Have you heard of the amazing trend of bullet journaling? Bullet journaling is fulfilling, guaranteed to get every aspect of your life organized, promote healthy habits, and help you visualize and subsequently reach your goals.

How can a journal do all that? Well, a bullet journal is more than just a traditional journal where you write down your thoughts and feelings. While you certainly do write about your thoughts and feelings in a bullet journal, it is also a planner, a health and fitness tracker, a mood tracker, a meal planner, and so much more. It’s basically a personalized book where you keep everything that you desire in one book. The best part about it is that you can buy this bullet journal for $5 at Michael’s.

Below are 13 awesome ways that bullet journals will help you live your best life!

1. Fitness Tracking

Every month, dedicate a page or two to your fitness goals. You can track how many days you work out. Did you miss too many days at the gym or not make it to yoga mat as often as you intended? You can do better next month because you actually have a visual. Next month you can easily compare your trackers for both months. Want to run faster or further? Track that easily in your bullet journal.

2. Mood Tracking/Sleep Tracking

A mood tracker is great for people with anger, anxiety, depression, or mood swings and these trackers can be so beautiful with just a little creativity. If you journal a few lines about each day you can find out what made you feel anxious or so angry. And if you have a coach or a therapist you can easily share this information with them and they may help you find a solution. I’ve found that the sleep tracker is beneficial for women who have insomnia or who have trouble staying asleep. Many times they can link their diet, stress, or depression with their sleep patterns.

3. A Non-negotiable Bucket List

Make a non-negotiable bucket list. Sounds like a crazy commitment, doesn’t it? But you should hold yourself accountable for amazing things that you desire to do in your life or else you may look back with regret. What would you put on your bucket list? Travel destinations, starting a new business, hiring a life coach, or skydiving. Trust me, you’ll feel so amazing when you look at how much you’ve checked off and how many times you told fear to take a back seat.

4. Art Therapy

Did you know that you could meditate and create amazing art while journaling? Don’t let the idea of “art” scare you if you’re not an artist. Remember, this is your personal journal and you don’t have to show anyone (but I bet you’ll create something quite beautiful). I promise you that this method I’m about to tell you about is super easy and soothing. One amazing way to give your mind and emotions a rest is by drawing Zentangles. Zentangles are relaxing and amusing. You create beautiful images by drawing simple and eventually more complex patterns. Here’s a beginner tutorial. Give it a try! While you’re making Zentangles, set your intention and concentrate on it as you draw. Remember it’s not about the art you create but the mental relief you feel when you complete the practice.

 

5. A Line a Day

A line a day is for those of us who want to record our day but we just don’t have the time. Just quickly write a sentence about your day. That’s it. It’s amazing to look back on and it’s a great release for busy women!

6. Lettering

Do you love an amazing inspirational quote or poem that sums up where you are in life? Practice the amazing art of lettering as you take up a whole page with words that speak to your soul. There’s something artful and soothing about writing letters with intention. Check out this beginner lettering tutorial.

7. Vision Board

Vision boards may seem a little woo-woo to some. But visualization is very powerful in manifesting your dreams. Create a mini vision board that you’ll see whenever you open your bullet journal. Use adhesive tape or a glue stick to paste images of where you want to be in six months. You can even use words that resonate with your higher self, like financially free, married, etc.

 

8. Rewind journal

The rewind journal is for those of us who want to spend more time processing our day. Instead of one line a day you will write as much as you need to. Check out this amazing rewind journal from @mindful_hookup.

9. Planners

Perhaps this is the most important aspect of the bullet journal. Planning. It’s an amazing way to see your daily plans. There are millions of ways to create your weekly layout. It can be minimal or super fancy. The only rule is to have 7 days (Monday thru Sunday) and write out your daily plans. Some bullet journalists use symbols so that they can tell when a task has been completed or it needs to be moved to another date.

10. Packing Lists

Does travel make you anxious? There can be a ton of moving pieces when planning travel. Where will the dog stay, which hotel is close to the nightlife, where’s that awesome restaurant we saw on the Travel Channel… To organize your vacation, dedicate a space in your journal for a packing list, a before trip to do list, places to visit while at your destination, an itinerary complete with flight confirmation numbers, etc. Seeing your trip at a glance will definitely help you relieve some travel stress. Check out this travel itinerary and visual packing list.

11. To Be Read/To Be Watched Lists

Always coming across posts or Pinterest Pins with book recommendations that you think you’d love? Write them down. The same goes for movies that you want to see.

You can also do this in reverse and keep a gorgeous list of books you’ve read or movies you’ve seen. Be sure to rate them too.

12. The Meal Planner

Do you plan your meals for the week, either for the health aspect or to be more organized? Your bullet journal is a great way to keep your meal plans in one place. You can also put your grocery list in your bullet journal as well. Check out this fabulous meal plan from @Rhiobujo on Instagram.

13. The Water Tracker

A few weeks ago, I posted on Instagram about water intake. Many of us could benefit from drinking more water. It can relieve headaches, it makes your skin and hair look healthier, and it improves your overall health.