It’s Instagram official… BUJO and I are done… 😄
Well I don’t have an instagram account nor do I even know what that means but the sentiment is true. After nearly 7 years of bullet journaling over the course of 6 months, I laid down the practice.
Let’s take a stroll back in time, it’s November 2019, I’d successfully defended my dissertation, and was ready to actually read for pleasure again. I logged into my local library’s free class offerings, and signed up for something called “bullet journaling for beginners”. I’d seen the class previously, and just didn’t have the time to attend. Upon logging in, the Instructor began to discuss intentionality and it’s intersection with productivity.
At that time, I was mesmerized by the elasticity of the system and how easy it was to begin with a simple notebook and pencil….. Despite all my years of planning, journaling, and organizing I never thought of stripping away my system to just the basics and allowing my brain “space” to relieve itself of the many pins and notes. Based on the class recommendations, I briefly collected what I could find in my home and that night I began.
The Bullet Journal system was created by Ryder Carroll, Author of the Bullet Journal Method. He depicts the system as a mindfulness practice disguised as productivity system. Ryder often uses the tag line “track the past, order the present, and design the future”. That tagline resonated with me in 2019. I used to enjoy scrapbooking to create beautiful memories of past trips, as well as planning daily to order the present. Where I would get a bit stuck was designing my future rather than allowing it to occur. I certainly set goals, but life design is more than that. Using the Bullet Journal method allowed me to not only order the present, but design all areas of my life in a way that “future me” can be proud of.
My journals have been with me in numerous cities, states, countries, homes I lived in, cars, trains, planes you name it! I carried my journal wherever I went archiving, planning, jotting the most successful me I could be.
I will forever be in gratitude of the system for the period of time it brought so much value to my life.
Now What? 🙋🏾♀️
As I reinvigorate the roots of who I am, I’m reminded that continuous self-reflection has always been my anchor. My whole life, I’ve paid close attention to what works and what doesn’t during each season I’m in. Over the last four years especially, I’ve grown in ways that require my systems to evolve right alongside me.
Today’s systems must be flexible enough to support tomorrow’s solutions, which is why I’m creating my own personal framework one rooted in who I am today, that honors my culture, traditions, and movement. Subscribers caught a glimpse of this process in last month’s post, where I shared an early version of my monthly planning.
Tools I’m Using in this new System:
- A Remarkable Paper Pro (productivity)
- Apple Notes (travel, projects)
- Word Doc (New system template practice)
- Excel Grid (Monthly Meal Plan)
- Journal (Daily reflections, thoughts, musings…)
Moving forward, each month will be an intentional cycle of creating, reviewing, and refining what truly works; along with My Rooted Kitchen content. If you’re a subscriber on this journey with me, buckle up, you’re in for a treat. I’ll continue sharing what I’m learning in real time, all leading up to my next book: a merging of Whispers and The Rooted Kitchen into one living system.
It’s the book I’ve been building through my own life not just a cookbook, or a motivational guide, or a health book, but something as multi-dimensional as we are.
We’re in the lab, folks, and I’m so glad you’re here with me.
Am I Leaving Journaling?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!
I’ve been journaling since I was a young girl. That practice had to find a new routine, and structure but it is still just as much a part of me as it always has been. It’s kinda nice to store and archive memories not for productivity, but just for creative rest. Really loving it!
If you want to learn more about the various types of journaling check out this post.
I could go on and on about how I got to this decision and the 2026 systems I am creating but I don’t want to bore you… that content will soon come 😄!
Be Well AND Happy Eating!
J
Subscribe for honest insights on nourishment, rhythm, and becoming rooted.