Karen Brown Tyson

Author: Karen

My Cancer Diagnosis: How I Went From Heartbreak to Hope
I discovered I had stage II breast cancer on October 1, 2021.

Ironically, that was also the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the U.S.

After doing a self-breast examination four weeks earlier and going to have my annual mammogram, I was sitting in the doctor’s office, having a biopsy where the doctor found a lump in my breast and a lump in my lymph nodes.

I wasn’t expecting this. I had spent the last year and a half trying not to catch COVID.

And here I was being attacked by the other Big C: CANCER.

As I sat in the examination room with tears running down my face, I was shocked and disappointed.

I didn’t want to give cancer the time or the energy it demands.

But, at that moment, I remembered 1 Peter 5:8:

Be clearheaded. Keep alert. Your accuser, the devil, is on the prowl like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

I knew that the devil was coming for me.

And, if I wanted to get out of that room and through my cancer journey, I would have to do three things to prepare for battle. 1) Adjust, 2) Accept, and 3) Align.

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase using the links.

See my faith, not my cancer.

First, I had to adjust.

When I went to church on the first Sunday in October 2021, God had a message waiting for me.

And it was going to come to me, from God, through the senior pastor of my church, my spiritual father, Dr. T.L. Carmichael, Sr. The sermon’s title was “Making Adjustments.”

In that message, God said, “You are the perfect person to go through this trial.”

This led me to ask myself, ‘Who better to go through this storm, but me?’ Not because I know so much about cancer. But because I KNOW GOD.

And the Spirit of the Lord reminded me that God hasn’t left me in the past and won’t leave me now.

By the end of the sermon, I had a completely different perspective.

Not only had I been chosen to go through this storm, but I had a chance to be like the man in Mark 2, whose friends tore the roof off the house to lower him down to where Jesus was. And the word says: When Jesus saw their faith.

I wanted Jesus to see my faith. So I decided to walk in victory before the battle was over.

On the morning I heard the sermon, “Making Adjustments,” I went to my church saying, ‘I don’t want cancer.’

But I left saying, ‘By the time I’m done walking this thing out, cancer won’t want me, either.

My cancer diagnosis is part of God’s plan.

Next, I had to accept my cancer diagnosis as part of God’s plan.

In the days, weeks, and months following that sermon, I was keenly aware that my cancer diagnosis was part of God’s plan for my life.

Every day I woke up ready to learn and grow according to God’s plan.

I went off to read about how Coach Ron Rivera went through his cancer journey, showing up to work every day with the Carolina Panthers.

And how Amy Robach, the journalist, found out she had breast cancer after getting a mammogram on live television.

Photo by Angie Hendricks

Then, I attended a breast cancer awareness event last year held by my church. I listened to two brave women, Justina and Vivian, share their testimonies about their breast cancer journeys. From that moment, I vowed to one day have enough courage to share my testimony.

In addition, I surrounded myself with God’s word. I read and listened to healing scriptures morning, at noon, and as I fell asleep each night. God’s word inspired me to see hope.

David said it all:

I saw God before me for all time. Nothing can shake me; he’s right by my side. I’m glad from the inside out, ecstatic; I’ve pitched my tent in the land of hope.

Acts 2:25-26

My action plan aligns with God’s plan.

After I adjusted and accepted my cancer diagnosis, the only thing left for me to do was align with God’s plan.

Now, I must say that although I knew cancer was part of God’s plan for my life, I made a conscious decision as to how I would deal with cancer.

I decided, in the beginning, that I wouldn’t tell everyone in my life I had cancer. I had no intention of introducing my cancer to everyone in my life.

I only told a handful of people in the first few weeks. All prayer warriors who didn’t mind going into battle with me.

Next, I created a battle strategy called: I won’t, but I will.
1. I won’t fight in fear, but I will suit up for battle.
2. I won’t panic, but I will be prepared to pray.
3. I won’t let the enemy control my mind, but I will renew my mind.
4. I won’t cower in the corner, but I will stand tall with other believers.
5. I won’t wave a white flag, but I will walk in victory.
When I met with my Oncology surgeon at UNC Rex, she mapped out a plan for my treatment, which was:
- Six cycles of chemotherapy;
- followed by surgery to remove the tumors;
- 30 rounds of radiation; and
- infusions every three weeks.
Ready for battle.

As part of my chemo treatments, I was asked if I wanted to use the DigniCap Scalp Cooling System, a medical cooling device that minimizes hair loss during chemotherapy. Because of the DigniCap, I only lost a small amount of hair.

