What helps me stick with bullet journaling (also adult ADHD) is what got me started in the first place - after tons of social media scrolling, coming across one of Jess's posts about not having to do it perfectly. I challenged myself to just start, even though it was mid month. And starting "incorrectly" instead of on the 1st has really freed me up to be ok with missed days or weeks. The reflection aspect of bullet journaling also helps me just note the absence, identify why it happened, and decide whether it requires more attention or i can just keep going.
The most productive thing for me was switching to discbound journal! Ultimate customisation as i can move pages around when I need too. So I can have a list of regular steps for a task that i can pop next to my days schedule/to dos, and then put back in its place when im done. Love being able to customise whats on each page AND where the page is in the planner 😊
Mark I’m exactly the same as you. ADHD and a million hobbies but journaling is one of the few things I’ve been able to maintain week by week for over 5 years now!
Cant believe i just discovered this podcast. Two of my favorite bujo creators combined! Love the absolute positive vibes and good info! Keep it up you two!❤🎉
I’ve bullet journaled in a Hobonichi Cousin all year and it’s become like my best friend. I usually don’t decorate outside of switching up my pen color so the fact that Hobonichi has colored dailies gives it some built-in character that I really appreciate. I like that there is structure there for when you don’t want to deal with setup at all but it’s “barely there” so I can ignore it if I want to do something totally different. It kind of reminds me of how Jess highlights every other line so the page doesn’t feel empty- even empty Hobonichi pages look good and are just a reminder that you were probably just living life that day. I just go back and use those for morning pages using threading. I index with the date or week number instead of page number. I’m doing a Rhodia Goalbook for 2025 but I would definitely bullet journal in the Cousin again!
In my work planner, when days are busy enough that I need to keep things more organized, I'll dedicate a page to To Dos. I just bullet them out as they come up, and when I complete them I highlight the entire line. It makes it so quick for me to see what's done and what's outstanding, and when I have a full block of color it's very satisfying!
Productivity concept - just turn the page and write whatever you need. Core concept of bujo that is a game changer. I have to keep reminding myself that I can just scribble on the next page if I need to! It encourages me to set up the next collection or to just long form journal.
I love the hobonichi and have been using it for four years now. My life is too busy to make the Bujo spreads so it’s helpful to have the weeks and days set up for me.
My hobo weeks lives in my purse. I don't use it everyday, but I love knowing it's there for me so I don't drag around my regular planner. The paper does take getting used to, but I don't mind. Also, I prefer pre-printed calendars as well. I'm not consistent enough to make a spread every month.
@@PlannerPalsPodcast I use stickers, washi, pictures, stamps, and try to use all my stash. I use the weeks to keeps on track and even plan out task that need to get that week. If I miss a week, I just add my favorite quotes or something that happened. I try not to be so rigid. The pages can be changed to write what I need. My monthly pages are usually a bunch of decor and what I need to get done that month i.e. taxes, kids vacations, etc. I have a cousin for my life, weeks for work and a hon this year to play.
I also use hobonichis but as a daily journal/memory keeper. Lots of pictures, stickers, and notes on how my year has been. It's wonderful to look back on and not have those kinds of memories clogged up with daily to dos
Techo is a Japanese word so Jess is right about the pronunciation. The undated one is called the Day-Free. I have tried it for bullet journaling and liked it.
my most useful bujo routine is setting up all my weeklies, or at least two, while i’m setting up my monthly spreads. i work full time and study part time alongside that so i am always trying to stay on top of uni work, and having them available to put info into when i need to is really helpful!
I feel this noise conversation so much. I have found an interesting loophole by listening to music from Korea and Japan. I know a tiny amount of Japanese and almost no Korean so I'm able to listen to upbeat pop music and not get distracted by lyrics. I think I have about a day's worth of music (like 20+ hours of music) on my playlist. I'm also tentatively moving from an undated Tomoe River Paper journal to an undated journal recommended by Jess on her Amazon storefront. I'm disabled and can't make it to a store easily so I'm excited to get a new journal that should have much less ghosting but can also cover all my needs from running my business to managing my chronic illness. Just hoping I have the energy to keep up with setting up my pages even though it's good for me to slow down and do something with my hands.
