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Bullet Journal Lifestyle: Living One Bullet At A Time

Life Design by Cynthia Free eBook Change your life one bullet at a time Bullet Journal for beginners How to set your goals when you don't know where to start.

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**Last Updated December 30, 2019**

Hi! Welcome to the first post in the Bullet Journal Series. This series is intended to awaken your inner muse and inspire your creativity.

Bullet Journaling is for the list takers, sticky note users, and bullet pointers. It is for the inner nerd who loves organization or for the sporadic spirit who has much to accomplish but as many whims as the wind.

Bullet Journaling is a way to track your personal growth, maximize your talents, and reach new heights. It is a functional tool, but most importantly, it is a lifestyle!

Bullet Journal Facebook Group

My Goal List

“A new year means a new opportunity to reinvent yourself and design the life you desire.”

My #1 goal for this year is to keep a bullet journal and to write in it daily.

Benefits Of Keeping A Bullet Journal

The number one benefit you will gain from using a bullet journal is a drastic reduction in the amount of stress you are under.  Putting your thoughts on paper gives you a new perspective on the problems you face each and every day.

Your journal provides you with a place where you can brainstorm and come up with multiple solutions to the challenges you are facing in your life.  Journaling is a fantastic way to see all of your options and then decide which road you should take.  Only by looking at the bigger picture and weighing out your choices can you determine the right path you should choose.

Emotional healing is another benefit you will gain from keeping a bullet journal.  Too many people lack someone they can talk with or someone they feel comfortable with to discuss their problems.  Some of the issues you face are embarrassing. Journaling can help you work through the thoughts and feelings you are experiencing. 

There are many ways you can use your bullet journal to improve your emotional health: tracking your moods, keeping a gratitude log, planning your day to avoid unnecessary stresses, affirmations, etc.  The list could on and on, but you get the picture. Writing your fears, worries, and doubts on paper helps to relieve the stress you are under.

After you have written down your thoughts and troubles, you can look at your problems with fresh eyes and gain a sense of direction and renewed purpose.  Tracking your moods, using a gratitude log daily, and planning out your day will help you to determine what aspects of your life you need to change.

Your lifestyle is your choice.  Live intentionally.

You can also use your journal to discover new things about yourself that you may not have known.  Self-reflection prompts are an excellent way to do this. No one is perfect. There will always be something new for you to learn about yourself.  Journaling can help you to discover your imperfections as well as your more amiable qualities.  Once you have identified your shortcomings, you can implement a self-improvement plan and work toward achieving a work-life balance.

Do you want to learn how a bullet journal can benefit your life? Check out Why Everyone Needs A Bullet Journal In Their Life and How To Make One

What Are The Benefits of Using A Bullet Journal?

Ways To Use Your Bullet Journal To Improve Your Emotional Health

Self Improvement Blogs

If you are interested in improving your life, but you don’t know where to start, check out Self Improvement: The Way To Live Intentionally

There are also lots of blogs (like this one) dedicated to self improvement and helping you find balance in your life.

Clarity of Mind

Do you ever feel like your brain is cluttered? I know I have.

Using my bullet journal, I “brain dump” all the clutter and the junk onto the pages and get them out of my head.

You can do this too.

Tips To Clear The Junk Out Of Your Brain

  • Cut away the negative influences in your life.
  • Focus on what’s important.
  • Use a daily gratitude log. (Click here to snag my free template)
  • Let go of the things you can’t control.

The three main methods I use to achieve clarity of mind are meditation, self reflection, and the morning pages.

Related Article: Obtain Mental Clarity In A Few Simple Steps

Reasons Why You Should You Start Using A Bullet Journal?

There are so many reasons why a journal can be helpful. Other than the reasons mentioned above, here are a few more:

What Types of Bullet Journals Are There?

There are many different types of journals that you could keep.

I have two journals: a writing journal for thoughts related to my latest novel and a bullet journal for my daily life.

There are also gratitude journals, bible journals, self-healing journals, personal planning journals, garden journals, fitness journals, and many more.

Where Did The Bullet Journal Method Originate From?


The bullet journal method was written by Ryder Carroll (see a FREE Preview of his book below).

If you haven’t checked out what bullet journaling is all about and how using one will improve your life, I urge you to continue reading through the bullet journal series.

Not only can living an intentional and organized life change your future, but it also will enrich your soul.

Related Article: Why Everyone Needs A Bullet Journal In Their Life & How To Make One

Bullet Journal Inspiration

A journal is much more than just a diary.

When you think of the word “diary”, do you think of a book where you record your string of consciousness?

A journal is so much more than that. Here is a short list of the uses of a journal.

  • Tracking your finances
  • Setting goals
  • Keeping a TBR list
  • Menu planning
  • Drawings/Doodles
  • Favorite quotes or words of inspiration that you have stumbled across
  • Tracking your moods
  • Tracking menstruation
  • Planning for upcoming events
  • Social media planner

The list goes on and on!

Your journal can be so much more than a record of your memories. Of course, if you are only interested in keeping a traditional journal, there is nothing wrong with that. However, I prefer to keep a journal that is functional on multiple levels.

A journal is a place where you can dump all the junk clouding your brain. It helps you to keep my focus on what is most important in your life.

Journaling Through A New Year | This post covers the benefits you receive from journaling as well as several example of how you can effectively use your journal.

Your journal is personal.

It doesn’t matter if it is the prettiest thing you have ever created or the ugliest as long as it serves its purpose and adds meaning to your life.

How Often Should You Write In Your Bullet Journal?

You won’t get any real benefit out of keeping a journal if you only use it every few weeks or once a month. If you want to reap the fruits of journaling, then you need to use it at a minimum of 2 to 3 times per week.

Make journaling a habit. Find a rhythm that works for you.

Start small with reasonable and realistic journaling goals and then go from there. Set a reminder on your phone and put aside some quiet time where you can focus without distractions.

You will be notified by email when new posts are published, no spamming, promise!

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More Bullet Journal Information

    Tribes Grow Better Together!

    Don’t Forget To Pin Me.

    Bullet Journal | Learn how to use your bullet journal correctly, how to create a bullet journal and what to include in your bullet journal. Click through to learn more.
    Journaling Through A New Year | Do you want to organize your life and enrich your soul? Look no further. This post will walk you through the benefits of journaling and the value it will add to your life.

    How To Plan A Garden

    Garden Plan Organization

    Planning your garden can be overwhelming if you are not organized right from the start. Winter is the perfect time to write down your ideas, organize your thoughts, and draw a map outlining your future garden design. 

    If you want to be serious about gardening this year, there are a few things to consider before you buy your first pack of seeds. 