With the chemo, my tastebuds changed. My body was achy and tired. I had shortness of breath. My fingernails were dark. I lost my eyebrows and my eyelashes. At times, I was exhausted. But God gave me enough strength to work daily. I even managed to go for short walks every day and eventually returned to my workout at the gym.

I got my last cycle of chemo the last week of January 2022. But I continued going to the cancer center every three weeks for my infusions.

At the end of February 2022, it was time for my surgery. The Friday before my surgery, I had to have a seed localization where they planted a seed on the lump in my breast and another seed on the lump in my lymph nodes.

As the radiology technician scanned in search of the tumors, she kept making funny noises. Finally, when the doctor came in, the technician said, “Doctor, God is in here cuttin’ up. I can’t find these tumors.”

As it turned out, after chemo, the lump on my breast was the size of the tip of my pinky finger. And the lump on my lymph node was just residue.

After my surgery, the doctor informed me that the tissue and the lymph nodes she removed were all negative and had no cancer cells.

Next, as part of my cancer care roadmap, I completed my 30 radiation sessions in May 2022.

Lessons learned.

Every cancer journey produces lessons.
I learned a lot on my cancer journey. Early detection is key, so I encourage everyone to examine their breast monthly.

In addition to learning the importance of:
- Making adjustments
- Accepting life’s trials
- Aligning with God’s plan
I learned that my outlook affects my outcome.

From the start, I wanted to protect my mind. I believed I could see God’s plan unfold with a renewed mind. And I was right. My cancer journey has been peaceful, and I witnessed God perform miracle after miracle.

On Wednesday, October 26, 2022, I went to the UNC Rex Cancer Center for my last infusion.

I am officially cancer free!

I am grateful for the outcome of my cancer journey. But to get here, I had to let God take control by allowing Him to fight this battle for me.

I also had to rely on God’s earthly angels to help me through cancer. I thank God for my husband, son, and the incredible women and men who came to my aid as Team Karen.

I also thank God for those who didn’t know I had cancer, like my work colleagues and church members, but still offered prayers and kind words that helped me make it through the day. I would also like to thank my doctors, nurses, coordinators, and receptionists at UNC Rex Cancer and Radiology Centers for their kindness and care.

My breast cancer battle left me with scars. But it also left me with a renewed mind and a deeper faith in God.

I honestly believe I am better after the battle.
October 31, 2022
2023 Erin Condren Deluxe Monthly Planner: A Comprehensive Review
As we continue our focus on planning, I thought it would be good to follow my review of the 2023 Season by Season™ Daily Planner with a review of the Deluxe Monthly Planner by Erin Condren.

While I find daily planners to be effective in helping me organize day-to-day activities, there is value in using monthly planners too.

The Deluxe Monthly Planner by Erin Condren is a complete planner that can be used for overall scheduling or focusing on specific tasks or projects.

A monthly planner (see also ‘How To Organize Your Planner‘) can help to kick-start your goals, and greatly improve your organization.

In this review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the Deluxe Monthly Planner by Erin Condren to see if it can help you get organized.

All about the Erin Condren Deluxe Monthly Planner

What I like most about the Deluxe Monthly Planner by Erin Condren is that it combines a calendar and a notebook.

It’s designed to help you plan your day-to-day, schedule all your projects, and budget your monthly spending.

For writers, the Erin Condren Monthly Planner is a space to combine creative planning with regular activities.

The Deluxe Monthly Planner by Erin Condren is a 12-month planner featuring mini months, a monthly two-page calendar spread, monthly productivity pages, and 10 lined note pages at the end of every month.

The calendar spread features boxes for important tasks. Also, you can expand those tasks on the note page following.

Each month is tabbed for easy organization. You can add additional note pages to the back of the planner. Sticker sheets are included to add sparkle and inspiration.

What I like about the planner

Erin Condren’s monthly planners give an excellent first impression. Each planner (see also ‘Best Self Planner‘) is sturdy with vibrant covers.

You can also build your monthly planner with the following options.
- 2 sizes: 7″ x 9″ or 8.5″ x 11″
- 3 interior design options: Harmony Colorful, Harmony Neutral, or In Bloom
- Add 40 extra lined or productivity note pages
Intuitive layout

The design is intuitive to use and comprehensive. The planner offers mini months, a two-page calendar spread, and a monthly productivity page (see also ‘Best Productivity Planners‘).

