healthy habits from 2024 that i plan to keep forever: my simple, functional journaling system౨ৎ⋆˚｡

2024 has been a year of learning what truly works for me. After years of buying notebooks, getting motivated, and then abandoning them after a week, I finally found a journaling system that sticks. The secret? Keeping it simple, functional, and true to myself.

I used to get hung up on making my journal “organized,” “pretty,” and planned out for the entire month. I wanted it to look like those aesthetic bullet journals I saw online—color-coded, filled with beautiful spreads, and perfectly curated. But the truth is, that approach didn’t work for me. It felt forced, overwhelming, and, honestly, inauthentic.

This year, I decided to let go of perfection and focus on what really matters: functionality. I adopted a simple system that helps me stay productive, track my moods, and log what feels noteworthy—without the pressure of making it look “pretty.” And guess what? It’s the only method that’s helped me build a consistent journaling habit.

My Simple Journaling System

• Start With 5 To-Do Lists:
• Every day, I list 5 actionable tasks.
• Keeping it short and manageable ensures I don’t feel overwhelmed.
• Use Symbols for Clarity:
• Bullet Points (•) for Actions/Tasks: Clear and concise.
• Dashes (-) for Notes: Quick thoughts, ideas, or context.
• Equal Signs (=) for Moods: A simple way to track how I’m feeling.
• Circles (O) for Events: Logging important happenings or milestones.
• Keep It Noteworthy:
• I only log what feels meaningful or important. No pressure to fill every page.
• Move Uncompleted Tasks Forward:
• If I don’t finish a task, I move it to the next day. No guilt, no stress—just progress.

A Touch of Creativity (But not too much pls lol)

Even though making my notebook pretty isn’t my number one goal, I still like to add a little personality to it. I’ve found that small touches—like stickers, doodles, and hand-lettering—make my journal feel more me without taking up too much time or energy.

Here’s my rule: Keep it minimal.

My tips and tricks:

• I use only 1-3 colors of highlighter (and only one highlighter per page).
• A black pen is my go-to for writing.
• Stickers and doodles are added sparingly, just to make the pages feel a bit more lively.

This way, my journal feels personal and creative without becoming a time-consuming art project. It’s functional first, with just a hint of flair.

See more in this video!

Why This Works for Me

• It’s Simple: No complicated layouts or time-consuming setups. Just pen, paper, and a few minutes of my day.
• It’s Functional: The focus is on productivity and self-reflection, not aesthetics.
• It’s Authentic: My journal is messy, unpolished, and true to my life. And that’s okay.
• It’s Balanced: A touch of creativity makes it enjoyable without derailing the purpose.

The Mindset Shift that Made It Stick

The biggest lesson I’ve learned this year is to let go of perfection. I no longer force myself to create a “bullet journal” that looks like it belongs on Pinterest. Instead, I embrace the messiness and imperfection of my system. It’s not pretty, but it’s real—and that’s what makes it sustainable.

By focusing on functionality over aesthetics, I’ve been able to build a habit that actually serves me. And that’s the whole point, isn’t it?

Tips for Building Your Journaling Habit

If you’ve struggled with journaling in the past, here’s my advice:

• Start Small: Focus on a few key elements (like to-do lists and mood tracking) and build from there.
• Let Go of Perfection: Your journal doesn’t have to be pretty or Instagram-worthy. It just has to work for you.
• Be Consistent, Not Rigid: Some days, you might write a lot. Other days, just a sentence. Both are okay.
• Make It Personal: Your journal should reflect your life, not someone else’s ideal.
• Add a Touch of Creativity (If You Want): Use stickers, doodles, or highlighters sparingly to make it enjoyable without overcomplicating things.

Final Thoughts

This simple, functional journaling system has been a game-changer for me in 2024. It’s helped me stay productive, reflect on my days, and track my growth—all without the pressure of perfection. And the best part? It’s a habit I plan to keep forever.

If you’ve been struggling to build a journaling habit, I encourage you to try this approach. Keep it simple, keep it real, and most importantly, keep it yours.

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What’s your journaling style?