Why I Don't Use a Bullet Journal Anymore
For over three years, I maintained a meticulously crafted bullet journal. Although I enjoyed creating aesthetically pleasing pages in my Moleskine journal, I found it time-consuming and inefficient. This is the story why I moved away from my beloved bullet journal.
What is a Bullet Journal
The bullet journal method, created by Ryder Carroll, is an analog system designed to organize tasks, events, and notes. It combines elements of a daily planner, to-do list, and diary into a single, cohesive format. Users typically start with a blank notebook, structuring their entries with symbols and bullet points to denote tasks, events, and notes. A key aspect of the bullet journal method is its flexibility; users can adapt the layout and content to their specific needs, whether for personal, academic, or professional purposes.
My Experience with Bullet Journals
My bullet journal method was straightforward. Every Sunday, I prepared for the upcoming week by dedicating two days to each page. I noted the day and date, highlighted the most important meeting at the top, and listed all tasks for the day below. Tasks completed during the day were crossed off, while unfinished ones were marked with a ">" symbol and migrated to another day. This approach included a section for notes relevant to the following week, which later evolved to include reminders for the next month as well. To manage transient information like grocery shopping lists or vacation packing lists, I added a stable of post-it notes to the cover of my journal for easy access.
Despite the satisfaction of physically crossing off tasks, I encountered several drawbacks with the bullet journal. Firstly, the lack of a digital version meant it wasn't always accessible. Additionally, the rigidity of the paper format posed challenges; packed weeks often ran out of space, while quieter weeks wasted paper. Seeking greater flexibility and efficiency, I transitioned to digital tools.
Now, I use Things for my daily to-dos and Merlin Project for longer-term projects. Things offers the accessibility and adaptability I needed, allowing me to manage my tasks seamlessly across devices. Merlin Project provides advanced features like Kanban boards for prioritizing projects and Gantt charts for detailed planning. These tools have revolutionized my approach, enhancing both my productivity and efficiency.
Switching from a physical bullet journal to digital tools allowed me to reclaim time previously spent on creating journal pages, ensuring that my focus remains on completing tasks and achieving goals. In the early days of my bullet journal, I was excited to design the upcoming week but after some time this became more and more tedious. I switched and am more productive than ever before.
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