This expands the planner’s use, as you can fit these sections to your needs. Add a word count goal (see also ‘How to Write More: 10 Quick Ways to Boost Your Word Count‘), planning goals, habits you want to pick up, or whatever works for you.

Each month combines detailed planning sections with pages that take an overview of events. This makes it easier to track monthly, daily, and yearly goals.

Dated and tabbed calendar

The deluxe monthly planner is a large book, and finding the right section could take a lot of flicking back and forth.

However, the dated calendar tabs make it easy to find the right page, even in a hurry.

For yearly planning, the tabs can be used to check and set your goals quickly and add those important future dates you don’t want to forget.

Multiple design options

You can’t judge a book by its cover, but you can feel motivated to pick up a planner when you like the design. An attractive front cover should never be the main reason for choosing a planner, but it helps.

Erin Condren monthly planners are available in incredible designs, so you’re almost guaranteed to find one you love.

Not a fan of any designs? You can even upload your photo for a planner perfect for you.

Personalizations

It isn’t just the cover design that you can personalize with an Erin Condren monthly planner!

Once you’ve chosen your favorite cover, you can pick your preferred coil color and personalize the design with your name or an inspirational quote.

Inside the planner, there are even more options waiting for you. Pick between the standard 7” x 9” planner and the large 8.5” x 11.”

Choose the interior design: whether you prefer bright colors for motivation or find neutral shades to help with clear strategizing, your planner can suit your needs.

Depending on your purchase, you can even alter the calendar’s start date, which is excellent for academic planning.

Finally, if you like the notebook aspect of the planner, you can add additional note pages to the back.

Lined pages

Lined pages might not appeal to all creative planners, but we love how easy the lines make it to employ different organizational tools.

With pre-lined pages, you can easily design your charts and graphs and prevent “wandering handwriting” problems.

Double-sided pocket

Always losing track of your bits and pieces? From notes written on the go, to receipts we absolutely can’t lose, one misplaced piece of paper can throw all your plans off course.

The sturdy double-sided pocket included with the monthly planner gives you a space to keep those easily misplaced essentials.

The pocket may seem like a small feature, but it does increase the overall usability of the planner. You simply need to slide in that piece of paper you need to keep close, and it’s safely stored for future access.

80lb. text weight paper

Good paper can make or break a planner. Erin Condren has equipped every monthly planner with 80 lb text-weight paper.

This paper resists ink bleeding, allowing you to write without worrying about ink appearing on the next page. It feels good to write on, and your letters will stay sharp and clear.

Price

The Erin Condren monthly planner is hardly a budget buy, but we think it’s reasonable considering how much you get for the price.

However, watch out for the additions and personalizations, as they can add up.

What I don’t like about the planner

I realize no monthly planner can do it all (unfortunately), no matter how good it is. However, I feel the Erin Condren monthly planner could be improved in a few areas, so let’s look at these in a little more detail.

Lacks Weekly Features

This is expected from a monthly planner, but planning your days and weeks in detail is tricky with the overall layout.

If you wanted to use this as a weekly planner, you’d need to make the most of those note pages at the end of each month.

For many, the lack of weekly planning won’t be an issue. If you already have a daily or weekly planner (see also ‘2023 Season by Season Daily Planner Review‘), then the monthly planner is a helpful addition that provides a scheduling overview.

However, a more complete organizer might be preferable if you prefer to keep all your notes and planning in one place.

Daily note-taking isn’t impossible in the Deluxe Monthly Planner by Erin Condren, but you can’t go into much detail.

Additional note pages come at a price

I love the Erin Condren monthly planner because it allows you to combine note-taking with calendar planning, making this an excellent planner for budding writers.

However, it’s a shame that to make the most of this feature, you need to pay extra for the note pages.

Works as a general planner rather than a writer-specific planner

This isn’t necessarily a problem with the monthly planner, but it is something to consider when deciding if the Deluxe Monthly Planner by Erin Condren is right for you.

The planner is designed to be used by anyone for any need. That could be family budgeting, writing meal plans, or organizing school activities.

It is an all-encompassing planner and will appeal to many people.

However, if you’re new to planning and hoping to use the monthly planner specifically for writing goals, the lack of direction might be a stumbling block.

Of course, it could always work the other way. The versatility of the Deluxe Monthly Planner by Erin Condren might allow you to tailor your organization to your own goals.

Verdict

Overall, the Deluxe Monthly Planner by Erin Condren is an excellent tool for planning.

