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Home » Find Your Happy » Journal Prompts & Ideas

Word of the Year Ideas

December 27, 2022 2 Comments

Word of the Year Ideas Featured Image | ChocolateMusings.com
200+ Word of the year ideas to inspire and motivate you | ChocolateMusings.com #wordoftheyear #wty #words #motivation

In this post, you’ll find 200+ Word of the Year Ideas to help ignite your motivation, live intentionally, and set a course for success for the coming year.

Do you set a word or phrase of the year? I never bought into it until I started using a bullet journal and started writing and recording my goals. Once I started recording my goals and tasks and started seeing the bigger picture for my life, it was almost natural to gravitate towards a word of the year.

After all, if Merriam-Webster can choose a word of the year, so can you. By the way, you can always shorten ‘word of the year’ to WOTY or WotY. You might find some interesting hashtags on Instagram, although you might find some inspiring women of the year posts instead.

Originally posted in 2019, revised in 2022.

Table of contents

  • Choose a Word of the Year
  • How to Choose
  • Word of the Year Ideas Words Starting With the Letter A, B, C & D
  • Word of the Year Ideas – E – F – G
  • Word of the Year Ideas H – I – J – K
  • Word of the Year Ideas – L – M – N – O – P – Q
  • Word of the Year Ideas – R – S- T – U – V- W – X – Y – Z
  • Ideas for Displaying Your Word of the Year
  • Once You’ve Chosen Your Word
200+ Word of the year ideas - to get you motivated, focused & ready for the new year | ChocolateMusings.com

Choose a Word of the Year

For those skeptics or who don’t know where to start, I created a list of 200+ potential candidates for your word of the year (Updated & Refreshed November 2022!). This is not a comprehensive list by any means. Instead, it’s a place to start compiling Word of the Year Ideas.

In November 2021, I updated the list to include words like accept, ask, and bold. I also included words like ‘show up,’ which is what I decided to use for my word(s) of the year in 2022.

How to Choose

Read through the list and notate which one(s) jump out to you. Then think about what you want to accomplish next year and choose a word to help you along the way.

If the word doesn’t quite fit, use a variation of the word to make it fit you and your aspirations.

Instead of Word of the Year – Choose Words of the Month or Quarter

If you can’t seem to choose a word of the year, another idea is to choose a word of the quarter or a word of the month. Choose your focus and then strive to follow that focus for that time. Coordinate your goals and habits to correspond with your word of the year/month/quarter.

Maybe you’ve read the 12-Week Year or work month-to-month on projects; if this is the case, you might choose to set a new word of the year every quarter or even choose a word of the month. Do what feels best for you. After all, your word of the year (or month or quarter) should benefit you, not hinder your progress.

Whatever you do, be sure to revisit your goals every once in a while and assess your progress. Often it’s not just a steady progression. Little corrections throughout the month, week, or day help you stay on track.

Word of the Year Ideas
Words Starting With the Letter A, B, C & D

Align your aspirations, be authentic, act and aspire. Whatever your word of the year is, here are 200+ ideas for you to find your focus. Be sure to pin some images so you can come back year after year to choose a new word.

Find your Clarity! Create consistent content, or just find the courage to choose your course for the year. Distinguish this year and dedicate your efforts by defining your word. Discover your potential and get things done through diligent work and dedication. Declare this year your own.

How can you fit your word of the year into a sentence to motivate & inspire you throughout the coming months?

Word of the year Ideas starting with the letter A- Find 200+ word of the year ideas | ChocolateMusings.com
Bold & Beautiful Word of the year Ideas starting with the letter B- Find 200+ word of the year ideas | ChocolateMusings.com
Find your Clarity! Create Consistent Content or just find the Courage to Choose your word of the year - find 200+ Ideas | ChocolateMusings.com
Distinguish this year by choosing your word - find 200+ ideas | ChocolateMusings.com
  • Accept
  • Acclaimed
  • Accomplish
  • Act
  • Admirable
  • Adventure
  • Align
  • All
  • All In
  • Always
  • Appreciate
  • Approve
  • Ask
  • Aspire
  • Attention
  • Authentic
  • Balance
  • Be
  • Beam
  • Beautiful
  • Beauty
  • Before
  • Behold
  • Believe
  • Better
  • Bliss
  • Bloom
  • Bold
  • Brave
  • Breathe
  • Brilliant
  • Bubbly
  • Build
  • Calm
  • Capable
  • Care
  • Carefree
  • Careful
  • Caring
  • Celebrate
  • Challenge
  • Champion
  • Change
  • Charming
  • Choice
  • Choose
  • Clarity
  • Class
  • Classic
  • Classy
  • Commendable
  • Commit
  • Complete
  • Confidence
  • Connect
  • Conquer
  • Content
  • Consistent
  • Constant
  • Contribute
  • Courage
  • Create
  • Cultivate
  • Dance
  • Dare
  • Dazzle
  • Decide
  • Declare
  • Dedication
  • Deepen
  • Define
  • Delightful
  • Dependable
  • Determination
  • Devotion
  • Diligent
  • Discover
  • Distinguished
  • Dive
  • Divine
  • Do
  • Done
  • Dream

Word of the Year Ideas – E – F – G

Get energized and embody efficiency with effective and elegant methods. Enlighten yourself and explore ways to excel. Choose your word of the year (200+ words to embody) | ChocolateMusings.com
FOCUS is that your word of the year? Choose from 200+ fantastic options that fit your goals so you can follow through and flourish | ChocolateMusings.com
Gather your thoughts, give time to set your goals, show some gratitude and GO achieve those good things you seek. Set your word of the year and find motivation - Find 200+ Words of the Year Ideas perfect for your aspirations. | ChocolateMusings.com
  • Earnest
  • Effective
  • Efficient
  • Elegant
  • Elevate
  • Embody
  • Embrace
  • Emerge
  • Empathy
  • Empower
  • Energized
  • Enlighten
  • Enough
  • Envision
  • Excel
  • Excellent
  • Excellence
  • Exhale
  • Experience
  • Explore
  • Fabulous
  • Fair
  • Faith
  • Familiar
  • Family
  • Fantastic
  • Favorable
  • Fearless
  • Find
  • Fit
  • Fitting
  • Flexible
  • Flourish
  • Flourishing
  • Fly
  • Focus
  • Follow-through
  • Forgive
  • Form
  • Forward
  • Foster
  • Fortunate
  • Fortune
  • Free
  • Freedom
  • Friends
  • Fun
  • Gather
  • Gift
  • Give
  • Glamorous
  • Glow
  • Go
  • Goals
  • God
  • Good
  • Grace
  • Grant
  • Gratitude
  • Grounded
  • Grow
  • Gumption
  • Guts

