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Ultra-Streamlined Style Part 3

In part 1 and part 2 of our Ultra-Streamlined bullet journal series we looked at a minimal effort approach to the Monthly Module. In this installment we'll look at horizontal design found on the official Bullet Journal website under the entry Top 5 Bujo Ideas in 2017.


In this horizontal timeline we still see ample space to write what we need, but perhaps in a more spacious design. In the Ultra-Streamlined style, if we take this horizontal design and try to keep effort to a minimum while still including everything needed, how would we do that? Here are some suggestions.

Placement

We all wear different hats from time to time. Our personal and professional lives are two of the most obvious examples. Add a side business, school, or any other category to the list, and you see how a journaling system of any kind can get messy. With this horizontal design, placement can help your calendar stay organized and easy to keep up with. An efficient technique can make all the difference.

Perhaps regular weekly events can be written close to the timeline, and irregular events written further away (to better grab your attention). Maybe personal and family stuff can be written below the line, and professional, hobby, business, school stuff on the top. What ever your preference, thoughtful placement of your information can put some method to the madness.

Color

Notice in the included photo, the Saturdays and Sundays are a different color from the rest of the week. This simple technique makes it easy to quickly separate the weeks while setting up the module and while using it during the month. As for content, I personally use one color for work stuff, one for a side business, and one for everything else. A multi-color pen accommodates this easily.

In the example above, you'll see an area to the right side of the timeline. In the Ultra-Streamlined style, this would be used as your monthly tasks list, but obviously you can use it to suit your needs.

Combining placement and color can make for a quick and easy system to accommodate your life.

Habit Tracker

In the previous posts on the Ultra-Streamlined style, a habit tracker was included. This can still be accomplished with the horizontal timeline. Just move the timeline lower or higher on the page, or place it where ever you may need it. One side of the timeline (top or bottom) would be devoted to the normal calendar use, and the other to your habit tracker.

See part 1 and part 2 of the Ultra-Streamlined style.

If you've tried a horizontal timeline for your monthly log, comment here and tell us about it.


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