The amount of personalization available allows you to create a planner you want to use and tailor to suit your own needs.

On the inside, the deluxe monthly planner is laid out intuitively, with plenty of room to plan your month in detail and provide at-a-glance goal-setting and memos.

I love the note pages between each month. The quality of the Erin Condren monthly planner is exceptional, with quality pages that don’t allow the ink to bleed.

Additional features such as stickers and a back pocket increase usability.

The Deluxe Monthly Planner by Erin Condren can’t guarantee all your goals are met. But the intuitive layout and attractive designs do help!
October 24, 2022
2023 Season By Season Daily Planner: A Comprehensive Review

I use a variety of digital tools and apps to organize my life. But I love a good paper planner. So when Cultivate What Matters launched its new 2023 Season by Season™ Daily Planner, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to check it out.

I don’t know about you, but this year has been pretty busy. More client assignments and family commitments mean I have to ensure that my days, weeks, and months are organized.

But as life changes, what I need from my planner must change too.

Cultivate What Matters, the company responsible for PowerSheets, now offers the Season by Season™ Daily Planner as an intuitive, flexible tool for living more intentionally. With its streamlined monthly and daily planning pages, this planner (see also ‘Best Productivity Planners‘) is designed to help us make every day count.

But will it? Where does the Season by Season™ Daily Planner succeed? Can it be improved?

In this review, I share what I learned about the 2023 Season by Season™ Daily Planner. Keep reading if you want to know what I discovered.

What is the Season By Season Daily Planner?

Cultivate What Matters is a company that revolves around being intentional about setting and achieving goals.

To help you do this, they sell a wide range of journals, planners, calendar sheets, conversation cards, and inspirational t-shirts.

They even have a “Reading Journal,” where you list the books you’ve read and what you learned.

The aim is to give you a structured way to plan each day and determine your goals to live a more fulfilling year.

One of their newest ways to do this is through the “2023 Season by Season™ Daily Planner” which allows you to do a day-by-day plan for the upcoming year.

However, this one differs because it divides the days into 90-day windows. This 90-day planner is the perfect timeframe because I like to focus on projects and goals quarterly.

What’s to like about the Season By Season Daily Planner?

The 90-day format

I’m excited about the 90-day format. As I start mapping out my goals for the coming year, I plan to use every 90 days as a guide to complete projects.

I know how hard it can be to start a new project. How long will the project take? How will it look at the end? Will there even be an end? Can I finish?

There will always be a lot of doubt when we begin a new goal, which usually stops so many people from finishing or reaching them.

With the Season By Season Daily Planner, the goal-planning process seems less daunting.

Seeing each project neatly divided into tight 90-day windows, with day-by-day mini-goals along the way, will give me a much better visual and work nicely with my Kanban system.

Only time will tell if my projects feel less overwhelming and more manageable.

Seasons

In addition to working well with my visual planning system, the 90-day windows line up with the year’s four seasons. Where possible, I plan to organize my goals around these seasonal periods.

For example, my book launches in 2023 will be spread out quarterly, allowing me to plan activities and promotions around the weather or special events.

Daily planning space

As you know, the planner lets you plan each day by itself, with space for scheduling everything out. One thing I noticed about the Season By Season Daily Planner is how the pages are laid out.

For each Monday-Friday period, each day gets a page. On the left is a column from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., with two lines for each.

This way, you get to plan day by day and hour by hour. Skillfully, it omits most hours that people will be asleep so as not to waste space.

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Then, on the right of the page is a series of empty bullet points. This is where you fill out your priorities for the day, the overall goals, and things you need to do.

After that, there are three options: “Tend to my goals,” “Express gratitude,” and “Encourage someone.”

You can tick as many or as few as you want, but it gives you a good suggestion of how to spend your day. Also, you get a good balance throughout the week to live a more well-rounded life.

Finally, there is space for “Today’s Win,” where you can highlight your accomplishments for the day.

Monthly overview

Not only do you have individual days, but there are also some monthly calendar pages.

These allow you to know what your month will be like at a glance. This can make it more manageable and less overwhelming.

Rhythms

Before each of the 90-day windows, there is a space for recording “joyful rhythms.” The idea here is to start each season by taking stock of your best routines so you can cultivate them.

I like this section because it reminds me of the importance of habit tracking. Routines are important for getting through our days with some semblance of order in what can otherwise seem like an unruly world. The idea here is not just about maintaining current habits but also figuring out which ones should be continued into future months so that we feel more prepared.

