You're Going to Quit Bullet Journaling (and I'm going to tell you why)

Do any of these reasons resonate with you? Have you quit bullet journaling (even temporarily)? I'd love to hear about your experiences!

I started bujo back in 2018, and it was beautiful. Each month had a different theme, each week was a different sub theme. Looking back, I had some incredible artwork that was completely outside my norm. And 2019? I did none of it. Each subsequent year, I get to April and just can't do it anymore. I finally gave in and bought a normal (still aesthetic) planner in 2021.

Meanwhile, I moved those bujo skills to keeping journals for whatever story I'm working on, whether original or fan fiction, but in those little traveler's journals. No pressure to fill a whole Leuchtturm1917. No pressure to be pretty or organized. Just some pages in craft paper with growing thoughts in the post-it strata... I filled one of those little booklets cover to cover for this past Nanowrimo project and wasn't even remotely done. So I went to my old, half filled journals (I have like four), ripped out about 50 pages, jammed that journal into the empty void, then kept on going.

I'm telling tangentially related anecdotes in a 2 year old vid, so what's the point? Well, I feel like that act of destructive creation gave me permission to just do whatever. No rules besides that which I've imposed upon myself (like a limited color palette). I'm finally considering trying this whole bujo thing again, this time with no expectations and a whole lot of post-its.

I’ve been a part of the journaling community since 2015, and have literally never heard of this original form of bulletin journaling.. but at least the original form makes sense. Everything has bullets. None of this new artsy version of bullet journaling I’ve seen has bullets in them.
The fact that everything needed to be artistic, and I’m not an artsy person, drew me away from it and now I’m on a dated planner. But I’m only just learning about this ‘original’ bullet journaling style, and it makes SO much more sense and would do so many wonders. I can’t believe the original style was buried until now. I’m definitely going to get into the original form.

Thank you. I really needed to hear this.

I love how you said that the Venn diagram comparing perfectionists and bullet journalers is just a circle. Lol!

It’s true that the biggest detriment to my life is that perfectionism.

I’m going to stick to minimal rolling weeklies for the rest of my month instead of quitting!

Its cause people go to the extreme or start off at the extreme level….the original is simple not artsy not crazy.

my issue is that i do not remember to use a planner. i don't really even feel the need for one actually. My whole intention for getting into bujo was the artistic aspect. But I never really made the leap, because i don't feel the need for a planner.
So this year, I decided I was going to start a reading journal and a writing journal. These are two things that I want to do more of in my life. I want to be more mindful of the books I am buying and reading. And I just want to write more often.
and I'm incorporating some bujo aspects into those journals. Artful title pages and stat trackers, etc. I feel like this incorporates the aspects of bujo that I was really drawn to while actually serving purpose to my life.

It's interesting seeing people constantly say they've quit bullet journaling, but never actually tried bullet journaling. They did an art project planner/ calendar.

I tried it but i was annoyed by the fact i got lost in my own system. I didnt left enough blanc pages or to many (and being an perfectionist that was really bugging me)
But the most annoying part was that i couldnt find the things i need anymore even with tabs XD
I have brain damage and dyscalculia, so most trackers (and the original bullet system) are like impossible for me
Because i dont have any sense of time, i dont know how much time i need for (new) assignments/tasks etc
i stopped making those month/weekly/daily planners because they dont work for me

So i just make my own from scratch, i dont use the month/weeks/days
the most important one for me: overview of how much time common things will take me, so i can check how much time i need
And an overview list with things i need to do/ seperate trackers for important work assigments so i can check if iam keeping up

No date's (only deadline dates) it was to much stress when i didnt finish/did something on a certain day/week and then i had to shuffle things around making the overview worthless.