Word of the Year Ideas H – I – J – K

Word of the year ideas starting with H-K -Honor yourself, create new habits, generate ideas that illuminate your journey. Find joy and hope, be inspired! Choose your word of the year - find 200+ ideas to help you achieve the things you want to do. | ChocolateMusings.com
  • Habit
  • Happiness
  • Happy
  • Heal
  • Healthy
  • Heart
  • Heavenly
  • Help
  • Holy
  • Honor
  • Hope
  • Horizon
  • Humility
  • Idea
  • Illuminate
  • Imagine
  • Immerse
  • Impressive
  • Improve
  • Independent
  • Innovative
  • Inspire
  • Instruct
  • Intention
  • Intuition
  • Journey
  • Joy
  • Jubilant
  • Kind
  • Kindred
  • Kindle

Word of the Year Ideas – L – M – N – O – P – Q

Listen to your inner thoughts, be mindful of your purpose, master a talent, pursue the moments and goals that make your heart sing. Choose a word of the year to help you excel in your personal and professional life. Find 200+ words of the year ideas | ChocolateMusings.com
Create quality, profound goals, that will guide you through the year, put in one hundred percent. Choose your word of the year and make progress. Find 200+ word of the year ideas | ChocolateMusings.com
  • Laugh
  • Lead
  • Learn
  • Legacy
  • Lemonade
  • Less
  • Life
  • Lift
  • Limitless
  • Live
  • Listen
  • Look
  • Love
  • Lovely
  • Make
  • Master
  • Masterful
  • Meaning
  • Merciful
  • Mighty
  • Mindful
  • Moment
  • More
  • Motivated
  • Natural
  • No
  • One
  • One Hundred Percent
  • Open
  • Optimistic
  • Organize
  • Paradise
  • Patience
  • Pause
  • Peace
  • Persist
  • Pilot
  • Pivot
  • Pleasant
  • Please
  • Plentiful
  • Positive
  • Positivity
  • Powerful
  • Present
  • Productive
  • Profound
  • Progress
  • Prosper
  • Pure
  • Purpose
  • Quality
  • Quiet

Word of the Year Ideas – R – S- T – U – V- W – X – Y – Z

Ready for a restart? Rise and Renew - reset your efforts by choosing a word of the year. Reflect on what you want to accomplish and show resilience in the year to come. Find 200+ word of the year ideas | ChocolateMusings.com
Show up every day, seek and share your talents. Be strong and steady. Shine, create space. Whatever your word of the year is, I'm sure you'll find success in your efforts. Find your word of the year - get 200 + ideas to motivate you | ChocolateMusings.com
Seeking your word of the year? Find something upbeat and will transform you throughout the year. Try new things, create wonder, be thankful. Whatever your word of the year is - I hope you thrive. Find 200+ word of the year ideas to enhance your vision and to send good vibes throughout the year. | ChocolateMusings.com
  • Ready
  • Reason
  • Reassure
  • Reflect
  • Refresh
  • Regenerate
  • Reliable
  • Renew
  • Return
  • Reset
  • Resilience
  • Respect
  • Rest
  • Restart
  • Restore
  • Rewarding
  • Right
  • Rise
  • Rock
  • Safe
  • Secure
  • See
  • Seek
  • Self
  • Self-Care
  • Serenity
  • Serve
  • Share
  • Shift
  • Shine
  • Show Up
  • Sing
  • Skill
  • Slow
  • Smile
  • Soul
  • Space
  • Sparkle
  • Special
  • Stay
  • Steadfast
  • Steady
  • Strength
  • Strive
  • Strong
  • Success
  • Sunny
  • Sunrise
  • Supply
  • Support
  • Sustain
  • Test
  • Thankful
  • Think
  • Timely
  • Thorough
  • Thrilling
  • Thrive
  • Tranquil
  • Transform
  • Transformation
  • Travel
  • Treasure
  • True
  • Trust
  • Truth
  • Try
  • Unconditional
  • Upbeat
  • Update
  • Uplift
  • Value
  • Vibe
  • Victory
  • Vision
  • Vivacious
  • Voice
  • Welcome
  • Win
  • Wise
  • Whole
  • Willing
  • Write
  • Wonder
  • Work
  • Wow
  • Yes!
  • Zeal
  • Zest

Ideas for Displaying Your Word of the Year

Here are a few ideas to display your word of the year – as a reminder daily for motivation to keep plugging along at your goals.

Write your word on a sticky note and attach it to your mirror. This is a great place for daily reminders for any affirmations you want to repeat to yourself and a perfect place for your word of the year. You could create a framed reference of your word or phrase near a light switch or place an index card on your car’s dashboard.

Since my bullet journal is probably my most used object, I added my word of the year to the cover as a constant reminder of what I wanted to accomplish. So as a way for you to see your word of the year regularly, pay attention to what you use consistently and add your phrase or word near that object.

I advise placing your word in strategic locations around your house so you will see the word, and it can act as a reminder of the goals you want to accomplish. I’d love to hear your ideas and strategies for keeping your word of the year top of mind.

I added my word of the year - consistency - to the cover of my bullet journal | ChocolateMusings.com

Once You’ve Chosen Your Word

What do you do now that you’ve chosen a word of the year? Write it down! Post it up so you can see it every day. Think about how it makes you feel and what you want to accomplish. After you write the word, create a planner spread or list of things you want to do throughout the year.

Whatever you do, make sure you see that word regularly so you’re reminded of your motivation.

Schedule time to review your progress and adjust your everyday living to align yourself with your goals. I’ll add a note to review my goals on a specific date or in my future log on a particular month so I don’t forget.

At the end of the year, be sure to jot down what you did, how you did it, and pointers for improvement. I’m sure as a result of your persistence and subtle reminders. You’ll see a difference.

Looking for More Inspiration?

Quotes are and forever will be among my favorite things in this world. So I will strive to share more with you. View my list of quote-related blog posts.

200+ Word of the year ideas - to get you motivated, focused & ready for the new year | ChocolateMusings.com

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Filed Under: Blog, Find Your Happy, Get Inspired, Get Organized & Start Planning, Journal Prompts & Ideas, Quotes & Words to Inspire, Start Planning Here, Words of the Year Tagged: finding inspiration, ideas, inspiration, motivation, word of the year, word of the year ideas, wty

What is a Brain Dump Page?

March 1, 2022 Leave a Comment

What is a brain dump page in a bullet journal? Forget the bullet journal. What is a brain dump? I’ll review what it is and how to use it in the post below. I started using this method of clearing my head in high school. Especially when trying to sleep, all the thoughts keep running through my head. But I also love mining for treasures. Many good ideas are running through my head, and I create something more significant when cultivated.

What is a brain dump page? | ChocolateMusings.com

Table of contents

  • What is a Brain Dump Page?
  • Is it the Same as Brainstorm?
  • When to Do a Brain Dump
  • How I Get Rid of All Those Thoughts When I Can’t Sleep
    • When Thoughts Repeat
  • How I Use A Brain Dump During the Day
  • After the Pen
  • Ways to Review
  • Do I Have to Call it a Brain Dump?
  • Do You Use a Brain Dump in your Bullet Journal or Planner?

