Bullet Journal as a Mental Health Tool with Lili @rainbowbulletjournal

Continuing the mental health vibe, I was immediately captured by Lili’s posts on the Bullet Journal Junkies Facebook group – it was such a thoughtful way to use bullet journaling as a way to manage and cultivate mental health.  I had to have her share her wisdom with the rest of us! 

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Hello!

I first learned about the Bullet Journal system in early 2016, when I saw the original video by Ryder Carroll. I started using it, and almost immediately found that I loved it as an organizational tool and as a therapeutic tool. Originally, I found drawing spreads and adding colors and the occasional doodle to be very soothing. As I continued with my journal, I further explored how I could make it my own and make it the most useful tool for me. After a fair amount of experimenting (which I continue to do to this day), I found that my bullet journal was most useful to me when it contained lists and reflections on mental health in addition to the future log, monthly, and weekly/ daily logs.

A lot of my life is spent looking at the world through a mental health lens. I experience Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depression, and I treat these conditions through medication, therapy, self-care, and mindfulness. One aspect of self-care that has always been useful to me is finding a creative outlet. Over the years, this has included jewelry making, knitting, and collaging. When I learned about the bullet journal system and how it can overlap with creativity, I found my niche in making pages that support my mental health and are as colorful as I want them to be. I love that when I look at my journal, it is full of colorful pages that help me structure and live my best life.

Supplies: Leuchtturm dot grid, Mildliner highlighters, Micron marker tip pen

How I Create the Pages

I find inspiration for my mental health pages from a wide variety of sources. I keep a lookout on social media (Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, etc.) and save pictures, lists, and articles that I think I may want to use in my journal. I also sometimes do more specific searches if I notice that I am struggling with a particular issue and want to help myself work through it. Additionally, I sometimes receive articles and educational materials from my doctors and therapists, and I frequently transfer the ones I strongly relate to. Lastly, many sweet friends, both from my offline life and who I’ve met through the bullet journal community, send me articles and links, which is always highly appreciated.

Once I find an article or list that I feel would be beneficial to me, I pick out my materials and transfer it over. Because I love rainbows, I almost always choose a rainbow color scheme, but whatever color scheme or other theme works great too. Depending on the length of the article, I sometimes add decoration such as drawings, stickers, or washi tape. These embellishments serve no practical purpose, but they do make me happy!

How My Bullet Journal Supports My Mental Health

Adding these mental health lists and articles actively supports my mental well being in two ways. First, when I copy the lists, I am actively reading and absorbing the content. These lists often include strategies I am trying to incorporate into my daily life, so taking the time to write them down helps me solidify my knowledge. I think of it as a very decorated way of taking notes.

Second, once I have these mental health lists in my journal, I can refer back to them whenever needed. Sometimes I read through older lists when I feel that I need a refresher. Sometimes I have high levels of anxiety, and reading these lists can help me work through those times. When I am in an anxious state, it can be hard to think straight and remember my coping strategies, so having them written down can be a great reminder during a difficult moment. I have shared some of these lists and my Instagram account with loved ones, and it has educated them on ways they can help me when I am upset. Additionally, because I have made the pages look exactly as I want them to (with copious amounts of rainbow colors!), just looking at the pages can also feel soothing to me. As a part of a larger system of mindfulness and treatment, my journal is a highly useful tool in keeping myself calm and grounded.

Supplies: Staedtler Fineliners

Tips

• Your bullet journal is for you, and only for you! Don’t be afraid to make it in exactly the way that makes you most happy. For me, this means a ridiculously bright rainbow color scheme, complete with Lisa Frank stickers. For you, this may mean a totally different thing- maybe you like to decorate with a different scheme, or maybe you prefer not to decorate it at all. Don’t worry about what is popular- do what YOU want to do. After all, you will be the one referencing the journal and actively using it as a tool.
• Don’t be afraid to make mistakes! I can be a perfectionist, but I have learned to let that go as much as I can. Sometimes the ink smudges or I draw a line in the wrong place. This can be frustrating, but I try to just work with it. Sometimes a well-placed sticker or washi tape accent can be useful for this. Other times, the mistake is there and I embrace it as best I can. I have made a promise to myself that I will not start over once I’ve started a page- I will still work through and love it, even if it is not perfect.
• Experiment! It took me close to a year to find the journal setup that I like best, and even now, I still frequently change little parts of it up. If you try something and don’t like it, that’s okay! You can learn from that experience and try something different the next time.
• Use your journal as one of many aspects of your self-care! For me, journaling is an awesome creative outlet that helps me stay calm and work on my mental health. I have a desk where I work on my journal, have colorful storage for my supplies, and watch shows on Netflix. This space and my journaling routine provide a comfortable space for completing my planning routine. I also use other self-care tools, including exercise, reading, spending time with loved ones, and getting out in nature. Your journal can be a wonderful tool, but it has to be one of many tools you use to help yourself.

Supplies: Kuretake Clean Color Real Brush Pens

Like this article? I write more about managing anxiety and self care, and Alec writes about his mental health in his bullet journal

Lili is a teacher and bullet journal enthusiast from Portland, OR. She hopes inspire others to use their journals in a way that helps them lead their best lives, physically and mentally. You can find her on Instagram @rainbowbulletjournal.