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Moms who hold day jobs suffer a ridiculous amount of mom guilt because it is simply too much to keep up with. And while a Bullet Journal isn’t a silver-bullet-miracle-cure, it can really, really help.

Bullet Journal Ideas for Working Moms (5 big wins & a few shortcuts)

Last updated on April 12th, 2022 • Bullet Journaling

Are you looking for Bullet Journal ideas for working moms? I feel you! 

Because let’s be real — it’s exhausting to work full time in addition to running to the store, keeping track of permission slips, attending after-school or weekend sports, and maintaining a mental list of everyone’s current shoe sizes.

Do you know why the female audience of the movie Bad Moms was laughing so hard they were snorting popcorn?

It’s because they could relate.

Moms who hold day jobs can suffer a ridiculous amount of “mom guilt”, because there is simply too much to keep up with. And while a Bullet Journal isn’t a silver-bullet miracle cure, it can really, really help. 

Here are 5 Bullet Journal Ideas for Working Moms.

(No fancy markers, no Instagrammable spreads— just big wins and a few shortcuts.) 

Note: if you are new to the idea of Bullet Journaling (bujo for short), it’s worth your time to watch this short video by its creator, Ryder Carroll. 

This 5 minute video is by the creator of the Bullet Journal (and the best overview I know of)

1. Use rapid logging to track personal and professional tasks in a single place (because it’s all blended in your head anyway)

The beauty of a Bullet Journal is that you can keep everything together in one place—which means your mind can trust it, and stop pinging you about all the undone things. After all, there is no such thing as “work life” and “home life.” There is just life. 

Forget the beautiful layouts you’ve seen on Instagram. The process of rapid logging is the Bullet Journal method at its core, and the reason it is so effective. 

Here’s how it works:

  1. Write the date at the top of your page. My shorthand—stolen from somewhere—is 06.27.Th (It’s helpful for me to throw in what day of the week it is.) 
  2. As fast as you can, write down everything you have to get done today. (Not tomorrow or next week). 
  3. As new things come up, add to the list. Put a dot beside each item. It doesn’t matter if it is for work or home. (But if blending them makes you crazy, then put two columns on the page—one for work and one for home.) 
  4. As you do things, put an x beside them. If something becomes irrelevant, draw a line through it. 
  5. At the end of the day, put a > symbol next to whatever isn’t done, and move it to the next day. This is “task migration” and it’s a key part of the Bullet Journal method. If something isn’t important enough to move to the next day, decide not to do it and draw a line through it. 

Rapid logging is intended to be done quickly, and to create the go-to list you will focus on each day. 

Bullet journal shortcut for working moms: If there are certain tasks you do every single day, write them all on a sticky note and move the note over to the next page when you are migrating tasks, so you don’t have to rewrite them. (Sure, the x’s that show completion won’t have anything next to them on previous pages when you move the note, but you are a working mom in a hurry, and you need the time advantage!)

Linda Mason shares a brilliant strategy in her Working Mother’s Guide to Life. She says that the best ways to create the culture of your family are in your morning and evening routines. Why routine? Because love and connection are created in the little things we do over and over.
Using your Bullet Journal to document, test drive, and live out your morning and evening routines is a life-saver for working moms. It automates the details. 

2. For an emotional and logistical win, track morning and evening routines.

Linda Mason shares a brilliant strategy in her Working Mother’s Guide to Life. She says that the best ways to create the culture of your family are in your morning and evening routines.

Why? Because love and connection are created in the little things we do over and over again.

There’s something about repetition that creates connection, which makes our families feel love and belonging. 

Repetition also makes things run smoothly. Nothing feels worse than scrambling to get out the door with a kid who can’t find her other shoe or realizing once you’re in the car that everyone’s lunches are still on the counter. Routine puts things on autopilot, so your daily patterns keep running, even when you’re thinking about something else. 

Using your Bullet Journal to document, test drive, and live out your morning and evening routines is a life-saver for working moms. It automates the details. 

Bullet Journal shortcut for working moms: have a kid write the morning and evening routines in your journal. (Yes, there might be misspellings, and their handwriting takes up more room than yours, but we are working for buy-in here.)

(If you’ve had trouble sticking to a morning routine, checkout: Why your morning routine isn’t sticking and what to do about it. )


3. Create sanity with collections. 

Bullet journal ideas for working moms. Adaptable strategies and some great shortcuts.
Bullet journal ideas for working moms. Adaptable strategies and some great shortcuts.

A “collection” in the Bullet Journal method is just a grouping of information. It’s the name for notes that have a common theme or task. You collect them together in one place, rather than distributing them across your monthly or weekly spreads. These pages are separate from your normal daily logging. 

There’s no magic to setting up a “collection.” You just craft it in a way that works for you. This could be a list, habit tracker, mindmap, or another format that seems effective for that particular page. The idea is to only have what is useful and not to overload yourself maintaining collections you never reference. 

Collections are good for thinking on paper or for stashing reference information in order to find it quickly when you need it.

