Book review: Dot Journaling - A Practical Guide
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐
"Organize your life, record what matters, and get stuff done!
What the heck is a dot journal? It’s a planner, to-do list, and diary for every aspect of your life: work, home, relationships, hobbies, everything.
Early adopter Rachel Wilkerson Miller explains how to make a dot journal work for you—whether you find the picture-perfect examples on Pinterest inspiring or, well, intimidating. You decide how simple or elaborate your journal will be, and what goes in there:
- Lists of your to-dos, to-don’ts, and more
- Symbols that will make those lists efficient and effective
- Spreads to plan your day, week, month, or year
- Trackers for your habits and goals (think health, money, travel)
- Accoutrements such as washi tape, book darts, and more!"
~ From Goodreads ~
Have you spent a lot of time watching youtube videos of beautiful "dot journals in the making" or spent countless hours admiring the beautiful spreads on your Instagram feed, then this book is for you!
I remember feeling, I cannot possibly do this! My crow shit handwriting will ruin the spreads even if I manage to imitate the beautiful pages! Oh! the fear!
I had heard many of my blogging friends talk about their Bujo journals. I honestly thought it was a brand name. I finally realized it only last month that it stands for " Bullet Journaling". Yeah, I am that ignorant. But what to do! Sometimes the most obvious just doesn't seem to register. I am feeling kind of sheepish now.
All those hours I spent on youtube didn't become half as helpful as this one book did. The spreads are more "useful" than pretty. I guess that is the place to start. Once you get the hang of it, you can start beautifying the pages. Only if you are planning to share those beauties online. Otherwise, a simple working spread will help you organize your life so well. The author has given options and varieties for the same type of spreads
When I was reading this book, I was wondering if only women use Bujo? Wouldn't it be as helpful to men as well? I am curious to know what men think about them. I know excel is good enough to get you planned and organized, and I have also used that and many other similar apps to do so. But there is something calming about writing them down and the feel of stationery and paper. Or, I must just be one of those freaks then?
There are spreads in this book for everything that always wanted to track. I used to use multiple books to do so. But this idea of creating spreads for travel, chores, financials, health and fitness, just blew my mind. If I accomplish this all in one book, imagine what all I can do with the amount of space that frees up in my mind. Oh, the genius that I am. :-)
Do let me know in the comments if you do Bujo? If yes, how has it changed your life? And also which have been your most useful spreads.
And it was perfect for the following Reading Prompts too:
Popsugar Reading Challenge 2021: A book by a blogger, vlogger, YouTube video creator, or other online personality
Book Bingo 2021: Hobby Lobby
I did bullet journalling last year. I am not an artistic person so my journal was plain and simple with a monthly calendar which I made at the beginning of each month and writing gratitude points, affirmations and daily/monthly plan. No art work at all. I am much like you who prefers pen and paper than tech stuff.
ReplyDeleteI am just getting the hang of it all. The idea of having everything I need in one dot journal is exciting. I am practicing art this year. Hopefully my next year's Bujo will have art work too. :-)
DeleteI've been bullet journaling for a few years now and keep it simple. The best part of a bujo is the freedom to customize. I sometimes use stickers to add colour!
ReplyDeleteAn inclusion of the Amazon link would be a great addition to the reviews, Jyothi.
I have started using stickers and washi tapes to add colour to my spreads now. I have added Amazon links to my newer reviews. I am trying to figure out how to add the "Add to goodreads" button. :-(
DeleteI started bullet journaling since last year. Before then I used a normal notebook to plan out. I love bullet journaling. I don't make it pretty, except the times I do - only if I want to spend time doing some doodles. I love the flexibility and freedom a bullet journal or any journal offers. You don't have to stick with what the designer planned. I create a monthly grid, affirmations page, habit tracker, daily plans, and a spread for anything and everything that needs my attention. Recently I read The Bullet Jouranl Method by Ryder Carroll. It gave quite a lot insights. Dot Journaling is also on my TBR.
ReplyDeleteI have wasted money on diaries and journals before. Some don't have what I need, the others have so thin pages, you can only use ball pens. I guess I now know what I am looking for in a journal and I can now create it myself. I will look for that book as well.
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