New notebook!
I’ve only got a few pages left in the journal I’m currently using, so I bought a new notebook and the opportunity for organization is making me very excited! (Man, I’m a nerd.)
I love setting up a new journal. There’s something calming about filling the blank pages with my new ideas and plans.
I like to incorporate my PhD plans into my journals. I’ve included a Gantt chart and the publications I’m working on in the beginning of my journal to help me keep track of my progress.
Some things to consider when setting up a new journal:
I'm trying to incorporate goal setting into this journal. My top goals include getting through my PhD, paying off my student loans, and managing my stress level, so I've dedicated a few pages to helping me do that. Hopefully it works!
- Plan before you write – Think about what you really want in the journal. What’s the purpose of each page? What makes the most sense to your brain? What will be easiest for you to use? Don’t feel like you have to imitate typical calendars and day planners. There are tons of inspirational journals on the internet: from minimalist designs to creative and colorful spreads. Figure out what is most useful to you. But keep in mind…
- It’s not going to be perfect – Mistakes happen. Words get misspelled. Straight lines start to curve. Smudges appear. It’s okay. As much as I want my journal to be perfect and pristine, it’s more important that it’s practical and usable. If I’m worried about messing up my journal every time that I open it, at some point, I’ll just stop writing in it. Instead, I fix the mistakes I can, accept the ones I can’t, and look for opportunities to turn mistakes into something unique. Pen slipped a bit near the corner of page? Now it’s a doodle of a cat. Brilliant.
- Be open to change – What works for me and my schedule when I first set up a new journal is rarely what works for me by the time I get to the end of the journal. Likewise, what works for me this week, may not be useful next week. If I know I have a busy week coming up, I’ll give myself some extra space on my to-do list. If I’m going to be on vacation, I don’t need as much space for my to-do list, so I’ll condense it (and leave lots of room for doodling). If I see something I like on Pinterest or Instagram, I’ll give it a try. Nothing is set in stone. My goal is to incorporate the things that work well for me even if they weren’t part of my original plan.