    • Type of Garden
      • Raised Bed Gardening
      • Container Gardening
      • Vertical Gardening
      • No Dig Gardening
      • Combination Gardening
    • Planting/Harvest Dates
      • Frost Dates
      • Hours of Sunlight
      • Crop Rotation
      • Crop Pairing
    • Plant Types
      • Soil Needs (To Compost or Not To Compost)
      • Structures/Support Frames
      • Space Needed Per Plant
      • Plant Variety
        • Heirloom vs. Hybrid
        • Cross-Pollination
        • Crop Yield
    • Garden Tools
    • The Amount of Time You Can Put Into Your Garden Each Week

    Garden Bullet Journal

    Organizing your ideas in a planner is the best way to succeed in your gardening goals. I recommend using a dot journal.

    I have used the LEUCHTTURM1917 – Medium A5 Dotted Hardcover Notebook for several years. I like using a dot journal rather than a lined one, but that is my general preference. The only downside to using this journal is that it doesn’t fold flat. For this year, I plan on using a wire-bound journal instead. I found one on Amazon that is a little cheaper than the LEUCHTTURM1917. 

    How To Set Up A Garden Journal

    The first few pages of my garden journal are dump pages. Dump pages are where I write down all my ideas in no particular order for the upcoming garden season. This is the space for me to get my thoughts out on paper. 

    Garden Journal Page Ideas

    • Rain and Temperature Tracker
    • Hours Spent In The Garden
    • Money Spent on Seeds, Plants, Tools, Etc. 
    • Seed List
    • Daily, Weekly, & Monthly Observations
    • Pictures/Sketches of Your Garden
    • Crop Pairing Notes
    • Individual Plant/Seed Information
    • Bloom/Harvest Dates
    • Lunar Calendar
    • Tips & Tricks
    • List of Websites For Plant Reference
    • Zone Information

    Your garden journal is a tool you will use for years to come. Reap the benefits of your labor, track your progress, and maximize your harvest. To read more in-depth about preparing a garden journal (as well as page examples), check out the blog post below: 

    How To Create Your Garden Journal Using The Bullet Journal Method – Life Design by Cynthia (cynthiabrandel.com)

    Determine Your Garden Type

    There are many different types of gardens. You can go the traditional route: till a plot of land and plant directly in the ground. Or you may want to start a no-dig garden. You could plant a container garden or build a few raised beds. The options are limitless for what your garden will look like.

    Some questions to ask yourself: 

    1. How much are you willing to spend?
    2. How much do you want your garden to produce?
    3. What types of supports do your plants need?
    4. How much space are you going to devote to your garden?  

    All of these factors play a big part in the overall plan of your garden. If you are looking for a few fresh tomatoes each week, you might plant 2-3 plants. However, if you want to preserve enough tomatoes to feed a family of 4 for a year, you may want to grow 50-70 plants (depending on the type and yield of the plant you choose to grow). 

    Traditional Gardening

    Genesis 2:15 (KJV) And the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. 

    Traditional gardening requires a little more muscle than the other methods, but it works well when you want to produce high yields of crops. My dad has had a traditional garden for as long as I can remember. Each year he feeds into the soil, and the earth gives back just as much as he puts in. Traditional gardening requires a multitude of tools. The ground is tilled at the beginning of the season, and compost is mixed in with the soil to provide nutrients for future crops. 

    You can use mulch, leaves, or weed block carpet to help control the undergrowth while your plants grow to fruition. If done correctly, the plants themselves can help to keep the spread of weeds to a minimum. Although I have used this method in the past, it is very time-consuming and requires a fair amount of yearly upkeep. 

    If you have virgin dirt, you may need to invest in a rear tine tiller. I have a lot of red clay. Although clay is nutrient-rich, it can be difficult for a standard cultivator to handle. A smaller cultivator may be all you need if you have lighter sandy soil.  

    Raised Bed Gardening

    Raised bed gardening is perfect if you use the square-foot garden method. This method is the least time consuming and produces just as much variety and crop yield as traditional gardening if proper crop rotation is followed. 

    I purchased 4 raised beds during Amazon’s prime day sale. The Galvanized Raised Garden Bed Large Metal Outdoor for Gardening Planter Raised Bed Flower Bed Garden Boxes Outdoor, 8x4x1ft was easy to put together. There are 32 square feet per bed, and it is wide enough for me to put a trellis down the middle for vertical plants. This is a good idea if you have limited space but want a large yield and variety of crops. 

    Container Gardening

    If you don’t have a plot of land to set up a garden, you can always plant in containers or grow bags. I used the Gardzen 10-Pack 10 Gallon Grow Bags, Aeration Fabric Pots with Handles to plant potatoes and determinate tomatoes. This size bag holds 1 cubic foot of dirt and is durable enough to be moved after filling. Grow bags are great for patios, porches, or sunny windows.

    No Dig Gardening

    No-dig gardening is great if you can get your hands on a lot of mulch, cardboard, and soil. To set up a no-dig plot, you first lay down something like cardboard or paper on top of the ground. The material needs to be compostable as it will serve as your base. After establishing the base, line the perimeter with a thick layer of mulch. This helps to keep the overgrowth of weeds in check. In the center of the mulch, place 6-12 inches of soil. No-dig gardening follows the same method as traditional gardening without the need for a tiller or cultivator.  

    Using craft paper as a base, I used this method to grow melons and ground-running crops like winter squash. This worked well for those crops as the root system didn’t need much growing space, but the vines needed ample room to run. The craft paper worked well, and when the season was over, I used the lawnmower to mulch it into my compost pile. 

    Combination Gardening

    You can use more than one method of gardening. Mix and match depending on the needs of the plants you want to grow. Also, consider how much space each plant needs to reach maximum yield and what type of support you may need for plants with long vines.

    Another factor to consider is the type of weather you have in your garden space. I only want to use a few trellises on the east side of my house as that side gets the most winds. The west side of my house is better for trellises as the wind is blocked by my home and the tree line. 

    Seed Organization

    After a year of gardening, you may notice an overflow of seeds. Making a seed list is a great way to organize your beginning garden plan. Having a list can also ensure you only buy the seeds you need. 

    Heirloom Seeds vs. Hybrid Seeds

    When picking out the seeds for your garden, you must first determine whether you want to use heirloom, hybrid, or a mixture of both.

    Heirloom seeds are not genetically modified. They are seeds that have been past down through the generations. Heirloom seeds can be saved and planted year after year. 

    Hybrid seeds are genetically modified for a specific purpose. Some seeds can be saved and regrown the following year, but most cannot. 

    Hybrid may work well for you if you plan on buying seeds year after year. However, heirloom is the way to go if you plan on saving your seeds and becoming seed-independent. 

    I have struggled to find a convenient method to store all my seeds over the years. I have used boxes, bags, bins, and even a five-star notebook. All of these methods are doable, but I wanted something better. I stumbled across a youtube video where a lady used a picture organizer to save her seeds. This method is excellent! My seeds are organized by the month they will be planted, so I am only working out of one small case at a time rather than a large book or bin. 

    After you purchase your seeds, read the packets’ instructions to determine the best time for you to plant. Are you going to direct sow or transplant plugs? 

    Direct sowing seeds is when you put the seed directly into the ground. When you plant plugs, you plant a seed in a planter and transplant it when it is strong enough to survive the weather. 

