I’d like to share more about one of the most useful skills I've learned! As a skill, bullet journaling improves over time with practice. This ritual can help with focus and provide the momentum needed for the month's tasks.

Ryder Carroll, the creator of the Bullet Journal Method, outlines a five-step monthly ritual process.

Monthly Log: At the end of each month, review and update the timeline in your monthly log, reflecting on notable events and actions.
Written Reflection: Write about significant events from the past month, allowing deeper contemplation and learning.
Setting Up the New Month: Create a new monthly timeline and action plan. You may choose to categorise tasks into personal and professional columns.
Migration Filter: Review incomplete tasks from the previous month, using a filter to decide what to carry forward into the new month. 
Monthly Focus and Intentions: Identify critical tasks and set personal and professional intentions for the month ahead.

This process not only organises past activities but also sets a clear and focused plan for the upcoming month. The Bullet Journal Method encourages experimentation and customization, ensuring your journaling practice continually evolves to meet your needs. I admit that I don’t fully reflect on each month that passes, but I can find no flaw in the method Carroll recommends. Each time I follow this practice, I make meaningful decisions that shape the following weeks. 

Do you have a ritual that helps you reflect and plan? 

Here is some vocabulary to help you describe how you use your journal, diary or planner. 

Catch up on - to complete something that you have not been able to do until now.

After vacation, it took me a few days to catch up on my to-do list. 

I want to catch up on the episodes I missed. 

Check off - to mark items as completed.

She checked off each item on her grocery list as she shopped.

I love to see a list I’ve made where every item is checked off. 

Fill in - to add information to a document.

I need to fill in my monthly timeline with upcoming events.

Please fill in your details on the registration form.

Look back on - to reflect on the past.

I look back on last month’s entries to see my progress.

It's always nice to look back on old photos and memories.

Set up - to prepare or arrange something.

I set up my new month’s layout every first day. 

My desk is set up in a way that makes my work easier. 

Sort out - to organise or arrange something.

Sorting out my tasks helps me stay organised.

He spent the afternoon sorting out his paperwork.

Put off - to delay doing something.

I often put off organising my desk until it becomes a mess.

She decided to put off her vacation plans until next year.

Go over - to review or check something.

I go over my notes to decide what to carry forward.

Let's go over the report before the meeting.

Focus on - to concentrate on something.

Bullet journaling helps me focus on my monthly goals.

He needs to focus on his studies to improve his grades.

Get down to - to start doing something seriously.

It’s time to get down to setting up my new month.

After procrastinating for days, he finally got down to finishing his project.

Plan out - to make detailed arrangements for something.

I like to plan out my tasks for the entire month.

She planned out her trip meticulously, ensuring everything was perfect.

Tick off - to mark items as completed.

I love ticking off tasks on my bullet journal.

He ticked off each completed chapter on his reading list.

Go through - to examine or review.

I go through my notes to decide what to carry forward.

She went through her wardrobe to donate old clothes.

Wrap up - to finish or complete something.

I wrap up my journaling session by setting intentions.

Let's wrap up this meeting by summarising our key points.

Move forward with - to proceed with something.

After reflection, I move forward with new goals.

They decided to move forward with the new plan.

Break down - to divide into smaller parts.

I break down my goals into actionable steps.

She broke down the project into manageable tasks.

Carry forward - to move something to a later time.

I carry forward incomplete tasks to the new month.

The unused budget will be carried forward to the next year.

Reflect on - to think deeply about something.

Reflecting on past events helps me learn and grow.

He likes to reflect on his experiences at the end of each day.

Come up with - to think of an idea or plan.

I come up with new layouts each month.

She came up with a brilliant solution to the problem.

Lay out - to arrange or plan.

I lay out my tasks and events for the month. 

Let’s lay out the plan for the move to the new place. 

Stick to - to continue doing something despite difficulty.

I try to stick to my daily journaling routine.

He managed to stick to his diet and exercise plan.

Jot down - to write something quickly.

I jot down important events in my monthly log.

She quickly jotted down the phone number on a piece of paper.

Think over - to consider something carefully.

I think over my past month’s achievements and challenges.

She needed time to think over the job offer before deciding.

On the right track - to be doing something correctly.

My bullet journal keeps me on the right track.

He feels confident that he is on the right track with his studies.

Take stock of - to review and assess a situation.

I take stock of my achievements at the end of the month.

It's important to take stock of your resources before starting a new project.

Get your ducks in a row - to organise things well.

My monthly setup helps me get my ducks in a row.

She spent the weekend getting her ducks in a row for the upcoming event.

Make headway - to make progress.

I make headway on my goals with a clear action plan.

They have made significant headway in their research.

Keep tabs on - to monitor.

I keep tabs on my progress with daily entries.

He keeps tabs on his expenses to stay within budget.

Stay on top of - to manage something effectively.

Bullet journaling helps me stay on top of my tasks.

She stays on top of her workload by maintaining a strict schedule.


I hope you'll practise some new expressions with me!