"Remember that a system that works when you're hyper-focused on it isn't necessarily a system that works for everyday life." - That's such a brilliant point.

The problem here is I'll get all excited and go buy a new notebook (because of course I can't use one of the 400 notebooks I posess with like 3 pages ripped out and a random doodle in the middle), then I'll spend time online reading everything I can find about bullet journals. 2 days later I'll have completely given up on it, and I'll have another notebook on the pile (I know there's a pile, I don't know where it is).

I use letters . For example: A- Assignments E- Exam Mt- Must do today Mw- Must do this week D-Delay I-Idea T-Thoughts

"If you can't forget about perfect, do yourself a favor and mess it up now" has helped me more times than I can remember. When buying some kinds of items I'll even pick the ones with minimal damage.

11. Don't get intimitated by all the artsy-creative stuff that is around.

I wonder how many times I am going to have to watch this video before I understand what I'm supposed to do. I'll start by making the key, index, and future log. Then I'll have to watch snippets of the next steps over and over because .... Holy moly. Lol

On messing up: When I my started my bujo I forgot the index. So I ended up putting it in the back and populating it back to front. the upside of this is, that I never have to stress over running out of space in the index before the journal, which would otherwise just be a source for anxiety.

I love how everyone in this comment section are just as messed as I am

it's a brilliant system, but if your anything like me, don't you dare to start looking at pintrest or KZfaq layout examples. I'm going to force myself to stay as simple, even if kinda bleak as the original system in Ryder Carroll's video. at least, until it works. edit: otherwise I'll be wasting too much time making everything perfect, and I'll get too afraid to use it, because I might mess it up.

When she says "hello brains 🤗" it makes me feel so included and not alone 🥺🧡

Me as Autistic + ADHD: I bought a generic planner with extra writing space, and so I have a fusion of traditional planner and bullet journaling. It’s working for me like planners never have!

Time-stamps cuz I keep zoning out!!!! What a bullet journal is: 0:00 Set up your key: 0:30 Number your pages: 0:48 The index: 1:03 Future log: 1:12 Monthly log: 1:48 Daily log: 2:40 Migration of to-dos: 3:20 ADHD friendly tips: 4:21 (Start with the basics, design a key that works for you, add more tools as you go, keep it fast and easy to use, mess it up, know where to find it, prepare to lose it, set a time for it, get inspired, and make it yours!!!)

Protip: only number the pages on the right of the book. 1,3,5,7...603,605,607. I got a huge notebook. Maybe too big. Anyway, you'll be able to find the even numbered pages because they are right beside the odd numbered pages. Twice the work in half the time!

so i zoned out for the first two minutes thinking about all the stuff im going to buy so i can do this and completely missed everything. #iknowyouallfeelme

The way she narrates is exactly the thought process in my head. That's definitely not a bad thing... Just validating LOL

This tutorial has me so damn excited! God I adore stationary. Also, I’m a 37 year old woman who self diagnosed her ADHD a year ago and was officially diagnosed at the start of the year. My life and self image has improved dramatically and so I am eternally grateful to people like you for getting this empowering and positive information out there. Thank you from the bottom of my intensely feeling heart!

Instead of actually starting a bujo I've instead spent the last two days obsessively and frustratingly trying to find a place that sells a Leuchtturm 1917 A5 book in brown/chocolate with squared pages. My brain has fixated itself onto that one but it's sold out everywhere but I WANT it arghh! Why can't I get over this and just pick ANY notebook?!?!

I started this in September. Used it for about a day. Going to try and pick it up again tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Another tip! Get a small binder for it instead so that if you mess up you don’t have to scrap the whole notebook! You can just add and remove paper

"Whatever page you want because you have an index! FREEDOM!!" Me, an autistic: (sweats at lack of rigid stucture)

*gets on Pinterest and ends up looking at penguins feeding giraffes that are holding koalas or something like that*

As for the creativity, my motto: "If I have to put in my bullet journal to create my bullet journal, I am going overboard."

Newly discovered ADHD as a condition and I am awaiting an official diagnostic. But whether or not I HAVE ADHD - so much of what you cover on this channel is SO relatable to me, and is really helping me to turn my life around - thank you so much!