The thing that keeps me most productive is constantly scanning for ways to simplify and streamline. Every time I turn around, I've added stuff because I have a YT scrolling problem. Since I can't put myself in Time Out (my corners are dusty and I have allergies [see 'scrolling' issue, above]) I take frequent media breaks to cut the noise. Don't See It - Don't Add It. Great post, as always, guys!
I started bullet journaling recently and am definitely someone who dives head first hardcore into something and then drop it after time. Jess has made me feel okay about imperfection in my journal, specifically there was a video where she was going through early journals where she talked about what didn’t work and she didn’t finish in different pages. I think bullet journaling can be helpful in so many ways but specifically now I’m definitely hoping to build it as a lifelong habit to help build memory.
So with me, I enjoy the decorating process in all my planners/notebooks BUT the one I need to decorate days in advance is my A6 techo which I use as a medical journal. I found that if the page isn’t decorated, I won’t use it like I need too! Journaling in my Hobo cousin has been fun to keep up with me but it’s the same as the A6, if the page isn’t decorated, I’m less likely to use it.
My most productive layout is my weeklies. I don’t do dailies so everything is on my weeklies. I also tried out one Jess’ suggestions of doing a dash board layout and love it- been using that dashboard style since July. Best part of the new layout is the sections I have for projects.
The thing that keeps me productive in my journal is having it ready in advance. Specifically weeklies, I’m less inclined to keep up with them if I have to prep them every day or week. (Unless I have crucial information that I absolutely need recorded, then I’ll deal with the inconvenience of setting up the day lol)
❤ I like your video. So interesting to listen thoughts from others people who also used bullet journal. I have no one to share this and your channel helps me a lot. ❤
This was so encouraging! Thank you! I’ve been wanting to share more of my journaling process, but keep putting it off because I don’t have “the right supplies”
IN my journal everyday except Bad Migraine days and busy family weekends. Really appreciate these pod casts they always brighten my day and make me smile. Christina 🦝
I try to find uses for my non-preferred notebooks, too. I'll usually use them for quick notes or ideas that I have. I definitely pick apart some of my videos after I record them...I always just try to do better the next time though and embrace a bit of imperfection. 😅 Lol at the glow light. ❤
Jess you need to check out Cognitive Surplus - huge range of science themed notebooks (100% recycled but the paper’s probably too thin/ghosty for you) and washi tapes!
I can't survive without my weekly dashboard! The Ryder running task list with days of the week at the top is my absolutely essential ingredient for both school and work bujos. It keeps my focus on what i ABSOLUTELY need to get done for the week/fortnight and doesn't make me rewrite everything a hundred times until i ACTUALLY have finished it.
The most productive spread I have is my "dashboard." I have it as part of my monthly setup. It has two sections of tasks: one for things that have to happen at some stage during the month and one for things that need to happen every week. It also has a section for calls I need to make and my bills for the month.
I have 2 monthly trackers that I fill in meticulously on a daily basis (sleep and steps). They are on one page and I use the page next to it for my to-do-list. That way I automatically see it every day, which definitely keeps me on top of things!
I have to say, my boyfriend is a chemist and he is so tired of anything chemistry just about always and only includes caffeine, serotonin, and dopamine. So you are on the mark with picking those. Juat make sure they are accurate, because as a geographer it is my version of looking at world maps and checking to ensure they include New Zealand.