I now started in an ringband system, and altough i like to make things beautiful, i will try to use it for other goals first and dont try to fuzz about the looks
I now can switch all pages around, or remove when iam done with them, and that helps a lot with my overview and that was the whole point of having the journal in the first place :D
And if my list is full and i need another one i always can add it to the exact spot i want it to be because its a ringband :D

You hit the nail on the head. There is some great advice in this video. I added a note of all your tips to my commonplace to revisit this when I need to remind myself of my “WHY” of starting MY journey in the world of BUJO. 🫶🏽

my bullet journal is the only place I am not perfect. its my raw thoughts and scribbles. I use it mainly coz I'm just very forgetful and I don't feel pressure. I just need to remember to use it. it helps a lot as I am a very busy university student

I've just been copying the Hobonichi weeks layout for a good while now, having daily tasks in one side & on the other side week-long habit-tracker (& technically reminder because a lot of them I forget until I see it in journal & am like oh, I forgot about that, I should do it), tasks that take multiple days, & weekly notes. Weekly spreads get interrupted by notes that are not time-specific/related to projects or courses that am working on. Every day that I think was productive/achieved things, I give myself a tiny sticker as a reward & also to track how productive & well have been feeling over time. If do a big daunting task like going to the Dr & getting bloodwork done (fear of needles & fainting) or first time attending a specialist, give myself a big sticker to reward the task/achievement.

Next year going to move from Bujo to a 2024 Kinbor weeks (a copy of the planner whose layouts I've been copying because Hobonichi is out of budget). I know the layout works for me & what really like is it has a note section at the back so my notes don't get interrupted by weeklies & vice-versa. I don't do monthly/yearly spreads on Bujo because seems tedious to set up but since that planner has them, might use them for tracking periods, my dog's seizures, or big important things if want to remember the specific dates without having to flip & analyze through all the weeklies to remember when a big thing happened.

I'm about to start bullet journaling... and I believe that the best way to be successful at this for me would be to arm myself with basic layouts, understanding the underlying goal of bullet journaling, and knowing how and why people give up. I love looking at beautiful spreads, but the reason I haven't even touched my journal yet is fear of failure. I want something that will work for me, but I also don't know what it is I'm hoping to get out of this at this time. I am the type of person who picks up hobbies for a month or two and then I drop it for extended periods of time. I know this is likely to also end up being the case for bullet journaling, which is why I hope to create spreads that are easy to leave and come back to when I feel the mood strike. I appreciate this video a lot. Thank you!

These art projects people are doing aren’t really even bullet journaling. Bullet journaling is about creating a sustainable journaling habit that combines journaling, planning and organization quickly without much overhead.

It’s about getting ideas out of your head. Not about spending 3 hours drawing and coloring elaborate charts that you don’t use.

Instead of quitting, why not try to just do the basic collections and reflections with zero fancy aesthetics?

What’s the point of performative journaling? That defeats the entire purpose of a journal. It should be personal.

Like many other things, social media has taken a good positive habit like journaling and ruined it.

El punto del bullet journal es hacerlo a tu gusto. Yo dejé el journaling cuando fui adolescente, todavía ni existía el método de una manera formal.
Es que en la escuela tenía diarios que mi papá me compraba y tenían candado, me encantaba escribir cuando tenía muchas cosas en la cabeza. Este método es para lo que quieras, organizar tus pensamientos, tus días, dibujar como te sientes. Es muy bonito ver tu yo del pasado y como a crecido o notar como fuiste, a veces ni recuerdas lo que comiste ayer, imagínate averiguar porque odiabas alguien o alguna comida. En fin.
Yo quise hacerlo como Rider Carroll pero no me funciona el simplificar mi día. Mejor volví a escribir todo mi día, por más simple que sea.

" performing" the bullet journal...LOL
You know there are people who have absolutely NO audience whatsoever but still act as if they're on stage or being filmed or preparing their journal for the future world, where they've become famous or important. For posterity. For their unborn children.

For me the Bullet Journal is just a tool. I use it to be more organized, less forgetful but most importantly, try to be in control of my life and identifying and doing the things that are truly important to me.

I really just use the barebones system and don’t care about aesthetics at all, because I have other outlets for creativity and relaxation in my life. For me its really the only way to stick to this system and it works wonderfully for me

People stop bullet journaling because it is not right to try to micro manage,control, gaslight, brainwash people. They are smart and realize that! so journaling is helpful for mental health and serenity. You cant play with your own serenity,try it😷

I've never bullet journaled. I have been carrying a pocket notebook for the past 15 years. It's all habit now. I'm an artist. I enjoy visually pleasing media. What brought my mind the most peace was allowing my notebooks to be more functional than aesthetic. Allow yourself to make ugly art/content. It will free you.

