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How I Use My Bullet Journal Every Month

July 31, 2026 by Liz SanFilippo Hall Leave a Comment

I don’t remember when I started bullet journaling, but it was sometime after I had kids. My brain felt too chaotic, and I needed something more “personal” than a regular old planner. Now, it’s a regular part of my daily (and monthly) routine. 

But it isn’t Pinterest worthy (I write, even as I plan to share this on Pinterest). 

And it’s even simpler than it was when I wrote this post about How to Bullet Journal Work-at-Home-Mom Style. I literally have a single spread for my month, including the things I want to track, sections for my monthly goals, and a few lines for day-by-day documentation of the things I want to remember/document. I’ve also included some pages for “random thoughts/ideas” for each month. In ways, my bujo has become less of an organizational tool and more of a “remember this, please” tool. 

Some days, I include my shopping list. Other days, I include cute things my kids said. Other days, I just write three things I’m grateful for. It continues to morph and change, just like any good journal page. But I always, always, ALWAYS, include my goals, because I like having something to work toward. 

Is this the “right” way to bullet journal? Considering that bullet journaling has long been promoted as a way to “transform the way you work, think, feel and live, one page at a time,” according to the official Bulletjournal.com site… you can do whatever the heck you want. 

For me, I’m sharing this now because it’s the end of July, and I’m looking forward to August… what I think I can reasonably accomplish and when. I’m thinking through my goals. This is my monthly reflection time. Will I do it in one sitting? Probably not, especially because my kids are home today, and my flow has been a bit scattered, with one child who keeps negotiating for screen time and the other wants help packing for our next Michigan trip. But like with bullet journaling and the flexibility it brings, I can do this “reflection” and goal setting in bits and pieces. 

Simple bullet journal spread and tracker
My version of a super simple bullet journal tracker.

Affiliate links included. 

The other tools I use to keep myself “organized” (because my method of organization probably looks pretty dang messy to some):

  • Google Calendar – I’m a huge fan of time blocking, but it 100% works better when the kids are in school.
  • My lunar planner – I’m all about respecting and honoring our cycles. A lot of my biz development work goes into this particular planner from Sisters Enchanted. 
  • My journals from Peter Pauper – I use this mainly as my bullet journals, because their 7-¼” x 9” journals are the perfect size and oh so pretty. 

Do you bullet journal? Do you WANT to try your hand at it? I’d love to hear from you. 

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Filed Under: Journaling, Personal Development, Work From Home Tagged With: bullet journal, busy moms, creativity, goals, inspiration, journal, organization, personal development, productivity, task list

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authorlizsanfilippohall

Multi-genre author. 📚BECOMING CHARLOTTE CORDAY, a YA historical fantasy coming 4/27/2027 from Apprentice House Press

When I decided to close to manuscript evaluations When I decided to close to manuscript evaluations and take time off from my freelance work this month, I thought it meant I’d be less busy. HAH. I mean, in ways, I have been. Especially with the kids home and vacations planned, I really did take time off for myself. I played more. Drew more. Created more things. Handwrote instead of typed. But it felt like I rediscovered a new way of “working” that, to be honest, I really enjoy. I don’t know how that’ll change when school starts for the kids in a few weeks, but we shall see!So here’s my July recap of what I’ve been up to:🌸 Started a Summer Writing Momentum Workshop series - because I truly believe we can find ways to fit writing into our hectic lives🌸 Wrapped up some ghostwriting projects with topics that included brand management, comedy, and dentistry for underserved populations🌸 Completed a manuscript evaluation and developmental edit for a super-fun YA gothic mystery.🌸 Created a free guided journaling resource for the National Working Motherhood hub (more about this coming soon!)🌸 Pivoted my Oops and Daisies blog to become more like an old-school blog full of my random thoughts and musings🌸 Continued to post weekly to my Substack about the writing life, Where Daisies Grow🌸 Opened up registration for my latest set of online and in-person writing workshops. This time around, they’re a combination of reflective writing (because it’s so important to connect to our ‘why’), and craft lessons.🌸 Handwrote the first draft of a forthcoming ebook about giving yourself permission to follow what calls to you; this will be released soon!🌸 Kept working on final edits of my forthcoming YA historical fantasy🌸Joined Jenni Gritters’ Water Council, and I’m so excited to dive in, pun intended. This incredible group of women is already inspiring me with their approach to building their lives and businesses, and we’ve only met once so far!August includes more time in Michigan for me — where the ideas always flow — and then a new routine as the kids head back to school. #WhatImCreating #Ghostwriting #Journaling #Blog
I’m trying something new... and something that a I’m trying something new... and something that all the “gurus” tell you not to do: I’m turning my blog into what blogs used to be. It will no longer be overly polished or put together. It will stop focusing on SEO. And it will be so much more vulnerable. More about why I’m making this latest pivot over on the blog, naturally. Www.OopsAndDaisies.com#WritingExperiment #AuthorsOfInsta
I laughed, I cried. This book was everything I nee I laughed, I cried. This book was everything I needed and more. Author @alison.espach took something heartbreaking and turned it into something beautiful about how we can embrace who we are. That’s all I’ll say so I don’t give anything away. But you know I can’t help but share a good quote (and there were so many!):“And it was perfect. It really was. But life is strange, always thinking this one thing is going to make you happy, because then you get it, and then maybe you’re not as happy as you imagined you would be, because every day is still just every day.” #AmReading #WomensFiction #5StarRead #BookRecommendation
My deadlines for two projects are approaching… My deadlines for two projects are approaching…But I also need to remind myself that time to create, play, and doodle is important, too. It’s what my family and I have decided is “productive rest.”#AmEditing #HistoricalFantasy #MyPlanner #Creativity
What filled my cup this week…. The views, waves, What filled my cup this week…. The views, waves, games, ice cream, writing… but mostly, time with my family.#SelfCare #Travel #Vacation #PureMichigan
Maybe I should have taken more photos… but once Maybe I should have taken more photos… but once we got to a certain point in the 1,000 piece puzzle it became WAY easier. For me, writing is the same way. Once you start seeing the pieces come together, it starts to feel familiar, and the end is there before you know it. To me, writing is just like putting together a puzzle. #MomLife #CreativeWriting #PuzzleAddict #LakeMichiganLife
When I don’t know what to write (or think for th When I don’t know what to write (or think for that matter)… I try journaling about it. So this week’s Substack, written while looking out over Lake Michigan, looks a little different. I’d love to hear what you think. #JournalWriting #AmDayDreaming #PureMichigan
While I’ve been up in Michigan, I’ve been thin While I’ve been up in Michigan, I’ve been thinking about all the different kinds of writing there are, and how energized I feel when I talk about writing with others. So, without further ado, here is the schedule for my next set of VIRTUAL writing workshops! August 26: Postcards and letters - reflective writing with letters we’ll never sendSeptember 16: Sensory writing - embrace the senses to amp up your writingOctober 14: Haunting flash fiction - seasonal and fun flash fictionNovember 18: Family Stories - journaling and oral historyDecember 9: Year in Review, Year Ahead - closing reflections and intentions. All classes include a writing lesson/craft discussion plus time for writing (and feedback on your writing if you want it). They will also be available individually later, if all 25 spots don’t fill up, but I’m giving first dibs to the people who want all 5!Link in my bio and story. #WritingWorkshop #CreativeWriting #FlashFiction
I suppose this is a good problem to have. 🤣🤣 I suppose this is a good problem to have. 🤣🤣🤣#AmWriting #HistoricalFiction #PureMichigan
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