Keeping Track
I’m new to the whole bullet journal world, but I do love keeping track of almost everything I do. A bullet journal is a great way to keep record of what you’ve read and when you read it.
Why keep track?
Because I can’t remember what I read a month ago much less YEARS ago! Do I use GoodReads? Absolutely. Mostly to keep track of how much longer I have to go in the book I’m reading. Not always a good thing, but handy. It does also keep track of the book and when I read it, but there is something to putting pen to paper. Just like writing my first draft - always pen and paper. The first revision always transfers the words from the paper to the screen.
First, let’s answer the most common question:
What is a bullet journal?
According to BulletJournal.com it is a methodology, “It's designed to help you organize your what while you remain mindful of your why”. This way of journaling is a step in living an intentional life.
What kind of journal do I use?
Really, I think any piece of paper you can find is good enough, but the name originates from the use of dot journals. The dots are actually kind of nice because it helps with those straight lines.
How do I bullet journal?
I’m sure there was once an “only” way to journal in this style. If you look it up now you come up with hundreds of thousands of examples, but, basically, think brain-dump. Just let all the thoughts of to-do’s, should-do’s, want-to-do’s, maybe-do’s (is that a thing?) and get them on paper. Then figure out which ones - according to my Jesus-following self - cross out the ones that get you off the mission of loving God and loving others. The creator (see next section) will tell you something different, but that is my baseline.
Who created bullet journaling?
Ryder Carroll is the mind behind bullet journaling. He was diagnosed with A.D.D. and rather than not being able to focus he was able to focus, but focus on too many things at the same time. The tools given to him to use were either “too rigid or too complicated”. As he got older he came up with his own system - bullet journaling. It allowed him to declutter his mind, cultivate his curiosity, and remain focused on what mattered. P.S. there are things he promotes that I don’t agree with just to put that out there, but I do enjoy this type of journaling.
Here are just a few examples of what a bullet journal can look like when tracking your books…Just remember, you can have it look any way that helps you to keep track, declutter your mind of all the books you want to read - Oh! Maybe a neat list of To-Be-Read books would be fun to make! - and have fun with it. Be as creative as you want. Keep it clean and simple or take an entire day to journal.
