A month ago I started two new things. One was this blog. And I am really loving it so far. The other was a bullet journal. If you don’t know much about them, take a peek at Pinterest or Instagram. Or go to http://bulletjournal.com/ where it all started. It is a planner, a journal, and a notebook all in one that you create in your own way, for your own use. I am loving it so far too.

“I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn”

-Anne Frank

When I was in my teens and early twenties, I wrote a lot. I wrote academic papers, letters (in the days before email),and I wrote for publication. And I was usually involved in something else creative. I took art classes, made scrapbooks, doodled on everything, and collected pens and paper and even rubber stamps. Then I somehow lost that side of me. My creativeness was put on the back burner for many years. I don’t know why. But since I have started this new journey, I feel so much happier and more myself.

I must admit that I have been very hit and miss in my life when it comes to keeping a journal. Maybe I just don’t have the discipline to write a page of something about myself every day. I am very good, however, and writing myself notes and lists. So the bullet journal is perfect for me because it combines all three things. It also has the added bonus of encouraging creativity.

“Have an attitude of gratitude” – Thomas S. Monson

One things I am keeping every day in my new journal is a gratitude log. At the end of my day, I go over the next days list and write down one thing that happened that day I am grateful for. Having an attitude of gratitude helps me stay focused on the good things in my life. I also include quotes or affirmations on my pages. This week’s is “There is always something to be thankful for.” A few weeks back it was “Interrupt anxiety with gratitude.”

Here is a list of a few of the things I have been grateful for since I started my bullet journal:

My daughter can drive herself to school and appointments-No more chauffeuring for me!

My kids have an awesome pediatrician

Had a really productive day, feels good to get things done

Date Night!

My dog was sick, but she’s much better now

My brother offered to help my daughter with something I couldn’t do for her

Found the right words at the right time

My migraine is gone

Started Instagram, already have likes

I recently added another item to my bullet journal. I had seen pages like it on Pinterest and decided to make one of my own. It’s a page about what makes me happy. This is the great thing about the bullet journal system. You can add pages about anything you want. I have lists of blog post ideas, a bucket list, and a dream job list in mine.

Jealousy comes from counting others’ blessing instead of our own

One way to kill happiness is to compare yourself to others. So I don’t compare my meager journal offerings with all the fantastic and amazing examples I see online. There are so many beautiful examples out there that I can borrow from, but I will never be exactly the same. I am content to do my own thing and I am really enjoying it.

If you want to know more about bullet journaling, contact me. You can check out one of the many sites that are dedicated to it Here are a few of my favorites: tinyrayofsunshine, littlecoffeefox and bohoberry. Or you can check out my Just Journals board on Pinterest to see some of my favorite ideas. The beauty of the bullet journal is that you can make it as simple or as complex and as plain or as decorated as you want.

Since this blog is about what makes us happy, I wanted to share this new thing. It has been really fun and inspiring for me.I’d love to hear about what makes you happy. Please share and comment below.