2018/January Bullet Journal

What's that? January is almost over and I'm only now posting my January spreads?

I started this bullet journal in September, so this is my first time at creating a yearly spread of any type. I do only have 100 pages left in my bujo, so chose not to go too crazy with the yearly spreads.

I introduced some new spreads, some old spreads, and some reliable ones for January. I knew that I was going to be handing in my dissertation in the second week of January and, also, going away in the middle for a few days. I find that January isn't a productive month for me, and the changes happen in February when I get myself together. 

Introduction page to 2018 | Yearly Overview

 January 2018 | February 2018

 March 2018 | April 2018

 2018 Resolutions | Reading Tracker for 2018

 Monthly Expenses/Tracker | Blank Page - which I'm currently using to plan a 'day' plan

 Brain Dump: [P]hotography, [U]niversity, [H]ome, [M]e

 January Intro Page | 30 Days of Yoga Tracker

 January Monthly Spread

 Incomplete Moodboard | Gratitude/Line-a-day Log

Driving Tracker | Social Media Log

2018 Introduction Page & Yearly Overview

Initially, I didn't put an annual overview in my bujo, I didn't feel that I would ever look back over it. However, it felt right to complete my yearly spreads with one and allows me to view the whole year -if necessary. 

January/February/March/April month-to-a-page

I'm using these pages to write a brief line about what I have done that day. "Work (10.00-3.00)" "Uni" "Home Day. Washing. Tidy House".

2018 Resolutions

I find it really useful to have my goals/resolutions written down somewhere. I try to make seasonal resolutions. However, I find it helpful to have a 'master' list.

2018 Reading Challenge

At the start of my bullet journal, I have the running list of books I read/started in 2017. And this year I aim to read 30 books 'for fun' - not including any books for my university courses.

2018 Expenses

I'm going to *try* to track my income and outcome for 2018. I'm rubbish at physically following my expenses though. So I'm not holding out much hope for this spread.

Brain Dump

I cannot remember who I saw create a beautiful, minimal braindump spread. But they merely put the corresponding letter, to the area of their life, at the top and wrote master to-do lists!

January Introduction

I love a monthly introduction page, This month I've made a little monthly calendar, wrote down five goals for the month, and a word to guide my month. I want to have a word for every month, to help me focus and work towards something for the month ahead. 

30 Days of Yoga

One of my goals is to do 30 yoga practices in January, so I created a little tracker to help me follow along with Yoga With Adriene's January practice. 

Monthly Spread

I always create the same monthly spread. I find it really useful to see the month as a whole and refer to it almost daily. 

Moodboard

I haven't created one yet. However, I love the use of mood-boards in petite_glooms bujo spreads. Also, thinking about changing to the A6 leuchturrm after this one - heavily inspired by her gorgeous bujos. 

Gratitude Log

I have worked on gratitude logs on and off throughout my bujo's, but January feels like a month where I will be able to keep up to date with it. And have a lot of goals and time to be grateful for. 

Driving Tracker

I'm really struggling to drive. Not the physical driving, but having a reason to drive. It's horribly expensive for me to drive to uni. I live walking distance from the local shop. And all my friends live in cities or close enough for me to walk. So I'm going to attempt to write down where I drive to, and this will hopefully encourage me to drive more for fun?

Social Media Log

I'm fairly active on social media. Especially my personal Instagram account (here), but I tend to forget about my Photography account (here) and - don't laugh - my dogs account. So to pay more attention to when I upload, I'm going to jot down when and what for January.

I'm playing around with how I create weekly/daily spreads. So haven't chosen to include any in this post. I have not used a habit tracker this month, and am working on including them in my weekly/daily spreads instead. 

- Kayleigh Bickle

No-Spend November Round-Up

Remember how I went on about documenting my 'No-Spend November' and then got really busy with uni? 

Well, I'm finally writing my roundup on the whole thing.

Overall, I'm happy to have taken part in No-Spend November. I made sure everyone knew so that people could hold me accountable. I genuinely believe that if I hadn't of been more conscious of my spending, I would've struggled to pay rent, etc., after paying for my car insurance in full. 

I did struggle in the first few days, I didn't realise how often I go to shops websites, or just quickly pop into my local Tesco to buy food when I'm too lazy to cook lunch. However, once I got into the habit of thinking about no-spending and remembering the boundaries I set out for myself - it became straightforward. A new top doesn't come under bills, uni, or car expenses - don't buy it then. 

I did worry about putting fuel in my car because I still wanted to drive frequently after passing my test - but I didn't want to be spending vast amounts of money on fuel. At the start of the month, I filled my car up and was able to make that last the whole month to take me to and fro from work. One day I didn't have any food for a packed lunch, and I had to leave before 7am, so I did end up buying one meal out of my No-Spending. I kept it cheap and made sure not to continue spending money afterward. Another way I got around buying myself the odd treat, was using tip money, from work, to by myself a donut or something after my shift. However, if I didn't make enough money in tips, I wasn't allowed a 'treat.' 

