Tag: organization

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July 2022 Bullet Journal Downloads

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You can now purchase these fireworks-inspired July 2022 Bullet Journal Planner downloads for $5.00.

This set includes 14 pages:

🍽 Meal trackers

🧘‍♀️ Fitness Trackers

🍊Customizable Habit Trackers

Bullet journaling has been a hobby of mine since 2017. Over the years, the process has evolved to fit my needs and lately that includes creating my monthly spreads digitally and printing them on sticker paper. It’s so easy to fit these stickers to my notebook. These pages are customizable and easy to size depending on the notebook you use. When you purchase and download pages from The Ameri Brit Mom, you receive a beautiful collection of spreads in a single PDF file.

These are available as part of the Patreon page for my members. If you are interested in helping this small business thrive you can check out the monthly perks (like this) of becoming a patron.

Join my Patreon Page

Additionally, this month I am offering these pages for purchase for $5.00. If you would like to buy this 14-page download for your planner, please complete the form below:

order Downloads

The Ameri Brit Mom

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August Plan With Me: Bullet Journal Updates

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A new month starts this week. I get excited about the dawn of a new month. A turn of the calendar is a blank slate–a chance to establish new goals and to forget about the shortcomings of the month before. A new month is a reminder that the world is continuing to spin despite my circumstances. As I set out to create my new pages for August in my bullet journal I wanted to share them with you.

July Re-Cap

Before I set out to make my new spreads I always like to look back at the previous month. I take inventory of what went well and I brainstorm ways to improve my bullet journal for the upcoming month. Here’s a look at how some of my July pages turned out:

July was the first month I included a Fitness Log. I really liked keeping track of the exercise I participated in for the month. Having a visual graph to categorize my workouts was also helpful. On the far left column I kept a tab of how much time I spent exercising for the month.

Ever since I had my daughter in February I have been battling with anxiety as a result of some health issues. One thing my doctor recommended was to record my anxiety levels each day. In May, I started a monthly spread for anxiety tracking and it usually follows the theme for the month. As you can see, my theme for July was fireworks. On my anxiety tracker I also listed out one thing I was grateful for each week.

My weekly spreads for July looked a little different than usual. This is because I was in England for the whole month. Instead of a calendar for to-do lists I decided to make my weekly spreads more of a journal style where I wrote a paragraph each day describing what I did in England.

August

This month my pages are made using the following tools: The Happy Planner “Teachers Rule” sticker sheets, Tombow Brushpens (452, 620, 451, 243, 761, 991), Union Jack Washi tape (purchased at Primark UK), and Tombow Monodraw pens.

August’s theme: School

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My title page is where I set out the theme and goals for the month. I try to keep it simple. This month I decided to use stickers instead of drawing my theme. This month I will be returning to the classroom after nine months of maternity leave so I am getting myself ready with this school theme.

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For August I’m back to my usual weekly spreads. The columns give me room to create to-do lists and also to journal at the bottom of each day. I am still in England for this first week so I continued the use of Union Jack Washi for this first week.

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Going with the theme, I have my new anxiety tracker set up in the shape of a ruler. Each number on the ruler represents a day of the month. The key down below correlates with the levels of anxiety. The numbers to the right of each color are just the marker numbers so that I make sure I am using the right color.

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My Fitness Log for August looks the same as July. I wanted to recycle this spread since I enjoyed it so much last month. The only difference will be the colors used in the graphing portion.

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One spread I am bringing back for August is a Weekly Review. I like to spend time reflecting each weekend on the previous week and listing something for which I am grateful.

Those are all the pages I’ve done for August so far. Let me know if you like this post or find it helpful at all. I’m trying to decide if I want to do a post like this every month. Bullet journaling is something I’ve been doing for almost two years to help myself get organized and I love sharing my ideas and experiences with my awesome readers.

The Ameri Brit Mom

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2018 Bullet Journal

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In January of 2017 I started keeping a bullet journal. A bullet journal is a self-created planner and organizer. I love bullet journals because they are created and customized by their creator. When you buy a planner from a store there are always features that don’t fit every planning style.

