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creativity || my october bullet journal setup & tips for decorating yours!

IoanaOctober 14, 2021

I had fun taking out the washi tapes for my October bullet journal set up and wanted to share the results before the month was up! In this post, I’m sharing:

  • Close-ups of the spread I made
  • A review of how I’m using my bullet journal despite moving digital with my main task management system
  • My top practical tips for aesthetic journaling and decorating
  • Reminder that there is 1 day left to complete our Vibely challenge and have your response featured with everyone else’s on Instagram

the spread

I shared a video of my process to Instagram, which you can watch below.

As an aside: I’m still trying to strike the balance with longer-form content (it’s a looming goal of mine to get back to YouTube), and this is one of those things where I can’t decide if it would actually be of enough value to share as a full-length YouTube video. Let me know if you have an opinion on it!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ioana | bujo & organization (@mistralspirit)

In general, my process looks like this:

  1. Sketch out the functional component. In this case, the layout of the habit trackers.
  2. Choose the colour palette and designs. I used washi tape and stickers only for this spread, which makes it both fun and less involved on my part! It also lets me use other artists’ work in mine, so I’m living vicariously through their artwork.
  3. Try out various layouts via trial-and-error!

links and discount codes to all the products used

All of the washi tapes and stickers I used were kindly gifted by The Washi Tape Shop. While all my active discount codes and affiliate links are always on my Links page, here are the details for this long-time favourite shop of mine!

Use the code MISTRALSPIRIT to get 10% OFF on ALL store items.

FREE international shipping always applies.

Let them know I sent you by using my affiliate link: http://www.thewashitapeshop.com/?aff=96

I earn a 10% commission on anything you buy and that really helps support my business!

review of my bullet journal system

As I’ve mentioned before, I moved to using Todoist for my task management system. However, bullet journaling is by no means obsolete for me!

Here’s what my bullet journal is still useful for because it’s an analog system:

  • Recording scribbley notes during meetings
  • Taking down tasks during class so I don’t pull out my phone in a lecture (we have small class sizes)
  • Habit tracking and time tracking for my various projects
  • Intention and priority setting at the start of the week
  • Creativity and fun!

top tips for decorating

🍂 If you’re going for aesthetic, the colour palette is KEY. I chose this first and had it right next to my work area.

🍂 Trial and error – the wonderful thing about washi tape is that it isn’t permanent! Un-stick and re-stick to your heart’s content.

🍂 Balance. This helps a spread look put-together and visually appealing. Something heavy at the top means an equal weight at the bottom. Juxtapose details and simplicity, bright colour and muted colour, etc.

🍂 As always, functionality first. I usually decorate after my spread is finished for this reason, but some fall-themed fun at the start of the month was obviously warranted!

our vibely community

Have you heard of our Vibely community yet?

If not, Vibely is our very first Mistral Spirit virtual space, complete with a Virtual Café and weekly Challenges that we complete together. It has three purposes:

  • As a space to connect, share perspectives, and learn from each other.
  • An inspiration hub. Through the challenges, we’ll curate some of the best advice, inspiration, and creativity from all the assorted thinkers & curious minds who also love the essence behind Mistral Spirit.
  • A source of action. With a community of like-minded individuals, we can stay accountable to our goals and grounded with our expectations.

It’s also a platform that is focused on positivity and is accessible to everyone! If you don’t have access to Facebook, or Instagram, you can join our community and take part in building relationships and working towards your goals with us.

our current ongoing challenge

1 DAY LEFT: What does your October planning setup look like?

Every Thursday, I post a new Challenge and it’s open to complete for 2 weeks. Afterwards, you can still complete it, but those 2 weeks are the time period for having your response included in an Instagram feature (which you can also opt-out of if you choose)!

Visit our virtual community to complete the challenge!

COMPLETE our OCTOBER SETUP Vibely challenge by October 14

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Comments (1)

  • blog || november 2021 bullet journal spread: browns & pinks – Mistral Spirit

    November 5, 2021 at 6:40 pm

    […] is what my October set up looks like when it’s all filled in with time tracking and task scribbles. I say task […]

    Reply

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Nice to meet you!

Hi, it’s Ioana! I’m a blogger, brand marketer, and recent Queen’s Commerce alumni. When I’m not drinking coffee, reading, studying or exploring the city, I dabble in creative projects like this one!

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    November 1, 2022
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mistralspirit

ioana | bujo & organization
So glad I overcame my initial hesitation toward th So glad I overcame my initial hesitation toward this book being about video games. It’s a delight for my brain so far and I’m not ashamed to admit that I spent all of this morning and afternoon reading (it was glorious) and I’ve learned 3 new words I adore:
- dilettante
- Weltschmerz
- palimpsest

Pls note: photos taken “while reading” are obviously not as impromptu as they may appear on Instagram. They’re usually when (a) you’re on a reading intermission because you either haven’t started or are getting a bit tired of reading for so long or (b) there’s a long period of descriptive text that doesn’t necessarily represent the quality of the book and is a good time to hashtag let-me-take-a-selfie. So don’t read this one page and form an opinion about the book. Instagram isn’t reality. 😜

Pls also note I’m only 40% through the book so my review isn’t definite. I’ve been burned before by jumping too excitedly to recommend a book (in this case, TV show) to everyone around me before realizing it gets WEIRD later on. So take my moment of excitement with a grain of salt - more thoughts to come!
Just received this new pen from @bulletjournal and Just received this new pen from @bulletjournal and @leuchtturm1917 @leuchtturm1917canada! 👀 Here’s a closer look!

