Bullet Journal Life

October 2018 Bullet Journal Spread & Monthly Goals

October 1, 2018

October is already upon us, which means it’s time for me to show you all my October 2018 bullet journal spread and monthly goals! I kept things very minimalistic and simple to make sure that I don’t get too overwhelmed to use it. From my previous bullet journal blog posts, I kept similar elements such as monthly spreads and trackers, but within them, I changed some setups.

Monthly Overview

I found that in September (I didn’t share my bujo with you all for that month), it was so helpful to have a calendar-like spread to see what I have going on for the month. I like to pen in events that are less everyday and more overarching and one-time events. From Alex and mine’s 3.5 year anniversary to some fun blogger events, October is going to be fun! I also always put some quote to motivate me throughout the month and October’s is: “invest in yourself”. A simple but important memo we should all keep at the forefront of our thoughts every day. I used empty space as a brain dump/notes section, a blog notes section to compile my ideas and a LSAT scores tracker section.

Trackers

On my October 2018 bullet journal spread, I really wanted to create an expenses tracker that is helpful to me and will keeps me accountable for my expenditures. I took the top section to outline my hard expenses for the month. I mean “hard expenses” as in expenses that I HAVE to pay no matter what. This includes Netflix, my rent, the internet bill, my gym membership, etc. Next, I created separate sections for cash, credit card, debit card and venmo to see where I am spending money most. And lastly, a smaller section to outline where money is coming in for the month. This setup has been so helpful to gauge at a glance what I have been spending on and where.

Next we have my habits and mood tracker! I kept my mood tracker super simple: sad, meh, happy. I have a bedtime and wake-up tracker, a health section which includes taking vitamins and flossing, and also a social tracker for things like keeping up with the blog and Instagram. This shade-in method is easier for me to go in every night and fill out quickly. Efficiently has allowed me to keep up with my journal throughout the month.

The next page is empty for now but it’s going to be for my tutoring tracker. I get tutored for my LSATs every week and I like to jot down notes from what I have learned in addition to my progress.

Weekly/Daily Overview

This is the first time I am using this setup! I found someone on Pinterest use this method and I was so intrigued at if this actually helps. For me, I will go in and fill out the next day the night before…so for Tuesday, I will fill it in Monday night. I loved this idea when I saw it because I am someone who loves my days planned out. I’m actually more productive when I know exactly what my day consists of and if I know I will be busy. I am still learning about this type of spread as I go along, but it seems to work great today!

Budgeting / Reflections

I had some room left over from my weekly / daily overview so I made use of the space and wrote out my budget for the month. This is the first time that I am actually budgeting myself – I want to see where I spend money and how I can control it to the best of my abilities. Categories include eating out, groceries, bills, subway, etc.

Lastly, we have the October Reflections area. I have been doing this the past two months and it has been my favorite part. This is an area for me to come to at ht even dog the month tow rite down my thought and reflections on the different areas of my life. I am able to reflect on the month, see what I loved and what I didn’t love — this become a catalyst of change that I can incorporate into my life for the next month.

October Monthly Goals

With every new month, I try to come up with some goals to work towards. This has helped me stay motivated and to challenge myself in areas of my life so I don’t become too boring haha!

  1. Go to the gym at least 4 times a week – you know, I initially wanted to make this goal “going to the gym every day of October” but so many people said that was too drastic…and I agree. I feel so much better every time I go to the gym, but I go through phases of being super motivated and then phases where I am so content being a couch potato. No matter what this month, I am going to get my butt off the couch and to the gym at least 4 times – hopefully more lol.
  2. Study harder for the LSATs – I know, I know…you guys have heard me talk about the LSATs forever and I am taking it next month…so I have to buckle down and really study hard. this is the last available test to me if I want to apply this round so it means A LOT! I have told myself to study at least an hour or two after work everyday.
  3. Read More – I have gotten back into reading and it’s been so inspirational already! I am currently reading this book that I can’t wait to share wth you all soon. Reading has always been one of my favorite things to do and I am incorporating it back into my life every chance I get.

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I hope you all enjoyed getting a glimpse into my October 2018 bullet journal spread and my monthly goals! I have so many blog post ideas for this month that I can’t wait to share with you all and hope you are just as excited. Let me know one goal you are working on for October in the comments!

