#bullet journaling beginner

[blumin-onion]

Daily Doodle Day 227

<- Day 226 | All Days | Day 228 ->

I wasn't feeling very motivated today, but I just got a pack of bullet journal stencils, and one of the habit tracking sections is honeycomb. So I used the stencil for the combs and then drew the bee overtop, I did realize too late that the edges of honeycombs are lighter with the darker color in the center, but even with that mistake I'm still really happy with how it turned out!

[dreamy-blue-journals]

Bullet Journal February 2025 Theme: Puzzle

(I really appreciate the requests but I don't do commissions, sorry!)

[productiveandfree]

Bullet Journal Beginner Setup and Productivity Tips

Productivity systems is always an interesting subject. 

The reason for this is there is actually no perfect system out there, though many people might still try to convince you of otherwise. 

The best system, however, is the one that aligns with your goals, your priorities, and your lifestyle. 

And so, this is precisely the reason why I was drawn to bullet journaling in the first place. This method is completely customizable to fit anyone’s needs — it’s both fast and flexible. 

According to Ryder Carroll, the inventor of the bullet journal system, this is an analog way to track the past, organize the present, and plan for the future. 

Free Spacing Guide for A5-sized Planner

If you count spaces in your planner way too often, then this guide is for you!

Simply select "actual size" when printing and place the guide behind your planner page. You'll be able to see the markers through the page and choose which to trace. 

No sign up or purchase necessary. 

Here are five things to do to get started with bullet journaling:

Get a pen and a notebook.

Assign an index page where you can list down anything you write on whichever page of your notebook.

Number your notebook pages (if they aren't numbered yet).

Use bullets and signifiers to classify and easily recognize everything you write on your notebook (examples are provided in the video but feel free to use your own).

Remember to always go back to your index page to keep track of what you write down.

And just like that, you already have your own basic productivity system. 

How?

By writing things down and keeping tabs on them, you're clearing your mind to facilitate a higher level of thinking. This is when you're able to reach a level of focus that permits you to do deep and meaningful, high-value work. 

Now that we've covered the essentials of bullet journaling, let's talk about what actually goes in those pages. According to the bullet journal website, a section of anything you write on your notebook is called a collection. 

Here are the four core collections of bullet journaling:

Index

Future Log

Monthly Log

Daily Log

Again, the Index is where you jot down the page numbers and the corresponding description of whatever you write on whichever page of your notebook. 

The future log is where you list events, holidays, birthdays, appointments, meetings, to-dos, and more. This gives you a bird's eye view of what's to come and what to expect. 

The monthly log is where you gather all your tasks and assign them to specific days. This ensures that everything gets scheduled and prioritized in their own time. 

The daily log is where you can rapid log all your tasks, notes, ideas, etc. on a particular day. Don't forget to classify them with bullets and signifiers. Also, if you plan to migrate a task, write it down on a future date or if you schedule it, make sure to jot it down in your future log. 

As I mentioned early on, whatever you do with your bullet journal is completely up to you. So aside from these four core collections, here are other examples of what you can put in your notebook:

Weekly log

Habit tracker

Reading list

Gratitude log

Mood tracker

Brain Dump / Ideas section

Client list

Project list

Content calendar

Blog/Vlog stats

House chores

Expenses list

Grocery list

Meal planner

Favorite recipes

Fitness log

Quotes page

TV show or movie list

Travel list/places you want to visit

Word for the day

Student calendar

Study/Homework progress

and many more.

There is a new term introduced over in the bullet journal blog called a Stack. A Stack is simply a group of collections. For example, if you were to ask me what my stack is, it's the following:

Future Log

Monthly Log

Weekly Log

Monthly Trackers

Keystone Habits

Gratitude Log

Reading List

Blog Mapping and Stats

Expenses List

Ideas Section

Adventures List

Once you get the hang of bullet journaling, you'll find that it's actually a really effective productivity system. Aside from writing things down as I mentioned earlier, here are seven tips on how to increase your productivity using this system. 

01. Write down your goals

It's no secret that having goals is crucial to being productive. This is how you know you're spending your valuable time, energy, and attention on things that really matter. But do you know what's even more powerful than having goals?

It's having goals that are written down. 

Since your bullet journal is something you already write on on a regular basis, it's only logical to map out your goals in there as well. 

> You can list your goals according to what, why, how, and by when. 

> You can have a wish list and match each task to a particular reward. 

> You can have a checklist to see if your goal aligns with goal-setting strategies such as SMART, Stretch, BSQ, or OKR. 

> Or, you can simply have a statement of what you want to achieve each month, day, or week.

02. Identify your ideal productive day and compare it with your actual day

Since we all have 24 hours in a day, the simplest way to do this in your bullet journal is to create a time map and visualize what your ideal productive day looks like — what are things you should be working on and what are activities you should not be doing. 

Then choose a regular day and log everything you do in each hour or half-hour. Afterwards, compare the two lists and evaluate where you need to improve on. 

Are you spending too much time checking emails? On social media? In meetings? Watching tv? You might be surprised how much of your day is actually spent on distractions and multi-tasking instead of deep work. 

03. Track your habits and activities

This is a favorite among many bullet journalists since we already know the habits we should be developing and the activities we should be doing on a regular basis. 

Simply search 'bullet journal tracker' in Google or in Pinterest and you'll find beautiful and inspiring layouts from others. 

Some things you can track are your keystone habits, your fitness, your meals, your projects, your blog/vlog stats, finances/expenses, your morning routine, and your evening routine. 

When it comes to habits, I highly suggest identifying the habit loop. According to Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit, a habit consists of three steps: the cue, the routine, and the reward. By establishing what triggers a habit and what reward we associate with it, we'd get better at developing or reshaping our habits. 

04. Identify your SMITN

SMITN is just a catchy acronym I came up as a thought trigger to remind myself whenever I wasn’t prioritizing. It stands for:

Single Most Important Task Now

As I mentioned earlier, a huge portion of our day is usually wasted on distractions and multi-tasking. But if we always highlight our single most important task now, then we can more effectively act on things that actually move the needle. 

This is related to concepts found in Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy, The One Thing by Gary Keller, even Essentialism by Greg McKeown. 

So, in your bullet journal, it’s as simple as marking your top priority, high-value task with a star or an asterisk and making sure you work on it before your other activities. 

05. Schedule a regular review period

It can be as simple as listing what you need to do 'more' of and 'less' of. Or your can review different areas of your life and rate them using a scale of 1 to 10.

This is what some bullet journalists call the level 10 life or wheel of assessment, which was taken from The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod.

You can even make a simple “stop doing” list to recognize which activities hinder your self-development and are essentially time-wasters.

The concept is that since we will always have areas of our lives that we can improve on, why not check in with yourself on a regular basis — yearly, monthly, weekly, even daily if you’re up for it. 

06. Make a "go over later" list

Again, it’s really difficult to be productive when you’re constantly bombarded with distractions all day long. 

But what if that distraction is a brilliant idea that just popped into your head? How do you turn that off when you’re trying to focus and get things done? 

Well, one simple but effective way is to acknowledge the idea and write it down in a “do later,” “brain dump,” or “go over later” list. 

This way, you’ll have a record of the idea and still be able to choose to work on it later when you’re ready to devote 100% of your time, energy, and attention to it.

07. Have a gratitude list

When it comes to productivity, sometimes it’s NOT about achieving more, being everywhere, and doing everything. 

A lot of it is saying NO to things that don’t really matter and instead, being content with who you are, where you are, and what you have. 

I love the question posed by Tim Ferriss in his latest book, Tools of Titans, where he asks, 

Could it be that everything is fine and complete as is?

He was talking about how our obsession with being productive can sometimes make us more anxious, stressed, and lose sight of what’s really important. 