What is a Brain Dump Page?

In simple form, a brain dump page is commonplace to collect stray thoughts, worries, plans, ideas, etc., that don’t fit into any one category. I use a dedicated page in my bullet journal to compile my thoughts throughout the month.

Different names for brain dump: This Month it's an Idea Bush - Keeping with my leaves theme, but I love the lightbulb bursting with leafy ideas. Bullet journal spreads & Ideas | ChocolateMusings.com
Brain Dump Floral Wreath - Don't get boxed in - grow your way out Bullet Journal Spread | ChocolateMusings.com #bujo #bulletjournal #braindump
Alternate names for brain dump - Shadowy Thoughts & Reflections | ChocolateMusings.com #bulletjournal #braindump
Brain dump alternate name: Delectable Ideas | ChocolateMusings.com #braindump #creative #watercolor
Space-Themed Bullet Journal Braind Dump Page "Out of this World Thoughts" | ChocolateMusings.com #space #braindump
Yellow Airplane with Cloud Text Brain Dump Page | ChocolateMusings.com #bulletjournal #braindump #headerideas
Bullet Journal Ideas: Idea Tree Instead of Brain Dump | ChocolateMusings.com #braindump #bulletjournal #ideas

Is it the Same as Brainstorm?

Brain Dump vs Brain Storm | ChocolateMusings.com

It’s different from a brainstorming because a brainstorm is when you think of a specific idea and expand on it, coming up with more similar concepts in the same vein of thinking. You could create a brainstorming page based on the ideas from your brain dump page or a unique brainstorming page to branch out different ideas. A brain dump is when you have ideas without a home and need to get them out of your head, remember them, or keep them for a later brainstorming session.

When to Do a Brain Dump

Any time is a good time to record thoughts from your head. Especially if they’re distracting you from doing other tasks. Here are some suggestions:

  • When you have a recurring thought or problem
  • When you have an idea but are in the middle of another task, jot it down quickly and return to it so you don’t forget it.
  • If you need to remember a sequence of events.
  • If you’re having trouble sleeping.
  • Before a planning session or starting a project to help clear your mind and focus.
  • Any time you are having trouble focusing.
Floral Doodles Bullet Journal Theme - Brain Dump Page | ChocolateMusings.com #floral #doodles #bulletjournal #braindump

How I Get Rid of All Those Thoughts When I Can’t Sleep

Taking the advice of a psychology course, I decided to keep a pen and paper by my bed. When my thoughts started running wild, I write down every single idea that came into my head, no matter what. Most of the time, these thoughts are silly or have no direction, but I record them anyway.

When Thoughts Repeat

Sometimes at night, when trying to clear my head, my mind would start repeating itself after a few minutes of writing. “Nope! I tell myself. I’ve got that thought here!” Then point to the place where I wrote down the incoming thought. Surprisingly, my mind moves on to the next idea. Soon all those thoughts running wild, keeping me up at night, calmed, and with a clear mind, I ease into sleep.

How I Use A Brain Dump During the Day

I also use my brain dump page to quickly jot down a stray thought while in the middle of another activity or task. It’s a great place to keep random ideas together, then quickly review them.

After the Pen

Reviewing your brain dump can provide some truly amazing ideas and insights when you might otherwise forget them.

Most of the time, however, I don’t review the recorded thoughts that keep me awake at night. I find that they are just worries or nonsense. Yet, I have found a few gems hiding in the dark of the night.

But it’s usually the brain dumps during the day, those stray, distracting thoughts begging for more attention and the real nuggets of awesome. These little gems start as a diamond in the rough. Time will tell if they become that bright, shiny treasure.

Ways to Review

Here are a few ways to review your brain dump. Use your journaling/planning time at night or in the morning when you have a few quiet moments to dedicate to your thoughts.

  • Grab a highlighter (this would be a great place to use your Zebra Fine Liners). You can dedicate a color to group different types of thoughts together. Such as:
    • Family
    • Home
    • Kids
    • Business Ideas
    • Things to Do etc.
  • Review the thoughts you wrote down, and highlight anything that might grow to a bigger idea. (Remember, these are just seedlings – so the plan can develop if you let it).
  • Write down ideas you want to cultivate on another page or a dedicated column. (Think of it like weeding out the weeds and keeping only the right seeds to plant).
  • If you have time, brainstorm or write down more ideas associated with the excellent concepts you highlighted to further flesh out the idea. (Then make it into a mini-mind map or an idea tree).
  • If you don’t have time to develop the idea, schedule a time to review your highlighted concepts and return to it.
  • Start each big idea on a dedicated page or keep them in a collection of like ideas.
  • Add any time-sensitive items to your to-do list or schedule.

Hint: create a page in your bullet journal or planner and take some notes – write down what you can do to use a brain dump. That way, it will be easier to start doing when you need to extract your thoughts from your head.

Pro Tip: Create a cute header for your notes page (here’s a header idea below!). Whenever I create a cute header for a page in my bullet journal, I find & refer to that page more often.

Do I Have to Call it a Brain Dump?

I see so many people who don’t like the name ‘brain dump.’ And if you’re one of them, the answer is no. You don’t have to call it a brain dump. In fact, I came up with 150+ different names for brain dump. So you can choose your alternative name for a brain dump. The pictures above all feature brain dump pages; each one is named something else.

I switch the name every month and create a brain dump page to suit my monthly theme.

Do You Use a Brain Dump in your Bullet Journal or Planner?

If you use a brain dump in your bullet journal or planner, when do you use it and review it? Do you use one at night? I’d love to know in the comments below. I’d also love to know what you call your brain dump page or use any alternate names to describe your brain dump page.

Find out When and How to use a Brain Dump Page + tips and tricks & times to review | ChocolateMusings.com
What is a brain dump? And how can you use it in your bullet journal to help clear your mind | ChocolateMusings.com
  • 150+ Different Names for a Brain Dump
  • Random Thoughts and Great Ideas Collection | Bullet Journal Brain Dump
  • Planet Themed Bullet Journal Set Up
  • Pirate Theme February 2019 Planner Preview
  • Easy Watercolor Wash Background – Plan With Me

No Matter Which Notebook I use – You’ll Always Find These Supplies Close at Hand

Leave a Comment
Filed Under: Alternate Brain Dump Ideas, Blog, Bullet Journal, Collections, Find Your Happy, Get Organized & Start Planning, Journal Prompts & Ideas, Start Planning Here Tagged: brain dump, brain dump alternatives, start journaling, start writing

150+ Different Names for a Brain Dump

February 15, 2022 4 Comments

Synonyms for Brain Dump - find 150+ alternate names | ChocolateMusings.com #braindump #collections #bulletjournal

I don’t mind the term ‘brain dump,’ but I know many people don’t like it. Which got me thinking – what are some different names for a brain dump?