What could be better about the Season By Season Daily Planner?

Weekends are combined into a single page

Often, our biggest plans fall on the weekends. This is certainly the case with personal and social activities. However, this planner combined Saturday and Sunday into just one page each week.

I understand why they’ve done it – the workweek will be full.

It’s a shame, though, because I would have liked the same amount of space for Saturday and Sunday, allowing me to do an hour-by-hour plan.

Weekends can sometimes be busy, and it would have been a nice way to take control of them.

Limited designs

When you buy the Season By Season Daily Planner, there is only one design and color scheme.

The design in question is a soft beige with neat gold writing, a golden coil, and corner protectors

It’s a very smart and beautiful design, but it would be nice to have some personalization.

Since the PowerSheets, planners come in such pretty, unique designs, it would have been nice to have the same type of selection for the 2023 Season by Season™ Daily Planner.

Verdict

Overall, Cultivate What Matter’s 2023 Season by Season™ Daily Planner looks like a winner.

Although it slips on its weekend pages and lacks design choices, there is still a lot to love.

Its 90-day seasonal windows help to organize your year by projects, while the weekday pages have space to plan.

October 13, 2022
How To Successfully Organize Your Planner and Your Creative Life
Is it time to get your personal and creative life in order? If the answer is yes, it may be time to use one of the simplest tools on earth: the planner.

Planners help us stay organized, accomplish our goals, and plan for the future.

While I am a fan of my Google calendar, Trello, and Meistertask, I still believe there is something special about writing in my planner.

Keeping a planner to organize your creative life has many benefits, especially if you have a lot going on.

I used to think I could keep everything organized in my head. But the more I had on my plate, the more I had to remember.

Over the years, I have tried many planners — Franklin Covey Day Timer (my first!) to Erin Condren Daily Life Planner to the Cultivate What Matters PowerSheets.

Once I learned how to make planners work for me (see also ‘How to Use a Daily Planner Effectively‘), the more I was able to accomplish, especially in my creative life.

Planners are a great way to manage what’s going on in your life. Plus, studies show that using a pen can better process information and increase our learning ability.

My planner helps me organize my projects, task lists, ideas, goal lists, wishlists, and anything else I need to document.

But how do you use a planner to keep organized? In today’s post, I outline nine steps for organizing your planner to help you manage your personal and creative life.

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost, if you purchase using the links.

Step #1 — Find a planner that fits your personal and creative life

The right planner can make all the difference in helping you stay organized. But how do you know which one is best?

There are many planners to choose from — monthly planners, bullet journals, academic planners, daily planners, annual planners, and more (see also ‘Best Self Planner‘).

Because I have so much on my plate as a business owner, author, editor, and coach, I use a printed planner and a Google calendar.

Get a planner that works for your needs. With so many styles of planners on the market, it shouldn’t be hard to find one that best suits your needs.

I believe you should use one planner for everything. However, I know some people who like to use one planner for their business life (like for their full-time job) and another at home for their creative life. If this is you, no shame. Do what you need to do today to keep moving forward. But ultimately, you may find it easier to move everything to one planner.

Step #2 — Schedule deadlines, events, and appointments

Next, write your meetings, deadlines, events, and appointments in your calendar. This way, you can track exactly when things need to be done and what days you are busy. You can reference your planner each morning and know what is expected of your day.

I like to record this information as I plan for the entire year. But I also add schedules, events, and appointments to my planner monthly, weekly, and daily.

Step #3 — Create task lists for everything

You should always reserve a planner section for a to-do or task list. I used to keep this information in my head, but as I got busier, I had to devise a different system.

Whether grocery shopping, tidying the house, or making creative products, jot it down in your task list and check it off once you’re done.

If you keep your planner with you at all times, then as soon as you have a new commitment, you can write it down to ensure that you don’t forget.

Step #4 — Categorize your tasks

I always find it best to categorize my tasks. This allows me to focus better on each task and ensure that I am making progress on all fronts. This ensures that I am taking care of all aspects of my life and not letting any one area fall by the wayside.

The categories that I use to organize tasks are:
- Business,
- Faith,
- Medical,
- Self-care,
- Home life,
- Connections, and
- Fun
Step #5 — Prioritize the tasks within your task list

Creating a task list itself will keep you organized for sure. You’ll have everything you need to do in one convenient space.

However, if you’re anything like me, it’ll take no time for that list to become overwhelmingly long.

How you prioritize your list can be up to you; some people work best with color-coding tasks, while others prefer using symbols or numbers.