(I acknowledge that some people's brains won't allow this)

I quit bullet journaling once my final days of schooling were behind me. Thought a lot about quitting (A LOT) because of the whole performance factor (art and quotes, the best pens and stationery, the shiniest this, the nicest handwriting, etc.), but never actually quit because of it. I tried to keep it up with my first job but it was SUCH a routine and mundane job that I really didn't need it anymore.

New job is chaotic though. It's been nearly 5 or 6 years since I bujo'd. It's time to start again. My ADHD is about to destroy me whole if I don't find a system soon 😂

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experimentation is really useful for some of us. You get to know yourself and how you want your planner to help you. Going back to paper planning revealed that I both loved paper and hated rewriting things. it showed me that I want a lot more flexibility and convenience than the bullet journal affords and then I was willing to part with it’s more compact dimensions and go to a disc binder situation to accommodate that. I like pretty, but I don’t want to have to make it pretty every month. recovering dividers so that they are reusable, and using paper I found more attractive, is practically all I needed in that department. I wanted a very minimal monthly spread without a place to write things along the sides. Plus I’m going through a phase of ignoring the names of months and the days of the week with their pagan roots and having fun with numbers instead. OneNote lets me design really crisp and clear dated or undated monthly spreads with ease. I can print it on high quality or average quality paper. I don’t want to have to keep rewriting peoples birthdays and anniversaries, nor monthly, seasonal and annual chores for the different areas of my life. Creating a document with all of those things on it is the answer, and it prints out very nicely. I can write more on it whenever I want. And if I want to reprint it with the new information, I can do that as well. I don’t want to get stuck with piles and piles of paper to archive so I can design my monthly spread with the extra pages on front and back, to be the only thing I keep for records, archives, remembering what my life was like. I use OneNote to keep up with people, there’s a section 4 agreements I need to complete. Again it can be a mixture of written and pre-printed depending on how long it takes to complete the agreement. Same thing with prayers for people. I can keep the things I’m currently praying about for them visible on a summary print out in one note while having a record of our life together on the original page that can be updated on an ongoing basis. The same goes for projects and the next action. I really like OmniFocus for that, but you can’t print out anything from how many focus on iOS. I’m thinking it’s going to be more of a secondary item, and a great place to keep links to things I want to follow up on. To put things on it that I need on the go. most planners come with a vertical spread which I really don’t care for. I’m experimenting with using it for menu planning, outfit planning and appointments for a weekly overview, may be a habit tracker. Still experimenting with that to see if I will even bother to use it. I’m always taking notes on something, and I’ve taught myself to change pages when I change topics so that whatever I’m writing on can be punched and put into a topical notebook for synthesizing and transcribing later. Sometimes I just use the notebook where I collect all of these notes when I go out and I know I’m going to be taking notes on a dozen different areas, each of which has a tab. In a bound book, you have to rip them out, or rip out what you want to archive, and there’s always something awkward on the back. Bullet journal, just binder, if you want to be flexible it’s good to know the ways in which you want your planner to be flexible so that you have more time to do things instead of spending it all rewriting and replanning. Oh yeah, I’ve done some cool looking pages for reminding me of goals, which need to be expanded into strategies for things I haven’t yet started on. I can’t tell you how many pieces of paper have those sorts of things on them. And they are not in a very usable form written all over a bunch of different pieces of paper in different notebooks, or rather torn up notebooks at this point.

Love your video! I actually always avoided journaling altogether because the 'artistic aspect' appeared to be too much work. People kept recommending me to journal over and over again and i always answered it's not for me. But because I'm on somewhat of a minimalism journey i found out about the bullet journal and gave it a try. I started completely bare bone minimalistic and love it. Now I even consider adding some artsy stuff as a hobby. At the same time I will never forget that it's okay to do the bare minimum, even if it's not 'aesthetic'.

