Bullet Journal Schweiz Suisse Switzerland

Since spring 2018, I have been offering Bullet Journaling workshops at the Künstlerei Köniz. A creative topic that has piqued Sandra Baumann's curiosity. She is the owner of the Künstlerei. In an interview, she asked me a few questions about Bullet Journaling:

Sandra:

I had never heard of a bullet journal until recently. Is it a new trend?

Veronika:

The Bullet Journal has been known in America for a long time. The inventor, Ryder Carroll, shared his idea with the public several years ago. His original system is very minimalist and simple. That's why I believe that it was the entire online community in social media with all its ideas, additions and extensions that made the bullet journal what it is today, namely a great tool that can be adapted to your own wishes and needs.

In Germany, there are already many Bujo enthusiasts and a large market for accessories. Well-known German companies such as Faber Castell and Stabilo have taken up the topic and are advertising products in this context.

I don't know whether the bullet journal will become very popular in Switzerland, but I could well imagine it.

Sandra:

How did you come across the bullet journal yourself?

Veronika:

I had been dissatisfied with my "normal" planners for a long time. Since I also like to stick things in them, draw or make notes, I had either too much or too little space depending on the given layout. And of course there were also lots of notes and post-it notes that I often lost track of. I was actually looking for inspiration on the subject of art journaling when I came across bullet journaling on the internet and knew immediately that this was exactly the right thing for me. I've been enthusiastic about it to this day.

Sandra:

So a bullet journal is more complex and contains much more than an agenda. Why do you think it's still worth the effort to create a bullet journal?

Veronika:

You can also keep the bullet journal in a very minimalist way and just need any notebook and a pen. Then it is not at all complicated and you still benefit from its structure and flexibility.

Sandra:

How has your everyday life or your life changed/enriched by the bullet journal?

Veronika:

There are a lot of things that have changed for the better for me!

I often no longer had a proper overview of my "paperwork" and that was quite a burden for me. With the bullet journal, I knew that every appointment, every task, every idea, etc. was noted down, and systematically, so that I could find everything again at the right time and do it. That took a lot of pressure off me and brought calm to my carousel of thoughts.

With so-called trackers, I was also able to motivate myself to change habits: exercising regularly, drinking more water, eating less sugary foods and meat, etc.

I can also express myself creatively in the bullet journal. Even as a teenager, I loved drawing and writing, and at the time I kept a diary in particular. Both of these things had taken a back seat for a long time due to work and family commitments. I enjoy giving this need more space in the bullet journal. This turns a normal notebook into a very personal, individual "life book" that I often and happily leaf through.

I was also very touched by the spirit of the Bujo community on social media. It is very compassionate and supportive. Ideas and layouts are generously shared and people give each other advice and tips.

Sandra:

You have a lot of fans on social media and you know the "scene". What kind of people are they who share your joy of bullet journaling?

Veronika:

On the one hand, I think they are people who, with all the digital abundance, want to indulge in something analogue and tactile again. Digital detox is a term that the Leuchtturm company also uses to market its notebooks, which are one of the most popular for bullet journaling. In addition to the extremely practical benefits, I find bullet journaling relaxing, almost meditative. The monthly/weekly setup has become a beloved ritual for me and I could imagine that many others feel the same. Incidentally, the number of my "fans" is still quite manageable compared to Boho Berry, a pioneer in the bullet journal scene.

Sandra:

As a design and painting therapist and graphic designer, I am convinced of the value of creativity and I could imagine that the bullet journal inspires me to live a more conscious life, for example by regularly capturing beautiful moments in pictures and words. Would you confirm this experience?

Veronika

Definitely! I used to often have the feeling that the days/weeks/months just went by so quickly and unnoticed and I wasn't really aware of everything I had actually achieved, accomplished and experienced. With the bullet journal - the way I keep it - my life leaves a visible trace for me. My everyday life is both organized and documented and I find that a great joy and enrichment.

Sandra:

Thank you very much for answering my questions and I wish you much success with your bullet journaling courses at the Künstlerei!

Veronika:

Thank you for the questions. The "search" for answers has made me realize again how enriching bullet journaling is for me.