I did want to keep track of my spending/savings/income/outcome/etc., but I found it really difficult to remember and then a few days would pass and I would've forgotten how much I spent on something. If I were to do a No-Spend month again, I would work harder on finding a way to track my income and outcome. Also, along with the same lines, I would set myself a goal of how much money I can spend, and how much money I want to save. 

I am considering doing another No-Spending month soon, I'm thinking February. Logically, it should be an easy month for me to save money in. 

Have you ever considered setting yourself a spending ban? Or have you gone through with one? Let me know how you got on in the comments below.

- Kayleigh Bickle

Hello 2018 & my goals

Dissertation: Complete.

I've wanted to write blog posts for ages, but I knew I would get sucked in and wouldn't concentrate on my dissertation. But my dissertation is done. Good-bye, farewell, hope to never see that again.

To get back into the swing of blogging (hate it when people say 'swing of blogging'), I thought I would share my 2018 goals. 

I love setting goals. And am always sucked into creating a few for 2018. They tend to be vague, and not so much about a physical goal. But here are my 2018 goals...

1) Take more photos. Since choosing to study photography, I've fallen out of love with photography. I'm considering downgrading from a DSLR to something more compact in the future. 

2) Forgive & Forget. I'm the worst at holding onto things that happened in the past and know this is bringing me down from growing in the future. This year, I need to remember that things happen for a reason, and life keeps moving. 

3) Friendship. I'm awful at saying I'm going to message someone, 6 months pass by, and I've still not messaged them. I think about my good friends daily, but I'm so weak at keeping up with friendships. A note to my friends, if I've said we should meet up, or to come round a meet Keira, send me a message to get my ass into gear!

4) Make memories. Every month I want to do something a little out of my comfort zone, that I know 'normal' people would do to create memories. Going to gigs, taking trips, etc.

5) Trust myself. 

6) Learn Lightroom. Everyone raves on about how much I'll enjoy using Lightroom, but I never sit down and take the time to learn my way about it. This year, I will!

7) Read more. I say this every year. My goal is to read 30 books this year - excluding academic reading.

8) Monthly challenges. Whether that be doing yoga every day for a month. Doing a photo challenge. Something that causes me to engage with something, every day for a month.

9) Tattoo/Piercing. I keep saying I'm going to get another tattoo or piercing, and just let life get in the way. I think about it daily but never book the bloody appointments.

10) Work on my arms & self-love. A couple of summers ago, I worked on like my legs. Being confident enough to wear skirts and shorts, this didn't involve working out or anything, just accepting them. I want to do the same for my arms this year, I hate them. They flab around, are a horrible shape, and I would much rather keep them hidden. But I don't want to be buying clothes based on how my arms look this year.

11) Throw kindness around like confetti. I used to scoff at this phrase. But, honestly, it's something I want to do more. 

What are your goals for 2018? Or do you find it easier setting seasonal goals?

- KayleighBickle

Hello & Goodbye

This post is a form of procrastination. 

What should I be doing right now? I hear you ask. Writing my dissertation. 

Do I have time to start blogging regularly again? No, I have my wretched dissertation to write. 

Are you going to start blogging again? No. Yes. Not until after my deadline on 11th January.

What are you doing right now, you idiot? 

...

In all seriousness, I am going to be blogging again after my deadline (or at least until I've written everything and am ready to hand in). But, I did want to explain what's happened since my last post (here). 

So, my last post was a round-up on my first week of 'No-Spend November'. Which, good news, I completed! *woop woop* After the first week or so, it was easy not to go into shops. I still allowed myself to buy essentials related to uni/car/bills/etc, but it stopped me from buying miscellaneous extras that I don't need. I am planning on doing a post all about how it went, etc., when I start blogging regularly again in January 2018! 

However, once 1st December hit, my card was being used again. And as of the 17th December, I've bought all of my Christmas presents, and only have 5 presents left to wrap!

...

So, here is my plan; this is my final post of 2017. I had dreamed of doing a lovely post to end the year, but instead you're going to be getting a delayed fresh start in mid-January. I'm going to write my dissertation over the festive period, and then, hopefully, come back and you'll be receiving one post a week (most likely on a Sunday evening). And we shall reevaluate the situation once I hand in my final uni assignments in May/June.

...

Have a truly wonderful Christmas Day and Festive period. Hopefully you enjoy all of the food. Have as few family arguments as possible. And I shall be back in January 2018!

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year,

from 

Myself (@kayleighbickle) & Keira (@thecornishstaffy)

- KayleighBickle

No-Spend November - Week One

Week One, Day One:

I survived the first day. 

I was shocked by how often I thought about buying something or popping into a shop. I wrote a little list of times, I thought about spending money and managed not to:

• Halloween Films: I watched Megan Rhiannon's Youtube Video (here) and was listening to her film recommendations. The ones I thought about buying were Hocus Pocus and the Halloween Town collection.
• Wooly Jumper: I saw someone post a photo of a mustard, cozy knit on Instagram. I stopped myself before looking at one!
• Reduced Halloween Decorations: I was going to go to Poundland to see if they had any decorations reduced. I don't even need them for another year.
• Belinda's Cafe (here): An ex-coworker opened her own cafe today, but (thankfully) I left my purse at home and reminded myself that it would still be open after my No-Spending ban.
• Dog Halloween Costumes. This is almost a daily occurrence for me.