This is related to what Productive and Free is all about. Our aim in being productive is NOT to simply do more work, but so we can be free to pursue the things we love. 

And so in your bullet journal, my last suggestion is to list down and contemplate on things you should be grateful for or simply, to recognize and celebrate your small wins on a regular basis. 

Over to You

Now as I mentioned many times before, what you do with your bullet journal is entirely up to you. And so, the same goes with these seven suggestions —

If something is unnecessary, eliminate it. If something isn’t entirely applicable, improve it. And if something works, use it. 

[jordynalisondesigns]

a cute lil halloween planner sticker ✨

available on Cricut Design Space

[turbocao]

after having finally found a way to make bullet journaling work for me (by making it as simple as possible) im now getting to a point where im starting to need some sort of organization method and idk how to do it

[bloomzone]

2025 : #16 journal journal journal : all u need guide

By : a journaling addict girlie

Journaling is a tool for self-discovery mindfulness and creativity too But while many of us start with enthusiasm turning journaling into a consistent habit can feel like a battle or smthng cuz life gets busy u lose motivation and before you know it your journal is gathering dust

so !

This guide will help you build a sustainable journaling practice. Whether you’re a beginner or someone looking to rekindle the habit these practical tips will make journaling an effortless part of your daily routine.

how I found out abt journaling(storytime box)

[I used to feel like my world was tiny, trapped in a cycle of bullying and loneliness and a loot of stuff My social zone was practically nonexistent I had 2 friends but I didn't trusted them enough and the people around me just made things harder so I had a trust issue and I was constantly overthinking eveeeeerything. My mind was a mess, and I had no way to let it out (I can't tell my parents back then abt my problems) . One day, I came across a video about journaling. I saw someone pouring out their thoughts into a notebook (it was bestmess ig on YouTube ) and something clicked for me. Maybe this could be my way to escape all the noise in my head ??? So, I grabbed an old notebook and started writing.At first, it felt awkward—just random, messy thoughts. But as I kept going, I realized it helped. Writing became my safe space. I could say whatever I wanted, no judgment. It wasn’t just about venting; it helped me understand myself, organize my thoughts, and let go of some of the pain from the isolation.Over time, journaling turned into something much deeper. It became a way to reflect, dream, and grow. It taught me how to be kind to myself when no one else was, and helped me find clarity in the chaos. Journaling saved me it turned my mess into peace one page at a time then when the years roll I created a routine for it !]

Why Journaling Matters

☆ Journaling offers countless benefits:

-Reducing stress

-Boosting creativity

-Deepening self-awareness

☆ Yet, staying consistent can be a challenge. The key lies in making journaling enjoyable and rewarding. Here's how you can do just that.

The Science of Habit Formation

To build any habit, including journaling, you need three elements:

1. Cue: A trigger that reminds you to journal.

2. Routine: The act of journaling itself.

3. Reward: The positive feeling or benefit you experience afterward.

The secret is to keep the process simple and satisfying too

Steps to Turn Journaling into a Daily Habit

1. Start Small

Begin with just a sentence or two for example:

“Today, I felt grateful for…”

“The best part of my day was…”

—Starting small makes it less overwhelming and easier to stick with.

2. Anchor It to an Existing Habit

—Pair journaling with something you already do, like drinking coffee or winding down before bed. This "habit stacking" technique helps u remember to journal.

3. Set a Timer

Worried about time? Commit to just 5 minutes. Knowing there’s a limit makes starting feel less daunting.

4. Use Prompts

Struggling with what to write? Use prompts like:

“What made me smile today?”

“What’s a challenge I faced, and how did I handle it?”

—Prompts give your thoughts direction and beat blank-page syndrome. There's million of prompts idea on Pinterest u need just to take action

5. Celebrate Your Progress

Track your streaks or mark your journaling days on a calendar. Seeing your consistency builds motivation.

6. Create a Cozy Space ( not important )

Set up a comfortable spot for journaling—a comfy chair, your favorite pen, or soothing music. A cozy environment turns journaling into a ritual you look forward to.

7. Experiment with Formats

If traditional journaling feels stale, try something new:

☆ Bullet points

☆ Sketches

☆ Gratitude lists

☆ Digital journaling apps

Creative Ways to Journal

☆ Gratitude Journaling: Write down 3 things you’re grateful for each day.

☆ Habit Tracking: Combine journaling with habit tracking to monitor small goals.

☆ Morning Pages: Inspired by Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, write 3 pages of free-flowing thoughts first thing in the morning.

☆ Reflection Logs: Reflect weekly or monthly on what went well, what you learned, and what you’d like to improve.

Overcoming Common Obstacles

1. “I Don’t Have Time.”

Journaling doesn’t need to take hours. Even a single sentence is progress.

2. “I Don’t Know What to Write.”

Start with prompts or simply answer: “What’s on my mind right now?”

3. “I Keep Forgetting.”

Set phone reminders or pair journaling with a daily habit.

4. “It Doesn’t Feel Useful.”

Journaling isn’t about perfection it’s a tool for you Over time you’ll notice its positive effects.

Journaling as a Tool for Self-Growth

— Journaling isn’t just about recording events or thoughts—it’s also a way to grow mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually. Here’s how you can take your journaling practice to the next level:

1. Use Journaling for Goal Setting

Journaling can help you identify and track your goals. Write down your short- and long-term objectives, and use your journal to reflect on progress, challenges, and adjustments.

Example:

☆ Weekly Goals: Write down 3 specific goals every Monday and reflect on them at the end of the week.

☆ Vision Journaling: Imagine your ideal future and describe it in vivid detail.

2. Practice Emotional Awareness

☆ Journaling is a powerful way to process emotions. Try these techniques:

☆ Emotion Check-Ins: At the end of the day, write about how you felt and why.

☆ Reframing Challenges: If something negative happened, write about it from a different perspective.

3. Develop Gratitude and Mindfulness

☆ Use your journal to cultivate mindfulness by focusing on the present moment:

☆ Mindful Observations: Write about your surroundings, the weather, or how your body feels.

☆ Gratitude Expansion: Instead of listing things you’re grateful for, write a short paragraph about why each one matters.

4. Uncover Patterns and Insights

Over time, your journal becomes a mirror of your habits, thoughts, and emotions. Regularly revisit old entries to:

- Identify recurring themes.

- Discover how you’ve grown or changed.

- Spot areas where you might need more balance or self-care.

FAQs

Q: How long does it take to build a journaling habit?

A: Experts say it takes 21–66 days. Consistency is key, even if it’s just a few minutes daily.

Q: Should I write by hand or use a digital tool?

A: Both work! Handwriting feels personal, while digital tools offer organization. ( In my opinion handwriting one are better !)

Q: What if my journaling feels repetitive?

A: Life has routines, and so will your journal. Use prompts or try new styles to keep it fresh.

Q: Can I journal if I’m not a good writer?

A: Absolutely! Journaling is about self-expression, not perfect prose. Bullet points or doodles work too.

Journaling is a gift you give yourself—a way to check in, reflect, and grow. Whether you’re jotting down a single sentence or filling pages, the act of journaling is what matters most.

@bloomzone 📇

[mediocrecowboyhat]

Set in sand - Chapter 4

We mark the year 1934 and a peculiar journal falls into your hands. It's telling the tale of an outlaw and the downfall of a gang. Some pages are torn and others are downright unreadable, but nevertheless, you are still able to make out some parts of the tragic story.

With the help of a certain time traveler friend of yours, will you be able to safe the author of the journal or will you be the cause for his demise?

Previous chapter

Next chapter

Word count: 4081

Disclaimer: This is based on the side quest "Geology for Beginners" so the reader is from the future and aware of some things that happen, but not everything. The reader will also have she/her pronouns and this fanfiction follows the story of RDR2. Also English is not my first language so pls forgive me for any grammatical mistakes!