Note to self: REWATCH THIS WHEN I HAVE THE TIME TO SET IT UP

WHY HAVE I NOT BEEN WATCHING YOUR CHANNEL FOR LONGER!!! My boyfriend and I (we both have ADHD) spend at least three hours at the beginning of every semester looking for a planner, getting overwhelmed, settling on something, using it for MAYBEEE three weeks, losing it, forgetting all the things that need to be done, forgetting about a math test, scoring a 50 on it, and spending the rest of the semester making up for said 50. I am definitely bullet journaling next semester and I can't wait!

My honest experience was I tried a Bujo, watching videos on it sent me into a 3 day hyperfocus rabbit hole. I tried everything, pretty shiny stickers, cool pens, everything to keep me going. I lasted a month before the novelty wore off. I can't make things minimal, simple and do it over n over n over. Only thing that has worked for me, is having a decent sized white board with magnets so that if I even get too unfocused to bother to write my appointments on it, I use the magnet to put my doctors letters etc on it, so at least it is in a safe spot and I know where it is. Kudos to the ADHD person this works for. Like every list I ever made, it did nothing for me.

Hey, just wanted to say that you've been amazingly inspiring, motivating, and relatable and have taught me so much about my ADHD. I was diagnosed when I was in middle school (later with general anxiety and major depression, which I only recently found out were in part linked to my ADHD and failing to perform well academically and socially), when my grades started dropping, but the meds that the doctors had me try made me feel awful and the tutors and planners I had were never really tailored to my ADHD brain and me. I would always start the school year excited with my new school-issued planner, but after a month or two it would lose its novelty and become ineffective again. I went off my meds and self-medicated with caffeine because I felt like I had more control and it didn't make me feel so emotionally dull. Years later I went back to therapy, and my depression and anxiety were the main focus, and it helped with my mood a ton, but it's still been hard to motivate myself and feel "productive". A year or two ago my psychiatrist left the field and I had to find a new one (which was a huge executive function struggle in and of itself, I really emphasized with your video about not being sure if you'd be able to afford/get back on meds and how much of a struggle it was to find and get these meds), but when I did, he noticed my ADHD within a couple of minutes of talking, and asked me if I wanted to try meds again, and I figured it couldn't hurt. I'm taking Adzenys, as it was a different type than the one I took in high school (Concerta, and its patch form, Daytrona), and considerably cheaper per month than Vyvanse, which my insurance doesn't cover and no one offers a coupon for it (I have to go to a specific pharmacy for my Adzenys, as they have a deal with the company that allows them to sell it at manufacturers cost). And just that was life-changing, but after a couple months, I started to lose that hyper-motivation that comes with the excitement of trying something that might actually work. I didn't realize how much I needed to adapt the way I think and manage my time, and have been trying out several strategies over the past couple of months that I learned from your channel! Using my dog as a body double when I want to clean my car, using the game Habitica to help with small daily things that I want to accomplish, using a bullet journal to manage my time and priorities better, checking in with a friend weekly to hold me accountable for my goals, and just figuring out what motivates me so I can actually get the stuff done. You've also helped me reflect on my childhood and past and kinda figure out what happened, as I had no idea ADHD contributes to emotional disregulation and rejection sensitivity. This explains so many of my impulsive outbursts up to grade 6, why I had my own personal "Time Out Chair" in kindergarten since I was in it on average 3 times a day, why at various points I was misdiagnosed with BPD and OCD (but they were also pretty terrible mental health providers that refused to talk to or exchange records with my previous doctors). One of the only things that's been really difficult still is trying to figure out how to help my fiance with his ADHD (he also has narcolepsy and BPD, which he is also seeing a therapist and taking meds for). I know I can't change him or force anything, but it takes a real toll on my motivation when it feels to me like I'm the only one who cleans stuff or tries to keep our home organized. Your channel has definitely taught me to be more patient and compassionate with him, in addition to myself, but do you think you can do an episode that offers recommendations for how to help your partner when you BOTH have ADHD? I guess that's my super ADHD way of saying you're doing amazing work, and that you've really changed my life. Thank you so much, keep it up, these videos are what I listen to when I have longer drives for work!

One of the things I am finding really good about my BuJo is that every day is a blank slate, so it's a constant process of creation. The process of reviewing at night, brightens up the brain, and going through it in the morning feels like I am setting up my day is helpful. Still a work in process, and will likely remain it. I have a stack of notebooks, and they are slowly growing.