Not only does bullet journaling help to keep me organized, but it also helps me to expel some creative energy.  I’ve enjoyed building up my art supplies this year and dabbling in the use of washi tapes, watercolors, Tombow brushpens, stickers, and all sorts of paper crafting goods.

I used to give updates on my early progress with bullet journaling. If you are interested check out these posts:

One Month of Bullet Journaling

Bullet Journal Updates

March Updates

Bullet Journal February Updates

I want to give you a peek at what I’ve been working on so far this year in my newest bullet journal. As you can see above, I decorated the outside of my Leuchtturm 1917 notebook with Cricut vinyl cut using my new Cricut Explore Air 2 machine. I used to own a Cricut about ten years ago, but they have come a long way and the extent of its uses is now unfathomable. Since I received it in June I have made tshirts, cards, wall art, and magnets with my new machine.

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Collections

Bullet journal Collections are pages that are ongoing throughout the time you use a particular notebook. There are so many ideas on Pinterest of things to track in your journal. I’ve chosen to track things like book lists, home improvement ideas, sports statistics for my daughter, blog schedules, Netflix shows I’m watching, a future log, and movies I’ve watched this year.

Creatives

Creative pages are ones in which I play around with creative techniques. This year I’ve been focusing on hand-lettering and calligraphy. I’ve started quite the collection of Tombow brushpens, Mildliner pens and washi tapes. I use these pages to work on skills and play around with ideas.

Monthlies

Something I started this year is using a monthly theme. Every month I start with a title page that introduces the theme and then I include those ideas in my habit trackers and anxiety trackers for each month.

Weeklies

Every week I use a similar layout to the one below. The weekly pages are where I break down my daily tasks and oftentimes I journal on these pages as well.

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How I Use It

Every night before bed I open up my bullet journal and update the weekly page with tasks and journaling. Then, I record in my habit tracker what I was able to accomplish that day. Finally, I evaluate my anxiety level for the day and track that appropriately. Doing this at night leads me to self-reflection on a daily basis. This practice has helped keep me focused and organized.

Any other bullet journalers out there? I’d love to see your pages!

The Ameri Brit Mom

 

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Bullet Journal (February Updates)

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I’ve been an official Bullet Journaler for two months now. In February, I took on the February Journal Challenge where I created a new page or idea each day based on a prompt. I also started some new pages and added to ones from last month. I have been really pleased with this new hobby. It’s been a nice way to use my creativity and it helps keep my life organized as well.

Here is a look at some of my newest editions to my Bullet Journal in February:

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The Ameri Brit Mom

bullet journal · Organization · Uncategorized

One Month of Bullet Journaling

The Ameri Brit Mom1 Comment

One month ago I purchased a Moleskine notebook and started my 2017 bullet journal.

A bullet journal is a place to plan and organize not only your schedule, but also all of the countless lists that accumulate in your mind. I wanted to be sure that my bullet journal would become a keepsake for the year of the many things I enjoy and the memories I wish to record.

In the past I’ve used pretty planners, but after months of pinning bullet journal pages online I decided to go for it in the new year. I have an obsession with pretty stationary and organization so the concept of bujo (short for bullet journal) was appealing to me. Armed with a blank notebook for the year was intimidating at first so I started with outlining big moments in 2016.

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After my 2016 review, I created my future log for all planning. I included calendars for every month in 2017 and places to jot down events in advance on that calendar. For each week within the month I have a calendar that is for daily tasks and appointments to be tracked.

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Some of my favorite collections so far are:

  • To-Read List
  • “Oh the Places We’ll Go”- a list of travel destinations this year
  • “Take Me to the Movies”- a list of movies we saw in the cinema this year
  • 30 Day Spending Freeze
  • Game Night Stats- a running tally of the games and winners from our weekly game nights at home. (This was part of my new year’s resolutions and it’s been so much fun!)
  • Blog Stats Tracker

 

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One month in and I am already noticing an increase in my productivity. I spend a few minutes every morning planning the day and few minutes before bed reflecting on the day that has just passed. I am really enjoying this practice. It has been healthy for both my mind and my creative soul.