TW: end-game spoilers will be mentioned very early on in the story, 18+ MDNI, sexual themes, violence, gore, death, misogynistic themes (anything that happens in the game as well)

"Let me clear those cans for you, Mr. Pearson.", you tell the cook as you sweep the empty food cans into a sack.

The man lifts his eyebrows slightly in surprise, but the expression leaves his face as fast as it had appeared. With a gruff 'thank you' that he mumbles into his mustache, he turns away to continue his work.

Do you genuinely want to clean the camp up a bit? Yes. Do you have any ulterior motive with this? Absolutely.

Lately the cogs and gears in your mind have been turning and replaying the recent events that took place in Valentine and back in Colter. It's not an exaggeration to say that you downright suck at handling weapons and the wolf pack and the drunk man are just two of many reasons why you should start getting better at it.

Some of the people in the camp turn their heads in your direction as you haul the sack over your shoulder and make your way off the cliff towards the river. The clanking of the metal you're carrying is probably alarming the entire wildlife and everyone who passes by.

What you need is a nice, secluded spot so no one interrupts you and you know just the place. One of the boys has mentioned a clearing off road close by the river. The sound of the rushing water is going to drown out any noise you'll be creating.

After a 20 minute walk you reach your destination and start lining up the cans on a rock.

Okay, let's do this.

You squint your eyes to get a better aim and raise the revolver with both hands. You've seen Arthur shoot with just one arm before, but there is no way you'd be able to pull that off. It would look kind of badass though.

After firing a couple shots, you step closer to the targets to inspect your results and surprise! None of the bullets came even close to the cans and you shake your head in frustration.

So you try it again.

And again.

And again...

"Fucking shit!", you hiss under your breath and hurl the gun at the makeshift targets with an irritated noise emanating from your throat. Of course you miss that as well.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't you supposed to shoot at the targets and not around 'em?", a male voice behind you says and you turn around.

You let out an offended huff as Arthur hitches up his horse on one of the trees and you pick up your revolver from the ground.

"Easy for you to say.", you mumble and aim for the cans.

Suddenly you feel a pair of hands on your shoulders and the unexpected contact sends a startled shiver down your spine.

"Relax your shoulders a bit. You ain't gonna hit nothin' if you're stiff as a plank.", he says in a low voice. "Take a deep breath in and then breathe out. Once there's no more air in your lungs, shoot."

You can't imagine how much of a difference that's going to make, but you decide to take his advice anyways. After pushing all the air out of your lungs, you let your shoulders relax and pull the trigger.

Well, you might not have hit the target, but the bullet got definitely a bit closer this time. The corner of your mouth curl up into a thrilled grin and Arthur nods in your direction.

"That wasn't too bad. If ya keep up like this we might just make a fine gunslinger out of ya."

You let out an amused chuckle at his comment.

"Sure. I'm just happy if I manage to not accidentally put a bullet in my own head."

"That doesn't sound too ideal, no. I prefer ya alive."

The outlaw walks over to a tree and leans his back against it while lighting a cigarette. It doesn't look like he's in a hurry to leave anytime soon, so you keep on practicing.

None of the food cans are being knocked off, but at least you manage to hit the rock they're lined up on. That counts as a victory in your book if anyone asks.

"So, what are you doing out here?", you ask Arthur after emptying your cattleman of ammunition.

"I saw you leave camp with a suspicious amount of trash and thought I'd look into it.", he answers teasingly and pushes himself off the treetrunk. "I'm kiddin'. Strauss sent me to collect some debt."

Upon hearing the word 'debt', you snap your head up to look at him. Is he on his way to Thomas Downes right now? Or worse. Maybe he's already on his way back.

Silently you curse yourself out for not paying closer attention to the outlaw's activities, but it's not like you can follow him around the place 24/7.

"And who is the poor soul who owes us money?", you ask and try your hardest to sound casual.

"Some guy called Wróbel."

It feels like a great weight has been lifted from your shoulders when you hear the name and you bite back a relieved sigh. For a second there you really thought you have fucked it all up.

"Can I join you?"

The look Arthur gives you makes it seem like you asked him to shoot you between the eyes.

"Ah, I don't know about that. Collectin' money from people...it can get nasty and I wouldn't want you to get caught up in some crossfire."

"I can take care of myself.", you answer in a matter of fact way and raise the revolver for him to see.

At that he simply let's out a snort.

"You couldn't kill a mouse if it was blind, deaf and had no legs."

You make no effort to mask your offense, but decide to fight him no further on this topic. Yes, you want to go with him and help, but you're not stupid. You're aware that you'd be putting yourself and possibly him in danger unnecessarily.

With a sigh, you slide the gun back into the holster of your belt and start collecting the cans to put them back into the sack. It would be a good idea to hide it between some rocks and make this area your designated spot for shooting practice.

The thought of having to carry your makeshift targets from camp to here and then back again didn't fill you with much joy.

"I should head back I think.", you say to Arthur after cleaning up the space and he motions towards his horse.

"Let me give ya a ride home."

At that you shake your head. "Oh, you don't have to go out of your way to bring me home. You were heading out to the opposite direction and the walk isn't that long."

But it doesn't look like you can convince him to let you go by yourself.

"I don't mind the small detour. Come on."

With a soft smile on your lips, you hoist yourself up onto the back of the horse. Shortly after that Arthur jumps onto the saddle as well and the two of you start going.

It's a bit of a struggle to not slide off during the ride so you make sure to hold onto Arthur's jacket tightly. You just hope you're not squeezing him too hard. Not that that would hurt a mountain of a man such as him, but still.

Surprisingly enough, he is, this time, the one to break the silence between you. "You seem to fit in with everyone just fine."

He's right. Before your journey you were worried sick about what the others in the gang might think of you. You are no outlaw and have zero experience and knowledge about that line of work.

Sure, Arthur has talked about some members almost fondly in his journal, but that doesn't change what these people are at the end of the day. Criminals and criminals aren't known to be the welcoming kind.

"Because everyone is so nice.", you answer with a hint of disbelief in your voice. "Or most of the people are nice."

The comment at the end stole a quiet cackle from the man.

"If you think we're nice then I don't wanna meet the people you kept around before you met us."

Now it's your turn to laugh.

"Oh, you know what they say. Bad company is better than no company."

"I think that saying goes a little different.", he argues in a playful spirit.

The awkwardness that was always hanging in the air when you two first met has disappeared completely by now. It's safe to say that Arthur is one of the few people in the gang you feel fully comfortable with.

Funny, how fast you're starting to feel safe around him as well considering that he has killed, robbed and injured countless folks, but that's something that oddly enough never comes to mind when you're with him.

With some other gang members your brain and body automatically become more vigilant when you find yourself in their proximity. Not with him though.

The ride back to camp comes sooner to an end than you would have liked and you carefully slide off the horse. That one time you got off you almost fell face first into the ground and you'd prefer to avoid that. At least infront of people.

"Thanks, Arthur."

"Ah, as I said I don't mind a small detour.", he says with a wave of his hand.

"I don't only mean the ride."

The corners of his mouth lift for a split second before he tips his black hat in your direction and trots away with his horse. As you look after him, you don't notice a certain blonde woman join your side.

A knowing smirk is displayed on her freckled face and she playfully pokes your shoulder. "Look who's sweet on Arthur."

Heat shoots into your face and you hastily shake your head.

"Sweet on him? Who? Me? No." You're really not doing yourself any favors with how awful that denial sounded.

Karen on the other hand finds your embarrassment more than entertaining and she let's out a loud, hearty laugh.

"Relax! I'm just teasin' ya."

Knowing that she isn't being serious with her accusation does calm you down a bit. It's just that you don't want these people to get the wrong idea. Besides, you're not here to date anyone.

