My Bullet Journal Journey So Far

Okay so here is my first attempt at explaining bullet journalling and my experience with it so far. I'm going to break it all down into a few posts over the next while and hopefully you find something in the system that works for you or even better, you help me learn more about this awesome (and organized) community.

So what is bullet journalling? Well I describe it as an organizational system that you can customize to fit your needs. It was designed by Ryder Carroll and he as a wonderful video on his website that walks you through the system, step-by-step. The amazing thing about bullet journalling is that you can make it 100% your own. There are core pieces of the system that are important to the overall efficiency and intent of bullet journalling but beyond those, it is whatever you need it to be.

Now, for me, this idea of personalization was somewhat of a beast because I was so afraid of making a mistake but I knew that there was more that I could add to the original system to really make it fit my needs. Do I know what all of those things are? No, no I don't but it's part of the process. I am really learning as I go along.

When I set out on this journey I wasn't sure if I was really going to be able to stick with it or even like it so I didn't want to buy a ton of new things.

So ALL of that being said, here is what I'm thinking...

- a post on the supplies
- a post on the basics and getting started
- a post on my initial thoughts + my hesitations
- a post on some inspiration and where I look for it
- a post on what I use in my own bullet journal
- a post on the different styles/collections/lists/whatever else and things I look for in my journal
- a post on going forward

I am really looking forward to this series and where we as a community can go from here. I have SO much left to learn and I know that the bullet journalling community is so friendly and supportive. Let's all have fun with this (and as a plus, get organized).

Are These Resolutions?

Thank you to Kim Moran for this awesome print!

I don't think that I have ever made New Years Resolutions and stuck to them so this year I am not making resolutions, I am making an effort to do the things I reflected back on from

2016. I mean that is a terrible name for these, but I have no other ideas. Let's dive into the things I will be making an effort to do this year..

1. Try a new workout routine. I get so stuck in a rut when it comes to working out and then end up giving up, so this year I want to try something new, like kick boxing or running.

2. Use my bullet journal consistently. I have always used a paper planner and I will fully admit that I have far too much stationary, however, I have such a hard time using my bullet journal consistently. If you don't know what the concept of bullet journaling is, click here for the link to Ryder Carroll's website. I currently have a series of notebooks that I keep my 'to-do' lists and then my bullet journal keeps my appointments and major tasks. If you have any tips for tricks to help me fully transition from notebook to bullet journal and to use my bullet journal in a more professional setting, please let me know!

3. Blog. I love this space and I love having a positive outlet for my interests, feelings, and ideas. I truly believe that this space is inclusive and positive, a place for people to come when looking for a little more positivity. That being said, I often find my blog at the bottom of my list when I get too busy, so I want to make more of an effort to manage my time and keep this space up-to-date.

4. Make more 'Me' time. I told you that this year was busy and by that I mean I was so busy that I was struggling to find time to do basic things for me. I found it hard to find time to do laundry or even sleep enough during the night. This year, I want to make the effort to schedule my time well, affording me time to do things for myself.

5. Make more of an effort with my friends and family. I know that I have been so wrapped up on my own world this past year that I haven't been the greatest friend or daughter/sister/granddaughter. This year, I want to ensure that I make the most of my time with both my friends and family.

6. Eat more creatively. I am celiac and don't really enjoy eating meat so I tend to get really bored with food. I have so many cookbooks and really want to make the most of them. I enjoy cooking and baking so in 2017, I want to make sure I make an effort to cook myself more meals and look at food more creatively.

I am ready to take on 2017. Let's do this.

Love always,
Lau

Let's Go 2017

So I did it again.

I got all ready and revamped my little corner of the internet and then I got busy and distracted and then gave up. 2016 was actually really good to me, it was no where as trying as 2015 and boy am I thankful for that, but overall it was busy.

I was busy transitioning from job to job, trying to figure out what on earth it is that I want to do as a career (spoiler alert: still haven't the faintest idea), and busy trying to keep with with my meger social life. I'm not sure why this year felt so much more difficult to manage, time wise, than 2015. Perhaps because my emotions and relationships were so much more balanced, I continued to fill my time with things, albeit, too many things, but things nonetheless.

So here we are on the outset of 2017 and I am excited.

Love Always,
Lau

Thanks to Wells Collins Design for this awesome script! 

Happy Fathers Day!

For me Father's Day has always been difficult because my dad and I have a complicated relationship. WE love each other and he is one of my biggest supports, however, we don't see eye to eye on some of the more important topics in life.

This year for Father's Day, I wanted to do something special because I feel like we've really grown closer in the last few years. I knew he had lost many of his photos from the past ten years and I wanted to be able to give him those photos back.

I reached out to his siblings and they sent me the photos that they had, I searched and searched through all of the digital and physical photos I had and I gathered all that I could. I had them converted, scanned, printed, whatever needed to be done in order to have physical 4x6 copies. I put the two hundred photos in an album and wrote a message in the cover. Now he has physical and digital copies of photos spanning his entire life.

Here are some highlights!

Love always,

Laura

Favourites No. 4

Movies!

I am a movie junkie to say the least. When the weather here is wet, snowy, cold, or dreary, I love to curl up with a blanket and a movie. As much as I love to discover new films, I certainly have my favourites!

1. Sabrina, 1954

Starring Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn, and William Holden

2. An Education, 2009

Starring Carey Mulligan and Peter Sarsgaard

3. Up!, 2009

Starring Edward Anser, Christopher Plummer, and Jordan Nagai

4. Camp Takota, 2014

Starring Grace Helbig, Hannah Hart, and Mamrie Hart

5. The Sound of Music, 1965 

Starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer

Mid Week Inspiration

It's Wednesday and for me, it's one of the busiest days of the week. 

I know that it's days like this when I need a little reminder of the awesomeness that surrounds me. 

Let's start a little something, on Wednesdays, there will be a little pick me up that I've come across in one corner of the internet or another, to keep us chugging along during that mid week slump. 

source: oursweetinspirations.tumblr.com

Month In Photos: January

January was a busy, busy month so I wasn't taking many photos but here a few that I did snap along the way... be warned, they are mostly selfies. Oops.