I use different names for brain dump all the time each month (or quarter) I tend to include some sort of thought-catching page. Though I didn’t realize it, I’ve done this in my bullet journal from the very beginning. I have to confess that since coming up with this list of alternate names for brain dump, I rarely title the page ‘brain dump.’

Here are some alternate names for a brain dump. I’d love to know what you call your recorded thoughts! Leave a comment below on what you call your ‘brain dumping ground’ page.

Edited – Originally Posted 05/09/2019

Need a different name for brain dump? I've organized 150+ alternate names for brain dump - perfect for your bullet journal or planner | ChocolateMusings.com

Table of contents

  • First of All – What is a Brain Dump?
  • Alternate Names for Brain Dump
    • General
    • If You Feel Like the Thoughts are Neverending or Your Brain is Whining
    • Creative Names for Brain Dump
    • Idea Generation
    • Lightbulb
    • Gold / Pirates / Treasure
    • Travel
    • Weather
    • Zen
    • Dark
    • Animal / Bees
    • Creepy Crawly / Halloween Brain Dump Alternatives
    • Harry Potter
    • Beach / Water
    • Plants
    • Food Related Names for Brain Dump
    • Science
    • Space
    • Money
    • Cartoon / Book / Quote
    • Games
    • Gray Matter / Brain Anatomy
    • Close to the Name “Brain Dump” but Just Different Enough…
What is a brain dump? And all things brain dump + 150 different names for brain dump | ChocolateMusings.com

First of All – What is a Brain Dump?

If you’ve never heard of or done a brain dump, it sounds weird. In my experience, you can do brain dumps in several ways. One way to think of it is downloading your thoughts from your head to paper or electronically so you can categorize them and organize them. Once you’ve written down everything flying around your head now you can sort through the information and ‘mine the diamonds in the rough.’ Meaning to pick out the good things and pursue them.

Another way to brain dump is to focus only on one topic and write about it. Though concentrating on one topic might be more brainstorming instead of brain dumping.

For a more in-depth explanation about brain dumps – check out this post.

Alternate Names for Brain Dump - Header | ChocolateMusings.com

Alternate Names for Brain Dump

Need a brain dump synonym? Though I’m 100% positive that this list is not exhaustive, it’s a good start. I’d love to hear your ideas – if you have a different name for a brain dump, leave me a comment below.

What names have you seen or brain dump page names you’ve used. I’d like to see your creations, too if you’re inspired by these different names for brain dump – tag me on Instagram @ChocolateMusingsCreates.

General

  • A to Z (a little doodle of Amazon’s arrow logo might be fun for this brain dump page)
  • All the Things
  • All the Things in My Head
  • Hello Thoughts
  • Jots & Tittles
  • Landing Page
  • Let me Sleep (this brain dump name is perfect if your thoughts keep you up at night)
  • Meeting of my Mind
  • Mind Tricks (Magic tricks come to my mind with this alternate brain dump name)
  • Mind Unzipped (wouldn’t this be a fun illustration?)
  • Mindless Wanderings
  • More than Just Shower Thoughts
  • Musings
  • Musings & Mutterings
  • Recorded Thoughts (this brain dump alternate reminds me of an 80’s tape deck)
  • Sandbox
  • Shower Thoughts
  • These are Mine
  • These Thoughts
  • Thinking
  • Those aren’t voices; they’re my thoughts speaking to me
  • Thoughtful Things
  • Thoughts – Everybody has Them
  • Thoughts Anonymous
  • Wander through My Wonderings
  • Wonderings
  • Write it Down! If you’re like me – you might need an instruction to write it all down instead of trying to remember the details. Sometimes you just need to a reminder to write it all down.

If You Feel Like the Thoughts are Neverending or Your Brain is Whining

My brain usually does this when I’m trying to sleep. I keep a notebook and pen beside my bed and just write things down. Here’s a little secret – I don’t even turn on the light when these thoughts keep me up. So you can imagine the mess on the page when I try to re-read what I wrote. And in all honesty, these thoughts are rarely worth keeping since they are more worries or things I already know.

  • Don’t Judge My Thoughts
  • My 2-Year old and My Brain are alike – They Both Whine (of course you can substitute for any age that whines at you, 16 year olds, 12-year olds, 47-year olds. Whatever you need to compare it to)
  • My Brain is Whining Again
  • Anti-Meditating
  • Anything Goes
  • Free Your Mind
  • Get it all out
  • I’m trying to Quit…Thinking
  • Information Relay
  • Inner Monologue
  • Internal Broadcast
  • Brain Exclamations
  • Nonsense
  • Where Did That Come From?
  • Odds & Ends
  • Peculiarities
  • Random Thoughts
  • Straight out of the Brain
  • Stream of Consciousness
  • Stuff

Creative Names for Brain Dump

I don’t know about you, but sometimes the creative ideas just flow. There were literally times where I sat down and wrote an entire year’s creativity-based ideas in about 10 minutes. So naturally, I like to title these creative bursts appropriately so I can let my creative juices flow. Now, there are a lot of ways to illustrate each of these ideas.

  • Creative Juices
  • Crafting my Awesome
  • Creative Muse
  • Creative Space

Idea Generation

If you use your brain dump as a brainstorm page as well, you might need a page focused more on idea generation. Here are a few names for brain dump which focus on generating ideas. If you’re digging for treasure (in your thoughts, of course) look through the treasure/pirate section as well!

  • Fabulous Finds
  • Idea box
  • Idea Log/Journal
  • Think Outside the Idea Box

Lightbulb

  • Light bulb factory
  • Light switch
  • The Lights are On

Gold / Pirates / Treasure

  • Nuggets
  • Brain Nuggets
  • Thought Nuggets
  • Nuggets of Awesome
  • Pot of Gold
  • Thoughts of Gold
  • Gilded Thoughts
  • X Marks the Thought
  • Pirate Map
  • Mind Map / Mind Mapping (make it look like a treasure map)
  • Treasure Trove
  • Diamonds in the Rough
  • Diamonds and Coal
  • Treasure at the end of the rainbow
Pirate theme Treasure Map Brain Dump | @ChocolateMusingsCreates ChocolateMusings.com #pirate #bulletjournal #bujo

Travel

  • Train of Thought
  • Flying Through my Thoughts
  • Zoom
  • Zooming Thoughts

Weather

  • Brainstorming
  • BrainStorm
  • Down Pour
  • Lightning Strikes
  • Winter Thoughts
  • Spring Thoughts
  • Summer Thoughts
  • Fall Thoughts
  • These Thoughts Keep Falling
  • Thoughts Keep Springing Up
  • Thought Tornado
  • Snowflake Thoughts (because each one is unique!)
  • Stormy Thoughts

