How I Journal: A Practical Guide to Bottling the Lightning

Journaling can be a transformative practice, helping you organize your thoughts, track your goals, and make sense of the chaos in your head. Over the years, I’ve refined my approach into a simplified system inspired by Ryder Carroll’s Bullet Journal method. While the original Bullet Journal system offers a comprehensive framework, I’ve tailored it to suit my needs—simple, portable, and highly adaptable.

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Here’s a look at how I journal, why it works for me, and how you can adapt it to your life.

The Setup

The Pen – Choice Matters:
I use Parker pens, partially because I’ve received several as gifts over the years. I’ve found that using the same cartridge across all my pens helps my handwriting remain consistent and more legible—a challenge I’ve faced since childhood and after breaking my hand a decade ago.

• When I’m out and about, I use my Classic Parker pen because it pairs well with my journal, the ink flows nicely, and most importantly, it fits neatly in my wallet.
• At home, I use a heavier Parker model for a more comfortable writing experience while maintaining the same cartridge for consistency.
  
  

The Journal:
I use a 64-page A6 Moleskine with 5mm dots. The journal fits perfectly with my pen in a wallet I already owned, making it convenient and portable. When a journal is filled, it’s replaced in the wallet and scanned to my computer for archival. Previous journals are always accessible from my phone, ensuring I never lose important notes or ideas.

The System:
My journal functions as a Quadretto or commonplace book—a central place for everything: random ideas, notes, tasks, reflections, and more. I turn the journal sideways, treating it like an A5, and use a double-page spread for better organization.

I’m a big believer in investing in quality tools for any important task and looking after them. This practice is an affirmation of your approach to the task and builds a solid, intentional mindset.

How I Structure My Journal

The Future Log:

• A double-page spread divided into quarters, each representing the current month and the next three.
• This is where I capture upcoming events, deadlines, or commitments.
  
  

The Monthly Log:

• A two-page calendar with each day of the month on a line.
• The rightmost section is reserved for notes.
• I create a new Monthly Log only when a new month approaches.
  
  

The Daily Log:

• A dense, free-form record of daily thoughts, tasks, and observations.
• I start each new day directly under the last entry, using a dot bullet for events and a dash for notes.
  
  

The Index:

• At the back of the journal, I keep an index of key entries and themes, ensuring I can quickly find anything I need.
  
  

Acknowledging the Bullet Journal Method

My approach is a simplified version of Ryder Carroll’s Bullet Journal method. If you’re interested in exploring the full system, I highly recommend checking out Carroll’s work. The Bullet Journal method is a flexible, robust framework that you can customize to your unique needs, just as I have.

Why This System Works

1. It’s Flexible:
   There’s no rigid format to follow. You can adapt it to your needs on the fly.
   
   

2. It’s Portable:
   A small journal and pen fit easily in your pocket or bag, so you’re never without it.
   
   

3. It Bottles the Lightning:
   By capturing every idea, task, and thought in one place, I don’t waste energy trying to remember things.
   
   

4. It’s Focused:
   This system helps me cut through the noise and stay aligned with my priorities.
   
   

How to Start Journaling

1. Choose Your Tools:
   Pick a journal and pen that you’ll enjoy using daily.
   
   

2. Start Small:
   Begin with just the Daily Log. As you get more comfortable, add the Future and Monthly Logs.
   
   

3. Keep It Simple:
   Use symbols and structures that make sense to you. Remember, this is your system.
   
   

4. Experiment and Adjust:
   Try new layouts, add sections, or refine your approach as you go.
   
   

A Note on Writing as a Process

Writing is not just a way to capture thoughts—it’s a cognitive and meditative process. Writing by hand has significant benefits for learning, understanding, and memory. When you slow your mind to write something clearly, you engage with your thoughts on a deeper level.

Take your time with journaling and other forms of reflective writing. It’s not about speed; it’s about connection. This concept will be explored further in a later post.

Leverage Journaling for 2025

Journaling isn’t just about capturing your thoughts—it’s about clarity and action. With The Clarity Blueprint – Your 2025 Reset, I’ll show you how to combine tools like this journaling method with powerful frameworks to align your goals and build momentum.

If you’re ready to take your clarity to the next level, click below to purchase the course!