I do a monthly tacker. It is the one spread that I am most consistent in doing and have been for the last 3-4 years. Its not quite a habit tracker because I'm not actually trying to check everything off each day but there are about 30 items on it which vary month to month. The things I track including meals, how much sleep I go the night before, how often I play my instrument, how often I spent time dedicated to creativity, how often I read, to things I want to be better about like going to bed by a certain time or bushing my teeth. I also have some work related checks on there as well like checking email or other repetitive tasks. I also really like daily logs but I find that if i have fewer that four or five things to accomplish in a day that daily logs aren't actually that useful for me.
I totally agree with my ADHD brain. BUJO is the only thing I have stuck with. But I also think it is because it is so flexible and you can keep changing it to work for you.
I’m not a big caffeine person either, Jess - but what about the symbols for dopamine and/or serotonin? Seems like we’re all chasing those somehow 🤣 I would DIE if you got that fantasy collection out tho. 🤩🧙🏻♂️🧝🏻♀️⚔️🛡️⛰️🏰🏹🦄
This was so encouraging! Thank you! I’ve been wanting to share more of my journaling process, but keep putting it off because I don’t have “the right supplies”
What helps me stick with bullet journaling (also adult ADHD) is what got me started in the first place - after tons of social media scrolling, coming across one of Jess's posts about not having to do it perfectly. I challenged myself to just start, even though it was mid month. And starting "incorrectly" instead of on the 1st has really freed me up to be ok with missed days or weeks. The reflection aspect of bullet journaling also helps me just note the absence, identify why it happened, and decide whether it requires more attention or i can just keep going.
The most productive thing for me was switching to discbound journal! Ultimate customisation as i can move pages around when I need too. So I can have a list of regular steps for a task that i can pop next to my days schedule/to dos, and then put back in its place when im done. Love being able to customise whats on each page AND where the page is in the planner 😊
Mark I’m exactly the same as you. ADHD and a million hobbies but journaling is one of the few things I’ve been able to maintain week by week for over 5 years now!
I would totally buy science (especially biology based!) and fantasy journals!! That would be so fun!
What a fun idea, right?? -Mark
Cant believe i just discovered this podcast. Two of my favorite bujo creators combined! Love the absolute positive vibes and good info! Keep it up you two!❤🎉
Thanks for jumping over here and checking the podcast out! 😄
I’ve bullet journaled in a Hobonichi Cousin all year and it’s become like my best friend. I usually don’t decorate outside of switching up my pen color so the fact that Hobonichi has colored dailies gives it some built-in character that I really appreciate. I like that there is structure there for when you don’t want to deal with setup at all but it’s “barely there” so I can ignore it if I want to do something totally different. It kind of reminds me of how Jess highlights every other line so the page doesn’t feel empty- even empty Hobonichi pages look good and are just a reminder that you were probably just living life that day. I just go back and use those for morning pages using threading. I index with the date or week number instead of page number. I’m doing a Rhodia Goalbook for 2025 but I would definitely bullet journal in the Cousin again!
In my work planner, when days are busy enough that I need to keep things more organized, I'll dedicate a page to To Dos. I just bullet them out as they come up, and when I complete them I highlight the entire line. It makes it so quick for me to see what's done and what's outstanding, and when I have a full block of color it's very satisfying!
@Mark, I need that video of the coffee shop that you can adjust the ambiance sounds! This sounds like exactly what I've been looking for!
Omg!! That fantasy set is a NEED in my life! Outside of my daily/weekly logs, my monthly log and future logs are my saving graces.
Productivity concept - just turn the page and write whatever you need. Core concept of bujo that is a game changer. I have to keep reminding myself that I can just scribble on the next page if I need to! It encourages me to set up the next collection or to just long form journal.
I love the hobonichi and have been using it for four years now. My life is too busy to make the Bujo spreads so it’s helpful to have the weeks and days set up for me.
My hobo weeks lives in my purse. I don't use it everyday, but I love knowing it's there for me so I don't drag around my regular planner.
The paper does take getting used to, but I don't mind.
Also, I prefer pre-printed calendars as well. I'm not consistent enough to make a spread every month.