    I have used MIXC 10 Pack Seed Starter Trays, Seedling Tray Plant Grow Kit Mini Propagator with Humidity Vented Dome and Base for Seeds Starting Greenhouse (12 Cells per Tray), and had favorable results. The plastic is sturdy, and the lids are vented, so you don’t burn your seedlings on hot days. 

    If you are planting before the last frost date, use frost covers to protect your crops. I have used the Garden expert Plant Covers Freeze Protection Floating Row Cover Thickened 1.2oz Fabric Frost Cloth Plant Blanket for Plants & Vegetables in Winter(8FTx15FT) with much success. This was especially helpful last year when we had a late frost, and my lettuce was already 3 inches out of the ground. If not for these frost covers, I would have lost my whole crop and had to start over. 

    Having a plan and using a journal is a great way to ensure a successful gardening year. Write down tips and tricks you learn along the way and take notes on what worked and didn’t work so you can make changes for the following year. 

    Most of all, remember that over time your garden can evolve. It can be different from year to year. Experiment and try new things. 

    Please Be Aware I May Earn A Small Sum From Any Amazon Purchases Made From Links Within This Post. 

    Book Review: Prey: Imperium Protectors (Coveted Prey Book 1) by L.V. Lane

    The Revenant City Series Book 1

    Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. To learn more about affiliate links please see the privacy policy and disclaimer

    Title of Book:  Prey: Imperium Protectors (Coveted Prey Book 1)

    Author: L.V. Lane

    Main Character(s): Belle, Silas, Nate, Dax and Bram

    First Published: July 31, 2020

    Pages: 269

    First Sentence: “’Damn it!’ It has been a testing year, and I’m close to my breaking point.”

    Last Sentence: “The brooding Alpha only smirks. Long, dark hair tied back in a queue, a rough beard, and a fearsome scar that bisects his right brow and cheek. I recognize the miss. The man who claims her lips, I do not.”

    To surrender oneself is to surrender the heart.

    Story Line Overview: 

    Belle is roughing it on her own in the wild. Her companions are a few scrawny chickens, a courageous dog named Shep and 9 overly fat pigs. Belle is an omega, a prize for an alpha. That was until her dad died a year ago. Now, she is a sitting target. Ploys and deceit can’t keep her safe for long.

    Starving, cold, and nearing desperation, Belle is rescued (claimed) by her Alphas Silas, Nate (a half shifter-half alpha), and Dax. The three Alphas happen upon Belle during their mission to apprehend an outlaw named Oswold. Instead of Belle’s natural instinct to become their prey, she turns the situation into a win and wraps the Alphas around her little finger. Now she is the most fearsome predator the Alphas have ever faced.

    They group must travel on a perilous journey back to the home of the Alphas where they will be joined by the last Alpha, Bram. Along the way, they must deal with what to do with Belle’s pets (the pigs) and the ever-present threat of an attack by the outlaws.

    My review:  

    This was a good read. The story kept my attention from start to finish without fail. Although there are a few parts of the story where I was scratching my head at Belle’s actions, for the most part her actions fit the role of a weak girl learning to be strong.

    I liked how Belle had the final say as to who she wanted to go with. I did not enjoy all of the submissive parts of the story line, but for it to fit the plot, it worked. The author did a good job developing this world and the characters in it. I will continue to read this series to see where it takes me.

    Overall, I would give this novel a 4 out of 5 stars.

    I would recommend this story to anyone who loves the Curse of the Gods Series, The Darkest Drae Series, or the The Hades Trials.

    To read more reviews visit Book Reviews by Cynthia

    Young Adult Fantasy and Post Apocalyptic Novelist
    Author of The Sanctorian Series & The Revenant City Series

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    How To Write A Novel Using OneNote

    Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. To learn more about affiliate links please see the privacy policy and disclaimer

    You will be notified by email when new posts are published, no spamming, promise!

    Learn how to plan an outline, organize your notes, and write a novel using OneNote. The way you set up your novel from the beginning is important for how you edit later. Writing the entire novel in a single word document is possible, but it is difficult when you want to move scenes around and try different flows throughout your work.

    Why One Note?

    OneNote is a life saver—and time saver!  OneNote is versatile program that allows you to keep your notes, outlines, research, and drafts all in one place.  You can SNIP CLIPS OF RESEARCH straight from the web to a section in your notebook.  For all research items, OneNote adds a REFERENCE to the bottom of the snip-it.

    Writing a novel using OneNote gives you the ability to MOVE CHAPTERS AND SCENES EASILY—giving you flexibility with structuring your novel right from the start.  Add tags to notes or scenes for quick reference. Make a SCENE CHECK LIST and keep up with your progress.  Also, you can track how much time and progress you make by adding a word tracker to your notebook.

    The possibilities are limitless!

    How to Set Up OneNote For Writing A Book

    Start by opening a fresh notebook. I keep a different notebook for each of my novel series (and potential novels I haven’t written yet.)

    Set Up One Note For Planning a Novel

    OneNote Sections for Planning A Novel

    After you create a notebook, you will need to MAKE SECTIONS to keep your writing, research, and outlines organized. A lot of writers only use 2 sections: Meta and Body. I, however, like to break my meta data up a bit further.

    • Writing Tracker
    • Notes
    • To Do
    • Locations Meta
    • Character Meta
    • Outlines
    • Body
    Organize Your Writing Process Using OneNote

    How to Set up a Writing Tracker in OneNote

    Bullet Journal Facebook Group

    I used to TRACK MY WORD COUNT using my bullet journal. I switched to using OneNote for several reasons.

    • Timeliness: it can take a long time to write a novel, especially is you work long hours and can’t spend more than a few minutes at a time on your writing. If you are like me, you are a weekend warrior; you focus on the meta/planning process during the week and put the actual writing off until the weekend.
    • Thought tracker: I write notes in my tracker to help me keep on the same thought process for what I need to do later. Example: “Need to go back and proofread later” or “possibly move the scene to a different part in the novel”

    My writing tracker shows the life and development cycle of my novel. I can identify when my creative process is running dry and time when I am most productive.

    In OneNote, create a page. I decided to track my work by the month, but you can always do a continual tracker. Insert a table with 5 columns.

    1. Date
    2. Completed: This is your scene list with any notes you may have. 
    3. Ending word count: I list off how many words are in each scene I have completed
    4. Total # of words: This is the total number of words written this date
    5. # of Words to Go: This is where you track your goal for the month: Example I want to write 50,000 words by the end of February
    Track your word count using OneNote

    How to Set up Notes and Research Pages in One Note

    Any author knows that notes are important. I have several writer’s notebooks full of notes and helpful information, but I’m not going to carry them to the park with me when I want to work on my writing outside. OneNote gives you ACCESS TO NOTES you use frequently. You can easily flip from your work to your notes section without flipping through paperback books or carrying around a bookbag full of reference material.