Collections for working moms might include: 

Family

  • A list of extended family birthdays
  • Medical information (prescriptions, phone numbers for doctors, etc) 
  • Clothing sizes
  • Meal planning (a list of go-to meals so your head doesn’t break when someone asks what’s for dinner)
  • Home decor (room dimensions, floor plans, paint swatches)
  • Gifts given
  • Finances(debt reduction, monthly bills, savings tracker)
  • School & activity information (names of teachers & coaches, tournament dates, supplies, etc.) 
  • Party planning
  • Pet information (shot records, number/address for vet) 
  • Ideas for date night
  • Answers to the statement “mom, I’m bored”

Professional

  • A list of business development targets
  • Project planning
  • Event planning
  • Meeting notes
  • 30 / 60 / 90 day goals
  • SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis
  • Content or social media plan / ideas for posts
  • Expense log
  • Travel itineraries
  • Mind-mapping ideas

Personal

  • Books to read / podcasts to listen to
  • Habit tracking (workouts, reading, meditation, water consumption)
  • Self care

Bullet journal shortcut for busy moms: While Bullet Journals are usually handwritten, you may find it is more effective to capture some of this electronically, and then print it to be slipped in the back pocket of the journal or pasted to a page. Just reprint each time you start a new journal.

The beauty of a Bullet Journal is that you have everything together in one place--which means your mind can trust it and stop pinging you about all the undone things. After all, there is no such thing as “work life” and “home life.” There is just life.
A couple of colored boxes, lines, and a stick figure can make things more memorable and easier to process. No art degree required.

4. Boost your creativity through doodles (or cut yourself some slack and go minimalist). 

Bullet Journals on Instagram can be inspirational. Hand lettering, illustration, and colors can be motivating. 

Of course, you don’t have time for that, but you can add a few doodles. These aren’t illustrations— they’re more like stick figures and emoticons. And, anyone can draw basic shapes—even if you do it poorly.

Besides, you already have a mental library of doodles in your head. If I asked you to draw the sun, you would likely draw a circle with some lines coming off of it. (OF COURSE IT DOESN’T LOOK LIKE THE REAL SUN!)  If I asked you to draw love, you might produce a heart. (OF COURSE IT DOESN’T LOOK LIKE A REAL HEART…thankfully.) 

Adding simple doodles to your Bullet Journal, helps you remember what’s on each page. It gives added dimension to information, which is useful when you’re looking for something later. 

Bullet Journal shortcut for working moms: if this doesn’t sound at least 97.4% fun to you, go minimalist: black pen on white paper, and nothing else! (That’s the old-school way to bullet journal; the original system doesn’t have a drop of color or embellishment.)

Learn more about doodling in our online course!

How To Start (And Keep) A Visual Journal
How To Start (and Keep) A Visual Journal

5. Choose the size of your journal based on the accessories you favor.

The Bullet Journal method only works when you do it in a notebook you can carry with you everywhere. What that looks like will vary, and the options—oddly enough—can be based on your accessories.

If you carry a messenger bag, backpack, large purse, or briefcase: 

  • Go with a hardcover A5 (8.5” x 5.5”)  journal.
  • Popular brands include Leuchtturm (which has page numbers and a pre-printed index), Moleskine, and the affordable Minimalism Art.

If you carry a medium size purse, or if weight matters to you: 

  • Go with a softcover A5 (8.5” x 5.5”)  journal.
  • Popular brands include Moleskine, Rhodia, and Minimalism Art, 

If you carry a small purse or no purse: 

  • Go with a hardcover or softcover A6 (passport size) or a traveler’s journal.  
  • Popular brands include Midori Traveler’s Notebook, Fieldnotes, Leuchtturm, and Moleskine.
  • Travel journals have a cover with bands that you can slip paper inserts into. You can carry the whole notebook as a wallet, or just take an insert with you. Seaweed Kisses has a great YouTube tutorial on what this looks like.

Most of these notebooks come in plain (no lines), ruled (with lines), grid, or dotted. Take a look before you order to make sure you have the option you want.

Bullet Journal shortcut for working moms: If you test drive a size and it doesn’t work out, throw it in the recycle bin (or give it to your kids) and just try something else. You don’t have time to waste on something that doesn’t work. (P.S. It’s okay to spend the money to try something new. Your sane life is worth it!)

Don’t you feel better already? 

While a Bullet Journal isn’t a silver-bullet-miracle-cure for the life of a working mom, it can really, really help.
Pin this image to Pinterest so you have this article for later.

Using the Bullet Journal method creates space for your thoughts—which is a big win when you have as much going on as you do. Having your personal and professional life on paper at your fingertips gives you a sense of coordination and security that can help you breathe easier. 

Sure, you are probably still going to snort popcorn when you watch Bad Moms, but with your trusty bujo by your side, the volume on “mom guilt” can be turned way down. 


Want tips on how to journal? Get the free ebook on How to Journal with 28 ways to journal and hundreds of resources so you can find the method that is right for you. 

About Cathy Hutchison

Cathy Hutchison helps people get more joy, meaning, and freedom in a world of demands through the practice of visual journaling.