I'm literally sitting in a dunkin donuts right now with a bag from walgreens filled with a new blank journal, 2 packs of skinny sharpies, and 1 pack of colorful pens. And I'm watching your video for the 3rd time and setting up my BULLET Journal! :) Thank you so much!

So ever since seeing this two weeks ago, I've been SUPER pumped to do this. I ran out right after and bought the perfect journal... Fast forward two weeks and I still have my empty journal sitting next to my computer.... unopened... Next to my book which was supposed to be me song writing every day... *sigh* It's that constant feeling of wanting to do something but it's like there's a weight holding you down. I know once I get started it'll be great and all and wonder why I hadn't started earlier... but getting there is so hard!

First thing to log in the habit tracker: Use bullet journal!

Thanks! Now I have a sudden strong urge to raid Office Depot and then research calligraphy lessons 🤣

I'm crying right now but in an good way. It just feel's so good to be understood

Tip also - make sure you don't number the pages in the book upside down if your notebook has a 'right way up'. My bad.

Hey! I want to thank you for these videos. Because of one of these videos my psychiatrist changed my diagnosis from Bipolar disorder to Adhd and I think my life is finally going on the right pace and track. I was first told that I could have Adhd when I was 5 years old, but my mom didn't payed attention until I was 19 years old and I got misdiagnosed with BD, took the medication for that for 4 years but I couldn't feel the change. The thing that hurt me the most was that I couldn't do anything! Like nothing, I couldn't finish even a hyper simple task like eating and I really want to be a fashion designer, I've started 4 majors but couldn't finish any and everybody was telling me hurtful stuff. I have 3 days with medication for the Adhd. even that the secondary symptoms are hitting me hard, I feel much better than before. THANK YOU!!

I have started so many bullet journals, and abandoned them when I messed them up. Thank you SOOO much for tip #5!

Oh man. This comment section is so ridiculously full of ADHD. I think I've found my people

I was cleaning my room then decided to organize my life. Then ended up here.

It's amazing how I have intuitively created a lot of these tools for myself just trying to manage a normal lifestyle, prediagnosis.

These comments make me feel less alone with my adhd 😭

Just want to say that I'm a mental health counselor, and I LOVE your videos! Your experience with ADHD has been extremely valuable to me and my clients. Thank you!

I'm procrastinating just to make this.

Gosh I can't get over how this was posted 5 years ago and I only just found it. I feel more assured that bujo is the planning style for me. Thank you so much for this post!! Have subscribed

Bullet journals are so overwhelming to me cause I rethink the ‘perfect way’ to organize it and end up changing every week resulting in an unorganized mess. I also have no drawing ability so it ends up being either too boring for me or I spend way way too much time trying to make it pretty

Am I the only one that thinks her eyes are the most gorgeous color of green ever? Looking at them makes me think of soothing, rainy day anime nature scenes like from Garden of Words. Beautiful, simply beautiful.

Thank you for this tutorial! I used to be dismissive about bullet journals because all I knew about them were the pictures I saw on Pinterest. I thought it was too fussy with all the decorations on all the pages. I feel more comfortable knowing that I don't HAVE to go all crazy making my pages look pretty and convoluted to be considered a "bullet journal." I picked up a notebook yesterday and so far the basic system seems to be helping, but the trick will be getting it to stick. :)

"The original format is fast and simple." Honestly, it's still intimidating to me...

After knowing I have ADHD since Middle school, now in college trying to get back on track finally found a way that helps me get my stuff done on time. Thanks for the information and a great channel for those of us all around the world!