Catching feelings during your stay here would complicate things too much. You don't belong here and you're not here to stay.

Much to your own relief Karen stops teasing you immediately after and asks you to join her for a cup of coffee while you chat about your day. That's when your eyes fall on Sadie who's sitting on a log at the edge of camp.

Even in that distance you can't overlook how puffy and red her eyes are. Poor thing has been crying nearly everyday and Miss Grimshaw has started to give her a harsh time for not "contributing enough".

What does that woman expect from her? It's not like one can simply stop mourning over their spouse over night. Then an idea begins to form in your head and you walk over to Sadie after your talk with Karen.

"Hey.", you softly make your presence known to not startle the woman. People here seem to have the tendency to sneak up on others on a regular basis. "I wanted to ask you if you'd like to go run some errands with me."

She lifts her head to look at you, a thoughtful expression on her face as if she's considering your offer.

"I'm not too sure if I'm in the mood for shoppin'.", she answers. Only now do you take actual notice of her deep southern drawl.

With one casual movement of your hand you slide your coat aside to reveal your weapon belt and the weapon attached to it. If you remember correctly from the journal, Sadie is one unrestrained force of nature.

You might not have anything too exciting planned for the two of you, but your shopping destination might pique her interest.

"I need some bullets."

For the first time since you've met her, something flickers in her gaze as her eyes fall on the revolver. It's hard to tell what it means.

"I'll help ya prepare the wagon." With these words she stands up from the log and together you starting getting the horses and everything else ready.

Sadie is kind enough to take over the reigns which is something you're extremely grateful for. You don't feel confident enough in your driving skills to get out of the forest unscathed just yet.

"I had no idea you owned a gun.", she breaks the silence and your fingers trace over the leather of the belt.

"A friend gave it to me. For protection."

"And do you know how to use it?"

A bitter chuckle escapes your throat as you think about the unscathed cans back at your practice spot.

"Not at all."

She let's out an amused noise and shoots you a quick look. "I can teach ya if ya want."

Your eyes widen as you watch her from the side. "You'd really help me?"

"Of course. I can handle a gun. My husband and I-" The words get caught up in her throat as if she's choking on them.

Her eyes are fixed on the road and you can tell that the memories of her late husband still lay heavy on her. Of course they do.

You decide that it's better to not push the topic and instead place your hand on her shoulder. For the remainder of the ride you just sit in silence, but it's not awkward. It's actually kind of nice.

By the time you arrive at Valentine the sun is already setting and you hurry to the gunsmith. Thankfully Francis has given you a gun from the 1890s instead of a modern one. Otherwise you wouldn't be able to buy ammunition and goddamn, do you need it.

While you pay for a pack of bullets you catch Sadie inspect a rifle in the corner of your eyes. It looks so familiar in her hands and you're really starting to look forward to the shooting lessons with her.

It's a nice chance to build a connection with her and maybe, hopefully distract her for at least a short while. She needs a break.

"I'll head out and check the general store while we're here. Do you wanna come?"

She lowers the rifle and thinks for a moment before answering. "No, I'll look around a bit longer."

"Okay, see you at the wagon then.", you say as you exit the shop.

On your way to the general store you pass the saloon and it sounds like a whole commotion is going on in there. Any other time you'd just walk by, not paying it any mind, but there is an all too familiar voice booming through the entrance.

With your interest piqued, you step through the double swinging doors and find a very drunk, very confused looking Arthur.

"Lenny!"

Lenny is here too?

The outlaw spins around, screaming for the young man from the top of his lungs and visibly upsetting the other customers with the noise. Then his eyes fall on you and they light up in recognition while a wide grin begins to spread on his flushed face.

"Hey! When did ya get here?", he yells excitedly and walks over to you with swaying steps.

"How many drinks did you have?", you ask as you watch him struggle to keep his balance.

"A couple."

Another voice that you recognize chimes in. "Arthur! Where have you been? I was lookin' all over for you."

Lenny comes stumbling along with the same big smile on his face like Arthur. He too reacts absolutely thrilled at your presence and gives your shoulder a friendly pat.

Chuckling, you shake your head. "I shall leave you boys to it then."

"No, you should stay!", protests Lenny almost immediately which earns an eager nod from Arthur. It's so odd to see the latter man this...let's say bouncy to put it mildly.

"Sorry, I can't. Sadie is waiting for me outside."

You don't even give them the opportunity to try to talk you into staying some longer. With a quick pat on their shoulder, you swiftly start to leave. However their night is going to end, a voice in the back of your mind tells you to not get involved.

Sadie tilts her head in a puzzled manner when you return back to her and climb onto the wagon. "You didn't buy anythin'?"

"Nah, I got distracted, but it's okay. It wasn't important anyways.", you answer as you shake your head.

You bite back a chuckle when you remember the look on Arthur's face once he spotted you in the saloon. He looked so genuinely happy to see you.

The mental image stirs something up deep within you, but it vanishes before you could identify the feeling.

---

The midday sun is high in the sun and beating down on you. Pearls of swear are starting to form on your forehead and you wipe them away with the sleeve of your blouse.

Mr. Pearson had asked you to help him cut up some vegetables for the stew which you happily agreed to. It's a job where you can think and daydream by yourself without having to focus too much on the task at hand.

Even now you're lost in your thoughts until a mix of groaning and grunting abruptly rips you out of your mind palace. You look up to see where the noise is coming from and lock eyes with Arthur.

His expression is sour and his face is paler than ever. By the looks of it it must have been a long night yesterday. Lenny is following closely behind him and doesn't look any better.

"Seems like you boys had fun last night.", you comment with a smirk und Arthur takes a seat on a folding chair close to the cooking station.

"I don't even remember most of it.", he grumbles and runs his hand over his face. "I feel like shit."

"And you look like it too.", you reply and he let's out a bitter snort.

"Thanks."

You hand him a water flask which he gratefully accepts and chugs almost everything in one go.

"Why did you guys go out drinking anyways?" Curiosity is laying heavy in your voice. Sure, they drink a beer or two, but Arthur and Lenny don't really strike you as the type to get this piss drunk on a random occasion.

"Lenny came back from Strawberry all anxious yesterday, because Micah got arrested."

Everything within you basically gags at the mere mention of that two faced snake. Saying that the reminder of him alone makes you feel uncomfortable in ways you have never felt before is a blatant understatement.

"There's talk of hangin' him."

"Here's hoping.", you answer which earns you a cackle from Arthur.

"That's exactly what I told Dutch."

He hands you back the water flask and pushes himself up from the chair with a pained grunt. "I gotta head out though."

You follow his movement with widened eyes and raised eyebrows. "But you just got here. Shouldn't you rest a bit?"

"Nah, I gotta meet up with the boys to rescue Sean. We got a lead on where he is."

That name rings a bell. You haven't met him yet, but you know that he's been taken by some bountyhunters after that mysterious riverboat job everyone keeps referencing.

"Okay, just make sure to come back in one piece.", you yell after him and he simply lifts his hand to indicate that he heard you.

---

Arthur, Sean, Javier and Charles arrive late during the evening and loud cheering echoes through the camp. They have all missed him very much. Especially Karen who looks like she's going to tear up any moment.

"I had no idea you were so sweet on him.", you comment which earns you a slap on the shoulder.

"Oh, shut it.", she says through chuckles, but doesn't deny it.

The Irishman's return turns into a warm welcoming party. Drinks are being shared and the sound of Javier's guitar and laughter fills the air. The sight of Karen being practically glued to Sean's side steals an amused smirk from you.

Tilly who's sitting next to you at the fireplace sways her body from side to side in sync with the guitar's melody and she passes a whisky bottle to you. With a mumbled 'thank you' you take a swig from it and feel the warmth from the alcohol spread in your chest.

