One of my aims this year is to reduce stress and have more time to craft. The two are linked. If my mind is elsewhere, I find I flit between craft projects and finish few. Any project, to be honest. The one way I have found, to reduce my stress, is to plan. Write lists. Dump everything I’m juggling in my head on to paper. Seize back control. I tried the Fly Lady for a few years, which worked well, but I lost the rhythm and could never quite fit back into it.
So this year, I’m giving myself the challenge of Bullet Journalling. I’ve seen both Jocelyn and Angela, to name but two, putting planning into action and they have inspired me to try again. Kim‘s meal planning has been a weekly reminder for me to grab a back of an envelope and plan mine. Now I’m going to put that in my planner too. Everything in one place.
I decided to go the whole hog and buy a Leuchttrum 1917. I’ve found projects are more likely to succeed for me if I invest something in the beginning. It’s how I finally cracked crocheting.
I wasn’t meaning to buy a book about it. My children had book tokens burning a hole in their pockets, from Christmas, so we went to Toppings in Bath. I had to fill an eternity while my children chose books, which is when I came across “How to Bullet Plan“. I could have researched the subject on the internet, but a book in the hand has worked more efficiently this time. A real time saver.
One of the reasons I liked the bullet journal concept is that I can be creative with it. I’m starting simple but I know I’ll be doodling soon and this is the aspect that will keep me going, when planning hits the mundane wall.
I’ve also started to fill in my garden planner. Started with a list of food that’s a hit with the family. Sowing starts this month, if I want to make the most of the growing season. This weekend, I’ll check my seed collection and sort out what I’m missing. No extras!
So this week has been about planning. I suspect it will be for the rest of the month. One part I had not anticipated was that the children would catch the bug too. I’ve found that when I sit down to plan, I’m soon joined by one or two of them. They are making their own journals too. My reference book disappears. Eldest Teen, in particular, is using her newly acquired skill of calligraphy to make a beautiful journal. Sometimes parenting is easy.
So here is to a more organized 2018. Wish me luck!
Joining in with #wotw
(*only Amazon links are affiliated. Rest are ones I just like.)
I’ve been bullet journaling since last year and absolutely swear by it for planning. There are some really beautiful ones out there, although I’m not the most creative so I keep mine very simple and basic, but I love the concept of being to personalise exactly what you need and want to plan. Combining planning and your creative side is a win win. A happy weekend to you!
That is good to her. I hope I can make a habit of it.
It is lovely to have me time to focus on what yoy enjoy, I think it is important for the mind. Have a great weekend. X #WOTW
Absolutely.
That’s great news no better way to start the new year than with lots of planning. Thanks so much for the mention, you won’t regret starting a bullet journal. I’m going with planners this year but I still fill my bullet journal with random musings and to-do’s. I’ve filled 3 Leuchttums they are by far my favourite bullet journals and worth the investment. Have a lovey weekend x
I like the blank page approach. Looking forward to finding my rhythm.
Oh, I love planning, lists and my bullet journal! Thanks for the mention there, happy to have contributed to inspiring you. I honestly wouldn’t be without mine now, and as you say, if I can get stuff out of my head and onto paper, I am so much more productive. Hope it works for you x Thanks for sharing with #WotW
There is a joy in getting it down on paper. 🙂
I have started to write more things down this year too. I’m hoping getting it out of my head will help. Good luck I hope it works for you #WotW
Hope it goes well for you.
It sounds like you have had a great start to the year. Your plans sound great. Good luck with everything.
Thanks for the mention which reminds me I need to write the blog post for next weeks meal plan. hehehe
Me too.
I do wish you luck!! I have also been feeling the need to try harder with the lists, and writing down thoughts and other things.
I’d never thought about planning to that extent – my idea of planning is if it isn’t on the calendar it doesn’t happen! You sound very organised though!
I love the idea of planning and I’ve even bought a 2018 organizer but it’s so far blank. I need to actually motivate myself to use it! #MMBC
You’re so organized and I love your kids wanting to plan with you. Looking forward to seeing your marvelous garden this summer. #MMBC
Oh I do love some organisation in this crazy world. Do let us know how you get on. #WotW
Good luck with all the planning and hope it helps keep you organised. I do love the idea of bullet journalling although I’ve yet to give it a try. Hope ti works well for you. #WotW
Seed planning is on my To Do List for this week as we have some wet weather forecast … plus my other half is going to to the UK next week and whilst I love many French seeds there are still plenty that I prefer from the UK, or can only get there. #MMBC
The Bullet Planning book sounds interesting, I know I do better with lists and a plan, currently menu planning for the month, which seems ot be working well, good luck with the sewing, need to sort mine out too.
Lists. Yes, I get so much more done with them. Hope you get your sewing out soon.