    Organize Your Research Notes Using Onenote

    Pages you might include in your notes section:

    • Definitions or list of terms
    • Words you want to use
    • Formatting data: font size, chapter spacing notes,
    • Research about character development
    • List of crutch words
    • Words to use other than said or smile

    How to create a to-do list using OneNote

    Keeping a to do list is a good way to make sure you don’t forget something important.  Between work, home, blogging, and overall life in general, there is a lot to keep up with.  When writing a novel in OneNote, I use my to do tab to write down quick thoughts that pop up that I don’t have time to deal with at that moment.

    Use One Note To create a novel writing to do list

    How to create Meta Pages using OneNote

    For my first novel, Forbidden, I started out with Meta data in an excel sheet.  This worked well for a novel with a short character list, but if you have a large cast, it gets annoying flipping through excel sheets to find the information you are looking for. Also, excel is not as flexible as OneNote.

    Many writers make one section called Meta and put all their information under that section. I prefer to spread my data out a little more. Do whichever works best for you.  For me, The Sanctorian Series covers a lot of ground between 2 worlds and includes the 3 races of Sanctoria as well as the humans on Earth.  I found it better to SPLIT THE META SECTIONS in locations and each of the 4 races.

    organize meta data when writing a novel using onenote

    How to Use OneNote to Flesh Out Locations

    When writing about locations, you want to make them as believable as possible.  One way to do this is to GATHER PICTURESof like places from the web and use them as reference. Each of my locations has a letter and number assigned to it.  I use this in my outline: more on that later.

    Also, if your story covers multiple locations, you can CREATE A PAGE for the main location and sub pages for each sub location.  For example: The Produrai Community in Forbidden encompasses the Queen’s hall, Lyla’s Triwound Tree, The Courtyard, etc.

    how to flesh out locations when writing a novel using OneNote

    How to Use OneNote to Flesh Out Characters

    You can use OneNote to make notes about the lives of each of your characters as well. Use pictures from the web as a refence for your descriptions. You can TAKE SNIPPETS straight from your writing and copy them into the character meta page FOR REFERENCE later.

    Things you might include in your character meta pages:

    • Name
    • Character Arch Type Notes
    • Basic Data: age, hair color, physique
    • Character goal/motivation
    • Background story
    • Pictures
    • Reference notes for later
    how to flesh out character profiles when using OneNote to write a novel

    How to Use OneNote To Outline Your Novel

    Keeping up with your outline in OneNote is simple. Make a section named outline.  In this section, you can add pages with notes and tips for writing each ACT of your novel.  Having a space to look back at your notes makes working out your novel outline easy.

    Other than notes pages, I keep each copy of my outline as a separate page. As your story progresses your outline progresses.  To keep up with your outline, insert a table on a page.

    Things you may want to track in your outline:

    • Scene Number
    • Scene Purpose
    • What part of the Act Map you are working on
    • Scene description
    • Character insight
    • Scene Setting/Location
    • List of characters
    • Notes for later
    Organize Your Novel Outline when using onenote to write a book

    Setting Up Your Novel in OneNote

    Create a section with the title of your novel.  Each page in this section represents a scene in your work. By focusing on writing a scene rather than a chapter, you will be able to move parts around and keep your work organized. 

    I do not write directly in OneNote as I do not want to spend hours when I am finished cutting, pasting, and reformatting my work into a word document. Instead, I write each scene in a word document and when finished, insert the scene into the scene page as a printout.  This allows me to flip through the pages for quick reference as well as make notes on the actual document without marking through the original work. 

    For example: I wrote a scene that had important character insight I knew I was going to need to reference later in a future scene.  I used the pencil tool in OneNote and circled this part of my work in big red marker.

    Things you may want to include on your scene pages:

    • Scene meta data from the outline
    • Word count
    • Important notes for later
    how to organize scenes using onenote to write a book

    Also, by inserting each scene directly into the page, you can directly access it by opening the document from OneNote.  You don’t have to flip through your files to find the scene you are looking for. It is right there at your fingertips!

    OneNote is an awesome program that keeps your writing, writing notes, and outlines organized and easy to reach. It saves time during the writing process to have access to everything you need in one spot.  Writing your novel using OneNote grants you flexibility with structuring your novel right from the start. 

    I would love to hear how you use OneNote to write your novel.  Drop me a comment in the comment box below and let me know how OneNote works for you.

    Increase Your Word Count: 6 Tips for Making a Creative Writing Space

    Writers need space.  Space to think outside the box. Space to be themselves fully without judgment or spying eyes. Whether you use a dedicated room or the bed you sleep in, having a dedicated workspace for writing will help you increase your productivity and daily word count.

    When you are comfortable in your space and in the zone, your writing will feel more like play. Distraction-free and your own personal zen zone, YOUR CREATIVITY WILL FLOW FREELY.  With a few tricks, you will be putting out novels, stories, poems, or whatever tickles your fancy, faster than you ever have before.

    You will be notified by email when new posts are published, no spamming, promise!

    Decide on Your Writing Space

    Choose your writing space. Whether you sit at the kitchen table, home office, or your bed, choose that give you a feeling of your own PERSONAL ZEN. You can be just as productive in a small workspace as you can in a large in.

    How to set up a writing area:

    • Choose a space free of distractions. Find a spot or a room where you won’t find yourself looking at a sink full of dirty dishes that need to be washed, or a basket full of clothes that need to be folded.  Your space needs to keep your focus on your writing.
    • Keep a clock nearby.  Taking ample breaks and completing writing sprints is a great way to keep yourself on track.  Having a clock nearby can help you be more productive and keep you from experiencing burn out.
    • Make your space comfortable. There is nothing worse than an uncomfortable workspace.  Starting with where you are sitting, make sure your chair promotes healthy posture. Avoid clutter.  You want your space to be comfortable and promote a feeling of peace and happiness (PERSONAL ZEN). Add a plant or some pictures of your loved ones. Your space is judgment-free. Do what makes you happy and helps you to keep your focus on your writing.

    “Energy Goes Where Focus Flows”

    • Adjust the temperature. Choose a space where you can control the temperature room. If the room is too warm, you may find yourself getting sleepy. Too cold, and you may be uncomfortable.
    • Set the mood. Whether you need complete silence or soft music playing in the background, set the mood to inspire creativity.  Creating a writing playlist is a great way to set the tone for your literary work. Acoustic romance songs set the tone for a romantic scene. Or likewise, the drums of war to awaken your creativity when writing conflict.  Whatever you are going to work on, set the tone to get those creative juices flowing.
    • Pick a scent. Smell is a strong mental trigger. When you think of fresh-baked cookies, can you smell them coming out of the oven? Or a campfire? Can you smell the burning wood? Using a scent to trigger your brain into “WRITER MODE” is a secret used by many famous authors. Whether you choose a candle, incense, or an essential oil diffuser for your workspace, choose what promotes positivity.

    Optimize Your Writing Space and Workstation

    Whether you are a note taker, pencil pusher, or computer geek, your writing space will need a few elements to keep you productive and on track for reaching your writing goals.