My main advice is try a layout, and note down what works and what doesn't. Try and figure out why a method failed, and tweak it to deal with that obstacle. Keep going until you reach success! I'd try a layout, get frustrated at something, and then give up for a while. Then I'd get enthusiastic again and try another layout.... get bored/frustrated, dump it again.... wash, rinse, repeat! Also, remember you can use both pen+paper and digital! I found the monthly layout+future log really irritating and time consuming. I hated how they don't 'notify' me like google calendar does. Therefore I use g-calendar for future things, and get it to notify me at the end of the previous week - I then note it down in the bujo when I draw in the following week. As for the bujo itself I have a weekly spread where I split a page into 8 (7 days and a weekly goals section), and the other page on the double page spread is a 'jotter' where I can freely write my stream of thoughts without worrying about the order, date/day I'm doing it, or how 'pretty' it is. Then I place each task into the appropriate days. I find it stops me 'future-tripping' (worrying I NEED TO DO X THING WHY AREN'T I DOING IT NOW?? as I'm doing something else) to have structured spaces for the whole week. The original version was too last minute to only draw in the current day at a time. With my method I can simply think 'I put that in for Wednesday, today's Monday, stick to today'. I could talk a lot longer about my experiences, but I'll stop here, haha. Good video! I was wondering if you'd ever cover bullet journals =)

finally, a video that simply and quickly explains bullet journal!

I like the tips that it doesn’t need to be fancy and cute: I tried to make a cute one once and got so so so overwhelmed ! One thing I love to do In my journal though is the habit tracker , lt really helped me develop better habits like washing my face every night , taking my meds and supplements , packing my lunch for work etc.

This was the most straight forward thing ever and I loved every second of it, I watched it twice. I actually am reusing a graph paper booklet (those loopy ones with like 200 pages) because the chances of me getting side tracked are 100%, it was a hard decision as I want to make it perfect but I think it will help me make it ‘perfect’ in the long run (AKA not be a perfectionist/procrastinating) really excited I want to make stickers to mod lodge onto some of pages like the monthly calendar my hand writing is really big ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Ahhh this sounds great! Pat on the back for me for actually watching the vid all the way through (some attention wondering may have occurred), now I just have to watch it again 4 or 5 times to actually understand how to do it ;)

Finally--my peeps! I love all of you!!!

This makes me so happy, cause you completely get it! I have been using a bujo for about a year, and it took me a while to get used to being okay with messing it up and having pages that didn’t work for me. As the new year approaches, I felt like I needed new ideas and a fresh look on my journal. I’m also realizing my ADHD seems to get worse in the winter haha. So thank you for this video, and if you haven’t made the video of what works for you in your bujo yet, please do! I’d love to see it!

Thank you so much. I've struggled 48 years with organization I believe this may be the perfect fit for a journal. I'm old school ADHD a girl who daydreamed a lot, still. I'm glad there are more people talking about and raising awareness because it wreaks havoc on one's self esteem. Feeling like a weirdo not enough, it's just not true. Different not less than. I appreciate your channel so much and have recently shared it with a young mother of three children under five years old who suffers from ADHD. I hope they encourage her as much as they have me.

OMG JESS you're a life saver! After a month of serious "bujo-ing" I'm actually in love by the system again and I made a gigantic effort to stick to this method in the past and I failed several times. And this video made me give it another shot and I can't thank you enough for it

Thank you! This was so helpful. I've wanted to start a bujo for a long time but was always paralyzed not knowing where to start. I'm now in LOVE with what I made today by following your advice

I’ve watched a lot of bullet journal videos but I like this one because it breaks things down clearly. Also I like your energy, it reminds me of a friend of mine ♥️

Omg i didnt even know this channel existed! :) makes me very happy. my parents dont necessarily believe in ADHD so i found out as an adult and im finally doing very well. i realized that i could have done a lot better in school if they would have payed attention... lol maybe they have it too, who knows. its just nice that while i was looking into the bullet journal because i am never satisfied with planners BOOM! i see this :)))) thank you💜

Jessica... I was wondering if you could do an update of your bullet journal? I am a total failure at planners (but they are soooo pretty) and I am thinking about starting a bullet journal. I would love to know what has and hasn't been working for you. Thank you so much for all you do!!!

Pens are AWESOME!!!! 🖊 ❤️ Pro tip: erasable pens are even more awesome for us perfectionistic but scatterbrained Brains. 🧠 And yeah I have planner PTSD too!

I did this about a week ago now and I can instantly feel it working. So easy to maintain once you've set it up that it doesn't even feel like an effort. Thank you!

Thank you for this video! I’ve been wanting to start a bojo for a while but was really intimidated and overwhelmed with how to get started. I started my 1st bujo last weekend and I’m loving it. Again, thank you for making this understandable!!