The money that I did spend: I paid my Roadtax (thrilling), and I spent 54p (from my tips money)(tips money doesn't count) to buy a donut after work. That's all. I'm pretty proud of that. 

Week One, Day Two:

Today was a lot easier. I had a home day, concentrating on my dissertation. I left the house to take the dog to the park, feed the ponies, and pop along to Tesco with Mum. In the next couple of days, I'm going to have to put some fuel in my car though!

Week One, Day Three:
Again, an easy day. Home days mean I don't go out and see anything I might consider buying. And constantly worrying about my dissertation, means I'm too busy to think of anything to buy.

Week One, Day Four:
Ah, I got caught out. We ran out of milk and orange juice, which I apparently can't go without on a Saturday morning.

Week One, Day Five:
Sunday. Rent day.

Overall, week one was easier then I expected. I have a feeling that this could be an anti-climatic challenge if it carries on this easily.

- KayleighBickle

The Honest Truth: What Nobody Tells You About Driving

I knew that my practical driving test was going to be harder than the theory. I knew I was better at learning from a book over physically driving a car. But with only two attempts, I passed my driving test! *woop woop*

Honestly, it was terrifying. And the money that I've spent on driving lessons, insurance, driving tests, etc, makes me feel sick. But I'm now carrying a pink driving license and having frequent amounts of panic while sitting in my little Clio on the main road - after stalling.

I didn't start to learn to drive until I was 20, and it took me 18 months of on and off learning to pass. Learning to drive, also, involved me having to change instructors - which is scary and you feel a sense of obligation to someone you were paying to spend time around. But, I found the right driver for me. She used diagrams and kept going over past mistakes, so I could get them right. Although, in August she told me she was going to be given up, suddenly I was booking my driving lesson, and franticaly booking driving lessons (all while my student loan dwindle away and I couldn't find a job). First test: failed. Two hazards. I, also, stalled a LOT. I was so incredibly nervous. Second Test: I was still nervous, but my only aim was to have a comfortable drive with a complete stranger in the car. My biggest problem was being in a confirmed space with someone who I didn't know. And, I did it! I passed and didn't cry at the examiner. Win-Win. My biggest problem before my tests was doubting my ability, even though I knew I was a good & safe driver - I would scare myself with the worst case scenario thoughts.

But, now I'm traveling on the road ALONE. And sometimes I find the idea terrifying, other times I cruise around and don't think twice about what I'm doing. Overall it's easier than I initially thought. But here is my list of 'things' that nobody tells you about driving:

1) Driving in and out of where you live is the easy part, getting beyond the first junction is where the fear kicks in.

2) It's lonely driving on your own without the radio on. But when the radio is on, you'll get carried away singing or lost in thought and question how you've driven so far without crashing or causing any accidents for the past 10 miles.

3) Parking. You have to plan where to park. You have to plan a route that means you have more than one parking option, and then you'll still freak out when I road is randomly closed and you park a 20-minute walk from work. Essentially saving you no time after choosing to drive or walk to work.

4) You feel really badass the first time you drive somewhere alone. I cannot express the euphoria I felt. Magical.

5) Your car will be a lot older, and completely different to drive. When you're learning to drive you're in a brand new, top of the range, fancy car. Suddenly you're driving a 15yr old Renault with wonky steering. You're pretty much learning to drive again, with an older car.

- KayleighBickle

Preparing for No-Spend November

Today is my start of No-Spending in November. Pray for me. Seriously.

Here is a list of things, that I did, to prepare myself:

1) Cancelled unnecessary subscriptions. (Netflix, Audible, Spotify, etc). I canceled these in advance so that they wouldn't take me by surprise in this month. If there are I've forgotten, I can contact them directly and (try to) get my money back.

2) Planned what I can and cannot buy. This way I won't be questioning whether or not I *need* another set of pastel highlights. [Answer is yes, but not this month.]

3) Tell EVERYONE. This way people will hold me accountable. Others will be watching me, waiting for me to fail.    (-.-)

4) Christmas Presents. It's November, it's inevitable the C word is going to come up on more than one occasion. If I see the ultimate Christmas present for someone, I will HAVE to wait until December - if I'm unable to find it again? They'll go without. Or receive it in January when I find it again.

5) Create a log in my bullet journal for writing down any money I do spend. This will be including necessary money. But, also, writing down where I save money. If I choose not to buy those pastel highlighters, I'll count it as a saving. Not only am I aiming to know how much money I have spent, but also the money I have saved.

Today is Day One. Hopefully, I have managed to not spend any money today. 

If you have any more tips, send them my way! Otherwise, keep your fingers crossed for me. 

- KayleighBickle