It feels like a fun one to use. How do you add a little creativity to your weeklies? Or do you keep them pretty standard? -Mark
@@PlannerPalsPodcast I use stickers, washi, pictures, stamps, and try to use all my stash. I use the weeks to keeps on track and even plan out task that need to get that week. If I miss a week, I just add my favorite quotes or something that happened. I try not to be so rigid. The pages can be changed to write what I need. My monthly pages are usually a bunch of decor and what I need to get done that month i.e. taxes, kids vacations, etc. I have a cousin for my life, weeks for work and a hon this year to play.
I also use hobonichis but as a daily journal/memory keeper. Lots of pictures, stickers, and notes on how my year has been. It's wonderful to look back on and not have those kinds of memories clogged up with daily to dos
OMG I neeeeeeed the science journals you totally HAVE to do with A&O Jess 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩
Haha glad that there's interest! 😝 - Jess
Techo is a Japanese word so Jess is right about the pronunciation. The undated one is called the Day-Free. I have tried it for bullet journaling and liked it.
my most useful bujo routine is setting up all my weeklies, or at least two, while i’m setting up my monthly spreads. i work full time and study part time alongside that so i am always trying to stay on top of uni work, and having them available to put info into when i need to is really helpful!
I feel this noise conversation so much. I have found an interesting loophole by listening to music from Korea and Japan. I know a tiny amount of Japanese and almost no Korean so I'm able to listen to upbeat pop music and not get distracted by lyrics. I think I have about a day's worth of music (like 20+ hours of music) on my playlist. I'm also tentatively moving from an undated Tomoe River Paper journal to an undated journal recommended by Jess on her Amazon storefront. I'm disabled and can't make it to a store easily so I'm excited to get a new journal that should have much less ghosting but can also cover all my needs from running my business to managing my chronic illness. Just hoping I have the energy to keep up with setting up my pages even though it's good for me to slow down and do something with my hands.
The thing that keeps me most productive is constantly scanning for ways to simplify and streamline. Every time I turn around, I've added stuff because I have a YT scrolling problem. Since I can't put myself in Time Out (my corners are dusty and I have allergies [see 'scrolling' issue, above]) I take frequent media breaks to cut the noise. Don't See It - Don't Add It. Great post, as always, guys!
I started bullet journaling recently and am definitely someone who dives head first hardcore into something and then drop it after time. Jess has made me feel okay about imperfection in my journal, specifically there was a video where she was going through early journals where she talked about what didn’t work and she didn’t finish in different pages. I think bullet journaling can be helpful in so many ways but specifically now I’m definitely hoping to build it as a lifelong habit to help build memory.
👏 love that you are loving it -Mark
So with me, I enjoy the decorating process in all my planners/notebooks BUT the one I need to decorate days in advance is my A6 techo which I use as a medical journal. I found that if the page isn’t decorated, I won’t use it like I need too!
Journaling in my Hobo cousin has been fun to keep up with me but it’s the same as the A6, if the page isn’t decorated, I’m less likely to use it.
I would love all your collection ideas for journals/notebooks!
Give them all to us -Mark
My most productive layout is my weeklies. I don’t do dailies so everything is on my weeklies. I also tried out one Jess’ suggestions of doing a dash board layout and love it- been using that dashboard style since July. Best part of the new layout is the sections I have for projects.
That’s so great that the dashboard has been working for you. -Mark
The thing I use the most in my bujo is my cleaning tracker. Helps me keep on track and feel like I'm accomplishing something!
The thing that keeps me productive in my journal is having it ready in advance. Specifically weeklies, I’m less inclined to keep up with them if I have to prep them every day or week. (Unless I have crucial information that I absolutely need recorded, then I’ll deal with the inconvenience of setting up the day lol)
❤ I like your video. So interesting to listen thoughts from others people who also used bullet journal. I have no one to share this and your channel helps me a lot. ❤
Glad we can be your planner pals 😊
This was so encouraging! Thank you! I’ve been wanting to share more of my journaling process, but keep putting it off because I don’t have “the right supplies”
IN my journal everyday except Bad Migraine days and busy family weekends. Really appreciate these pod casts they always brighten my day and make me smile. Christina 🦝
Your science journals reminds me of Cognitive Surplus, the Unemployed Philosopher's Guild, or the Decomposition Notebook brand. ♡
I try to find uses for my non-preferred notebooks, too. I'll usually use them for quick notes or ideas that I have.