I have ADHD and BUJO is a huge help to keep things organized and i cannot see myself without one anymore!
I was the type of person that always had several notebooks and several post its, and even though part of the information would end lost and scattered, putting things into paper actually helped my mind to organized itself (i need to see everything written or else my thoughts are a mess).

Shifting from all those small notebooks and post its, to a normal BUJO size (with the typical layouts/structure the BUJO community uses), ended up being a really natural shift because i just needed to change the main location and part of the structure!

I still use the digital planner on my phone because without notifications i will forget a lot of things (like taking my adhd meds), but the bigger picture, the things that aren't common daily tasks/reminders, those improved a lot with the BUJO structure.

As most newbies I did start way too hyped, and had to adapt and simplify a lot of things, but the final balance is quite positive, even if i'm always a little bit late writing things down (ADHD in its best).

For example I still need to do my September cover, my monthly review page, and my cosplay plan page, but i already have several post it in the reserved spaces, with things i want to add later.
Because my monthly budget and to do list are already done, and i can already use the parts i need now, and do the other things when my dopamine finally compels me to do them (buying new washi and stickers help a lot in this part).

In the end, the important message is that we need to stop pressuring ourselves to create artsy things at all times, and start following the dopamine and energy levels that we have at the moment, even if it means to skip a month or two.

I kind of did bullet journaling with a spiril notebook with lined paper. I eventually stopped due to becoming too busy to draw out my layouts but I continue to use my invented layouts. The lesson here is to make your own way.

I used to bullet journal for two years or so, then suddenly I stopped. It's not only because I got busier, I was just sick of the whole thing, the decorating, the habit trackers, the calligraphy pens... I tried to use the simple version but didn't like that either. This whole thing brought out the worst perfectionism and unnecessary pressure to perform in me – it reached a point where I couldn't use ANY planer at all anymore and switched to my old "method" of organizing my life: Panic and post-it notes. It's weird how something that at the beginning helped me to relax and was good for my mental health became the exact opposite.

I'm new to bullet journaling so I find this video very helpful. Not only did it remind me of the problems that occur in everyday life, it also inspired me to try something new: not to give up if something doesn't work out. As an artist, it is very important for me not to fall into perfectionism, as this often leads to burnout. I really hope that the journal will help me accept my failures and try new methods for time management. I hope it will be a fun journey!
Thanks for your video!

Those who quit are people who make it very artsy and ceative, that's BS for me as that takes time, I just follow OG Ryders and just make a basic one , no nonsense art stuff

None of these reasons have anything to do with the bujo approach itself – it’s YOU. Take accountability. Plus, a lot of these pains can be solved by using a digital bujo app.

I did quit I put my bullet journal in my luggage knowing I'd forget it

I’m five years in on my bullet journal “journey”. I still love it. Sure I get tired of it sometimes and have a few weeks where I don’t use it. But I always come back to it. Sometimes I do elaborate spreads and doodle and paint and everything. Sometimes it’s back to the basics. I can’t count the unfinished premade calendars I have, due to getting bored of the same design over and over. Now I can quit for a while, and then come back to the same book, no pages wasted! 👌

Its ok but overrated. Journals fill up to quicklu, to save th time of making a million collections, and space for sub notes, you win up using half a journal just to remifeate eveything by this fime of the year.

Than you wind up moving it to another planing app, or makinf a seperate to do list, who h defeats its projise and purpose.

The book fails to address these obvious pitfalls with mote genrric self development claptrap about cognitive behavioral fu fus fo dummies. And inspiring quotes taken out of context bu sorm historical figure. With perfect world examples, and lots of activities to keep you busy and distracted instead of clear
There are ultimatley no answers for the enteopy point everyone his this time of the year, migrating endless things all over, or slamming through old journals to find one piece of information.

I keep mine very minimalist and, write pretty small, and laugh when he says he only uses 3-4 a year. Either he has very simpliatic mind and or life, or the worlds smallest handwriting, or knows where to find a 900 page journal.

Theres no way you make all those tables, and theres no contextusl info on when to use which tool. Its just another new-age/self development product.