Zen

  • My Tangle of Zen
  • Too Tangled to Zen

Dark

  • Don’t Go There
  • Dark and Dreary
  • Dark and Dreary Wilderness
  • Mind-field
  • Fettered Mind
  • Unfettered
  • Do Not Enter (Police Tape Theme)
  • Outer Darkness
  • Brain Limbo
  • Shadowy Thoughts & Reflections

Animal / Bees

  • Barrel of Insights
  • Barrel of Thoughts
  • Buzzing Thoughts
  • Fluttering Thoughts
  • Idea Farm
  • Idea Keeper (like a beekeeper)
  • Untamed Thoughts
  • Wild and Untamed
  • Wild Thoughts Can’t Be Tamed
idea keeping is like bee keepeing

Creepy Crawly / Halloween Brain Dump Alternatives

  • Brewing Thoughts
  • Haunted House of Thoughts
  • Monsters in My Head
  • Spider’s Lair
  • Spooky Thoughts
  • Tangled Thoughts
  • Tangled Web of Thoughts
  • What’s Brewing

Harry Potter

Harry Potter themes provide a treasure-trove of different names for brain dump. Some of my favorites (so far) are:

  • Catch the Golden Snitch
  • Chamber of Secrets
  • Chamber of Thoughts
  • Fantastical Thoughts and Where to Find Them
  • Horcrux
  • I Think I Need Another Butterbeer
  • Magical Maladdies in My Head
  • Magical Thoughts
  • Maurader’s Map of Thoughts
  • Mischief Managed
  • Quiddich Field of Thoughts
  • There’s a Quaffle in my Brain (Someone let it out!)
  • Tom Riddle’s Diary

Beach / Water

  • Beach It!
  • Beached Thoughts / Beached Ideas
  • Deep Thoughts
  • My Pool Runs Deep
  • Pool of Thoughts
  • River of Thoughts
  • Shell we Think?
  • Submerged
  • Swimming Thoughts
  • Think Tank
  • Thought Waves
  • Wading through Wonderings
  • Water under the bridge
Floral Doodles Bullet Journal Theme - Brain Dump Page | ChocolateMusings.com #floral #doodles #bulletjournal #braindump

Plants

  • Berry Picking
  • Idea Jungle
  • Idea Tree
  • Field of Thoughts
  • Idea Berry Bush / Idea Bush
  • Wilderness of Thought
  • Finding Roses Through the Thorns
  • Prickles in my Brain (Cactus)
  • Garden of Thoughts
  • Maze of Thoughts
  • Seeds of Thought
  • Don’t get boxed in, grow your way out
  • Idea Bush – Let your Ideas Grow

Food Related Names for Brain Dump

  • Delectible Ideas
  • Hot Dog! Those are a lot of thoughts! or (Hot Dog! What a good idea!)
  • Fruits of my Brain
  • Pot o’ Honey
  • M&Ms (musings & mutterings)
  • Thoughts are Poppin’
  • __________ Pieces (include your name – for instance: Tricia’s Pieces)
  • Seedlets
  • Seeds of Thought
  • Grape Thoughts
  • My Thought Vine
  • I Need Chocolate for these Musings (Can you tell where I got this idea?)

Science

  • Brain Waves
  • Radio Waves
  • Spectrum of Thoughts

Space

  • Brain Warp
  • Thoughts at Warp Speed
  • Galaxy of Thoughts
  • Out of this World Thoughts
  • Flyby Thoughts

Money

  • Penny for your Thoughts
  • If Time is Money, Thoughts Make Cents!
If time is money, thoughts make cents! Different Name for Brain Dump | ChocolateMusings.com #braindump #bulletjournal #bujo

Cartoon / Book / Quote

  • Think, Think, Think (like Pooh Bear)
  • Curiouser and Curiouser
  • Where the Wild Thoughts Are
  • Dump it to Crumpet
  • Fifty Thoughts Freed
  • Not All Who Wonder are Lost
  • Mindcraft / Mindcrafted
  • One Thought to Rule Them All

Games

  • Scribble Scrabble in My Head
  • Scrabble Tiles
  • Word Search
  • Crosswords
  • Know When to Fold ’em (Know when to keep ’em)
  • Brain Games

Gray Matter / Brain Anatomy

  • Wandering Through theBrain Folds
  • Gray Matter / Grey Matter
  • My Gray Matters
  • Cranial Purge

Close to the Name “Brain Dump” but Just Different Enough…

  • Brain Farts (though this doesn’t sound much nicer than brain dump – I thought someone might get a kick out of it)
  • Brain Dumping Ground
  • Download
  • Mind Dump
Idea Tree - Alternate Name for Brain Dump for your Journal | ChocolateMusings.com #braindump #doodles #lightbulbs
Hate the name brain dump? Me too. So I came up with 150+ different names for brain dump - perfect for themes in your bullet journal or just to change it up! | Chocolatemusings.com
Need a different name for brain dump? I've organized 150+ alternate names for brain dump - perfect for your bullet journal or planner | ChocolateMusings.com
Habit tracker & Brain Dump Bullet Journal Sea Creature Theme | ChocolateMusings.com
Not all thoughts are black and white - that's why we have grey matter - Bullet journal brain dump page | ChocolateMusings.com
Building Outline Brain Dump Spread - Wander Through my Wonderings | ChocolateMusings.com
Shimmery Shiny Ink Building Outline Drawing | Chocolatemusings.com
Thought Waves Brain Dump Page - Ride only the good ones - a reminder to focus on the good thoughts instead of the negative ones | ChocolateMusings.com
Out of this world - brain dump page for my bullet journal - use different name for brain dump | ChocolateMusings.com
Different names for brain dump: This Month it's an Idea Bush - Keeping with my leaves theme, but I love the lightbulb bursting with leafy ideas. Bullet journal spreads & Ideas | ChocolateMusings.com
Brain Dump Floral Wreath - Don't get boxed in - grow your way out Bullet Journal Spread | ChocolateMusings.com #bujo #bulletjournal #braindump
Shadow Thoughts & Reflections - Alternate Names for Brain Dump | ChocolateMusings.com #braindump
Alternate names for brain dump - Shadowy Thoughts & Reflections | ChocolateMusings.com #bulletjournal #braindump
Brain dump alternate name: Delectable Ideas | ChocolateMusings.com #braindump #creative #watercolor
Out of this world thoughts brain dump watercolor bullet journal spread | ChocolateMusings.com #bulletjournal #bujo #braindump
Yellow Airplane with Cloud Text Brain Dump Page | ChocolateMusings.com #bulletjournal #braindump #headerideas
Seeds of Thought Brain Dump Page - Simple Floral Border | ChocolateMusings.com #bulletjournal #braindump #floral #linedrawing
Bullet Journal Ideas: Idea Tree Instead of Brain Dump | ChocolateMusings.com #braindump #bulletjournal #ideas
If time is money, thoughts make cents! Different Name for Brain Dump | ChocolateMusings.com #braindump #bulletjournal #bujo
Idea Tree - Alternate Name for Brain Dump for your Journal | ChocolateMusings.com #braindump #doodles #lightbulbs
Floral Doodles Bullet Journal Theme - Brain Dump Page | ChocolateMusings.com #floral #doodles #bulletjournal #braindump
Floral Doodles Bullet Journal Theme - Brain Dump Page | ChocolateMusings.com #floral #doodles #bulletjournal #braindump
Pirate theme Treasure Map Brain Dump | @ChocMusings ChocolateMusings.com #pirate #bulletjournal #bujo
Random thoughts and great ideas bullet journal spread idea tracker brain dump
Random thoughts and great ideas bullet journal spread idea tracker brain dump
Random thoughts and great ideas bullet journal spread idea tracker brain dump
Random thoughts and great ideas bullet journal spread idea tracker brain dump