You're starting to really enjoy the gang's energy and the strong sense of community in this camp. It's starting to almost feel like a big family to you instead of just a bunch of random people who have happened to end up being grouped up together.

"Would you like to dance with me, Arthur?"

Mary-Beth stands up from a chair and straightens her blue skirt. He thinks for a second before he nods and places his hand on her waist. "Sure, why not."

You watch them with a soft smile and laugh quietly to yourself at the view. Arthur with his massive stature is moving in a rather clumsy and rough manner, but the grin on his face shows how much fun he's having.

It's so nice to see him like this.

"Why don't you go ask him to dance with you too?", Tilly asks and rips you out of your thoughts. You blink a couple times at her in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

Her lips curl up in a playful way and she nudges your shoulder with hers.

"You know exactly what I mean."

You awkwardly cough into your fist at her statement and shake your head. "It's nothing like that, Tilly."

The look on her face makes it more than obvious that she doesn't believe a word youre saying, but drops the topic much to your relief. To avoid any further embarrassment you decide to let your gaze wander somewhere else and stifle a yawn.

Maybe it's time to head to bed.

Some of the others have gone to sleep as well by now so it wouldn't be too weird of you to leave the party.

Before you get up from the log, you hand the whisky bottle back to Tilly and excuse yourself as you walk towards the tent that you're sharing with the other girls. A strained grunt leaves your lips and you stretch your back.

Sitting on that thing all evening and night has fucked with both your back and ass and now you feel as stiff as a catholic nun.

"Goin' to sleep already?"

With a startled noise you turn around to meet a particular pair of blue eyes and you let out an irritated huff. "Can you stop sneaking up to me all the time?"

"Im not sneakin'. It ain't my fault you're so jumpy."

"Sure."

Your discontent doesn't last long. Actually, now that you think about it you never manage to hold a grudge against the outlaw for too long. He doesn't always get on your nerves of course, but when he does the aggravation never stays for longer than half a minute or so.

"Weren't you dancing just now?", you ask and peek over his shoulder to see where he left Mary-Beth.

"Ah, I thought I should stop makin' a fool of myself."

"Well, I thought you looked quite adorable.", you point out, gaining a snort from the outlaw.

Arthur scratches his bearded cheek and nods to himself, looking as if he doesn't know what to say anymore. The same goes for you and you feel like you're going to fall asleep standing so you decide that it would be best to call it a day now.

You break the long stretched silence and motion towards your bedroll. "I should really get some sleep now though."

"Yea, 'course. Well, uh...goodnight then."

"Goodnight, Arthur."

You shoot him a warm smile and he tips his cowboy hat in your direction before joining the other again.

For some reason you can't shake off the feeling that there was more that he had wanted to tell you.

Taglist: @shackspossum

[gigi-journaling]

📖 Journaling 101 📖

Common questions I find from beginners are:

How do I begin?

It’s as simple as finding something to write with and something to write on!

Try looking up different journaling styles! Nitpick what you like, what you’d like to try out, and make a Frankenstein of a journal using all those pieces.

What tools do I need?

Personalize your stationery to what suits you!⤵️

Something to attach things to your journal! Could be anything from staples, glue, tape, paperclips, etc.

Something to write with! Could be anything like a pencil, marker, pen, crayon, etc.

Something to cut with like scissors or a precision blade, but honestly you can tear into things, too!

And if you’re not a fan of scribbling out mistakes, some correction tape and white-out never hurt.

What do I write about?

Anything and everything!

You don’t even have to write to make a journal. (Yes! You can fill a journal entirely with stickers, doodles, and receipts and call it day!)

So, what are some useful tips when starting?

Here are some things I’ve learned since I’ve began the hobby, that might be useful to consider:

Do not compare your journal to others posted online!!!

We tend to share our best pages and what we are most proud of, but our entire journal does not look that way! Some pages have smears, ink bleeds, torn and crinkled pages—do not let that discourage you! There is no such thing as a perfect journal!

Don’t fall into the trap of overconsumption!

This is something I myself am guilty of. There are many pricey journals, tools, stationery, etc. that are very tempting to buy, but the truth is you don’t need any of that (especially when starting). Find out what you like first, where your passions lie, what motivates you to continue, and then invest in those areas.

Know thy self.

It’s easier to find what works for you if you’re honest about who you are. I’m a very meticulous person who enjoys organization, so a bullet journal system with lists, dates, and habit tracking is perfect for me. Does that sound like a nightmare to you? Try junk journaling, scrapbooking, or stream-of-consciousness writing that obliterates the needs for organizational systems.

The ‘right’ way to journal

Journaling, I’ve come to find, it mainly about leaving the footprint of your present self for your future self. As long as your journal reflects who you are at the time of writing, instead of portraying a false version of yourself. Ultimately, you don’t want to someday flip through the pages of someone who never existed to begin with. Flipping through old journals should feel like time traveling, witnessing your growth with every page turn.

The main take-away?

➡️ A journal is a self reflection

➡️ Every journal is unique, just as we are

➡️ Journaling is a practice of self-honesty

➡️ You define what the ‘right’ way of journaling means

Come join our journaling tumblr community: here!

[godricked]

hi, i've noticed tarot cards in your latest post. i'm a beginner with cards, and still tryna figure out how to "learn" them the best way. can you suggest some techniques, or maybe some good sources? the sticky notes on your cards made me really intrigued

have a blessed day!

hiii!! thank you for the ask!

honestly i would consider myself a newbie too (i don't use them nearly enough). still, i do know my way around the cards a lil bit, so i'll explain what i do and some tips/tricks/sources.

this is the yughostlavia technique (bc i am inconsistent and don't really dedicate my time to studying the tarot as much as i should... it's like an 'on the go' way to learn).

do a daily reading - this is pretty basic yet effective, do a daily draw in the morning (or if you can't do one in the AM, any time during the day is fine) and learn the meaning of that card. depending on the deck, the cards may have slight meaning variations, but all have the same "core/archetypal" meaning. i suggest beginning with the Rider-Waite Tarot Deck, because the meanings are much easier to read.

learn the basic symbols of the cards - what does each suit mean, what are the most common motives (water, far away mountains, where are the people looking, what is the colour of the background?)

do basic readings - easy readings are past - present - future, situation - action - outcome... here's a list and take NOTES! these are the little papers i stuck onto my cards, i find it easier to retain information when i write.

once you have the basics down - try to interpret them on your own and THEN check google/the booklet that comes with your tarot. it will make you learn the meanings quicker (especially if you have bad memory and are more of a visual learner) as well as develop your OWN intuition.

watch youtube tarot readings! watch how others read the cards and how they weave them into a story, because rarely does one read the cards alone, independently from each other. i recommend the white feather tarot.

try to weave them into a story - you don't have to do a literal reading every time. pick out some cards at random and do practice readings - imagine you are starting a new job/getting married/moving abroad - and see what advice you can pull from the cards. this is great if you don't have other people to practice on and don't feel like reading for yourself

download a tarot app - i recommend labrynthos since they have all the meanings, cheat sheets and more (also the art is sooo pretty) and use it daily, while commuting, waiting in line, wherever you can.

where are the figures looking? what does the number of the card mean? what is my life path number and do i resonate with this number, etc. all of these things can help you learn to interpret the cards easier and more intuitively.

keep a tarot journal - draw the cards, the symbols, the spreads, everything. keep notes, but also do some free writing - keeping a daily journal will definitely help. take photos of your spreads, print them out, stick them in the journal. document the process. this is something i wish i had done when i got my first deck, so i'm compensating by sticking stuff into my regular bullet journal!

some other free resources i recommend are:

learntarot free tarot course

biddy tarot tarot card meanings

this article about how cards are connected

this subreddit has some advice!

i hope this is somewhat helpful! have a lovely day too!

