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Keep the Function of a Monthly Calendar Spread with a Touch of Flair

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October Monthly Calendar Layout

Near-Minimalist Monthly Spread with Rounded corners

I didn’t always use a bullet journal as my preferred method of keeping track of my life. I used other planners. In fact, I used a planner once as a journal so I would have just a snippet of space to write in. It worked, for a while. But here is the thing, I was flipping through my old planners and they were so boring. The function was there, but the inspiration wasn’t. I have many half-filled or abandoned planners – it’s really embarrassing. There were planners where there months where there was nothing recorded.  It wasn’t until I found the freedom of creating in the bullet journal system that I used it consistently.

Bullet Journaling = Flexibility and Variety

Part of the reason I have stuck with bullet journaling for so long is the variations you can add to your planner. You allow for as much space as needed any given month or week. Be as creative or minimalistic as desired. For me, This may not always be a priority, but now I need that space as a creative outlet. That being said, monthly calendar-style layouts offer the least amount of flexibility. I tried to create a gravestone monthly calendar layout. That didn’t work well because I use my monthly as a way to glance at the month and see what is coming and it was overwhelming to look at – so I just turned the page and did something different.

If having a monthly grid layout works for you, by all means, go, be productive and love the square you are in (I’ll only be a tinge jealous). Maybe someday you can teach me of your ways.

The monthly calendar is so incredibly functional, my month wouldn’t be complete without it! This start of the month page may just be the most functional page in the whole month’s layouts. Can you hear the accusing tone in my words? Don’t get me wrong…functional is essential but it’s usually so boring.

I like seeing a monthly calendar – I am a very visual person, so seeing the relationship between events helps me plan my days. Especially with the monthly calendar with its familiar boxed days. But sometimes, those boxes are just too boxy.

Whimsy and sparkle make a monthly calendar so nice

Just a little change to your monthly calendar makes it look completely new!

Round the corners for a change on the monthly calendar set up, add a bit of sparkle and whimsy with iridescent paints, a couple of cute spiders with webs and your (near) minimalist monthly spread is all dressed up. Keep function and add a touch of flair.

So if you find yourself bored with the same-old-same-old in your planner, tweak your functional layout ever so slightly, adding details that don’t scare you (see what I did there with the Halloween reference) by keeping function but adding some whimsy. It may not take much to brighten your planner and shake off the cobwebs (I did it again!) from your planning routine.

In review:

September’s monthly log was full of color and added elements.

I’d love to hear!

Leave me a comment below: What planner change-ups have you made to spice up your planner? I’d love to know what you’ve done!

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October Monthly Calendar layout - rounded boxes and combined weekend adds variety. A little cobweb and spiders and shimmery paint - viola! the calendar is all dressed up for Halloween.

 

Want to know what supplies I used? I’ll tell you – contains affiliate links.

This post contains affiliate links. The cost is the same to you but, I will receive a small commission to help support my blogging and creativity habits. 🙂 All opinions expressed were solely mine and from my heart.

Look on the Bright Side – It’s About Perspective | Life in Comics

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Life in Perspective

So this happened yesterday. No, I did not randomly come across snails painting Mona Lisa portraits, but a painting of mine got smudged by a well-intentioned significant other. It was a painting for someone else. There’s no saving it, I will have to redo it. I went to bed last night trying to control my anger. I tried to keep things in perspective – that there are bigger problems in life. However, my subconscious was serving up dreams that would have said that I was angry. My vibrant dreams were riddled with me running away and crying.

Positive Perspective - snails painting and learning to look on the bright side, even after the worst seemed to happen

Perspective is a Choice

But the thing is, I don’t want to feel angry with my significant other. He didn’t mean to. If I were completely honest with myself this painting for someone else and the quality was not up to my expected standard. I would be embarrassed to give it to them. It needed to be redone. It’s just hard to admit that after you’ve spent time and energy producing something that could be classified as just ‘alright’.

I will redo the painting, and this time, I will be proud of the end product. But what’s more, is that this idea of life in comics actually took shape. You see, I have had this idea for a month or so, but how to implement this idea was elusive. So as I dreamt in my restless state, the ideas formed and came together.

I woke up early this morning, even before my 8-month-old woke up. I created what was in my mind in about 45 minutes. Where in the past, it took me hours and I would end up with nothing to show for it. It’s amazing when and how inspiration comes. It was a very welcome change, especially since I’ve been in a slump for really being productive and getting things done.