A million and one thanks for reading — until my next lil’ thought then!

xx Jen

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18 Comments

  • Reply Audrey | Brunch at Audrey's October 2, 2018 at 6:33 pm

    I love all the spoopy doodles in your bujo! Reading more is on my list as well. I’m so looking forward to cosy autumnal evenings cuddled up with books, candles, and hot chocolate :’) Good luck with your LSAT studies ahh! -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s

    • Reply lilthoughtswithjen October 2, 2018 at 8:03 pm

      Hi Audrey!! Thank you so much for always leaving me the BEST messages! I can’t wait to snuggle up with a good book too and have so many on my list! And thanks for your well wishes, I will need every ounce of it haha
      xx jen

  • Reply Jessica October 3, 2018 at 3:31 am

    I love the idea of actually listing your goals. Anyway, wishing you all the best on your studies dear. And yes, no need to go to the gym every day if you have a very busy sched. It’s super normal to feel unmotivated from time to time, so 3 to 4 times a day will do.

    Jessica | notjessfashion.com

    • Reply lilthoughtswithjen October 5, 2018 at 9:07 pm

      Thank you so much jessica! i will need all the luck I can get haha! And yesss, everyday would be TOO MUCH! Thanks for reading!
      xx jen

  • Reply Danielle Alexa October 3, 2018 at 4:00 pm

    Every time I see a bullet journal I really want to create one for myself!

    Danielle xx
    https://www.fashionbeautyblog.co.uk/

    • Reply lilthoughtswithjen October 5, 2018 at 9:07 pm

      girl you totally should start your own-i know it will look AMAZING!
      xx jen

  • Reply Jessica Guarnizo October 6, 2018 at 1:05 am

    I love this bullet journal spread, it looks so cute! I’ve actually always wanted to make one of these but have never gotten around to doing it. Great idea to incorporate a Reflections section; sometimes it’s good to just take a step back and look back on what has happened, bringing back good memories or analyzing lessons learned.

    https://jessysfashionbook.com

    • Reply lilthoughtswithjen October 12, 2018 at 8:08 pm

      thank you so much jessica!! you are the absolute sweetest! You definitely should start your own – it doesn’t even have to have all of these components – i find that getting things out of my head and onto paper is so much better to keep track of! thanks so much for reading!
      xx jen

  • Reply Serene October 7, 2018 at 1:21 pm

    Your journal is so cute, you’ve made me want to be more organised! <3

    Serene XO

    http://www.surrealserene.com

    • Reply lilthoughtswithjen October 12, 2018 at 8:08 pm

      thank you so much serene! and being more organized is always good hah!
      xx jen

  • Reply Jeanne October 14, 2018 at 1:08 am

    Aaahh thanks for sharing! I always love love love to check out other people’s journals/planners for some reason! Love how pretty and neat your handwriting is and how you’ve set up your bullet journal. I’m always a little obsessed with having a yearly journal and always have to have a calendar layout as a monthly overview. 🙂

    http://www.jeannieinabottleblog.com

    • Reply lilthoughtswithjen October 14, 2018 at 12:36 pm

      thank you so much jeanne! I have to have some sort of overview or else i just start forgetting everything haha
      xx jen

  • Reply Carmen October 14, 2018 at 3:22 pm

    Aaw wow your journal is goals Jen! I love how you structured it so well and clean 🙂 now you just motivated me to do mine a bit better 😉
    xx, Carmen – https://carmitive.com

    • Reply lilthoughtswithjen October 18, 2018 at 8:56 am

      thank you so much carmen!! your comment made my entire week!
      xx jen

  • Reply Emily October 15, 2018 at 3:34 pm

    These are such good goals – I especially love the part about going to the gym at least 4 times a week instead of trying so hard for EVERY day. Sometimes I set unrealistic goals like this and then get disappointed that I can’t reach them and just give up altogether which isn’t good! Also YES to incorporating more reading – I’ve been doing the same lately and loving it!

    -Emily | http://www.TheEmilyEdition.com

    • Reply lilthoughtswithjen October 18, 2018 at 8:57 am

      Hi emily!! Thank you so much for reading! and yes! after going through the first couple of weeks, I’m SO glad that I lowered the number because it’s hard enough as is haha!
      xx jen

  • Reply Emily Hein October 25, 2018 at 8:49 am

    I love that you shared this! Having monthly goals and holding yourself accountable is so important! You have definitely inspired me to write down my monthly expenses because I honestly try to forget about them haha. I hope you enjoy the rest of your week!

    • Reply lilthoughtswithjen October 28, 2018 at 10:49 am

      thanks so much for reading emily!! I have been soooo good lately after starting to track my spendings!
      xx jen

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