I definitely pick apart some of my videos after I record them...I always just try to do better the next time though and embrace a bit of imperfection. 😅
Lol at the glow light. ❤
Jess you need to check out Cognitive Surplus - huge range of science themed notebooks (100% recycled but the paper’s probably too thin/ghosty for you) and washi tapes!
Sounds cute! Thanks for the rec 😄
@jeshiicorrin I don’t know how good you are keeping up with your health journal, but it actually shows ❤you are glowing more than ever girl
Aww thank-you! 💜 - Jess
I can't survive without my weekly dashboard! The Ryder running task list with days of the week at the top is my absolutely essential ingredient for both school and work bujos. It keeps my focus on what i ABSOLUTELY need to get done for the week/fortnight and doesn't make me rewrite everything a hundred times until i ACTUALLY have finished it.
The most productive spread I have is my "dashboard." I have it as part of my monthly setup. It has two sections of tasks: one for things that have to happen at some stage during the month and one for things that need to happen every week. It also has a section for calls I need to make and my bills for the month.
I have 2 monthly trackers that I fill in meticulously on a daily basis (sleep and steps). They are on one page and I use the page next to it for my to-do-list. That way I automatically see it every day, which definitely keeps me on top of things!
I have to say, my boyfriend is a chemist and he is so tired of anything chemistry just about always and only includes caffeine, serotonin, and dopamine. So you are on the mark with picking those. Juat make sure they are accurate, because as a geographer it is my version of looking at world maps and checking to ensure they include New Zealand.
As someone who lives in New Zealand, I also check 😂 - Jess
I do a monthly tacker. It is the one spread that I am most consistent in doing and have been for the last 3-4 years. Its not quite a habit tracker because I'm not actually trying to check everything off each day but there are about 30 items on it which vary month to month. The things I track including meals, how much sleep I go the night before, how often I play my instrument, how often I spent time dedicated to creativity, how often I read, to things I want to be better about like going to bed by a certain time or bushing my teeth. I also have some work related checks on there as well like checking email or other repetitive tasks. I also really like daily logs but I find that if i have fewer that four or five things to accomplish in a day that daily logs aren't actually that useful for me.
The thing that keeps me most productive is a color coded daily task list with indicators...so much like Jess.
Yesss 😈 we love colour coding!
Great tip! didn't know about snap seed
Glad it was useful! 😄
I totally agree with my ADHD brain. BUJO is the only thing I have stuck with. But I also think it is because it is so flexible and you can keep changing it to work for you.
I think that’s what I love it so much. -Mark
Tiefossi - I love the covers so much - but the dots never line up - the margins are uneven - it upsets me so much - but then - the covers!!!!!
I love the idea of a science-based collection, especially with a caffeine molecule.
I don’t use pre printed journals. I prefer to start with a blank page.
I....might have been ANXIOUSLY waiting for this episode to post...
Haha glad it’s here for you now 👌
The moat productive thing I do is making sure what I need is accessible. If it is not visible and reachable, I won't use it.
Super good point 👏 Accessibility is key 👌
I’m not a big caffeine person either, Jess - but what about the symbols for dopamine and/or serotonin?
Seems like we’re all chasing those somehow 🤣
I would DIE if you got that fantasy collection out tho. 🤩🧙🏻♂️🧝🏻♀️⚔️🛡️⛰️🏰🏹🦄
This was so encouraging! Thank you! I’ve been wanting to share more of my journaling process, but keep putting it off because I don’t have “the right supplies”