the top. If you're a bullet journal addict like me and you prefer taking notes on a dotted grid paper, then this one is for you ;)
Join now my newsletter and get two FREE Printable designs - one with only the outline of the paper plane and one coloured by yours truly :)
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What type of grid do you prefer? Have you discovered the dot grid perfection yet?
Instagram Giveaway: The Winner!
And yes, the day has come for me to announce the winner of my Instagram Giveaway!
I'd like to thank all of you who entered the giveaway and for your lovely comments. They always make my day :)
You've won some of my favourite things that I like to use for my bullet journal at the moment:
Bullet Journal: My June Set Up
With June being just around the corner, I have already finished my June set up in my bullet journal, and I'm going to share that with you today. There's been some changes, some additions plus I've also decided to remove some layouts as well. I'm pretty happy with the way things turned out and hopefully they'll work perfectly during the month.
With June being just around the corner, I have already finished my June set up in my bullet journal, and I'm going to share that with you today. There's been some changes, some additions plus I've also decided to remove some layouts as well. I'm pretty happy with the way things turned out and hopefully they'll work perfectly during the month.
The first page is a drawing I did to welcome June! I love the colours and the way it looks. It makes me happy and these colours put me right into the summer vibe. Inspired by @blackberryjelly.
The first change I did for this month's set up was with my monthly layout. If you remember before, I always used the month at a glance grid with the boxes. I noticed that I was not using that page as much as I wanted to, and therefore decided to turn it into a one page layout following the original bullet journal monthly log method. Here I'll be noting down imporant dates and events.
My Tasks, Goals and Notes for next month have their own page now and I like the way it looks. Plus I added a calendar view of July with the most important dates to keep in mind.
Another change I've done, was with my gratitude log. I've decided to have one entry per day instead of two, and therefore the gratitude log now sits comfortably in one page. The reason behind this is, because I am having another journal for my daily gratitude moments, and therefore I decided to write only one of those moments (or a summary of those if needed) in my bullet journal.
Of course I have my memories page, that I started last month and I love how it turned out. So, I had to add it again for June.
One more new thing added in June's set up is the Quotes pages. I made a quotes page for my birthday and I really liked how it looked, so I decided to make it a habbit and write one quote every day.
I got inspired by @logthatlife and made little boxes for each one of the days. Can't wait to start writing the quotes I read :)
Earlier this week I announced the prompts for the June's Instagram Challenge that me and Alexandra (@alexandra_plans) created. The theme for June is 'Under the Sea'. Make sure you use the hashtag #doodlewithusinjune everytime you upload your images :) This is my set up for this month's challenge. No dates or numbers and the 7x7 boxes are done in pencil. For more information about the challenge, as well as the reason why I set the layout this way, click here.
Due to some health issues, I have to eat meat for at least a month. So, I've decided to do the Whole30 Challenge. I'm already on day 14 and I really like it so far, even though it took me a while to get used to it and face some psychological issues, since I've been a vegan for so long. I am keeping a food log in order to keep track of what I'm eating.
Lastly, my weekly spread for the first week of June had some changes too. I've added a weather forecast for the whole week, because I can't be bothered to check the weather every day. Frankly, here in Cyprus there is not a lot of change from day to day as far as the weather is concerned - it's HOT! Also, my trackers found a home here, and hopefully I will be actually tracking the things I want this week! I also managed to squeeze in my goals and tasks for this week, my meal planning as well as to have space for notes and the things I need to remember for next month. I've created a printable version of this Weekly Spread to share with you. That way, you can print it and start using it before you apply it in your bullet journal, to see if you like this way of planning and if it suits your needs.
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If you've noticed, I've completely removed everything that had to do with work or with my blog. The reason for this is because I've decided (finally!) to have a completely separate bullet journal for that. I'm using a Moleskine Cahier notebook in Lilac with a square grid and I love it because it's thinner and has bigger pages, which I really want. If you'd like me to show you how I set up this bullet journal as well, please let me know in the comments below.
For more inspiration about weekly spreads, don't forget to check this post.
So, there you have it! This is how I set up my bullet journal for June, and I'm really excited to start the new month. What have you changed or done anything differently for June?
**Don't forget to take part in my Instagram Giveaway. More details here.
Here are my favourite Resources that I use every day with my Bullet Journal. Click to find out what I love to use.
Instagram Giveaway - 5000 Followers!
I cannot believe that I've reached 5000 followers over on Instagram! Thank you all so, so much! It means a lot to me. And in order to celebrate, what better way than a giveaway??!
This is a giveaway from me to you, featuring my favourite things that I use for my bullet journal at the moment. There will be one winner who will get the following:
1. Follow me (@christina77star) on Instagram
2. Repost this image with the hashtag #christina77stargiveaway
Rules:
1. Enter by 11:59pm EST on June 4th.
2. One entry per person.
3. Must be over 18 years old to enter.
4. No private Instagram accounts.
5. No giveaway accounts.
6. The giveaway is open worldwide.
The winner will be announced on Monday 6th of June on my blog and on my Instagram account.