    • Writing Notebook or Writing Bullet Journal
      • This book contains the backbone of your work. From scene lists and character archetypes to formatting notes and word trackers, your writing notebook is an essential piece of your literary world.
    Bullet Journal Facebook Group
    • Sketch Pad or Note Pad
      • Having a sketch or note pad handy can help you jot down spur of the moment thoughts or map out plot points in your literary work. Don’t forget the pens, pencils, and erasers!
    • Computer
      • Whether you use Microsoft Word, Notepad, or OneNote as your writing medium, your computer (with a fully charged battery) is essential.
    • A Safe Place To Put A Drink
      • Electronics and liquids do not mix!  Ensure you have a place to put a drink where it cannot spill and ruin your computer or your notes if it spills.

    Your writing space or workstation should be a place you want to spend time in.  If should bring you joy and be your form of PERSONAL ZEN. Make your space your own and decorate it so that it brings you joy and happiness.

    What’s in your writing space? How did you set up your workstation to promote productivity? Post your comments below and let us know!

    Review of Zen Art Supplies Bullet Journal B5 Modernista Series

    Life Design by Cynthia Free eBook Change your life one bullet at a time Bullet Journal for beginners How to set your goals when you don't know where to start.

    Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. To learn more about affiliate links please see the privacy policy and disclaimer

    Zen Art Supplies

    Zen Art Supplies is a family run business founded by Ardak Kassenova and located in London, England. A partner with UNICEF, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, Zen Art Supplies donates a portion of each sale to the Art in All of Us project or “AiA” for short. AiA helps to inspire kids all over the world to share their passions through art and promotes tolerance and understanding of their diverse backgrounds.

    ZenART Faux Leather Dotted Journal – B5 Sized, 7 x 10-inch, Notebook with Vibrant Colors, Japanese Edge Motif – Lay Flat, with Grid for Journaling

    Bullet Journal B5 Modernista Series Key Features:

    • Soft, Scratch Resistant Cover
    • Dotted Paper (5mm Spacing)
    • Ink Proof Paper
    • Lay Flat Thread Bound Spine
    • 7 inches wide X 10 inches tall
    • 154 Pages with Numbers in Lower Corners
    • 4 Index Pages
    • Stickers for Labeling and Archiving
    • 100 g/mm Ivory Acid Free Paper
    • Expandable Built-in Pocket
    • Rounded Corners
    • 2 Ribbon Bookmarks
    • Vibrant Edge Printed Japanese Motif of Various Designs
    • Vegan Friendly
    • Recyclable
    • 14mm thick
    • 15.7oz weight

    First Impression

    I ordered this journal from Amazon for $17.95. This particular journal is part of the Modernista Series. There are 5 different journal colors to choose from. Each color has its own unique Japanese edging.

    The journal has a soft silky smooth cover with an elastic band to hold the journal closed. The cranes on the edging are very vibrant purple and add a great artistic flair to the journal.

    Initially, I wasn’t interested in this journal because of the size. I am used to using an A5 bullet journal (5in X 8.3 in) and have been hesitant in using a different size.

    But, now that I have this one, I like this size. There is more room on the page, so I can fit my weekly into one page and my reflection into the other. It works out well for the minimalist spreads that I use in my bullet journal.

    Bullet Journal Facebook Group
    • Zesty Lime: Cranes
    • Turquoise: Foxes
    • Lavendar Blue: Dragon Flies
    • Vermillion Orange: Sea Waves
    • French Rose: Plovers in Bamboo

    The backing of the front cover and the front of the first page are printed with the Japanese edging on thick matte paper. There is also a page dedicated for the initial cover. On the bottom of the page it says: “Be creative, design your own inner cover.”There are 4 index pages with 26 lines each. In total there are 104 index lines for use. After the index, there are 154 dotted pages with a small number in the bottom left or right side corners respectively.

    On the inside of the back cover is an expandable pocket. Inside you will find three items: a sticker sheet, a thank you from the founder and a card welcoming you to the ZenART Supplies family.

    In all of the other bullet journals I have bought, and I have bought quite a few over the years, I don’t think I have ever received a thank you card from the founder. There are a lot times when the customer is treated as a number, however it was nice to be thanked for my purchase.

    On the back of the thank you card is an introduction to the Zen Art Family. It says pretty much the same as the About Us page on Zen Art’s website.

    Click here to check out the Zen Art Supplies About Us Page

    The sticker page is glossy and would not work well with gel pens as they would easily smear. There are two dotted labeling stickers with 3 dotted lines each.

    Also there are three single dotted lines that would work well for dividing the index into sections. I am not a big fan of using labeling stickers, so I left them out of my bullet journal set up.

    Final Thoughts About Zen Art Supplies Bullet Journal B5 Modernista Series

    I am anxious to using this new bullet journal. Starting a new bullet journal is always an exciting time. Planning out the spreads you want to include, the style, the pens…..I can be such a stationary nerd at times!

    As I progress through the year, I will update this post with information about the wear on the bullet journal through use and I will post some pictures of the ink and ink bleed on the ivory pages. I plan to use many different mediums such as water color, highlighters, pens, color pencils, etc. throughout the year and develop this journal with artistic reflections as well as weekly and monthly spreads.

    You will be notified by email when new posts are published, no spamming, promise!

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    Book Review: Prey: Imperium Protectors (Coveted Prey Book 1) by L.V. Lane

    Belle is roughing it on her own in the wild. Her companions are a few scrawny chickens, a courageous dog named Shep and 9 overly fat pigs. Belle is an omega, a prize for an alpha. That was until her dad died a year ago. Now, she is a sitting target. Ploys and deceit can’t keep her safe for long.

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    Best Bullet Journal Blogs To Follow In 2020

    Life Design by Cynthia Free eBook Change your life one bullet at a time Bullet Journal for beginners How to set your goals when you don't know where to start.

    Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. To learn more about affiliate links please see the privacy policy and disclaimer

    **Last Updated 7/15/2020**

    Are you new to bullet journaling? Or are you browsing for bullet journal ideas? You’ve come to the right place!

    \Bullet Journaling is for the list takers, sticky note users, and bullet pointers. It is for the inner nerd who loves organization or for the sporadic spirit who has much to accomplish but as many whims as the wind.

    Bullet Journaling is a way to track your personal growth, maximize your talents, and reach new heights. It is a functional tool, but most importantly, it is a lifestyle!

    Bullet Journal Lifestyle

    Bullet Journal Facebook Group

    My current bullet journal is the Leuchtturm1917. Coincidentally, this is the original bullet journal. This bullet journal has a durable cover and is easy to throw into my purse when I’m on the run. It also has a pocket in the back where I keep some washi tape and sticky notes.

    Leuchtturm1917 Medium A5 Plain Hardcover Notebook (Emerald) – 249 Numbered Pages

    There are also gratitude journals, bible journals, self-healing journals, personal planning journals, garden journals, fitness journals, and many more.

    If you are like me, your bullet journal goes everywhere with you. It sleeps beside your bed, travels in your purse, attends meetings, sits on your desk, goes grocery shopping…..well, you know what I’m talking about.

