Bullet Journal Bliss vs Planner Peace
Everyone is searching for planner peace, but once you feel like you have it, everything changes and that same layout no longer works for you life. For me, the bullet journal stands out as a planner that bends and shifts with your life. It’s not just a way to stay organized—it’s a tool for creativity, mindfulness, and intentional living.
If you’ve ever felt limited by a traditional planner, you’re not alone. Many of you ask me why I use a bullet journal, and I'm about to tell you 6 reasons why I prefer to bullet journal right here.
1. Total Flexibility
Traditional planners follow one format—whether it works for your current season or not. Bullet journals, on the other hand, are COMPLETELY customizable.
- Busy week? Create a spacious weekly layout.
- Slow week? Put every day on one page.
- Feeling fun? Decorate with stickers, markers or paint!
- Feeling functional? Just use pen and highlighters.
- Need to plan a project? Set up a spread just for that in the middle of the month.
- Want to combine journaling and planning? You can do that too.
You can change your layout every week or month based on what you actually need—no wasted space or awkward templates where you only use half of the page.
2. A Creative Outlet
One of the most joyful parts of bullet journaling is how much room it gives me to be creative. I feel much more comfortable using any of my supplies in my bullet journal than I did in my planner.
Whether you're into hand lettering, stickers, washi tape, markers, paint, or minimal pen-and-ruler spreads, your journal becomes an artistic expression of you. It's a peaceful, satisfying way to unwind and make planning feel like play.
3. Mindful Productivity
Because you’re designing each page intentionally, bullet journaling slows you down just enough to help you think:
What matters to me today? What do I really need to track this week? Is this a month for a big project?
This mindfulness helps you plan in a way that aligns with your goals, not just your tasks. Plus, you're not tied to any particular layout. So, you can design a new page in the middle of the book as your life needs it.
4. Everything in One Place
No more juggling a planner, a notebook, a habit tracker, and sticky notes everywhere. With a bullet journal, you can keep:
- Your calendar
- To-do lists
- Brain dumps
- Grocery lists
- Mood trackers
- Journaling prompts
- Project notes
- Art Journaling
- Doodle Page
...all in one beautiful, organized notebook. Just add an index and number your pages, and you’ll always know where to find what you need.
You don't actually have to write each calendar and draw each layout either. I have boxes and pre-written calendars for you already. They are all actually hand drawn and handwritten. So, you can still get that "made with love" vibe with stickers, or head over to my YouTube channel for some drawing inspiration if you'd prefer to draw them yourself.
5. Room to Grow and Change
Life changes—your planning system should too.
With a bullet journal, you’re not locked into a layout until the end of the year. You get a fresh start every time you turn the page. That kind of adaptability makes bullet journaling especially great during seasons of transition or personal growth.
6. A Sense of Ownership
There’s something special about building a system from scratch. When you bullet journal, you're not just using a planner—you’re creating something that’s uniquely yours.
Over time, your journal becomes a reflection of your journey. It holds your ideas, your challenges, your dreams—and that kind of personal connection can make planning feel more rewarding and sustainable.
Final Thoughts
If traditional planners have ever left you feeling boxed in, bored, or behind, a bullet journal might be exactly what you need. It offers space for structure and spontaneity, goals and gratitude, planning and play.
Start with a blank notebook, a pen, and your imagination. Your perfect planner isn’t something you buy—it’s something you create, one intentional page at a time.
P.S. Want to get started but not sure how? I have easy layout ideas, doodle tutorials, and printable templates to help you begin your bullet journal journey—no artistic skills required! Just visit my YouTube channel for more creative fun.