So here’s to the choice of looking on the bright side and finding good in every situation. It’s all about perspective. And perspective is a choice.

Hello October – Smells Like Fresh Baked Apple Pie – Monthly Welcome Page

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Hello, October. You smell like fall. You smell like freshly baked apple pie.

If you don’t like apple pie, no worries, I’ll make apple crisp – you like that right? I’ll make extra topping.

You sound like the leaves crunching under my feet and the cool, crisp fall nights perfect for stargazing near a fire as it crackles into the night and then slowly dies to embers glowing in the moonlight. Oh Hello, October.

Hello, October. You taste like pumpkin spice.

You feel like the cozy socks I’m always tempted to wear and the heat seeping through the mug of hot chocolate as I enjoy the onset of a cooler season. If I didn’t know any better, I might say you are my favorite. Summer is fun, but it is so chaotic and unstructured. October feels like the time to slow down and enjoy life after school has started, schedules are in place, and before the craziness of Thanksgiving and Christmas set in.

October feels like a time to dream, so if it is chilly or not, if the leaves are falling or if they are staying green on the tree branches, pick up a good book, and let your imagination go. Daydream of the best times of your life. Or create a fall bucket list and enjoy this time of year.

Hello October Welcome Page

Choosing a Theme

Halloween is always a fun theme for October. The festivities are at the end of the month, so you have a full month of enjoying little critters and ghastly ghouls. But this time, I decided to paint a pie. Truth be told, it would be the first pie I’ve ever made. Yes – that includes baking. I bake a terrific apple crisp, but I have never really attempted a pie.

Page Overview:

What I found difficult was getting the right color in the painting – showing a golden brown, not orange, and not burnt. Just enough orange and brown to make the pie look like it recently came out of the oven. The other thing is what to do between the lattice-work? I looked at lots of pictures of pies for reference and got very hungry doing it.

Overall – I’m pleased with the page – especially being that it is my first pie. The apples are my first painted apples as well. So many new things!

Typically my welcome pages for the months are on the right side, but I thought I would be great to include my monthly goals & monthly to-do list. I secretly think I just wanted to come back to this page and salivate as I look at the pie.

I know we are always overly critical of our own work, so I will admit that I like the “Hello October” but I think I could have done better on the “Monthly Goals and To Do” my spacing is a bit scrunched at the end. I’ll just put that on my to-do list for next month. That is one thing I have learned from my bullet journal. I have learned that it is ok with things that aren’t perfect. Sounds strange coming from a self-proclaimed perfectionist.

Now that this is done…

I may actually create a bucket list for October just because it has given me all the feels.

Leave me a comment and let me know what your favorite thing about fall is – and what is on your fall bucket list. I’d love some ideas! I’ve included a list of items I used in this post below. Enjoy!

Hello October Welcome Page

Habits. Sorry for the dirty word. Mid-Month Habit Tracker Checkup

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Habits. Sorry for the dirty word.

It can even be a dirty word when you are doing something clean like straightening up or doing the dishes (please pardon the d-word). Here is a mid-month check-up of my September habit tracker. It is much improved from last month or the month before. In the past, I would create habit trackers and never complete them. But that’s the thing, I wanted to complete them. Eventually, I would fill out a couple of boxes on a habit tracker, but nothing real. I was tracking too many habits. So this month, I decided to just track a few habits.

Guess what?! “Habits” is not such a bad word anymore!

Included are things that I knew I wanted to do – and some things I knew I needed to do, but only for improvement.  I do enough feeling bad about myself (and I am so tired of that!), I knew I needed a motivation boost.

This month, I tracked doing the dishes on the habit tracker because I knew I needed just to do them instead of playing the game of “who is going to get sick of the dishes first and give in and do them angrily while the other person feels guilty” with my husband. I hate to admit that I play that game sometimes. The problem is, no one wins because if they give in and do the dishes, they are angry and you feel guilty.

If you give in, you are angry. All of these things come from playing a game with dishes.

I have to say that this shows my longest span of doing dishes regularly in a long time, I love marking off the box and seeing the marks. One day, I will have it full. #MyDreamsWillComeTrue

It’s fun to complete it, it’s like a snowball rolling down a large hill. The momentum builds on itself. But the key is that I am having fun. Not all habits are fun (like doing the dishes) but I feel good about what I have accomplished once finished. Marking it off is just another perk.