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Filed Under: Blog, Bullet Journal, featured, Find Your Happy, Get Organized & Start Planning, Journal Prompts & Ideas, Planner Header Ideas, Planner Spreads, Start Planning Here Tagged: #BuJo, alternate names for brain dump, brain dump, brain dump ideas, Bullet Journal, different names for brain dump, planner

How to Solve a Problem (in Reverse)

January 11, 2022 Leave a Comment

How to Solve a Problem (in reverse) ideas for working through the silly things that hold you back | ChocolateMusings.com

How to Solve a Problem (in Reverse)

How to solve a problem in reverse – get motivated and find answers to your questions by giving yourself reversed solutions or how NOT to solve your problem. The reverse problem-solving method is enlightening, motivating, and a little silly.

Do you have issues solving your problems? Do you have a nagging concern or something you desperately want to change, and no solution seems to work? Whether it’s what to fix for dinner, what color to paint your house, or how to get out of your dead-end job, we all have problems big and small where the solutions elude us. I came across a way to problem-solve in reverse, and it’s very intriguing and somewhat comical.

One of my issues is finding the motivation to solve a problem. Adding research or additional tasks to my everyday life seems overwhelming, so in some cases, I decide that the problem is smaller than the solution itself. Sometimes the answer is living with the problem. But that way of thinking only applies to some situations, not all. If the problem bothers me that much, well, then it’s time to come up with a real solution.

Table of contents

  • How to Solve a Problem (in Reverse)
  • Where I Found This Reverse Problem-Solving Idea:
  • Curious About Reverse Problem Solving? Here’s how to do it:
  • What Problems Do You NOT Want to Solve?
  • Reverse Problem-Solving Example – How to Keep a Messy, Disorganized House
    • Reverse Idea: Don’t Organize Anything!
    • How to Keep a Messy House Conclusion:
  • How Do I Keep Myself Out of a Routine?
    • Some Other Things to Consider When Trying to Throw Routines to the Wolves:
  • Problem-Solving in Reverse: How NOT to Lose Weight
  • Reverse Problem-Solving Conclusion
  • What Other Problems do you NOT Want to Solve?
  • Find More Posts on Habits
  • Here are some additional articles I found helpful for creating routines:
Need to Solve a Problem? Try this reverse method to help you identify the thoughts that are holding you back | ChocolateMusings.com

Where I Found This Reverse Problem-Solving Idea:

While reading the Decision-Making Blueprint by Patrick Edblad, I found a ridiculous solution that made absolute sense. It’s called Inversion. The chapter is subtitled “Thinking backward instead of forward.”

First of all, let me ask the question for all of us: “What”? And the second question is, “how does this apply to my life issues?”

According to the German mathematician Carl Jacobi, the best way to clarify your thinking was to restate problems in their inverse. That sounds complicated. It also sounds like the kind of math my algebra teacher told me I’d use every day.

After reading a little more and trying to restate the question in reverse, it’s ridiculously insightful and surprisingly quite fun. Perhaps here is how we will use that advanced math in our lives, but not in the way our high school math teachers envisioned. Word-problem solving at its best.

Curious About Reverse Problem Solving? Here’s how to do it:

Think of your problem; instead of trying to solve it, you ask yourself how NOT to do it. No answer is too ridiculous. In fact, some of the most absurd-sounding answers might be closer to the truth than we like to admit.

What Problems Do You NOT Want to Solve?

Let’s ask you the question: What problems do you NOT want to solve? Getting in a routine? Going to bed on time? Planning out your day the night before? Here’s how I would think backward about those questions.

Reverse Problem-Solving Example – How to Keep a Messy, Disorganized House

Here’s an example of how to use this problem-solving technique.

First, start with the problem: I can’t keep my house organized.

Now, instead of brainstorming how to set habits and come up with different ideas and tasks, I chose to jot down everything I wasn’t going to keep my house organized.

For example, to keep my house in a disorganized array, I should leave the dishes in the sink and never load them in the dishwasher. If the dishes find their way into the dishwasher, the clean dishes should stay in that dishwasher for several days or a week to ensure they are dry.

To make sure my floors stay at their crummy best, I should sweep only once a week or less. The counters should NEVER be cleared, and laundry should be allowed to pile up so we have to climb over the mounds.

Reverse Idea: Don’t Organize Anything!

All cleaning supplies should be hard to get to for more disorganized fun. I should have to hunt for the correct cleaning item. Playing a game of hide and seek seems fun! Under no circumstances should it be put away after it’s used. When I run out or am low on supply, the best way to make sure that I don’t have it on hand for the next time I need it is to try and remember my shopping list all in my head. We should not ever keep a written shopping list.

Every drawer should be a junk drawer with any item thrown in it. Things do not have a ‘home’ location. If an activity makes you feel organized, avoid doing it at all costs. In fact, why not mix empty wrappers and unusable items with usable items for added confusion and inconvenience?

Finally, the best way to stay disorganized is to pile everything together and discontinue filing. Mail should never be sorted when it comes in. Optimal disorganization means I should touch everything more than once, preferably get lost at least once before I have to use it again.

How to Keep a Messy House Conclusion:

Doing this exercise makes me smile because the actions seem so ridiculous when spelled out like this. The sad truth is that developing these spectacular ways to keep me disorganized was not hard. Because, at some point or another, I must admit (at least a small amount of) guilt!

I also have to admit that I stretched ideas and made them seem more ridiculous than normal life.

From the perspective of keeping a disorganized house, it’s easier to see what habits to change or which ones I need to work on.

How Do I Keep Myself Out of a Routine?

First of all, when reverse problem-solving the life-routine question, I would never ask what plans I’ll make. Secondly, having a contingency plan for when I fall off the wagon would be the furthest thing from my thought process. Thirdly, who wants a routine to stick, anyway?

Excellent tips to keep me away from those pesky routines that might streamline processes and make caring for myself, my house, and my family.

