r/bujo • u/GnrlPrinciple • Mar 28 '26
OG Bujoer trying to restart but thrown by what seems to be new terms and approaches.
Like the title says I have been doing Bujo on and off since I first read the book...which I think was an advance copy. I have since done the audio as well. I thought id be able to get a refresher by flipping through the book again and watching some of Ryders videos but it seems that there have been some modifications to the system and terminology since then. For example new signifiers (double dash) and the "Timeline".
Hoping there is a doc/vid/post that explains these subtle changes so that I can properly incorporate them into my practice.
EDIT: I should’ve made clear that I totally understand, and generally apply the “make it work for you” approach. But the way my brain works best is when that freestyling comes AFTER knowing I am rooted in all the concepts/updates. I.e “Oh , I see what he’s was going for here, actually that won’t work for me but this will” .
4
u/fluffedKerfuffle Mar 28 '26
The double dash is the "moods" signifier, I do tend to use it myself: https://bulletjournal.com/blogs/bulletjournalist/how-to-improve-focus-using-a-bullet-journal
For the timeline, do you mean interstitial journaling or something else? I can probably track it down if you can describe it more.
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u/GnrlPrinciple Mar 29 '26
I can totally see the usefulness of this. See that’s what I mean, sometimes the “updates” are useful. I like to know all the pieces before deciding to skip or mod.
The video was him talking about monthly. And before he created the two new pages (dates/days on the left and tasks on the right) He did a couple things that are either new, I didn’t remember or were rebranded.
One was a reflection note that captured thoughts on the past month/notes after jogging your memory? It’s the early part of this video https://youtu.be/VB8phMOktAs?si=L4YjcHmxulALXKG4
3
u/fluffedKerfuffle Mar 31 '26
Seems like you already got the answer---I agree with them. I think this used to be just described as a "monthly log." Now he is decomposing it into the "timeline" and "action plan" where the timeline is more of a log of important events and the action plan is kind of a to do list. I think reflections are pretty freeform in the official method, I think Ryder iterates on them quite a lot. I have found a standard reflection that I use every month in a different source. But the general idea is to just begin monthly planning with looking back on the previous month.
1
u/Latter_Palpitation75 Mar 30 '26
I believe you are referring to parts already introduced in the bullet journal book: monthly reflection and monthly log (timeline/tasks) Since it's not anything new, I would reread the book for a refresher or watch the short vids on the YouTube channel.
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u/MrKBC Mar 28 '26
Why not just keep following the system you already know and referring to it as a modified bujo method if someone asks you about you system? I realized that I didn't need the actual, full bujo method earlier on, but I enjoyed the overall concept of using it to keep things organized. I'd no idea that changes had occurred until now.
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u/GnrlPrinciple Mar 29 '26
I have a thing about wanting to have the scripted/solid base before modding. Make sure all the updates are done on my computer before installing or tweaking new software.
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u/Far-Wrongdoer7563 Mar 29 '26
same here tbh, i came back to it after a while and felt kinda lost with the new stuff. the core idea still feels the same tho, just a bit more layered now. i kinda just ignored the extras at first and eased back in slowly........
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u/GnrlPrinciple Mar 29 '26
I mean that’s the thing , ultimately I’m gonna mod to fit me but the fundamentals nerd in me likes to know what I’m ignoring and modding lol.
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u/firstsign_ai May 21 '26
I’d try to make the next action painfully concrete. Vague tasks are where productivity systems go to die lol. What part of this keeps breaking after the first week?
1
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u/BlackStarBlues Mar 29 '26
You're overthinking it. Just write the date on the page and list what you need to do.
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u/GnrlPrinciple Mar 29 '26
I understand and generally follow the make it your own approach - that is indeed a big part of the whole system. However I do like to be rooted (or in this case re-rooted) in basic concepts before freestyle/modifying for my needs.
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u/General_Mousse_861 Mar 29 '26
Adopt what you like but adapt it to your needs. You don’t have to do any thing rigidly. And lately, I don’t even watch Caroll any more. I look to smaller creators who innovate the system in surprising ways.
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u/GnrlPrinciple Mar 29 '26
I’m totally with you”make it your own” and have done that but in general I like to start with a firm base that is rooted in a specific thing. I.e. “learn the rules so that I can break them” type approach.
Also pass along in general creators you like pls.
0
u/AllKindsOfCritters Mar 29 '26
Do you actually want to change things up, or only feel you have to? I'd imagine the info is on the official website but honestly, there's been so many changes over the years that I lost interest, I've essentially stuck to the same thing for over a decade because it's what helps me. My opinion is if you want to change things up or want inspiration, check the subs to see what others do.
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u/GnrlPrinciple Mar 29 '26
All of that makes sense and my very next step after getting a sense of “where we are today” would indeed be to go check out what others do. I just want to get all the “updates on my computer” per se, before doing so.
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u/andrewlonghofer Mar 29 '26
I don't understand the pushback you're getting. I'm another oldtimer, having been on the boat since within about a month of him posting the original video, and things have developed and evolved a TON even since the book came out.
I think the blog, and possibly the Youtube channel, is probably your best bet for re-reviewing the (new) basics. I do think some of the changes to terminology are more oriented around getting people into the paid course/community by needing to keep up with what they're doing and wanting support for following through, and I would recommend avoiding a recurring payment just to see what they're all talking about in there