> remember that a system that works when we're hyperfocusing on it isn't necessarily a system that works for every day life 😵

I've been trying to watch this video over months... Finally been able to watch it from start to end without any distractions (well... there were some). I'm so going to try this. Thank you!

I’ve been binge watching bujo videos the past few days, trying to figure it out, and this video is the most helpful I’ve found for figuring it out and understanding. Thank you!!!!

Is anyone confused by just watching it one time?? and needs to rewatch to understand it??

YES! I would love layouts. I love looking at other people's layouts, but can get discouraged when mine don't look at "good" or "nice" as theirs.

I just want to say thank you so much for posting this! You gave me so much more clarity for my final year of University. I would not have graduated without this. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Got a lot of time on my hands now and just come across this again. I’ve been using some of your system like the Index, numbering pages, long vertical monthly calendar etc for the last couple of years - it’s fantastic and simple! Thank you. Your delivery is so much fun to watch, I hope you have been keeping well and will be back again soon.

You know you have ADHD when you have to watch this at least 3 times to understand/have to pause to absorb info lol

Thank you so much for this!!! I have so many planners that have the first few weeks filled in, then a random page or two from when I found it again... and didn't use it again. I've never made it through the whole year :/. You made me feel more confident by making it by hand because I have tons of colorful pens just waiting to be used lol. I just purchased two books while watching this video...which I know is an impulse buy....but....yea. Maybe this bullet journal can help with the anxiety I have of starting tasks throughout the day. I have so many "I plan to do xyz" thoughts floating around in my head that I get anxious at the thought of prioritizing which one to start with. At least now I'll be able to see my thoughts for the day and become aware of a day that I add to much to my plate. Thank you!

I got super into bullet journals 4 or 5 years ago. Stopped 3 months in. Tried it again last year. Dropped it again. I got a weekly planner recently with no dates and it seems to be working well for me so far, and I don't feel bad about skipping it for a week or 2 because life happens

I have been hunting for the easiest and most minimalistic way to set up a bullet journal. After watching MANY KZfaq videos and feeling as though I wasn't artsy enough, I found your video and it was perfect! So far, I'm on week #2 and it has been very helpful, as have your other videos. Jessica, I don't have ADHD (although I have friends and family that do) but your videos are so spot-on for everyone. Thank you!

Hi Jessica! A fellow ADHDer and hand-writing fan here. (though my handwriting is abysmal, but whatever). I've managed to strike a nice balance by having a REALLY SMALL, very organised diary (one of those week-to-view ones with a notes page- you're right about the small space helping you see time more realistically) alongside a notebook that's always a hot mess. I do a lot of different forms of freelance work alongside a part time university course and full-time temp jobs (not to mention about a million creative projects... and yes, I know, I AM the stereotype) so the only way I can keep track of it is to have something in neurotypical date order with a list of stuff in the future, but also to have a book full of brain farts and garbage that I can put all the messy stuff in where I work out what to do and when. I also have a wall covered in record cards that I've written on in bright permanent marker and stuck to the wall with blu tack. This is something I wish I'd thought of years ago, as you can splurge out your thoughts quickly, and then put them in order afterwards - the two tasks are completely different, especially in my brain. The other good thing is that this wall isn't in my room where I can see it all the time, it's in my study, where I can shut a door on it and go to sleep. I only stick REALLY URGENT stuff that I'll definitely forget on my bedroom wall, in a place I'll see it when my alarm goes off. (one of my alarms, anyway). whoa ok that was supposed to be a short comment. clearly I have a lot of feelings about stationery anyway thANKS BYE

I FINALLY HAVE A USE FOR THE RANDOM JOURNALS I LIKE TO BUY BECAUSE THEIR COVERS LOOK PRETTY!

this really helped a lot! i had started procrastinating literally everything i had to do and then forgot all the tasks. it was kinda fun to have nothing to do until i forgot to hand in 3 assignments and went to school unprepared for a test. thank you so much!

I love having a mood tracker in mine, and I put it next to a "one line a day" page so I can see how my month went and why I was feeling how I felt. And I LOVE putting in a habit tracker to hold me accountable for keeping up with hygiene when my brain is fighting me to do simple things everyday. And I love more having those in February and then in March doing something entirely different, and even going back in April if I want, because I can.

