My bujo works better without all the extra stuff

I see posts about fancy layouts and cool drawings, but I think plain lists are more helpful. Last week, I just wrote my tasks in a column with checkboxes. My win was finishing my work list two days early. For example, I had to plan a project and instead of making a spread, I jotted down steps. It saved me time and stress. Keeping it basic lets me focus on what I need to do. Do you ever feel pressured to make your journal look perfect?

3 comments

3 Comments

thea5151mo ago

Totally get what you mean about the plain lists. Seeing all those fancy spreads online can make you feel like you're doing it wrong, but it's such a trap. I used to waste so much time trying to make mine look cute before I even wrote a single task. Now I keep it bare bones, just like you described. If my to do list gets done, that's the only pretty thing I need to see. The fancy stuff is just for show, but the simple list actually works. You can always add a little flair later if you feel like it, but starting simple is the real key.

robinmason1mo ago

Ever notice how the fancy list trend makes productivity feel like a PERFORMANCE instead of actual work? Stripping it down to basics can be a quiet rebellion against that showiness.

joseph_lewis921mo ago

Exactly! I saw an article about how all the perfect planner photos set up this fake standard. It makes the simple act of writing stuff down feel like you're not trying hard enough. @thea515 is totally right about the trap of making it cute before you even start. My lists are just ugly scribbles on a scrap of paper from the kitchen. If the job gets done, who cares what it looked like? The fancy stuff is for likes, but the messy list is what actually moves things forward.