How do you start a new habit or routine? Questions asked | ChocolateMusings.com #habit #routine #journal

Some Other Things to Consider When Trying to Throw Routines to the Wolves:

For one thing, I would never plan anything. If I had a planner, I would carry it around, never open it, or make sure to leave it at home instead of packing it in my purse. I would not set reminders to help me start a routine. Nor would I read any books from those who have experience in creating routines or habits.

Adopting the mindset that routines make you boring will drive you from creating any schedule. In fact, routinely telling yourself that routines are for losers or fuddy-duddies. (Did I just say fuddy-duddy? Also, did you see what I did there? Creating a routine of anti-routine!)

I got the idea of fuddy-duddy from an interview with Anna Quindlen by Gretchen Rubin. She talks about her routines and how she used to view them versus how she sees them now.

Problem-Solving in Reverse: How NOT to Lose Weight

First things first, stop and get a candy bar every day on your way home from work. On Saturdays, visit Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and stock up on sweet enough, gooey goodness to last the rest of the week. Another way to make sure those pounds pack on is to make sure TV is the top priority. When planning meals, takeout and drive-thru should appear on the schedule at least 4 nights per week, and be sure to sprinkle in some quick breakfast stops.

One final suggestion using the reverse problem-solving method and ensuring those pounds stay packed on your hips is increasing your soda intake.

Sounds ridiculous, right? Thinking in reverse adds a bit of comedic relief to problem-solving. If you thought about it, you could add some hilarious bits of advice that run a little too close to reality.

Follow My Health Journey and see what I use to get healthy & lose weight.

  • handmade game board tracker for classrooms, teachers & bullet journals | ChocolateMusings.com #bulletjournal #bujo #tracker #gameboard
    Printable Tracker Game Board – Turn anything into a game!
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Reverse Problem-Solving Conclusion

Though problem-solving in reverse doesn’t provide all the answers, the realizations that it paints open your mind to the pitfalls or games you play with yourself. If you want to stick to a routine, maybe it’s your mindset instead of the method. Reverse problem-solving is admittedly eye-opening, and if I’m candid with myself, it’s a bit humbling.

Problem Solving in Reverse brings out the humor in the situation. Fun, silly responses often evoke the truth more than thinking about solving the problem and becoming frustrated. I find that I’m more honest about the things I need to change and concede that I do some of these actions, which directly impede the progress I DO want to make.

What Other Problems do you NOT Want to Solve?

Here are some additional suggestions for compiling your list using the reverse problem-solving method.

  • How to lose your temper all the time with your kids.
  • How to wake up tired.
  • What I am going to do to avoid exercise?
  • How to make myself miserable (and bring everyone down around me).
  • I’m excited to waste hours of my time scrolling through social media! Here’s how I do it.
  • How I plan to burn bridges and ruin relationships.
  • Who needs a successful marriage? Here’s my course for divorce.
  • Budgeting, smudgeting, why I spend my money on Amazon trinkets and fast food, and how you can blow your paycheck, too.

What other problems do you not want to solve? I’d love to know in the comments below. While you think about that, I’m off to clean my kitchen. But first, I’m going to put my bullet journal in my purse, so I’ll make sure to bring it with me.

Find More Posts on Habits

  • Battle With Stuff #2: How to Create Decluttering Habits
  • Advice For My Younger Self
  • Weekly Time Block Spreads for Your Bullet Journal
  • Find Your Inspiration (When It’s Lost)
  • Things to Learn From Your Friend’s Weight Loss

Here are some additional articles I found helpful for creating routines:

  • Zapier – Daily Routines
  • Goalcast – Establish a daily routine
  • Gretchen Rubin: Search on Routines

Here are some books I’ve read on organizing, decluttering, and habits. I’d love a recommendation and add it to my list. Let me know if you have more to add in the comments below.  

 

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Filed Under: Blog, Find Your Happy, Get Organized & Start Planning, Habits, Journal Prompts & Ideas, Product & Book Reviews Tagged: how to, journaling, Problem solving, Tutorial

10 Things You Can Learn from a Blank Notebook

December 14, 2021 Leave a Comment

10 things to learn from a blank notebook - practical life advice | ChocolateMusings.com #lifeadvice #motivation #inspiration

10 Things You Can Learn From a Blank Notebook

Hint: These 10 things you can learn from a blank notebook isn’t just about journaling. There’s a lot of good life advice in here, too.

Starting a new notebook feels so refreshing. The smell and feel of the paper. The crackle of the spine as you crack open the notebook for the first time. Thumbing through the book, the feeling of the crisp pages calling for attention. Ahhh, it feels so good to start fresh. I opened a new notebook today, which made me think about how these pages apply to our lives. So I’d like to share 10 things you can learn from a blank notebook.

Table of contents

  • 10 Things You Can Learn From a Blank Notebook
  • Tip #1: The First Thing You Can Learn From a Blank Notebook: Your Past Notebooks Don’t Make Your New Notebook
  • #2: You Have Limitless Possibilities
  • The Inevitable Thing to Learn When Starting a Blank Notebook – Tip #3: You Will Make Mistakes. Accept Them or Fix Them.
  • #4: Turn The Page. Really. Just Turn the Page.
  • #5: Starting Fresh is OK, Too. Move On If You Have No Other Choice.
  • #6 – Share It!
  • #7: Things You Can Learn from a Blank Notebook:You Don’t Have to Share Everything
  • Tip #8: Things You Can Learn from a Blank Notebook: Focus on the Good
  • #9: Carry Through With Your Plans
  • #10: Finally, the Last Tip You Can Learn From a Blank Notebook – Take Time to Reflect & Learn
  • Which of These Tips Did You Need the Most?
  • Journaling Question:
  • Start Planning – Find More Bullet Journaling & Planning Resources

Tip #1: The First Thing You Can Learn From a Blank Notebook:
Your Past Notebooks Don’t Make Your New Notebook

Your Past Doesn't Determine Your Future - Advice From a Blank Notebook Tip #1 | ChocolateMusings.com #lifeadvice #blanknotebook #bulletjournal

No matter what you’ve written (or done) in the past, this notebook can be different.

Your past notebooks do not determine what you can do with your new book. Learn from the past, decide what you want to do, and go confidently in that direction. I’m sure you can see many parallels between this suggestion about a notebook and your life. I’ll leave it at that.

#2: You Have Limitless Possibilities

10 Things to Learn from a Blank Notebook: You Have Limitless Possibilities | ChocolateMusings.com #lifeadvice #possibilties #motivation

You have limitless possibilities. And you have full control of all your choices in life. Just like the pages in your notebook, what you record in the journal of your life is up to you. Try lots of new things and then practice, practice, practice. Don’t get discouraged if it’s not perfect the first, second, or hundredth time. Keep going.

The Inevitable Thing to Learn When Starting a Blank Notebook – Tip #3:
You Will Make Mistakes. Accept Them or Fix Them.