[frenchcoffeebreak]

↑ Where I leave the things I frequently use. Yeah that's an ironing board. Monday 24th of july, 2023 | 35th day

Bonsoir à tous! 🇫🇷

Today I did some more french as I promise I would but I didn't do that much because I was basically outside all day doing chores and it was horribly hot today, too.

I do need to start doing like intense study hours so I can do french for one hour or two daily instead of doing it during like 3 hours while I do other stuff because that way I'll save more time (plus it's good to know how to organize your time when learning languages because that way you'll have more time when you're back at work or school).

Either way, what I did today was doing a bit more investigation on french learning YouTube channels and I discovered these:

Chloe Kian FR: a casual vlog about daily life things, books and self-improvement (not really focused on teaching languages, but a lot of people use her channel to learn).

Coffee Break French (reminds me of something): a series of podcasts that teach french but they do have many other channels directed at different languages.

CCube Academy: the type of channel that your language teachers will play during class but are actually helpful.

While I did that I obviously stopped to watch some of those channels' videos, for example I watched this video by Chloe Kian talking about how they organize their bullet journal, this other one by Coffee Break French about daily routines and finally this CCube Academy story about a boy who wants to figure out what her mom packed for lunch.

Other than that I already know a lot of popular french YouTube channels, like for example:

Easy French: an interview focused channel that also teaches vocabulary from time to time and has english and french subtitles at the same time (has other versions, like Easy Spanish).

Learn French With Alexa: very useful channel that teaches you french from the very beginning.

Learn To French: a lot of vocabulary and also many dictations to prepare you for exams for any level.

Piece of French: one of the most famous french learning channels. She teaches french through natural conversation and also stops to explain some more advanced expressions.

Français avec Nelly: I kind of forgot about this channel but she was actually one of the first YouTubers I watched. She covers up both the basics and more advanced things.

Learn French with FrenchPod101.com: lots of vocabulary compilations. Especially aimed at beginners.

İclal: her channel is aimed at language learning as a whole, not just french but she was actually the first channel I watched videos from.

Either way, that's it for today! Hope you found these lists helpful!

[uraandri]

this notion stuff seems really interesting and like it would be what i'm looking for but just like with bullet journaling every beginner tutorial seems preoccupied with making it look pretty rather than making it functional

[lantur]

random notes,

I have been going all in on self-improvement/enrichment lately. It feels so good to have new goals to strive toward now that "write a novel" is complete. I have a 4-week streak on Dreaming Spanish videos and Duolingo, and I'm so happy that my comprehension of beginner-level Spanish videos is getting better. I'm also making good progress on my travel journal/scrapbooking project, and I'm back to reading social work textbooks.

The combination of homemade tea lattes and before-work workouts is still doing wonders for my mood. My running has gotten SO much better (free of pain and soreness!) since I started lower body strengthening in August. I wish I had known sooner that all my aches and pains were caused by weakness.

I had a fun weekend. My friend Steve came over for dinner on Friday, and I haven't seen him in months. Derek and I had a big extended family pre-Christmas party on Saturday, and we got to hang out with our favorite cousins. On Sunday night, a couple of my friends and I got Chinese takeout and spend the rest of the night sitting and chatting around the dinner table, and it was so cozy. :) Other highlights include a Sunday afternoon nap, a Saturday morning swim and sauna session, and plenty of cuddles with Westin.

Food/cooking thoughts: I roasted chicken legs earlier this month. I saved the sauce left over in the pan - a mix of the fat from the chicken drumsticks and the soy sauce + hot honey + garlic and ginger marinade. That combination of the chicken fat and gingery marinade has been AMAZING to flavor up my sautéed kale. I saved the bacon fat from the zuppa toscana I made on Friday night, and I'm excited to use that on my vegetables next.

It's not snowing here and it hasn't been too cold, compared to what it's usually like in winter. So far, I've dodged the seasonal depression bullet, for the first time in several years. :) This is also my first winter on the correct dose of antidepressants, and I know that must be helping a lot.

[antiquatedplumbobs]

People You'd Like to Get to Know Better

I was tagged by @kieraplaysthesims and @starandsims , thanks guys, I love doing stuff like this! 😍

Last Song: Paul Revere by Noah Kahan, that whole album is like listening to my youth in rural New England ahah.

Favorite Color: It frequently changes, right now I'm vibing with warm saturated jewel-y tones right now. I'm particularly into a warm slate blue currently.

Currently Watching: A couple things, were watching Ahsoka and Lower Decks as it comes out, but also catching up on The Next Generation. When I'm just watching alone I've finally been trying SVU.

Last Movie: I don't frequently watch movies, but the last one was Happiness for Beginners, which I watched while home sick. It was cute and fun, totally recommend!

Currently Reading: Ugh, not much. I went through a total reading phase this summer, but it's really tapered off. I have Ally Carter's The Blonde Identity sitting on my nightstand but I'm being bad and ignoring it. The last book I read that I totally dug was A Natural History of Dragons, which was very well done.

Sweet/Spicy/Savory: Never spicy, kinda a combo of the other two right now, I'm getting excited for all the fall coming and baking.

Last Thing I Googled: The last three are really funny so I'm listing them in order:

Ellie Kemper (couldn't remember the name of the movie up there)

Post office near me (needed to drop a package)

Common issues automobiles 1915 (for story ~reasons~)

Current Obsession: My story for sure, it's taken over. Also having my bullet journal just so.

Currently Working On: At this moment? Looking over a site plan application (yay job), when I'm having fun? Sewell Legacy all the way babay.

This was fun!! I'm gonna tag some of my old standards @aheathen-conceivably @simadelics @chereindolente @moon-simmers @stargazingsims @surely-sims @peebsplays @gilded-ghosts - feel free to ignore folks!!

[magnus-sm-writes]

February Wrap-Up!

It’s the shortest month of the year, and it’s time for the monthly wrap-up (which I haven’t done in some time). One of my main goals this year is consistency. Expect more monthly wrap-ups!

February is my third favorite month (March > October > February, I have opinions on the months), and it’s been the month where I’ve decided to attempt to get my life in order. This has everything to do with attempting to not get stuck in my seasonal depression hole and attempting to make myself more comfortable following my biannual neurodivergent meltdown (realizing the world isn’t made for me and freaking out about it). The world is difficult to live in if your brain isn’t built correctly for it.

Anyways, I’m quite pleased with how this month has gone for me.

Let’s move on to the neatly-organized categories!

Writing journal

I made an Instagram post about this, but I ended up with two bullet journals, so I use one for work and one for… work. Writing, that is. The work that I don’t get paid for but still love. (Yes, I love my full-time job, too, but it’s more of a side piece to me.)

My writing journal has been essential for keeping me consistent and accountable. (Except for the eleven days I forgot my journal was in the living room. ADHD for the win.)

But when it comes to my goals, I would say I reached more this month than I did in January.

My layout for February was super simplistic and based on the bare-bones functionality of my work journal. It’s not pretty to look at. I changed that in my March layout, so please bear with me.

The goals I reached this month were:

Continue re-writing a novel

Keep word count & submission journal

Make monthly wrap-up

Write in a café

I read three books: Teaching my Mother to Give Birth by Warsan Shire (twice), Magic for Beginners by Kelly Link, and In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Macahdo. I loved all of them. In fact, I resonated so deeply with In the Dream House that I actually purchased it.

The next page is just a couple short stories I was working on: “Communion” & “The Boy & the Hag Stone”. I did not finish “Hag Stone”. In fact, I didn’t finish a single short story this month.

My “words written” page is prettier, but still incredibly functional. Then my “poetry written” page. Overall, a very simple layout.

My writing journal is crucial to keeping me on schedule. If you are riddled with neurodivergence like me, the advice is true: keeping track of what I do has actually helped me stay with my goals and get some major work done.

