Hello Beautifuls’!
It’s unbelievable to realize I’ve been bullet journaling for about nine years. When I first got into bullet journaling, I was around 13-14 years old and had just started receiving treatment for my mental illnesses. I was navigating a complex and confusing period in my life at that time. I was struggling alone for a long time, and I didn’t have a way to express what I was going through and how I was feeling.
It took me several years to finally speak up about what I was experiencing, and I am deeply grateful to the brave little girl within me who eventually sought help. Without that pivotal moment of reaching out for support, I might not have discovered the tools and strength to manage and, ultimately, overcome my struggles. That little girl inside me had the courage to ask for help, which in turn allowed me to express my genuine emotions.
When I finally started therapy, it was difficult for me to follow through with techniques and coping skills after the session ended. I was a young teen- trying to survive the cruel bullies in high school, being passed around by mental health professionals, and get through the day without falling apart. Racing thoughts and a busy life pushed their way through- once the appointment was over, all new skills washed away.
Quite frankly there were times I was stubborn and just didn’t want to do them. When the next session came around and my therapist wanted to follow up; I had nothing to give on how the new skill helped. It seemed like an endless cycle and I progressively became frustrated with myself.
I finally brought a notebook in one day to write things we had talked about, and what lessons and skills I learned. When I got home, I wanted to find a way to organize my thoughts, the tips my therapist gave, and new skills to apply. There was so much going on in my life among regular teenage activities and struggling to find quality help for my mental health. With advice from family members about how journaling was able to help them along their mental health journey, I decided to do a little research.
A Life-changing Pinterest Search
I discovered bullet journaling while scrolling through Pinterest, and saw it would be a great way for me to express my creative side while also growing as an individual. Bullet journaling provided an outlet for me to document my thoughts, feelings, and daily experiences in a structured yet creative way. As the pages of my journals filled up, they became a testament to my journey. Through doodles, lists, and reflections, I found a tangible way to interact with my emotions and track my progress. This practice became a steady companion, helping me to understand my triggers and coping mechanisms better.
Some of my favorite ways to use bullet journaling include habit trackers, bucket lists, goal trackers, to-do lists, and fun memory collages. I use trackers to hold myself accountable for meeting goals and show progress as I work my way to them. Habit tracking is great for improving mental health and building a healthy daily routine. They help me remember to take my medications and drink enough water, which I really struggle with. Savings trackers are a great way to visualize progress towards financial goals. Having a visual representation of how far you’ve come and how little you have to go is great motivation to keep going! Adding what you are working towards can be a great way to push yourself to keep going, and tips help keep you on track.
It’s More Than a Journal
Bullet journaling has been more than a coping skill; it has been a lifeline that has guided me through some of the toughest times in my life. Each entry represents a step forward, and flipping through those pages reminds me of how far I’ve come. As I reread the pages, I see the evolution of my thoughts, the shifts in my goals, and the myriad of emotions that I once struggled to articulate.
These journals provided me with a space to reflect, vent, and plan. In many ways, they are a testament to my journey, embodying every challenge I have faced and every victory I have achieved. Beyond their practical use, they serve as a personal archive, a physical collection of memories and lessons that to hold dear. Looking back now, bullet journals are not just books; they are a chronicle of resilience and growth.