    Your bullet journal is your constant companion. Whether you keep it simple or go all out with doodles and art supplies galore, your bullet journal keeps you focused on what’s important, maintains a record of your productivity, and helps you take consistent strides toward your goals.

    The best thing about your bullet journal is that it is customized for you. You design your life one day at a time. The best way to design your bullet journal is to experiment with new spreads and ideas. Experimentation unlocks your bullet journal’s full potential.

    Before I started blogging about bullet journals on Life Design by Cynthia, I learned a lot from seasoned bullet journal bloggers. In this post, I wanted to share some of the best personal journal blogs on the internet.

    But before we dig in, pin me for later. You will want to come back from time to time for more inspiration.

    Below is a list of bullet journal bloggers with ideas and inspiration to add to your own bullet journal. They talk about everything from bullet journal supplies, bullet journal fonts, bullet journal spreads and much, much more.

    The bullet journal bloggers listed below get it! They understand what bullet journaling is all about. While you are perusing through the blogs below, keep in mind that these bloggers worked hard to come up with bullet journal blog posts ideas.

    Subscribing to their bullet journal newsletter can allow you access to different freebies that you could use in your everyday life planning.

    Some freebies include:

    • bullet journal spreads
    • bullet journal planners
    • bullet journal fonts
    • bullet journal ideas

    As you will see below in my bullet journal blog examples, all the bullet journal bloggers use the bullet journal method differently. Some are more focused on bullet journal decoration and artwork. Others (much like myself) are minimalist bullet journal blogs, with a heavy focus on the planning method.

    Whatever your style, I am sure you will find valuable resources in my bullet journal blog list below to inspire your inner muse and maximize your bullet journal addiction.

    Oh, don’t forget to join my tribe!

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    Bullet Journal Art Blogs You Should Follow

    Diary of a Journal Planner by Thass and Kirsty. They share tutorials and hope to inspire you with their creative planning and easy to follow doodles instruction.

    Journal with Purpose by Helen: Helen focuses on beautifying your journal through the use of many different mediums. Her bullet journal spreads provide inspiration for the art inclined.

    Little Coffee Fox by Shelby is one of the first blogs I went on to learn about bullet journaling. The artistic spreads are beautiful and she walks you through how she made them.

    Pretty Prints and Paper by Jess: Jess offers classes for improving your bullet journal hand lettering.

    Minimalist Bullet Journal Blogs You Should Follow

    Bullet Journal Joy by Kim: This blog focuses on easy to follow spreads. The set up is very basic and great for any minimalist looking to add a little organization to their life.

    Type B Planner by Gem: This blog has different minimalist spread ideas that are easy to reproduce in your own bullet journal.

    Living Between The Lines by Megan features a college based bullet journal system that is great for planning your time quickly as well as organizing your social streams.

    Minimal Plan by Claire shares resources that are goal focused. She uses simple spreads to sort our tasks and take leaps toward achieving her goals.

    Bullet Journal Time Management and Personal Development Blogs You Should Follow

    A Pen and A Purpose by Marlena: This blog focuses on areas of productivity and mindset, using tools such as the bullet journal, Trello, blogging, planning, and journaling.

    Boho Berry by Kara: This blog is centered around three main themes. Live Better. Achieve Your Goals. How To Use The Bullet Journal Method.

    Elizabeth Journals by Elizabeth has organizational tips, time management and tools for designing a positive life style.

    Creative Bullet Journal Blogs You Should Follow

    Blossoms and Bullet Journals by Annie: This blog shows a lot of examples for setting up your month. Annie is very creative and uses simple techniques that are easy to follow to glamour your bullet journal.

    Square Lime Designs by Christina focuses on uses stickers in her bullet journal rather than drawing out her weeks. She offers a variety of stickers for purchase on her blog.

    My Life In Dots by Marieke: This blog has loads of inspiration for the almost-artistic (like me!) Marieke thinks outside the box and tries different bullet journal methods as well as different types of bullet journals to add organization to her life.

    Puddleside Musings by Emma: Emma is a yarn loving bullet journalists that keeps it simple. Her spreads are easy to replicate and her ideas are great for any minimalist.

    Bullet Journal You Tube Channels You Should Follow

    AmandaRachLee by Amanda shows how to set up your bullet journal and also provides themed spread walk throughs.

    Caitlin’s Corner by Caitlin: This vlog is all about adulting. Caitlin uses simple artistic designs in her bullet journals and easy to follow instructions for replication.

    Rachel Stephen by Rachel: This YouTuber is one of the first that I started to follow. Other than being a published author, Rachel shares her passion for bullet journaling and life management.

    The Budget Mom by Kumiko: Kumiko is a licenses financial counselor with a passion for bullet journaling. She will walk you through how to organize your finances and maximize your bank through the use of bullet journal financial spreads.

    Instagram Bullet Journal Accounts You Should Follow

    Dorin Draws by Dorin is focused on simple artistic design.

    Straight Plans by Andrea has a creative approach to bullet journaling. Her designs are beautiful and her page has a lot of bullet journal spread inspiration.

    Cheleegraphy by Chenie Ornido Lee is an artist’s blog. Chenie loves quotes and scripture and frequently designs spreads around them.

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    Bible Journal Blogs You Should Follow

    Hope Dream Journal by Allycia: She says “I want to help others see that you CAN hope more and dream bigger for your life through journaling freely!”

    Pinterest Bullet Journal Boards You Should Follow

    Bullet Journal Addict by Crystal: She says, “My philosophy is that creativity is like a muscle, if you don’t exercise it enough you lose your creativity. Here on Bullet Journal Addict I motivate you to get creative by providing simple tutorials and new ideas that you can use in your own bullet journal.”

    Rae’s Daily Page by Rae: Rae is a bullet journal addict with a love of stationary (I mean—don’t we all just go crazy about stationary!)

    My Inner Creative by Nicola: Nicola is a “passionate stationery addict, an overexcited blogger and a lover of everything bullet journal! #bulletjournal #bujo #blogger”

    The sites listed above are some of the best bullet journal bloggers I have ever seen. They have transformed their passion in a lifestyle and shared the bullet journal blog ideas with you. They provide a wealth of information about the bullet journal method.

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    Powerful Full Moon Reflection Questions To Ask Yourself

    Life Design by Cynthia Free eBook Change your life one bullet at a time Bullet Journal for beginners How to set your goals when you don't know where to start.

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    Just like the moon affects the ocean tides, it can also affect our emotions. There are a few simple things you can do to help your inner energy flow with the rhythm of this celestial body. Tuning into what is happening to your body, mind, and soul during each moon phase helps to manifest your intentions and urges you forward through your own journey of personal growth and self-development.

    Before we dig in, don’t forget to follow me on pinterest and pin this post for later.

    What are the phases of the moon?

    Phases of the Moon

    There are 8 different lunar phases each month: New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter (or Third Quarter), and Waning Crescent.

    Just like the Earth, half of the moon is always illuminated by sunlight (like night and day). The phase we see in the night sky is a result of the moon’s position to the sun.