Word Count

I’m rather happy with my word count this month! I’ve recorded writing 27,748 words, though I did forget to record my word count for about 11 days, as I accidentally lost track of my writing journal (as mentioned above).

What have I been writing?

In early February, I wrote 12 poems. That’s fantastic, in terms of poetry-writing. I wrote a little bit of Greenest and some stuff for OC Kiss Week, but a great chunk of my word count comes from my Hamish rewrite. It seems like I only want to write Hamish in the more wintry months, as February seems to be the month I’m most inspired to write it.

If you don’t know about Hamish, I encourage you to visit my WIP post about it. Basically, it’s a modern interpretation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. In short: it’s a gothic horror told in first person referral (I to you).

It’s an older work, compared to what I’m currently writing. A relic from the days where I believed that I could only write contemporary literary fiction instead of what I tend to write now (fantasy, horror, & sci-fi). However, I can now add my own spin to what was originally a work grounded in reality. (That is, make it more like a gothic horror novel.)

I’m hoping to make an update post about it, since I’ve doubled my typical 10,000 word goal. I’ve been pretty busy with trying to meet all my goals as of late, and posting has taken the back burner as opposed to attempting to overcome my seasonal depression.

(Maybe writing Hamish isn’t the healthiest option, but the vibes are there.)

I am a little burnt out at the moment when it comes to Hamish. I’m in what I call the “27k slump”, which is where I get demotivated at around 27,000 words in a project. The end of Act I tends to be difficult for me. This problem results in sagging middle, which is an issue I struggle with in a lot of my novels. I’m still trying to find a way to circumvent this.

In March, I hope to play with some sci-fi!

Publications

I don’t have any publications to show for February, but I did get my novelette Body rejected by a publisher, so I’m proud of myself for putting myself out there.

Looking forward!

(Hopefully I’ll remember to take a picture of my journal layout for March. If not, check out my Instagram for some updates. Gotta self-promote as much as possible in this wild west that is the writernet.)

My March layout is more complex than the February one, which is an upside of a bullet journal format. I can modify it whenever I need to.

My biggest goals in March are:

Finish 1 short story

Go to the library 2 times

Write in a café 2 times

Maintain submission & word count journals

Read 10 pages a day

Finish 2 audiobooks

Submit 2 stories for publication

I think these goals are me realistically pushing myself. I probably won’t reach all of these goals, but that’s okay. The point is to foster good habits instead of reaching perfection.

On the lower corner of my “big goals” page is a “best poems” section, where I will write down my favorite poems of the month. Like a monthly playlist of poems. I’m hoping I’ll use this a bit this month, but if not, it’s no sweat.

Then it’s my “books read”, “stories written”, and “want to read” page. My “want to read” section is a lot of books that James Clear recommended, because I’m on a self-help kick right now and I like reading his articles. I’ve also got some general books I want to read this year or month. Since it’s Women’s History Month, I want to include some more female authors.

My “books read” and “stories written” section for February were far larger than they needed to be last month, so I made them smaller for March.

Next is my “words written” and “poems written” page, which I will definitely be using the most. I’m attempting to write every day and note it. It’s easier to write a poem than a short story or novel, so I made the section just a little bigger. Mostly, this is a word count tracker.

The next page is blank. I think I might do a tracker or brain dump page, or both. I’m constantly brainstorming ideas, so having something with me all the time is essential.

Personal Life

As some of y’all might know, my birthday is in March! I am doing a Golden Birthday Bonanza, where I do a little retrospective on my eleven years of writing with the intent to publish. Let me know if you have anything you’d like to hear about during my week of birthday fun. Q&A is officially open!

[diaryandgirl]

february 2024 goals

February has been an off month for me for various reasons which has led to me posting this so late. still, I think creating a list of goals to end the month off strong is a good idea.

Adult

bake bread

declutter windowsill

curate 23 pins on Pinterest of personal style

update bullet journal

wash dishes right away after eating

Work

start one LMCC questionbank

submit rank list

Content

post 29 times on Tumblr

post a vlog

Health

finish POP Pilates for Beginners Calendar

drink my water bottle's amount of water daily

Personal

get out of bed within 10 minutes of waking up

no aimless scrolling on my phone when waiting for something

read four books for Black History Month

[tipsycad147]

Beginner Witch Terminology

Beginner witch vocab

I’ve been noticing lately that there’s a lot of confusion for baby witches when it comes to certain topics and practices.

Things like the names of tools and how to use them, holidays, what to call yourself even!

So to help clear that up, I’m going to cover some of the things I think should be considered Beginner Witch Vocabulary and Knowledge and hopefully make some more sense of everything.

So some of these terms are up for debate on the ” proper terminology”, with people that use them interchangeably while other think you have to be specific in every way. I’ll leave it up to you to decide.

Book of Shadows versus Grimoire

Beginner Witch Vocab-Grimoire

So first we’re going to talk about your journal. Most witches have at least one journal they use to keep rituals, spells and correspondences in. This is referred to as your Grimoire.

A Grimoire is a book used to keep all the general knowledge a witch refers back to during her work. This is the big “spellbook” with all the witch’s magical secrets in it. (Like in the movies)

You can use your computer, a spiral notebook or a fancy leather-bound journal, they all work the same. ( Using a binder or book with removable pages helps let you rearrange or remove pages as needed)

This is where you’ll keep info on things like what to grow in your garden, the moon cycles and what they are good for, the best types of crystals for anxiety or sleep and more. Most Grimoire’s can be left visible to the public eye (aka on your bookshelf) as they aren’t deeply personal.

Try different styles and formats

Don’t be afraid to use different books for various topics or even restart yours if you don’t like your formatting or what you’ve written. My first Grimoire was a red 3 subject notebook with the letters BOS on the front written in gold sharpie!

I had a whopping total of like 5 pages filled with internet spells for things like weight-loss, irresistible beauty and all that preteen hoopla we go through as teenagers. ( Girls( and guys) you are beautiful no matter what you think the mirror tells you, trust me! Don’t rely on magic to change yourself to please others)

Now that I’m older and more interested in noting down my craft, I’m using multiple journals. I like have a different journal for each topic, ( divination, herbology, spell work, etc), so that I’m not covering 17 topics in 7 pages.

Look into Bullet Journals and that style. I like the dotted pages for writing and doodling. There are numbered pages and an index at the front to keep your info neatly organized. There are pre-formatted bullet journals or you can number and label your own.

Beginner Witch Vocab-Book of Shadows

You can also use Bullet journals or what ever your preferred technique is for your other journal. The second Journal witches use is called a Book of Shadows.( Or Book of secrets,Book of Light, Book of twilight, Book of Spells or Mirror Book).

This book is used to track your personal reactions, results and thoughts to your spells, dreams or divination readings. Everything written in your BOS is strictly about YOU.

Most witches don’t let others see or read their BOS. It would be like when your parents read your diary after an argument, just bad all around for everyone.

You can combine the two books together, many witches do in fact. It’s up to your personal preference and how you feel about it.

I’m currently writing down my daily tarot spread and 1-3 keywords about each card. This helps me learn the cards as well as keeps a written record of what my reading was in case I need to refer back on it later.

I don’t typically record results to spells but that may change in the future, idk. However I do try and keep track of measurements for oils, witch balls and other various crafts I make so that I’m not having to re-research it every time.

Where to find Journals

For the broke witch, feel free to use a spiral notebook and decorate the front if you want. If you’re trying to stay on the down-low, keep it hidden with school books or other inconspicuous areas. Use your notebook function on your phone or the computer or create a secret board on Pinterest.

If you do want to get the fancy journals, Etsy has some really cool ones. I personally hit Barnes and Noble or Books-a-Million( our replacement for Border’s Books) for their clearance section on blank journals and sketchbooks. I just got like 4 more around Father’s day to update my set.