I’m planning to share some of my progress in bullet journaling throughout the year. Which page or collection is your favorite so far?

The Ameri Brit Mom

Organization · Uncategorized

Happy New Year 2017

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Today is day 1 of a brand new year. It’s a time to reflect on the past year and to set your sights on goals for the upcoming one. Recently, I’ve taken on a new addiction–bullet journaling. If you have a few hours to waste on Pinterest take a look at my bullet journal board. I’ve been pinning ideas and creating spreads in my Moleskine for about a week now.

In the final hours of 2016 I decided to review the past twelve months on a page of my bullet journal.

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And now that 2017 has officially started I’ve also written out my New Years Resolutions.

  1. Write 300 words per day
  2. Read 26 books of my own choosing
  3. Commit to Gluten-free/Paleo diet
  4. Institute a Family Game Night weekly
  5. Keep a Bullet Journal

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I hope your year is off to a great start and that you have written some goals to motivate you in 2017!

Happy New Year!

The Ameri Brit Mom

Organization · Uncategorized

My Sunday Routine

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A pot of coffee is brewing. My daughter is tuckered out on the couch. My husband is off at the gym with some friends. These are the moments I long for all week. Sunday afternoons have become my most productive and rewarding time slots thanks to the new rhythm my family has established this fall. I begin my time with a mug of coffee. It’s my reward for making it through another week. Once the caffeine has tapped into my bloodstream, I’m ready to conquer the week ahead. I’ve learned that the successes of the week ahead are determined by my productivity on Sunday afternoon. This is a peaceful ME TIME that leaves me feeling like Mama Warrior every weekend.

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1. Meal Plan

Across my table I spread out my planner, every cookbook I own, and a box of family recipes. I spend a twenty minutes or so scouring each of these resources in addition to my recently posted pins from Pinterest in order to create a weekly meal plan. Also, I build my grocery list as I go. I always begin with meal planning, because in our house my husband does the grocery shopping. I can send him off to the store while I continue to work on my Sunday routines.

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2. Laundry

Next, I clear out all of the hampers throughout the house and clean all of our clothes for the week. In a perfect world I’d be caught up every Sunday, but the reality is that some Sundays I have more time than others to complete the laundry. At the very least I try to be caught up with laundry every other weekend. This helps make the house seem clean and gives each of us several options when it comes to step 5.

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3. Blog Plan

My routine for blogging has adjusted a bit this year to account for several personal projects that take up substantial amounts of time. For the most part, my blog posts are written over the weekend, and scheduled to be published throughout the week. I spend most of my Saturday mornings crafting posts and writing, but on Sundays I put the final touches on posts and get them scheduled for the week ahead. I also track my weekly stats from my site in my blog planner which is something I sit down and work on every Sunday afternoon.

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4. Sunday Basket

I started this project back in April, and it has really helped to control the mass of papers that can tend to collect all over the house. Throughout the week we receive paper after paper from mail to schedules to artwork from my daughter in her pre-school class. If we get something we know we will throw away (like junk mail) we throw it away immediately, otherwise we place it in the basket to be acted upon on Sundays. On Sunday, I sort through the basket. I make three piles: file, throw away, or action required. Then, I go through and complete whatever action is needed for each piece. This really helps to control the paper madness that can so easily get out of control. This idea comes from Organize 365.

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5. Lay out clothes for the week

Another huge time saver for the week is to determine my attire for the whole week on Sunday afternoons. Generally, on Sundays I have a much more inspired attitude toward my clothes than on a late night or early morning. Clothes have been freshly cleaned and with a little extra energy from the coffee (or extra rest during the weekend) I comb through my closet and jewelry box and create my wardrobe for the week.