    Moon Journaling

    Keeping a moon journal is a great way to track your self development progression. There are many benefits to keeping a moon journal.

    • Awareness of your connection to the universe. Journaling through the phases of the moon helps to make you feel connected to something much bigger than yourself.
    • Record of the changes of energy flow through your body, mind and spirit. Everyone has an inner energy flowing through them. Just like the moon affects the tides, it also affects (though sometimes unknowingly) the flow of energy within yourself. Keeping a record of how you are feeling, your thoughts, and level of vitality will help you understand what your body is experiencing during each phase.
    • Manifest a better future. Manifesting is the power of the spoken word brought into fruition. Manifesting your hopes and aspirations during each moon cycles helps to center your mind on the here and now. It recharges your energy levels and promotes a happier, healthier state of mind.

    How To Start A Moon Journal

    Your journal can be as simple as adding a page to your current bujo during each phase of the moon, or having a separate journal all together for this practice.

    I add a page into my current bullet journal. This helps me keep my thoughts focused on my goals while allowing me to reflect on all of my recent and past accomplishments.

    Bullet Journal Facebook Group

    Powerful Questions To Ask Yourself During The Full Moon

    The full moon is a time for reflecting on your current being, meditating on your goals and aspirations, recharging your inner energies, and showing gratitude for all you have experienced and overcome.

    Each full moon corresponds with a new moon from a previous month in relation to the zodiac. Below is the list of Moon starting January 10, 2020

    ZodiacSignantFull MoonNew Moon
    CancerWolfJanuary 10July 20
    LeoSnowFebruary 9August 18
    VirgoWormMarch 9September 17
    LibraPinkApril 7October 16
    ScorpioFlowerMay 7November 15
    SagittariusStrawberryJune 5December 14
    CapricornBuckJuly 5January 24
    AquariusSturgeonAugust 3February 23
    PiscesCornSeptember 2March 24
    AriesHunterOctober 1April 22
    TaurusHunterOctober 31May 22
    GeminiBeaverNovember 30June 21
    CancerColdDecember 29July 20

    Questions For Reflection

    • What were you experiencing during the corresponding new moon (six months ago)?
    • What were your intentions during that corresponding new moon (six months ago)?
    • Do you have the same intentions now?
    • How have you progressed in your journey?
    • How have you grown as a person?
    • What is something you can do (1 simple action) to continue moving forward toward your intentions?

    Questions For Recharging Your Inner Energies

    • What are your most important goals right now? Why are they important?
    • What is obstructing you from reaching your goals?
    • Where are you not fully realizing your potential due to fear of going against the grain or risk of embarrassment?
    • What is the most important action step you can take during this full moon to step out of your box and leap toward your intention?

    Questions For Meditation

    • What has happened since the last new moon (28 days ago)?
    • How have your intentions manifested?
    • How has your life changed over the past month?
    • Are you comfortable with this change?
    • What could you do differently?

    Questions For Showing Gratitude

    • What are you thankful for?
    • What’s an accomplishment you are proud of?
    • What are you looking forward to?
    • What do you like best about yourself?
    • What do you like best about your current circumstances?
    • What do you love most about life?

    Take some time and sit with these questions and don’t rush through them. Meditate and write out anything that comes to mind. The practice of journaling helps to unlock your inner thoughts and free your mind of the burdens it carries each day. Beneath the full moon, look up to the heavens, and allow yourself to feel worthy of your place within this great universe because you are worthy.

    You will be notified by email when new posts are published, no spamming, promise!

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    Book Review: Stolen by Shadows (Into the Labyrinth Book 1) by Evelyn Avery

    The Revenant City Series Book 1

    Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. To learn more about affiliate links please see the privacy policy and disclaimer

    Title of Book:  Stolen by Shadows

    Author: Evelyn Avery

    Main Character(s): The Erlking King & Izzy

    First Published: May 2020

    Pages: 280

    First Sentence: “The Erlking sat on a throne of thorns at the center of his fallen kingdom.“

    Last Sentence: “But the woman only slashed her hand through the air in a quelling motion, her angry gaze taking both of them in. ‘Where the hell is my daughter?'”

    Dreams are the memories of our past lives, not all of which are worth remembering.

    Story Line Overview: 

    Izzy is just a typical off her meds college student with a passion for theatre. Since young, she would dream of another world full of wonder and fear. She talked about the Erlking and the creatures of this world as if they were real, forcing her aunt Greta to take her to seek professional medical help.

    But, Izzy has a knack for theatre and soon learns how to act the way people would expect. Instead of living her dreams, she puts all of her creativity into her plays–developing her casts and production around her living dreams of the man that both terrifies and excites her.

    The Erlking king is said to be the most beautiful of all faerie. He rules over his dimension. He and Izzy are stuck in a never ending loop. They would forever be together. In every life time he would find her and possess her. The consequences of not having her would result in the destruction of his world.

    Although the Erlking could take what he wants at any time, the faerie have rules to abide by. Izzy has to willingly give herself to him. He cannot take without permission or winning his favor. To win Izzy and have her easily submit to him is the goal. The labyrith is the key. The Erlking sets Izzy on a timed quest to save her friends from their own destruction and to escape the mind-playing, ever changing labyrinth.

    The lives of her friends or the savior of the dying world, Izzy will have to figure out what is most important to her and face her dreams head on.

    My review:  

    This was a good read. The story kept my attention from start to finish without fail. Although there are a few parts of the story where I was scratching my head at Izzy’s actions, for the most part the characterization fit the bill.

    I liked the story between the Erlking and Izzy. It is a tragic fairytale unlike anything I have read before. Both dark and alluring, Avery will keep you guessing. From beginning to end, the tie between Izzy and the Erlking is unclear. The attraction is there but the fear outweighs the need.

    Overall, I would give this novel a 4 out of 5 stars.

    I would recommend this story to anyone who loves the Curse of the Gods Series, The Darkest Drae Series, or the The Hades Trials.

    CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW ON AMAZON

    To read more reviews visit Book Reviews by Cynthia

    Young Adult Fantasy and Post Apocalyptic Novelist
    Author of The Sanctorian Series & The Revenant City Series

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    <<<<<<<<<<Previous Review<<<<<<<<<

    June Bullet Journal Set Up

    Life Design by Cynthia Free eBook Change your life one bullet at a time Bullet Journal for beginners How to set your goals when you don't know where to start.

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    June is the sixth month of the year. It is a time of reflection and redirection. This month you evaluate what you have accomplished, rethink your goals, and plan for next half of the year. But before we begin, don’t forget to pin me!

    June Planning

    Planning. It is a wonderful thing. I plan for everything! It keeps me focused and organized. I am more productive now than I have ever been before. But, life needs balance. I was reading through Ecclesiastes this month and something King Solomon wrote struck home.

    “What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new under the sun….I have seen all the tings that are done under the sun and have found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind.” In a nutshell, don’t spend your whole life chasing the wind. You can’t catch it. You can harness its power, and you can never keep it in a jar. Life requires balance. Sometimes that is hard to achieve.

