One thing about me is I love many things dealing with organization and creating systems that help us operate long term. In late 2024 I began my research on possibly adopting a more flexible planning system like the bullet journal method to help me manage my day-to-day and only track what I felt I needed. Part of the problem I was facing in 2024 was a huge career transition and feeling overstimulated and blind-sided by all the new things motherhood and toddlerhood continue to offer; joys and challenges alike.

I have a strong foundation on what planning or organization systems work for me, however, a bullet journal seemed like a good middle ground that would be malleable enough to capture what I might need at any given moment this year. At the end of this post, I’ll be sure to include some of my favorite references that helped support my bullet journal set up for 2025.

2025 Planning Systems Goals

Author Ryder Carroll of Bullet Journal Method provides a framework for beginning your bullet journal- one that I reflected on was setting your intention behind having a bullet journal. I had set very few goals, albeit focused, and intentions for my bullet journal and 2025.

• Function: Allow me to keep track of important life events and remain a low cost notebook. Function over aesthetic was priority. Minimal. Imperfect. Low maintenance but give space for me to be creative where/when I needed as an outlet.
• Wellness: Something that would support my maternal wellness and track any family goals/transitions for our growing family. A place where I can track progress and increase gratitude.
• Accountability: Allow me to hone in and identify my personal goals, stay accountable, and provide an opportunity to reflect the new person I am growing into. Overall help me improve on completing what’s important to me.

Bullet Journal Layout and Tools

Bullet Journal Sections

• “Big Picture” Overview Sections:
  • yearly overviews for 2025-2026
  • future log
  • index
  • bucket list and shopping wishlist
  • goals overview
• Quarterly, monthly and weekly overviews

Bullet journal tools

The main tool here was my Midori Codex which costs me about $20. This notebook is so minimal and I’m in love with the quality of the cream paper. Midori’s cream paper and soft dot grid has a little place in my heart.

To set up my Bujo I mainly used a couple fine Pigma Micron pens or Uni Jetstream Ballpoint pen, pencils, highlighters, stickers, washi tape and some stamps. All these other items I had in stock and only purchased the journal and, more recently, the Moterm A5 cover.

The Meat and Potatoes of my Bujo

Annual Overview Sections

I have been using some kind of quarterly overview for many years now. This overview started off for work as I managed various project deadlines that occurred each season. As I looked to manage my personal and family goals, family appointments, etc, my former Excel workbook has now found a permanent home in my paper planner.

An index is something new for me and I have found that it’s more of a reflection on what areas or lists might be most important for me to see an overview of as I reflect at the end of the year. For now, these overviews- alongside my goal sections continue to be the workhorses behind capturing my “big picture” and making sure I’m progressing toward what’s most valuable to me.

Monthly Overview Sections

A month on two pages has always been my favorite layout. I customized each page to include a monthly brain dump that I referenced on a weekly basis. Super simple and functional for me.

Weekly Overviews I’ve Been Using

My week-to-week needs have changed significantly throughout the months. This is where the flexibility of the bullet journal was most supportive. Whatever my brain was processing that week, I quickly adapted and created a layout I’ve used in the past. I never focused on perfection of lines or overall aesthetic. I just counted up enough spaces for a weekly running list and columns or rows to accommodate each day of the week.

Often times I started at least one new project or idea that I wanted to expand on each month and I was able to quickly incorporate what that need was each month. Maybe it was drafting a new routine for my toddler or home or simply managing the details of a financial goal. My layouts ranged from a mainly horizontal weekly layouts, to suddenly needing a vertical layout for a loose version of time blocking, to suddenly wanting to track my habits on Notion or on my bullet journal. Overall I am loving how I can adapt each month and have the space to add in projects or random lists each month as I need them.

What’s Next:

Bujo References:

• Claudia Spaurel YT channel: 10 Minimalist Bullet Journal Spreads for Beginners and How to Start a Bullet Journal
• Simie Iriarte YT channel: Minimalist Bullet Journal Starter Package for Beginners
• The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll and YT video Plan for the New Year with a Bullet Journal