2021 Bullet Journal Review
We reserve the right to change.
The last time I did a bullet journal review was 2019 and I wrote:
You create what works for you, experiment if you feel inclined, and keep optimizing year after year.
These words from a Younger Me remain true today, and my bullet journals reflect this sentiment. 2021’s bullet journal is vastly different from 2019 and varies slightly from 2020, but all the changes serve the purpose of making my bullet journal work for me.
Change is inevitable. While some things stay the same, others must shift.
If you’re eager to try something new and embrace change, read on for a quick review of my 2021 bullet journal and my hopes for 2022.
The System:
The thing that stayed (mostly) the same:
I still start each month with a monthly quote and cover page, but can you spot the difference(s) between 2020 and 2021? Comment below!
June 2020 Bullet Journal
”The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all.” — Mulan
© 2022 | Anjeliqueca
June 2021 Bullet Journal
”For every hard moment
you are going through
For every one
you have gone through
There is always something to be
gained.”
— Anjeliqueca, 2019
© 2022 | Anjeliqueca
Old things reimagined:
My monthly spread now combines a monthly calendar with monthly habit trackers, master lists, highlights, and lowlights.
November 2021 Monthly Spread
My updated monthly spreads give a high-level overview of how my month went.
© 2022 | Anjeliqueca
By combining everything that spans over the month in one place, my monthly and quarterly reviews using my Quarterly Reset + Reset workbook go by more efficiently because I’m not looking in multiple places.
I also always ensure I have blank spaces for brain dumps, but this year was all about making room for more blank space.
April 2021 Bullet Journal Brain Dump
My brain dump spreads are a great example of how I use different capture tools.
© 2022 | Anjeliqueca
Leaving a full two pages of blank space every month gave me more breathing room to fill up over time.
Something reinvented:
I’ve always struggled to find a weekly and daily set-up that works for me, but I think I finally landed on a weekly/daily hybrid that works.
Week 40 2021 Bullet Journal
A rare example of me using stickers in my bullet journal.
© 2022 | Anjeliqueca
I experiment with several variations of this weekly/daily hybrid, but every week includes a quote.
The sweet spot I’ve found includes 4 lines max for each day of the week (Sunday through Saturday) that I use for pre-scheduled plans, daily events, and daily notes.
I also leave a little over half a page for a running list of notes, to do’s, etc.
I try to include a weekly review. Sometimes the review is a whole page and sometimes it’s only a few sentences.
Week 21 2021 Bullet Journal
To see what’s censored, sign up for my monthly newsletter 😉
© 2022 | Anjeliqueca
Weeks 26-27 2021 Bullet Journal
Don’t be afraid of making mistakes in your notebooks! As you can see here, I make a ton of mistakes, including putting events and notes under the wrong dates.
© 2022 | Anjeliqueca
Why my bullet journal system works:
I learn and remember by repetition. I stay grounded by observing both good, bad, and bittersweet. I expand by leaving more blank space. The breathing room allows for more doodle and more play.
When there is room to play, there is room to thrive.
Simplifying the structure of my bullet journal also created more ease for me in 2021. Having dedicated homes for future plans, in the moment notes, and space to look back consistently made it easier to look ahead.
The short of it is, my bullet journal system works for the life I’m living now. And…there’s always room for experimentation because life isn’t stagnant.
We are not stagnant. Our capture tools shouldn’t be either.
Q: What’s your favorite part about your bullet journal system?
I wish us more ease as we create in 2022 using whatever capture tools we love. Happy journaling, friends!
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