An Artist’s Journal: 8 April 2020

If you are like me, your creative mind is unpredictable. One day you have so many creative ideas it is overwhelming, and then the next day ... nothing.

The wave of ideas can get overwhelming, plus we are also pulled around by everyday life. I have responsibilities... to my kids, my husband, my dogs, my house, my yard, and my own health. How can I take the time for creative growth when life has so many other priorities?

The first step for me was Bullet Journaling.

My favorite quality of Bullet Journaling is that it is adaptive. You can make it anything you want or need, and my BuJo has changed over the past few years. The official bullet journal "System" appeals to my type-A side. I recommend understanding the founding concepts (Linked below). Today, I am sharing how I started using this system to make time for my creative practice, and I encourage you to give it a try as well.

#1 The Index

After choosing a notebook, I go through and number all the pages. Then I use the pages in the front of the notebook to create an index of page numbers.

Whenever I open my journal to add anything, I write it in the index so that I can find it when I need it. This way one journal can contain notes from all the different areas of my life in one place. Art ideas, book recommendations, doctor appointment notes, budget information, sketches, and quotes. Or anything I want to brain dump.

#2 - Bullet Symbols

I do not use the official bullets and rapid logging techniques, but I do use a visual system to help me focus.

I use a box and three ways to mark it.

• a checkmark when a task is complete

• an arrow when I have moved it to another day or list

• a strike-through line when I decide a task doesn't need to happen. *Remember: You do not have to do everything*

#3 - Daily Log

Focus on today. Be realistic about what you can accomplish in one day.

I have a tendency to write lists that are too long and I spend days trying to complete the list. Then, I misplace the list and start a new one. Or, I have sticky notes everywhere.

Instead, keep one daily log and at the end of the day be sure to:

• Check off completed tasks

• Schedule unfinished tasks for a different day or list, moving only three tasks to tomorrow.

• And cross out the tasks that do not need to happen.

In order to be creative, you need to make time. It is difficult to be creative when ideas and everyday tasks become an overwhelming mess. Having a system of prioritizing tasks and saving ideas is important.

In Part II, I share some of the more artistic elements in my BuJo. Bullet Journalling was truly the first step in my artistic growth. Click HERE to go directly to Part II.

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Today’s Resources 2020:

• Bullet Journal - Learning - Official Bullet Journal System