Mid-Month Habit Tracker Check-up

4 ideas for your bullet journal to supercharge your habit trackingHaving Trouble Keeping Up With Your Habits or Habit Tracker?

If you are having trouble keeping up with your habits or habit tracker, consider paring it down. Eliminate some of the items on your habit tracker. If you are not filling it out anyway, why include them? Include only the items that you know you can carry out, but are a little stretch. Do that for a month, feel good about yourself, then next month add another thing.

The funny thing about habits is that they don’t come all at once. It’s gradual. You are creating a habit of the habit. I think we get into the mindset of ‘I have this habit tracker, now I will perfect my life’. Which is completely untrue and not motivating at all because filling out a habit tracker takes time, motivation, and funny thing, you have to create a habit of filling out your habit tracker.

If you wanted an easy habit to track – just for motivation – add: “Fill out Habit Tracker” to your habit tracker, then fill it out. I know I would think I am hilarious if I did that. But it might just be the motivation I needed to complete some other items on my habit tracker too.

TIP for Beginners:

If you are just starting out and don’t know how to start a habit tracker, check out How to Set up a Habit Tracker.

Tip for Seasoned Bullet Journalers:

If you are more seasoned at habit tracking, check out 4 Ideas to Supercharge your Habit Tracking.

Keep this in mind:

Please keep this in mind if you take nothing else away from this post: Habit Tracking is for self-improvement, not self-detriment. If it is de-motivational rather than motivational, stop for a month and do some self-care instead. I’ve seen some really cute self-care bingo cards on Pinterest. Check out my self-care board.

Habits come over time. They are not immediate. That’s kind of the definition of a habit. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Allow time.

Have a good week and let me know in the comments below what habit you despise the most.

Remember to plan your life so you live beautifully.

~Tricia

Pirate Map Weekly Layout – ‘X’ Marks the Weekend!

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We celebrate a random holiday. We started celebrating it before we found out that Krispy Kremes celebrates it too – with free doughnuts. Now we just celebrate more. Pirate costumes and swarthy accents are a staple at our house. I have to admit, the kids have now outgrown their pirate costumes, so we need to get our act together and get new costumes, because…

International Talk Like a Pirate Day
is September 19!

I had to make my week pirate themed in my bullet journal in honor of such a great day. Bring on the silly puns, the tri-corn hats, and my attempts at a pirate accent. {My husband’s fake accent is pretty good, honestly, it’s mine that is lacking.}

If Krispy Kreme is still into the pirate life, they give away a doughnut for an accent. If you dress like a pirate, you get a free dozen of their original glazed. Hoist the anchor, unfurl the sails, load up the Jolly Roger and head to Krispy Kreme for a swashbucklingly good time.

EDIT:

I found out that Krispy Kremes is not into the pirating lifestyle this year. It does not matter to me. We will still celebrate by speaking like a pirate all day long.

It’s becoming ever more popular, so expect a line sometimes going out the door. Worth it? Yes, but only if you like talking like a pirate. Which we do.

In my weekly log layout, Tuesday the 19th is not where X marks the spot – of course, X marks the spot on THE WEEKEND.

I used Prismacolor colored pencils – they are so soft and blend so well and are truly lovely pencils. My husband got them for me YEARS (really – years) ago and I put them away during the dark ages. The ‘dark ages’ is the time that I call my life when I was not doing anything really creative. I’ve found the light now.

Thought you might like some close-ups of the drawing. Shading really gives depth to the images. The skull face on the hat, I am pretty sure is alien. That mouth! I’ll practice more on skulls for next time. I love the feather plume in the hat and the treasure-hunt feel for the week. Yep, I am treasure hunting for the weekend.

I track my meal plans each week, so those are on a barrel. The Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pen writes great over the colored pencil. I wrote the dates and drew the dotted line to find the treasure. I left it open to dry a little, but it has not smeared at all.

The parchment background is an uneven line with random tears drawn into it. then colored darker around the outside. The darker you color, the more lines drawn, the older and more fragile the parchment looks. Next time I am going to add some curl to the edges of the tears.

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I told you my pirate accent needed help.

Want to know what supplies I used? I’ll tell you.

 

This post contains affiliate links. The cost is the same to you but, I will receive a small commission to help support my blogging and creativity habits. 🙂 All opinions expressed were solely mine and from my heart.