I only use it because i have no interstted in learning snother productivity app, to get frustrated by that systems limiatations. And or bioltmin entropy point.

Dont get me wrong its ok 2.5-3 of fice stars. But its overrated as fuck.

Admittinly im watching this to calm.down feom throwing mine out the windos this year. Bevery yesr it starts off grear and its another stress test halfway through it.

I just bought one and I hate seeing a video (title) like this when it isn’t actually about stopping.

I picked up bullet journaling when I was taking college classes back in 2019-2020. I became sick and left the college life. Since I don’t have anything to journal, I catch myself settling up a new monthly spread, only to do nothing with it. I’d rather not do all that artwork for nothing. So I quit. I still watch bullet journaling videos as inspiration to draw, paint, whatever.

Thank you for your video! 😊 I appreciate the clarity and grace with which you express your thoughts using well-chosen language. 🙌

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I started a 'bullet' inspired journal at the beginning of this year and couldn't love it more! I've had to learn to not obsess over other spreads online, yet feeling inspired by the beauty and creativity. I am doing my journal for my future self and no one else. The best part is inspiring the people around me to do the same. No matter what you do with the book, its about you and only you <3

oh my gosh as an artist recently diagnosed with ADHD Ive been “using” my bullet journal mine minimalist style so it would be easiest to maintain, and then just lose motivation to use it.. I am going to try making it a work of art

oh my gosh as an artist recently diagnosed with ADHD Ive been “using” my bullet journal minimalist style so it would be easiest to maintain, and then just lose motivation to use it.. I am going to try making it full of botanical artwork and I bet that will help !!

KISS principle: Keep It Simple, Stupid!

So ...the problem is social media, not bullet journaling.

This is so silly, but I really needed this video. I'm not on social media, I keep distractions minimal, and yet I still felt so much PRESSURE to make my bullet journal beautiful. I don't even know where it comes from :) I'm a pretty relaxed person but felt like I really needed to make the journal creative at all times. Thanks for saying "...sometimes you're creative, sometimes it's minimal and you don't have any ideas, and then you come back again with a beautiful picture...". I really needed that!

I'm super minimalist these days. Monthly spread that has enough lines for appointments, not a calendar style. Yearly log to write down major holidays, etc, and daily spread is a simple line and the length can vary. I used to do a variation of dailies like yours, but it was rigid and I wasted a lot of space when there was not much going on. Went back to a flexible daily.

No stickers, no art, no washi tape or highlighters (what I used to do), and it's so easy to keep up with.

Honestly I've experienced each of these at different points. I discovered the bujo method in 2019 when I started going to school full time, and have since picked them up and abandoned them several times. Right now I'm using the barebones method but I'm just going to add the running task list since it's actually functional for what I need and doesn't seem to take up very much extra time.
I'd like to get back into calligraphy at some point, and incorporate that into my bujo, but for now my only goal is to use up the notebook I have right now! And it's served me better than any bujo I've had before. For real though, thanks for this video because it was very validating to watch.

This is one of my first vids I’ve seen on bullet journaling. To me bullet journaling is just using bullets in the journal to get some fast info down

Starting my bujo journey! This video was definitely helpful. I have adhd and always hyper fixate on projects and then give up after a while. I like have planners to keep my schedule/tasks in sight but I was tired of not finding what I need or not needing what was available. Hopefully this will be my solution and I know to give myself grace knowing it won’t be continuous but I can always pick it back up without the guilt of wasting money.

What does one do with a buju when it's done? After all that work I can't just toss it.

I definately can relate to this. I have been guilty of looking at all the artistic layouts by people who are obviously extremely good artists or have been doing it for years. While I admire these spreads I find it makes me feel like I should be creating spreads that are equally artistic but my art skills or creativity just isn't quite there yet. Then you feel embarrased by spreads and a failure. I end up feeling stressed about using my BuJo and then put it away and don't use it. Your account is one of the few that I have found that is actually realistic and honest. It is inspiring for those that want to include artistic work or aim for similar but you do not make it sound like that is how you should bullet journal.