Check out Our Witches Love Gift Board on Pinterest for some cool ideas on journal designs.

Check out thrift stores as well. If you can find a minimally used journal,( or a brand new one if you’re lucky) you can clean it up and sage it, saving you a few bucks at the same time.( I recommend saging any new item you bring into your home whether new or not, it’s a way to make sure you start on a clean slate.)

Saging vs Smoke Cleansing vs Smudging

While we’re discussing saging your tools and items, let touch on the heavily debated topic of Smudging vs Smoke cleansing real quick.

I’ve noticed in the forums and groups I follow there’s been a lot of discussion on “open” and “closed” practices. What this is referring to if you don’t know, is rituals that are sacred to certain groups of people ad should only be performed by those people.

Beginner Witch Vocab-Smudging

Smudging is one of the newest debates on this as using sage to cleanse your space becomes very popular and “more common”.

The practice of smudging, especially smudging using white sage, is sacred to the Indigenous Tribes here in the US. A sacred ritual preparation, only certain members of the tribes are involved.

Typically, smudging is done prior to a prayer, spirit travel or an offering to the gods. Many tribes carry generations of tradition for this ritual and it is to be done with great honor and expertise.

Many of the Indigenous people feel that anyone Non-Native should not be allowed access to white sage nor call what they do smudging. And after researching I can understand their concern. We’ll be touching more on this in a few weeks so I won’t go over board with it right now.

What most people commonly refer to as “smudging” is actually called smoke cleansing( you can also call it saging if you are using garden sage,white sage etc) Smoke Cleansing is burning herbs, wood or incense to purify, cleanse and charge yourself, an area or items to be used.

Beginner Witch Vocab-Smoke Cleansing

Saging and smoke cleansing not only date to here in the US. But there are records the Celtic Druids, European Witches and many of the Nordic and Icelandic areas all used various techniques and plants for their own rituals. Even the frankincense and myrrh used in the Catholic Braziers are smoke cleansing! Many people are finding incense blends that appeal towards their bloodlines to get away from the sensitive issue of white sage smudging.

The coolest part of being a witch is you can make your own blends, and grow your own plants for it as well. Juniper, mint, lavender, rosemary and thyme are some examples of herbs you can burn for smoke cleansing.

So to TL: DR this part..lol Smudging is a Native American practice used in religious rituals using white sage and various herbs. Smoke Cleansing is used across the world using various plants and incense to cleanse a space, a person or an item. No matter which one you choose to do, just make sure your plants are ecologically and ethically sourced and that you are respectful during your practice.

(We will be covering this more in-depth in a few weeks, if there is any info you would like to know more about or share please send me a message I would love to add it in!)

Other Beginner Witch Terms and Vocab

Some of the other confusing topics for beginner witches is when they just start out. How do you know what everything is called? What if you have the wrong item, etc?

Once you get the hang of it, it’s a lot easier. And remember, you don’t have to follow everything specific down to the letter, feel free to improvise how it suits you best.

Beginner Witch Vocab-Tools

Altar(all-tar)– The location set aside to use for magical workings and storing tools. Typically held inside the magic circle when casting. Some witches chose to have big altars, small altars or multiple altars. Use to decorate for the Deity of your choice.

Athame(ah-tha-may)– An Athame is a slim double-bladed knife traditionally with a black handle used during circle casting. Because it’s use is decorative, it does not have to be sharp. Many witches use an ornate letter opener. My original Athame is a decorative knife with a tiger painted on the blade. Most days I don’t use any tools any more but I do still pull it out for special occasions.

Boline(bow-line)– The Boline is the other knife used for magic. Traditionally a white handled sickle shaped blade, Boline’s are used for harvesting plants and herbs.It can also be used for scoring sigils and runes onto candles. I used a black pocket knife when I started out. Mr. Moose actually got me my first legit Boline as a gift this year.

Runes(roon)– Runes are tools used for divination. Made from small slices of wood, bone or crystal, it uses specific symbols to create a reading based on a question(s)asked by the reader. Elder Futhark Runes is the most common type used today.

Magic Workings/ Rituals

Deosil(day-o-sill)/ Widdershins(wid-der-shin)– You’ve probably seen the word Widdershins before and asked “What does that mean?”. Deosil and widdershins are the directions to turn while circle casting. Deosil is clockwise and Widdershins is counterclockwise So if you are to turn widdershins 3 times you would spin to the left 3 times before continuing.

Sabbats(sa-bat)– The Sabbats are the 8 holidays that make up the Wiccan Wheel of the Year. Some groups only acknowledge 4 of the 8 holidays(The Equinoxes and the Solstices. So Yule, Ostara, Litha and Mabon). The other 4 holidays mark the halfway points between these seasons. All the Sabbats are celebrations of the harvest-time as it progresses and the season changes.

The 8 Sabbats are as followed: (* are the equinox/solstices)

*Yule- December 20-23rd

Imbolc- February 1-2nd

*Ostara-March 19-21st

Beltane-April 30-May 1

*Litha-June 20-22nd

Lammas/Lughnasadh-August 1-2nd

*Mabon- September 21-24th

Samhain-October 31-November 1st

If you would like to learn more about the Sabbats check out my posts so far on Beltane and Litha. I will be posting about Lughnasadh next week on 7/17. Find the posts here.

Esbats(s-bat)– Esbats is the proper term for the monthly ritual performed during the full moon. There are 13 Esbats over the year, covering each full moon and the blue moon.

Coven– A Group or Gathering of Witches who meet regularly and perform together.

Intent– Giving an action, item or thought a specific determined purpose.

Manifest– Turning a thought into action and reality.

Amulet– Powerful objects(usually worn) to ward off negativity or evil energy.

Talisman-Objects worn to attract and give power to the wearer.

Types of Witches

Sometimes when you start out, it’s hard to figure out if/ how to label yourself. Between religious and non religious witches you could probably make a list of a few hundred types. Other than Pagan/Wiccan/ Norse/Celtic/Agnostic witches, here’s some of the common “aesthetic” types of witches.

Garden witches-Loves plants and gardening, typically involved in herbology type healing.

Kitchen Witch- Uses her cooking and baking to invoke magic workings and spells. Commonly calls on ancestors during magic.

Sea Witch- Water witch, normally lives at or near a beach or body of water, uses sea animals, shells and stones for magic.

Hedge Witch-Used to be the village” medicine woman”, knows a variety of magics using pieces of each.

Fairie Witch- Nature oriented, works with the Fae and their magics.

Secular Witch- Works magic with no involvement from the gods at all, energy healer.

Cosmic/Space Witch- Works with Astrology and Zodiac signs, celestial energy.

Divination Witch- Specifically works with divination tools(tarot, runes, i-ching, scrying or palmistry)

Lunar/Solar Witch- Works specifically with the lunar or solar energies in their magic.

Storm Witch-Uses the energy from thunder and lighting storms to channel powerful magic.

Eclectic-Uses pieces out of each type of magic. Most witches acknowledge themselves as a solitary eclectic witch.

Pop Culture Witch- Uses witches in movies and books to follow their style and mannerisms

Gothic Witch- Dresses in all black, very Victorian and romantic based magic and mannerisms.

Elemental Witch- Normally corresponds strongly to one of the 4 elements and uses that in most of their work.

There are also Dianic, Celtic,Augury and more types of witches to identify with. You can find more information and ideas for any of these by typing in ” specific witch type” aesthetic on Pinterest.

Is there any other Vocab you would like to know?

That should just about cover it! Feel free to ask me if you have any questions about the terms listed above. Is there any terminology you still need help understanding? Did you learn something new today? Hopefully this helps clear up any confusions for beginner witches out there who are just starting out.