The HeartWord Way

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Were you meant to be a writer? Is it your destiny? There are a few simple questions you can answer that can help you decide.

Are you a dreamer?

Are you a dreamer? Are you constantly daydreaming at work or in class? If you are, you definitely are meant to be a writer. Dreaming can help us come up with good ideas for books, short stories, poems, or whatever you like to write. That’s how I came up with some of my ideas. I am constantly daydreaming. I never stop. I even like to imagine that I’m a character in one of the books I’m reading.

So dream those dreams!

Are you a reader?

Do you love to read? Do you use reading as a way to escape the world you really live in, just for a few hours? I do. I LOVE to read. Reading books can help you become a better writer. Really. You can learn from other authors.

If you really want to be an author, then READ!

Are you creative?

Do you like to write? Do you like to come up with stories other than the usual, the prince saves the princess from the dragon? I am always coming up with creative ideas. If you could describe me in one word, creative might just fit.

Be creative! Think creatively!

Are you a writer?

Well, are you? Go ahead! Answer the question! Comment if writing could be your destiny!

How can I become better?

1. Read

Like I said before, read. Reading can help you find better words to use in your writing, help you come up with brilliant ideas for your own stories, and give you time to get away.

2. Dream

Again, dream! Don’t be afraid to see where your imagination can take you!

3. Write

Write every day. Seriously. EVERY DAY if you can. Try to squeeze it in, even if it’s only fifteen to thirty minutes. This will help you get farther along in your stories and give you some time to dream.

4. Read it to someone else

Yes, you read it right. Read it to someone else so they can enjoy it. Ask for tips on how you can make it better and take it farther.

Ready, Set, Write!

You can do this! Go ahead! Go get your pencil and paper, computer, or journal. See what you can spin together for everyone to enjoy. Be a writer!

A few months ago I downloaded Pinterest. That was when I was introduced to Bullet Journaling. I thought it was interesting, so I read a couple of blog posts about it, and I was hooked. I got mine from Walmart about a month ago, and I have learned a lot.

What is a Bullet Journal?

In my own words, a bullet journal is a place you can, well, journal, plan your days out day by day, and show your creative side. I heard it this way on Pinterest:

A bullet journal is a planner made specifically for YOU, by YOU.

For the first few weeks, I only tracked a few things, like my moods, my dreams, and my water intake. Then I added to it. I found this video from Facebook that is really helpful in explaining.

The Layout

1. The Index

The index is basically the table of contents. You can use this page to keep track of things.

2. The Future Log

This is where you can keep track of events that will happen in the next year, such as a business meeting, a playdate, or a dentist appointment. You can highlight, use symbols, or whatever works for you.

3. The Monthly Log

This is where you can add more details about those events that you jotted down in your future log. Again, you can use symbols, sticky notes, or whatever you want. This is YOUR planner.

4. The Weekly Log

Here, you can add even MORE details. This is also where you can write tasks that need to be done that day, such as laundry, grocery shopping, sweep the house, etc. You can also use this to write down important things that have happened that day.

5. The Habit Tracker

This is where, you guessed it, you keep track of your habits. These can also be things that you want to stop, like no more than 2 hours of screen time. You can also keep track of your healthy habits, like drinking enough water, taking your vitamins, only a certain amount of sugar each day, cleaning, getting exercise, etc. There are MANY things you could track.

Things to Track

1. Mood Log

I have looked around on Pinterest, and there are hundreds of ways to track your moods- from simple boxes lined up, to Christmas tree lights hanging down the page, to leaves falling from a tree. I’ve found that tracking your moods help you see what gets you down, and not let those things upset you anymore.

2. Sleep Log

The way that I keep track of my sleep is by listing the hours, and shading in the hours I slept during the night. Unlike the mood tracker, this is the only way to track your sleep that I have found on Pinterest. This can help you come up with a regular sleep schedule.

3. Gratitude Log

Another thing to track is things that you are thankful for. Since I write three things I’m thankful for every day, I do a list down two pages of my journal. This can help you realize how blessed you are to have the opportunities and things that you have.

4. Dream Log

This may be hard, because, whenever I wake up, I usually can’t remember any of my dreams, unless I just had it. Even then, I only have a vague idea. For my dream log, at the bottom, I drew a bed with a girl sleeping in it, and above it, I write my dreams and draw a cloud around them that leads to the girl.

5. Water Log

I usually don’t drink much water, so I use this to help me remember to drink more. I have the days of the month listed down the side, and numbers 1-8 for however many cups I drink listed across the top.

In Conclusion…..

Bullet journals are an excellent way to save time, take time to yourself to show your creative side, track anything, and plan out your days, weeks, and years.