    Related article: How to Achieve Work Life Balance

    I balance my life and my time by planning ahead and ensuring I accomplish all the small goals I have set for myself. If you haven’t set goals for yourself or don’t know where to start, check out 7 Steps To Set and Achieve Attainable Goals and, my personal goal plan, Smash Your Goals Usine The Level Ten Lifestyle Method.

    Bullet Journal Supplies I Use

    Good pens and art supplies are not cheap. Yes, you can go the dollar store and pick some up, but “you get what you pay for”. 

    Fine point Sharpie Art Pens are the bomb! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars with over 2,000 reviews, these pens are worth every penny. Plus the case folds back and turns into a handy stand.

    I like to keep my spreads simple as you will find out when you scroll below. To add a little color to the pages, I use the Zebra Mildliner Creative Markers. They are great highlighters. I can’t tell you enough how much I love these things! They don’t bleed through the pages and they have dual tips.

    For a full list of supplies that I use in my bullet journal as well as a few recommendations: check out the blog post below.

    Monthly Cover Page

    Since this month is about reflection and redirection, I don’t want to spend a lot of time striving outwardly toward my goals, but meditating on what my strategy has been thus far and how I plan to proceed in the future. So for June, I turned my bujo into an RPG game with added reflection pages.

    Weekly Spreads

    The Game of Life Skill Tree

    Spirituality

    • Bible Reading
    • Meditation
    • Prayer

    Health

    • Eating Right
    • Exercise
    • Cleanliness

    Happiness

    • Self Care
    • Creativity
    • Bullet Journaling
    • Daily Journaling

    Love

    • Family Time
    • Relationship

    Wealth

    • Bills
    • No Spend Weeks
    • Side Jobs

    Moon Reflection Journal Prompts

    I was looking through a few websites and found a few moon reflection prompts that caught my attention. So, I added them into the monthly set up. For reference website: Click Here

    Blog Planner

    I have a yearly blog planner where I track the hours I spend and the posts I write, but each month, I have a mini planner. This planner helps me to focus on what is important for right now. As the world changes and life evolves, so too does my blog and the direction my blog goes. For example, I didn’t really post a lot in the month of May because I didn’t have anything I really wanted to share. Instead of informational posts, I posted book reviews. You can check them out at Book Reviews by Cynthia.

    June’s blog planner is broken down into four categories:

    • Most Important
    • If I Have Time
    • Little Things (An hour or less)
    • Review

    Breaking my goals into these four categories makes it easy for me to organize my time. June is garden season for me, so between work, writing (yes, I’m a published author. Snag one of my books for free below), gardening, blogging, and family, my time is stretched thin.

    But, let’s get back to that work life balance thing we talked about earlier. My bullet journal helps me to plan out my time so I still have time to spend playing elder scolls online (I’m a bad ass assassin mage with a major healer complex!), going on dates with kids and hubby, and travel planning for vacation.

    Mid-Month/End of Month Review

    As I do every month, I reflect back at all the steps I have taken and refocus on my main goals. Some of my goals changed as life has changed. The world nearly came to stand still when COVID19 hit. Working in the healthcare field, my regular routines changed drastically. One of my goals was to go out on a date each month with my hubby at a nice restaurant. Needless to say, all restaurants had take out only, and everywhere you went you could see the fear of COVID19. So, we didn’t really leave the house much.

    But, every month needs a review. I prefer a blank page when I do my review. This gives me enough room to write out what I have accomplished, any world/life events, and how I feel at that point in time. I update my review page at the end of every week. This way, when it comes to the end of the month I can read about what I have accomplished, reflect and meditate on what I am going to focus on next.

    Bullet Journal Facebook Group

    June is turning out to be one busy—but balanced—month. I hope this post has inspired you to design a little more creativity into your life and reflect on all the wonderful things you have done thus far.

    I would love to see your June bullet journal. Feel free to leave a link in the comments to your bullet journal post as well as your thoughts about this post.

    Oh…..and don’t forget to snag a copy of the first book in my newest series: The Revenant City!

    The Revenant City Series Book 1
    Young Adult Fantasy and Post Apocalyptic Novelist
    Author of The Sanctorian Series & The Revenant City Series

    Book Review: The Power of Hades (The Hades Trials Book 1) by Eliza Raine and Rose Wilson

    The Revenant City Series Book 1

    Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. To learn more about affiliate links please see the privacy policy and disclaimer

    Title of Book:  The Power of Hades

    Author: Eliza Raine and Rose Wilson

    Main Character(s): Hades and Persephone

    First Published: May 2020

    Pages: 240

    First Sentence: “Blood. Everywhere I looked there was blood. And fire. Flames were licking over the bodies as they lay motionless. What have you done?”

    Last Sentence: “Then light, green and vibrant filled my vision and something incredible flooded through my failing body. Something rich and strong and fierce. Something alien and familiar all at once. It was power. I had my power back.”

    You will never know what you are truly capable of until you stand face to face with your own mortality.

    Story Line Overview: 

    Persephone is a plant loving college student just trying to make a living. She scrapes by working as a barista on campus. Her life was normal, routine and boring until one fateful afternoon when a way too hot to look at guy walked into the store and tried to hit on her.

    Zeus is a trickster, all powerful and mighty, but also spiteful and narcissistic. He kidnaps Persephone, “Persy”, and takes her to the underworld to participate in the Hades Trials. Zeus has mandated Hades find a new bride. As Persy experiences this world, she finds that everyone in the underworld knows her already as the true Queen of the Hell.

    Unable to ask questions, and kept under strict guard, Persy must fight for her life, face her worst fears, and become more than she thought she ever could be. She has to overcome all odds if she wants to win again the mythological gods that have taken away her free will and find her way back home.

    But curiosity is a dangerous thing. Persy finds herself wanting to know what happened between her and the seductively dark and yet terrifying Hades. She prods and pokes through the numerous people she meets to find answers. She even temps Zeus himself to divulge some of the information.

    Finding out that there is more to her past than she could have ever imagined, Persy slowly comes to realize, fate can be cruel and fighting against it is futile.

    My review:  

    This was a very quick and interesting play on the love affair of Hades and Persephone. I liked the story line from start to finish. Hades was dark and mysterious, attracting and repulsing at the same time. I like how his character was designed to be full of anguish. He loves strongly but stands to his principles.

    Persephone is one bad ass heroine. She goes from quiet and reserved to a warrior queen within the span of a few chapters. The one negative I have about her character is her inability to control her own urges when she is around Hades. She was completely mesmerized by his eyes, which was mentioned more than once, and lost all ability to think for herself when too close to his masculine body.

    Overall, I would give this novel a 4 out of 5 stars.

    I would recommend this story to anyone who loves The Titan’s Saga, A Court of Thorns and Roses, and Everless.

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    To read more reviews visit Book Reviews by Cynthia

    Young Adult Fantasy and Post Apocalyptic Novelist
    Author of The Sanctorian Series & The Revenant City Series

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