Nice video. And I've watched a few bullet journal vids at this point. One thing that's been working for me - and I'm new to this, too - is finding an old spiral-bound notebook, ripping out the few pages I'd written whatever on, and using it as a practice, mess-it-up bullet journal. I bought a brand spanking (or is it spanking brand) new Rhodia dot-grid journal, but it's so pristine, I haven't even ripped off the shrink-wrap yet. And I have mixed feelings about doing so. I'm lusting after it, for sure. But I don't want to screw it up. So getting my feet wet by using this ratty old thing is a good solution. Especially if you're perfectionistic like me. I keep adding sections - and indexing them - and I'm finding that I'm more of a journal writing person. Like each section: books I've read or movies I've seen or notes about teaching or working out...they're all turning into extended writing-type journal entries. And maybe that's OK. (Of course, anything is OK; there's no right or wrong here.) I'm enjoying doing it and seeing where it goes. Thanks!

A #BUJO = Answer to my ADHD schedule, notebook, organizing time PRAYERS!!!!🤓🙏🎊🎇🎆🎁🎨🌌🕗🌈🌠🙈🙉🙊💃

This is one of the best and most entertaining tutorials that I have seen, on any subject, on KZfaq. Great pace, great energy, and fun! She delivered the most important content with the perfect amount of details. Easy to understand and follow. Thank you!

Wow thank you so much for this!! Definitely going to check out which layouts worked for you. Your videos help me SO. MUCH with every day things that get frustrating for not seeming as do-able as they "should."

I would LOVE to see updates about your BuJo! I love your videos, so SO much!! Thank you for all you do!

You're adorable! Love this simple explanation and tutorial!

I got to the Mess It Up tip, and immediately messed my bujo setup up.... and totally felt fine! That was literally the most important advice you could have given me. Thank you.

Thank you so much for being honest and being REAL in your video. It seems like only those of us with ADHD would truly relate and feel this video and how you explain things

Why have seven people disliked this? I think the video is great!

never diagnosed, but you channel is really helping me :)

Thank you,Madam! I'll start with basics so that I don't get overwhelmed. Starting with a notebook and my fav black pen. Loved your videos.

Idk I often get emotional watching your videos, as you understand! And all your hard work is so very much appreciate! Thank you so much for all your hard work! Iv have struggled with trying normal diary's or journals! You savior!

Best bullet journal tutorial I've ever seen!

Could you make this with a binder, so you can insert pages and move them around, like say you were taking notes on page 15, thought you had enough space, but ran out and there was something in page 16 already, so you could insert a page 15.5 and keep on writing? It could get messy though it might be cheaper to invest in a binder and later on add pages or replace them each year. Plus, binders are so cool!!!!! Do you think it could work?

I just found your video and after all the talk about bullet journals, I just grabbed a graph paper notebook and set it up in pencil to start. I am an artist and have ideas for paintings, pinterest accounts and idea folders on CD as well. I am already feeling like I can now ' get it together and move forward with some semblance of order and balance with it all. Thank you!

This has been a very very helpful video. I started bullet journaling after watching this video and I haven't looked back. This bujo has been so helpful in organising my life. I started with the basics but now I have become habitual of it and started a weekly planning page as well as it helps to see whole week at a glance.

I've been bullet journaling for years now and I love the creative outlet they present. Taking the time to illustrate my layouts is like a mental down time for me. However, I have always had to make sure that the designs are not more than I can do in one sitting or they wouldn't get done. Had to learn that the hard way in the beginning. I also have to allow myself the freedom to say, "this weekend was really overwhelming and busy and this week will be too. Guess I'm going with a basic format for the week." Sometimes I will flip through my journal and can see how well or how poorly I was managing my time based on how the weekly layouts look!

Si, por favor más ideas de diseño de bullet journal. Me encanta tu contenido, eres fabulosa Gracias

I appreciate hearing your calendar ideas. Especially relating to the PTSD around past calendaring fails. Explains why I resist writing things in calendars any more. Just found out I may have adhd at 58. And wondering how I’ve made it this far.

Thank you! I stumbled upon this and this will change everything! I used to take notes about everything for work but the index and key will make things easier to find. I'm starting a new bujo now.

yes! make more videos on the layouts!!!