Unless you’re living under a rock, you’ve probably heard of bullet journals. When I first heard about them, I was intrigued. I mean, I’m moderately obsessive about making lists and getting things done (Baby Brother is laughing right now), so a way to stay organized and keep an ever-changing to-do list in the same place as all my other lists? I’m in!

Then I looked at all the pictures of beautiful bullet journals (BuJo), and was immediately depressed/overwhelmed.

I mean, have you seen the work of Kara at Boho Berry, Kim at Tiny Ray of Sunshine, or Shelby at Little Coffee Fox? Stunning.

Me, on the other hand….well, I can’t really even draw stick figures. And my handwriting is questionable some days, okay on others, and, sometimes, quite pretty. (The stroke affected my dominant side, so I had to re-learn how to write afterwards.) I yearn to do calligraphy and other beautiful writing, but it just ain’t happening.

And I’m okay with that.

My BuJo is much simpler, a more minimalist version, if you will, with a few colorful touches. It serves its purpose—keeping me organized and on top of my to-do list—and it also allows me to a little bit creative and artsy. It works for me.

And that’s really the whole point of any sort of organizational efforts, isn’t it? Becasue it if doesn’t work for you, you won’t use it.

On the left page is Monday-Friday. MWF are on the left, with smaller boxes, because I work those days, and I have less measurable to-dos. T/Th are on the right, with my much-longer list of to-dos. On the right side of each daily box are the multiple books I’m currently reading (mainly my monthly picks + one to review).

On the right page, I have a tiny box for Saturday—which I treat as my Sabbath and day of rest, so no chores—and a regular box for Sunday. The big box in the left column is new for me. I usually use it for a master task list for the week, but this week, I’m using it as a sort-of gratitude log.

The bottom right is my Inspiration box. I always make it colorful, and write inspirational words or phrases in it to keep my motivated during the rough spots.

I take about 30 minutes on Sunday evenings to set up my weekly spread, about 5 minutes every morning to place my check boxes for the day, and I fill them in as I get things done.

It’s how I stay organized. It’s how I stay productive. it’s how I stay sane.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with Forrest, my treadmill…