I know that each household looks different and we all have routines that work for us and our families. I’d love to hear how you tackle the weekly organization and scheduling for your house.

The Ameri Brit Mom

 

 

Books · Organization · Uncategorized

The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: A Book Review

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The following is a book review by The Ameri Brit Mom. This post expresses the genuine opinion and experiences of The Ameri Brit Mom and is in no way endorsed by authors, publishers, and outside influences.

Title: The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up

Author: Marie Kondo

Publisher: Ten Speed Press

Copyright Date: 2014

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For the past week I’ve been in hard core tidying mode. I attribute my passion for cleanliness to having read The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up. This is a book by a Japanese organizational consultant and it is about her experiences and methods for helping people to declutter their homes while also getting their life affairs in order.

We’ve all heard about ways that some of the cleanest people keep things clean and tidy.

“Just clean a little bit every day.”

“For each thing you buy get rid of something else.”

“Store things according to your floor plan.”

In this book Marie Kondo debunks these popular statements and provides quick fixes for even the biggest of hoarders. (Here’s a hint: Her plan involves lots of trash bags.) By rethinking material objects and taking the time to go through your entire house you will find yourself more at ease and organized in every area of your life. Kondo has named her strategy the KonMarie method and it is sweeping Japan clean of clutter. In this book she explains her (slightly zen) plan of completing a Tidying Marathon, discarding unnecessary items in your house, and storing what you have decided to keep in a way that aids in the cleanliness of your home. Throughout the book she gives practical steps toward achieving not only your dreams for your home, but also your dreams for your life.

As a result of having read this book I’ve done some major work on my house.

I’ve already thrown out ten garbage bags full of things that were just taking up space in my home. And although I was a little nervous to let go of some things I’ve realized that I feel lighter because my house is lighter. It takes far less energy to keep my house clean. And thanks to the KonMarie method my husband and I have already established new systems for completing tasks around the house like doing laundry and washing the dishes. We are not quite done with our Tidying Marathon, but we’ve gotten so far and it feels so good!

If you struggle to keep your house clean, or if you are contemplating renting a storage unit please take a look at this book! It will change the way you look at the objects you own and quite possibly it will change your life.

The Ameri Brit Mom 

Organization · Uncategorized

Five Minute Friday: Lose

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This week the topic for the Five Minute Friday link-up post is Lose. What is a link-up? Essentially a link-up is when you join other bloggers and write on a similar topic. You share your blog posts with one another and begin conversations via a host site. You can head over to Kate Motaung’s page to check out other entries from inspired bloggers. Here’s my five minutes of uninterrupted, unedited writing on this week’s topic:

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Early this spring my husband and I began our annual preparations for summer by cleaning out the house. This year during this cleaning we were overtaken by the amount of “things” we have accumulated in five years of marriage. Our kitchen cabinets were overflowing, closets were unable to close, and our two car garage had enough room to squeeze in one car at best. We felt like we were drowning in a sea of stuff. And most of that stuff was unused and just taking up space.

Refusing to let clutter take over our lives we decided to donate, throw out, and recycle so many of our things. We began the process of stripping our wardrobes of clothes we hadn’t worn in a while. My amazing husband took on the garage nearly by himself, and we refused to purchase things for our kitchen that could only serve one purpose.

Little did we know at the time that minimalism has been catching on in a big way.

Minimalism is the act of becoming content with minimal possessions in order to spend less time cleaning or focusing on accumulating objects. Well, that’s my definition anyway.

After discussions about buying less and investing more in others my husband and I found the website Becoming Minimalist which goes along with many of our discussions. We like how this website gives practical reasons and steps to implement minimalism in our household. It has inspired us to lose the “things” that take up so much of our time and replace them with memory making. Not only is this a wise decision when it comes to our finances, but also when it comes to alleviating our schedules. We have more time for each other because we aren’t spending all of our time chasing things or keeping them clean.

I have already taken up my five minutes. I will write more in the future about our acts of minimalism.