In his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey popularized a theory from President Eisenhower called “The Decision Matrix.” This matrix consists of four boxes that describe different types or levels of importance and urgency. The quadrants are:
1. Important And Urgent
2. Not Important But Urgent
3. Important But Not Urgent
4. Not Important And Not Urgent
These labels can help solopreneurs and creative entrepreneurs identify what they should think about, not waste unnecessary thought or energy.

Step #6 — Add time assignments to your tasks

One way to stay on top of your tasks is to add time assignments. Estimate how long each task will take and assign a time slot for each one. This will help you better map your day and ensure you’re using your time effectively.

To keep track of everything, I use color coding. For example, a yellow dot by a task may mean I have a day to complete a task, whereas a blue dot may mean I have a week.

Step #7 — Start all tasks with a verb

This may seem a little pointless initially, but I promise it helps. Reading your task and knowing immediately what it will involve pushes you to do it that little bit easier.

So, for example, instead of writing’ rent,’ write ‘pay rent’ or instead of saying ‘social media,’ write ‘post social media graphics.’

It’s a small thing, but it works!

Step #8 — Create a top-three list for the day

If you have a lot to do in one day and find it stressful to look at a long list of everything you need to get done, try using the top three rule.

For each day of your planner write down the top three most important tasks/goals for your day that you need to achieve.

Once you have done this, you can move on to the other tasks if you have time. But you’ll know that you’ve prioritized the main objectives of the day.

Step #9 — Use the two-minute rule

One thing that has kept me organized is sticking rigidly to the two-minute rule.

And by this, I mean if you are about to write down a task or job that takes two minutes or less to complete – do it immediately.

Suppose it will take you as long to write it down as it is to do the job on the spot. It would help if you did it done immediately while you remember.

Final Thoughts

There are so many different ways to organize your planner, and it’s important that you find the one which works best for you.

If you need more inspiration, check out Haley Cairo’s video on how she organizes her calendar and planner.

Also, feel free to share any tips that work for you.
October 10, 2022
How to Start a Bullet Journal + the Best Supplies for Beginners

Do you find yourself writing ideas on random sheets of paper? Ever wish you could better track your ideas, habits, and goals? If you answered yes, it might be time to start a bullet journal.

Bullet journals are not just for artists and college students. I discovered that bullet journals are great for helping me stay organized. A bullet journal offers a dedicated place to track your progress, brainstorm ideas, and see your to-do lists.

Starting a bullet journal is easy and can help you keep track of ideas, habits, and goals with creative touches. Your bullet journal will be your secret weapon, so don’t feel you have to share it with anyone or compare it with other bullet journals. Also, don’t limit yourself to one design idea. I encourage you to design your bullet journal to meet your needs.

If you thought about starting a bullet journal but weren’t sure where to begin, keep reading. Today I will share how to start a bullet journal and guide you through the products you can use for bullet journaling.

It is also worth noting that bullet journaling does not have to be an expensive hobby for beginners. You do not need to get all the featured products. Instead, we have given you a lot of choices to help you start bullet journaling.

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the links.

How do you start a bullet journal?

A bullet journal (also knowns as a BUJO journal) is an analog customizable and forgiving organizational system. Creator Ryder Carroll created bullet journaling to deal with his Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) when there weren’t many tools on the market that worked in the way he needed.

“Bullet journaling is always about function over form. It doesn’t matter what your bullet journal looks like. It’s about how it makes you feel and how effective it is in moving you towards the things that matter to you.” Ryder Carroll

Some people use bullet journaling for to-do lists, planners, a sketchbook or notebook, or a combination of those elements. Simply put, it is a journal with a series of dots in rows rather than lines that help you utilize it as you wish.

Before you start, there are many bullet journaling books you can read. I recommend The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll.

Next, you must decide what you want to accomplish with bullet journaling.

Do you want to use bullet journaling as a planning system to keep you organized? Or as a tool to help you achieve your goals?

Are you looking to add bullet journaling as a more therapeutic and meditative exercise for self-expression? Would a daily planner be a better fit for you?

The beauty of bullet journaling is that you can choose whatever system you want to follow.

What supplies are needed?

When you first start to bullet journal, it’s easy to think you need a lot of supplies. There’s no need to break the bank. All that is needed are some basic supplies and a little creativity.

You can check out my Best Journal Supplies or look at the items below which focus on the foundational tools and supplies that can be used easily.