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Cathy helps people
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This book! I read The Buy Nothing Get Everything This book! 

I read The Buy Nothing Get Everything Plan at the intersection of: 

+ Feeling overwhelmed by how much plastic I use (and learning the severe limitations of plastic recycling.) 

+ The extreme cost of alternatives like toothpaste that comes in tablets, biodegradable plasticware, etc.

This book is SO PRACTICAL! Not only did it connect me to the Buy Nothing app which has resulted in some great gifts with people in my neighborhood, but it also reminded me that our grandparents didn't use all this stuff. (Commercials changed the way we live.) 

This book reminded me that: 

1) My mom brushed her teeth with baking soda as a child. (I put some in a diner-style sugar dispenser with peppermint essential oil and the cleaning results are pretty great.) 

2) Homemade salad dressing is easy and WAY more delicious than what comes in a plastic bottle.

3) Tons of things can be repurposed. (And Amazon doesn't need to be my first move.) 

I highly recommend downloading the free @buynothingapp and grabbing a copy of this book. (I first listened to it on my library's app, then decided to buy a copy so I could mark it up and use flags on the pages where I want to implement the ideas. 

#sustainability #plasticfree #artjournaling #yourvisualjournal #booksofinstagram
This is the most complex #urbansketch I’ve compl This is the most complex #urbansketch I’ve completed to date. Saturday, my @starbucks was crowded. I started with a quick pencil sketch, but the reality is that the scene kept moving. People standing there are amalgamations of those who came and went. 

It's interesting the decisions you have to make to simplify what's there so the drawing communicates, but still remains authentic to the scene. (ie. there's a lot of stuff missing behind the counter) I'm deeply enjoying this practice of drawing everyday scenes. 
#urbansketching #urbansketchers
#yourvisualjournal #artjournaling
Ever hear something that resonates so much you hav Ever hear something that resonates so much you have to write it down in your #journal word for word? #artjournaling
I'm finding that the more digital my world becomes I'm finding that the more digital my world becomes, the more satisfying it is to touch pens and paper. It's part of why I'm enjoying practicing #urbansketching.

The thing about urban sketching is that you learn it by doing it. I have a small pouch of pens and #watercolors with me all the time, so when I had some wait time at the Arboretum I tried to capture what was right in front of me. It became the backdrop to a #journal entry.

#yourvisualjournal
I carry my notebook with me everywhere and capture I carry my notebook with me everywhere and capture whatever feels significant or particularly charming. Because it is such a hub I keep my calendar here as well. It gives me a visual overview of the month and the doodles make me smile when planning. #journaling #yourvisualjournal #bulletjournal
Wine and I are not friends. (Yes, I know. Shocking Wine and I are not friends. (Yes, I know. Shocking.) 

However, I do enjoy wineries (= sitting on patios in beautiful locations talking with friends.) 

So, this weekend, I went with my wine friends which gave me the chance to practice #urbansketching in new locations. 

I find I keep focusing on the people and ignoring the scenery. By far to me the best part of any “place” is the people who are part of the fabric. 

It’s been fun exploring this type of #visualjournaling
Sometimes when faced with a whole #journal page it Sometimes when faced with a whole #journal page it’s easier to draw a smaller canvas to work in. Plus botanical #doodles are fun. #artjournaling #yourvisualjournal
I love capturing moments in a conversation in my j I love capturing moments in a conversation in my journal. This page was captured while sitting around Melanie’s kitchen table drinking tea.
Yesterday I went out solo for lunch to practice mo Yesterday I went out solo for lunch to practice more #urbansketching. This is such a fun challenge trying to build the skill.
Lately I’ve been practicing #urbansketching in m Lately I’ve been practicing #urbansketching in my visual journal. It’s a fun challenge and can be done with a brevity of supplies.  #artjournaling #journaling #leuchtturm1917
Holiday morning means time to journal at Starbucks Holiday morning means time to journal at Starbucks ♥️ #yourvisualjournal #journaling #artjournaling #artjournal
This year, BFF Weekend was held @lynettesug's brot This year, BFF Weekend was held @lynettesug's brothers house at Lake Tahoe. This area remains one of the most beautiful places I've ever experienced. I tried to capture it in my journal. 

Of course, a favorite part (besides just getting to be with these women) was sitting on the deck watching birds come to the feeder. There were Stellar Jays, Juncos, and--what I drew--a Mountain Chickadee. 

#traveljournal #yourvisualjournal #journaling #artjournaling #leuchtturm1917 #watercolorjournal #watercolor
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Disclosures

Some links on this site are affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The author receives a  small (really small) commission if you happen to buy something.  Funds are used to support journaling supplies & four crazy sweet Aussies who bark for treats every time I come in the door. (To be fair, I have a pattern of giving in to them.) I write about all kinds of journaling, and if Bullet Journaling is your thing, I’m here to support you. But if you want to go deep, go to the original source–Ryder Carroll, who created the system, and started it all at bulletjournal.com. I use the method daily which is why I started writing about it here.
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