Life advice from a blank notebook: you will make mistakes. Fix them or move on.  | ChocolateMusings.com #lifeadvice #blanknotebook #potential #bulletjournal

You’ll make mistakes. But it’s usually how you handle the errors that make the most significant difference in the future. Sometimes starting over is the answer. But most of the time, a mistake is minor, and you can whiteout over it or move on.

I only started genuinely benefitting from writing in a notebook or journal when I allowed myself to make mistakes. Big mistakes will happen, as well. But most of the time, even big blunders can be fixed by just turning the page.

See #5 if you feel like you can’t fix it by turning the page.

#4: Turn The Page. Really. Just Turn the Page.

Life advice - Turn the page. | ChocolateMusings.com #lifeadvice #bulletjournal #moveon

The mistakes you make won’t seem as significant after you’ve turned a few pages. Other people won’t remember your mistakes as you do. In fact, most people are so worried about themselves that they won’t remember your mistakes. Forgive yourself and learn from them.

#5: Starting Fresh is OK, Too. Move On If You Have No Other Choice.

Starting fresh is ok, if there is no other option. | ChocolateMusings.com - Things you can learn from a blank notebook #bulletjournal #bujo #startover

If you feel you ruined the whole notebook, get a new journal, and start fresh. In all reality, if you spilled coffee all over the book and don’t feel like you can salvage any of it, here’s the thing: you can start over. I’m giving you permission.

When you decide to move on, take a deep breath, go to Target, Walmart, or Amazon, and get yourself a new notebook. Or create your own book. Start fresh. And most importantly, MOVE ON.

#6 – Share It!

Things you can learn from a blank notebook: Share it! Share the things that are most important to you | ChocolateMusings.com #shareit #share #bulletjournal

Share what you’re most proud of. Go ahead, and celebrate your successes. However, Choose the right crowd to share with and who will lift you instead of being jealous of your happiness or accomplishments.

I know that my little planner has grown and evolved with me. It’s also helped me grow in my talents. Find a group that shares your excitement and share your progress.

#7: Things You Can Learn from a Blank Notebook:
You Don’t Have to Share Everything

Life advice from a Blank Notebook - Don't Share Everything | ChocolateMusings.com #journaling #journal #bulletjournal

In contrast to the last tip, you don’t have to post everything online. Some pages belong solely to you, and you don’t have to broadcast them. It is perfectly fine to use your notebook for personal development. You’re the one who will benefit most from it. Use your new blank notebook to your benefit. This goes for your personal life as well. Share with those you trust if you need help but don’t feel obligated to share everything.

Tip #8: Things You Can Learn from a Blank Notebook: Focus on the Good

Things to learn from a blank notebook: Focus on the good in your life and you will find more good. | ChocolateMusings.com #lifeadvice #blanknotebook #bulletjournal

Focus on the good. Dedicate pages or areas of your book so you can log the good things that happen. Life isn’t just about schedules or what you checked off your list for the day. Life is about stopping to smell those gorgeous blooming roses on your evening walk with your beloved. It’s about that sunset with all those colors that melted your heart. It’s about seeing your children play together (and not fight!).

Sometimes it’s the little things like ordering a ceramic painting palette on Amazon and admiring how careful they were to package it. And the fragile piece arrives perfectly on your doorstep, so you can immediately start painting. Record the happy moments, even if they seem small or insignificant.

From my experience, if you seek out the negative in your life, you will find it. Controversially, if you look for the good, you will see it, and if you continue to look for the good, you will more easily find it. If you write it down in your notebook, you have a chance to look back at the good and remember it.

#9: Carry Through With Your Plans

Things to learn from a blank notebook: Carry Through With Your Plans | ChocolateMusings.com #lifemotivation #motivation #deepthoughts

Carry through with your plans. I’m guilty of intending to do many things but never carrying through. I have so many dreams and ambitions, but I let fear stop me. Or I make a schedule and then ignore it.

Make the plans, then write the first step to start your journey if you’re having trouble doing them. Do the first thing, then check it off. Then proceed to the next step.

#10: Finally, the Last Tip You Can Learn From a Blank Notebook – Take Time to Reflect & Learn

Notebook before and after - Tip #10 from things to learn from a blank notebook - reflect & learn from yourself. Go through your notebooks and review what you wrote - then learn from it. | ChocolateMusings.com #reflect #learn #bulletjournal

Look back on your life. When you finish a notebook, take a moment to reflect. Enjoy the things you recorded, and use the memories of the events that bring a smile to your face to increase your joy. Share the things that matter with the people that matter to you.

I find so much insight and inspiration throughout my completed notebooks. Ideas, thoughts, quotes, joy, sadness, and all the experiences combine to create my past and shape my future.

I love looking back through the pages and am always glad I have a record of my life.

Which of These Tips Did You Need the Most?

Which of these tips did you need to hear the most? For me it was #3, #7 & #8. Sometimes I focus so much on making my notebook perfect to share that it’s not as functional as it could be. I also always need a reminder about accepting mistakes. And I can always use a reminder to focus on the good things in life.

Journaling Question:

Here are some journaling questions in the spirit of things you can learn from a new notebook. What Things Do You Love About a New Notebook? What Have you learned from a new journal?

What do you love about a new notebook? Here are 10 things that a blank notebook taught me | ChocolateMusings.com #lifeadvice #inspiration #blanknotebook

Start Planning – Find More Bullet Journaling & Planning Resources

Click here to get started planning & find more ideas for your bullet journal.

Want More Planner & Bullet Journal Inspiration?

Find more plan with me ideas | ChocolateMusings.com #planwithme #ideas
Favorite Beginner Bullet Journal Supplies + Why | ChocolateMusings.com #bulletjournal #supplies #favoritesupplies

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Filed Under: Blog, featured, Find Your Happy, Get Inspired, Get Organized & Start Planning, Journal Prompts & Ideas, My Muses (My Favorites & Inspiration), Start Planning Here Tagged: blank notebook, journal prompts, journaling, life advice, start planning

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About Me


Hi! I'm Tricia, the creative behind ChocolateMusings.com, I know how it feels to lose your inner muse. After years of darkness (which I call the dark ages of my life), I found my inner muse hiding in the forgotten corners of my soul, I vowed never to lose sight of her again.

Bullet journaling helped reignite the passion for art and living life again while organizing my days. I also discovered modern calligraphy and watercolor. Since then, my use of the bullet journal system has evlolved and I call it 'creative planning'. Here on the blog, I show you how to use your planner to ignite your inner muse and explore creativity and art while staying beautifully organized and living a joyful life.

I invite you to grab some good chocolate and dive into my musings. Let’s ignite your inner muse.

Read more on the about me page. You can also find my policies and disclosures here.

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  • Small Marker Calligraphy Guide With & Without Slants Small Marker Calligraphy Guide With & Without Slants $2.50 Original price was: $2.50.$2.00Current price is: $2.00.
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