Bullet journal notebooks

Bullet planning is all about customization and control. With a dot grid notebook, you can create lists tailored to your needs- whether you’re organizing projects or making daily to-do lists.

My favorite notebook is the Erin Condren Coiled Notebook. Not only can you personalize the cover to include your name or initials, but you can choose the dot-grid design layout for your notebook.

Erin Condren Coiled Notebook

Scribbles That Matter 160 GSM

The Scribbles That Matter bullet journal has excellent quality paper. These are a great choice if you want an empty dot grid page design for a more affordable price.

Dingbats Earth

Dingbats Earth is an eco-friendly brand with adorable cover designs and paper with good density. In addition, the paper is ivory instead of white.

Pens And Pencils

When you first start, there are many types of bullet journaling pens and pencils to consider. It can be tough to decide which ones to use for your bullet journal. Do you want pens that are easy to write with or ones that have pretty colors?

Maybe you want both. Ultimately, the choice of pen or pencil is up to you and what you think will work best for your bullet journaling needs!

Ticonderoga Pencils

Using a pencil can be handy if you plan to add designs to your bullet journal. You draw images or map out words before you trace everything with colored pens or markers. The Ticonderoga pencils are an affordable option.

Pilot G2

Pilot G2 Premium Gel Ink Pen is a great writing instrument for any occasion. It features a rubber grip and comes in ultra-fine, extra fine, fine, and bold points.

Muji Ballpoint Pens

MUJI Gel Ink Ballpoint Pens are well-designed, water-based ink pens that do not bleed.

Sakura Pigma Micron

A Sakura Pigma Micron Pen offers smooth, skip-free writing and crisp Ink colors that leave behind consistent lettering.

Unipin Fineliners

Uni Pin Fineliner Drawing Pen is an artist’s dream come true with its incredible range. From extra-fine to broad. It offers steel tips that last longer than cheaper imitations and gives you ultimate control of your writing with different widths for any project.

Colored Pens

One of the best things about bullet journaling is how creative you can get, and the best way to do this is by using plenty of colors.

Zebra Sarasa

Zebra Sarasa pens have a 0.5mm fine point and rapid dry gel ink in assorted colors. The pens are water resistant and will never smudge or smear.

Pilot Frixion Pens

FriXion Gel Ink Pens provide a smooth writing experience with the ability to erase mistakes. With vibrant colors and an affordable price, these pens make it easy to create something colorful and beautiful.

Stabilo Point 88

Stabilo pens have been designed to provide precision and accuracy while drawing or writing. Also, the pen offers a long-cap-off feature that prevents it from drying out.

Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pens

Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pens offer a medium point felt tip (0.7 millimeters) that produces Bold, expressive lines. In addition, Paper Mate participates in Box Tops for Education.

Tombow Twin Tone

With its clever dual-sided design, Tombow TwinTone markers offer two ways to write in one pen. Durable fiber point tips provide long-lasting and quick drying ink that prevents smudges. The 0.8mm broad tip produces bold lines, and extra fine points create sharp ones so you can get all of your thoughts down on paper without worrying about them getting blurred or distorted.

Markers And Highlighters

The beauty of a bullet journal is that there are so many ways you can make your mark. From pens and colored markers to highlighters-the possibilities do seem endless.

I’ve found that markers and highlighters add another layer of organization and variety to my journal.

Zebra Mildliner Highlighters

These highlighters come in plenty of shades and colors, making them an almost perfect choice for bullet journaling. We did not know highlighting could be so aesthetic until using these.

Stabilo Boss Highlighters

Stabilo Boss Original pastel highlighters are a great way to make your journal look stylish. They come in soft, fashionable colors that won’t fade. Plus their anti-dry out technology means the markers will not dry out.

Pilot Frixion Markers

Pilot Frixion Markers are a great choice because they are erasable markers if you always make mistakes when writing.

Crayola Super Tips Markers

If you’re looking for various colors to spice up your journal, look no further than the Crayola Super Tips markers.

Zebra Click Art

Zebra Click Art markers are water-based and are super pigmented and a great choice for markers.

Miscellaneous

When it comes to bullet journaling, there are quite a few types of supplies that do not easily fit into a category but are just as important. Adding some extra goodies can make your bullet journal experience more fun. This is not necessary, but it might give you a little inspiration.

Wescott Ruler

I use a ruler with my bullet journal. It’s one of those things that can make or break the spread, and I wouldn’t be able to write anything without it! Here are two types of rulers to consider.

