Feb 4

Feb 4 2022 Yearly Bullet Journal Set-Up

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Make your journal work for you!

You may or may not have started your yearly journal or planner, but if you’re still looking for ideas and tips, you’re in the right place.

In starting my sixth bullet journal I wanted to try something new while also taking away as much decision fatigue as possible. While I still use highlighters for my quarterly log, as you’ll see below, I decided to exclusively use fountain pen and watercolors for most of my spreads. I’m finding that watercolor helps me add more illustrations in less time. I also don’t have to dig through my markers and color test different combinations; I can simply mix the colors I need using one set of paints.

January 2022 Bullet Journal
I like using blue for January, not just because it’s my favorite color, but because it reminds me of winter and the blue hue of Alaska’s mountains, skyline, and sea.
© 2022 | Anjeliqueca

I’m getting faster at creating the spreads I want and I feel like I’m flexing different creative muscles which has made bullet journaling even more fun. It’s nice to change things up once in a while.

February 2022 Bullet Journal
My motifs for February are usually cherry blossoms or lanterns—or both. The lanterns remind me of the Lunar New Year, and the pink and red colors of cherry blossoms and lanterns remind me of love.
© 2022 | Anjeliqueca

The Essentials

Grid Guide

My left-handed grid guide hasn’t changed too much, except for not including pre-made lines. Instead, I plan to fill in the lines with how I break up my pages most. I’ll update the photo once it’s filled in, so bookmark this page if you’re curious how my grid guide will evolve over time.

Pro Tip: If your notebook has perforated pages, make a second grid guide and keep it in your notebook’s pocket. I’m still using the same portable grid guide I created a few years ago.

Yearly Calendar (a.k.a. Year at a Glance)

This is another left-handed page, so you can easily reference the monthly calendar when needed. Again, my yearly calendar hasn’t changed much because it works for me. I mainly use this spread to refer back to when creating my quarterly log and monthly spreads, so I don’t have to use my phone or computer calendar.

Yearly Calendar 2022 Bullet Journal
I loved not having to break out multiple colored markers or brush pens to create this spread. Instead, I used one palette of watercolors to mix all these shades of blue and green.
© 2022 | Anjeliqueca

Something Updated

Yearly Themes

This spread changed in 2021 to become another left-handed page so I can easily reference my Word of the Year, Manifesto, and Yearly Goals when I’m planning my quarterly or monthly goals.

To the right of my Yearly Themes, I’ve started including a Letter to Future Me. I break out this letter whenever I need a reminder from a Younger Me.

Letter to Future Me 2022 Bullet Journal
I started including a Letter to Future Me when I traveled abroad at the beginning of 2020. On one hand, I felt full being surrounded by family in old and new places. On the other hand, I knew the journey ahead was going to be inherently lonely and I couldn’t rely on anyone else to provide the answers I needed. These letters provide a sense of comfort, motivation, and love we can only give ourselves.
© 2022 | Anjeliqueca

Astroscope (formerly Moon Phases)

While I loved Ezzie Spencer’s free lunar calendars, I needed something new and improved. I still keep track of the moon phases—which I had to look up and create myself this year—but now I have planetary retrogrades as well. Knowing when retrogrades happen help me plan ahead for the year.

Astroscope 2022 Bullet Journal
I feel like this spread is going to continue to change over time, not only as I continue learning more about astrology and tracking transits, but also because how I use astrology in my self-care practices will continue to shift over time. I hope this spread will continue to capture the changes I make in my life.
Also, my moon phase key is wrong >_<‘ since each phase should be mirrored. Although, the moon phases are correct for each month in the Astroscope. Now I just need to update the key…
© 2022 | Anjeliqueca

Since this is my first year creating this spread, there are many mistakes! Can you point out the mistakes? If not, these white gel pens are still saving the day.

Quarterly Log

This is my second year trying out a tabbed quarter-based future log because my first iteration didn’t provide enough space. Now, each quarter has a double spread which gives enough room for my monthly goals, a log of events, and notes. I also started doing quarterly oracle spreads last year, so there’s a dedicated space for my pull for the month. If you’re interested in growing your tarot or oracle practice, remember to check out my Patreon where I share original spreads that double as reflection questions.

Here, you can also see I’m using highlighters to mark key events in my quarterly log. January 2022 sure was busy!

Quarterly Log Key 2022 Bullet Journal
You can’t see it, but the right-hand pages of my quarterly log are divided into three sections horizontally and vertically. The horizontal sections delineate spaces for each month. The vertical divisions are used for events and notes.
© 2022 | Anjeliqueca

Experimenting With

Period Tracker

I started using a period tracker in 2021 and it was laid out similarly to a typical Year in Pixels spread. I hated the vertical set-up because I messed up so many times, so I decided to go with what’s been working best: monthly calendars. Now, there’s less chance of making mistakes because there is a dedicated calendar for each month.

I’ve combined my period tracker with a section called, “Hair Care Things,” because I’m experimenting with hair care routines that work for my type of hair: thick, low-porosity, and, what I’ve now realized is, wavy hair. I also plan on using this space for skincare notes because hormonal changes, like our periods, affect our skin and our hair.

Money Matters: Sinking Funds and Income Tracker

I started tracking sinking funds in 2021, but the spread didn’t work out for me. 2022’s version is my second try and I’m not entirely happy with it. In 2021, I felt like I had too much space for money matters, and this year, I feel like I don’t have enough space. I’m hoping my trials and errors now will help me create a better 2023 Money Matters spread that is just right.

If you’re interested in taking control of your debt and truly using money as a tool that helps you create your dream life, book a 30-minute call with me and you’ll receive a free Dream Life Action Plan—no commitment required.

“I definitely feel more comfortable and confident about how to handle my money, and that it’s working towards a goal I set myself.” — N, Client

Year Ahead Spread

While I keep most of my oracle spreads in a separate notebook, I decided my yearly spreads needed a home in my main bullet journal. I’m not including a picture of this spread because it will only be available for my Patreon community at the Homies and Co-Creators levels. If you want exclusive access to my oracle spreads and 1:1 readings, join us here.

“She provides intuitive wisdom and guidance in the most calming and soothing way. She is skilled in her craft and deeply cares about providing the best readings to her clients.” — R, Patreon Co-Creator

Final Thoughts

Another year and another bullet journal means more opportunities to improve my craft and make my journal work for me. I hope you continue finding new ways to make your journal work for you.

Q: What spreads are you going to try in your bullet journal?

I’d be so happy to hear your thoughts. Happy journaling, my friends!

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