Helix Ruler

If you plan to draw circles in any capacity, having a good Helix ruler like this is necessary.

Washi Tapes

Washi tape adds great visual flair. You can find plenty of varieties to match your style.

Stickers

Have you ever wanted to add an extra touch of creativity and style to your bullet journal? Stickers make it possible. Thousands are available; the best part is they come in many colors and designs.

Ready to start a bullet journal?

A successful bullet journal doesn’t need to be costly or require an extensive collection of supplies. You just have to find the right balance between fun and functionality. The most important thing is to make your bullet journal work for you.

I hope this post helps you to build your journaling habit.

Please check out other bullet journalers to learn more about bullet journaling. One of my go-to channels belongs to AmandaRachLee. Below is her September Plan With Me video where she uses one pen. Pretty cool.

October 5, 2022
How To Use A Daily Planner Effectively + Free Printable Template

Do you wish you could get more done during the week? Do you have great ideas that never seem to come to life? If you answered yes, it might be time to add a daily planner to your life.

Whether you use a paper or digital planner, writing your goals, ideas, and plans is a great way to organize your week and get more done.

If you need help starting or keeping a planner, fear not, because here is a list of tips you can use.

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost, if you purchase using the links.

Practice consistency

Keeping a daily planner can be exciting and fulfilling. You faithfully log important dates, events, and goals in the early days. Then life happens. Before you know it, your planner is in the corner collecting dust.

Lack of consistency is one of the reasons people lose interest in keeping a daily planner. But consistency is the key.

Studies show that to develop a new habit, you need to do it consistently for it to take effect.

If you fail to use your planner daily, it’s easy to fall out of habit and stop using it altogether.

One of the ways I stay consistent in writing in my planner is by keeping it with me. I also keep it in places where I see it every day. This reminds me to keep writing in it and helps me make it a part of my daily routine.

Record as much as you can

People tend to think they can remember a whole host of minor details and facts in the confines of their heads. I used to be one of those people.

But the experience taught me that it could be hard to keep track when I have multiple tasks ahead of me, such as appointments, holidays, meetings, and even grocery shopping.

Research shows that we remember things better when we write things down. I learned to take the time to write down all of the events I have going on. As a result, I can free up my mind to think about more important things. Ultimately, I felt l less overwhelmed and more at ease.

Keeping a planner not only helps you to stay organized but can give you a clearer head too.

Use a smaller-sized planner

If you’re worried about carrying a large planner, consider keeping a smaller-sized planner. A smaller planner can fit more easily in your backpack or a handbag.

Large, bulky desk planners can be aesthetically pleasing, but they’re just not as practical.

By choosing a planner that is more compact, you can take notes on the go.

As new tasks or activities come up throughout the day, you can whip out your smaller-sized planner on the spot.

Don’t stress about filling it in

Many people think that it’s pointless having a planner if they don’t fill in every available space, but this isn’t the case.

Your planner should be a direct reflection of your life. Some weeks might be empty, but others might be packed with tasks, events, or reminders. Enjoy the weeks when you don’t have as much to do.

If you enjoy writing things down but don’t necessarily have much to fill in your planner, you should consider keeping a diary too.

This will help you jot down any thoughts and ideas floating around your head and will also help to satisfy your craving to write things down.

Personalize your daily planner

The prospect of making it look aesthetically pleasing can give you an incentive to start keeping a planner.

There are so many ways that you can spruce up a boring old planner by filling it with drawings, quotes, and stickers.

You can style it according to your unique style and taste because, after all, a planner should be a reflection of you and your daily life.

Pinterest has many ideas on how to accessorize your planner, so why not look to find some inspiration?

Use action words with each task

If you want to complete a task, use action words. This will help you get it done. Action words can include things like “create,” “organize,” and “research.” Using action words will make you more likely to complete the task.

Add a goal-tracking section

If you want to stay on top of your habits, add a goal-tracking section.

Having a goal-tracking section in your planner is an excellent way to keep track of things like how much water you drink each day or your workout schedule.

This could help provide structure to your day. The goal-tracking section helps you keep track of your plans and reminds you why they are important. You’ll be more likely to achieve these goals if they’re written and visible.

Final thoughts

Keeping a daily planner is a fantastic way to track all your tasks and activities. Over the years, I have come to love a variety of planners and notebooks. One of them is the Erin Condren LifePlanner. You can find out more by watching the video below.

Remember to have fun, no matter what type of planner you choose.

October 3, 2022