Can you tell I had so much fun unboxing this 😅 It’s my new desk pen for days that I want to feel a little ✨fancy✨

#gifted #pen #amwriting #bulletjournalleuchtturm1917 #gelpen #journal #journaling #planner #studygram #aestheticstudy #bujo #bulletjournal #bulletjournalpen #bujopen #minimalistplanner #bulletjournaling #bulletjournalcommunity #penlover
Vote in the comments for your top 2 on-location sk Vote in the comments for your top 2 on-location sketches! 👆 Check my IG story from today more more details, but there’s an @usktoronto call for submissions for an art expo/sale happening in Jan/Feb. Since they’re looking for on-location sketches and I have plenty, I’ve decided to submit and see what happens!

They would all be for sale so I’ll donate anything that comes of it to a related cause. ❤️ 

Which of these 2 do you like best? 👆

#urbansketchers #urbansketch #sketchbook #sketching #artjournal #travelsketch #drawyourday #sketchbookart #watercolor #illustration #urbansketching #sketchjournal #fineliner #finelinerdrawing #moleskine #watercolortraveljournal #watercolorillustration #traveljournal #travelwatercolor #traveldiary
One final art supplies haul from @currysartstore M One final art supplies haul from @currysartstore Mississauga this weekend! 🥺 So sad that they’re closing - I remember they’ve moved locations a number of times but they were always my favourite art store growing up. ❤️

And let me know if you’ve tried any of these supplies because I haven’t! Super excited to play with some new paints - specifically the metallics and also practice more acrylics after my summer painting class at @visualartsmississauga. 🥰

#artsupplies #unboxing #artsupplieshaul #artistsupplies #torontoartist #currysartstore
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So glad I overcame my initial hesitation toward th So glad I overcame my initial hesitation toward this book being about video games. It’s a delight for my brain so far and I’m not ashamed to admit that I spent all of this morning and afternoon reading (it was glorious) and I’ve learned 3 new words I adore:
- dilettante
- Weltschmerz
- palimpsest

Pls note: photos taken “while reading” are obviously not as impromptu as they may appear on Instagram. They’re usually when (a) you’re on a reading intermission because you either haven’t started or are getting a bit tired of reading for so long or (b) there’s a long period of descriptive text that doesn’t necessarily represent the quality of the book and is a good time to hashtag let-me-take-a-selfie. So don’t read this one page and form an opinion about the book. Instagram isn’t reality. 😜

Pls also note I’m only 40% through the book so my review isn’t definite. I’ve been burned before by jumping too excitedly to recommend a book (in this case, TV show) to everyone around me before realizing it gets WEIRD later on. So take my moment of excitement with a grain of salt - more thoughts to come!
Just received this new pen from @bulletjournal and Just received this new pen from @bulletjournal and @leuchtturm1917 @leuchtturm1917canada! 👀 Here’s a closer look!

Can you tell I had so much fun unboxing this 😅 It’s my new desk pen for days that I want to feel a little ✨fancy✨

#gifted #pen #amwriting #bulletjournalleuchtturm1917 #gelpen #journal #journaling #planner #studygram #aestheticstudy #bujo #bulletjournal #bulletjournalpen #bujopen #minimalistplanner #bulletjournaling #bulletjournalcommunity #penlover
Vote in the comments for your top 2 on-location sk Vote in the comments for your top 2 on-location sketches! 👆 Check my IG story from today more more details, but there’s an @usktoronto call for submissions for an art expo/sale happening in Jan/Feb. Since they’re looking for on-location sketches and I have plenty, I’ve decided to submit and see what happens!

They would all be for sale so I’ll donate anything that comes of it to a related cause. ❤️ 

Which of these 2 do you like best? 👆

#urbansketchers #urbansketch #sketchbook #sketching #artjournal #travelsketch #drawyourday #sketchbookart #watercolor #illustration #urbansketching #sketchjournal #fineliner #finelinerdrawing #moleskine #watercolortraveljournal #watercolorillustration #traveljournal #travelwatercolor #traveldiary
One final art supplies haul from @currysartstore M One final art supplies haul from @currysartstore Mississauga this weekend! 🥺 So sad that they’re closing - I remember they’ve moved locations a number of times but they were always my favourite art store growing up. ❤️

And let me know if you’ve tried any of these supplies because I haven’t! Super excited to play with some new paints - specifically the metallics and also practice more acrylics after my summer painting class at @visualartsmississauga. 🥰

#artsupplies #unboxing #artsupplieshaul #artistsupplies #torontoartist #currysartstore
Black Friday SALE on now at @thewashitapeshop 💃 Black Friday SALE on now at @thewashitapeshop 💃🏼 20% OFF everything - link in bio or visit thewashitapeshop.com to shop what feels like an entire art gallery. 😜

So hard to pick but I was most excited to get my hands on this new PET tape designed by @tonia_tkach - it’s called Forest Houses and comes as both PET tape and washi tape. How cute!

#pettape #originalwashitape #thewashitapeshop #washitape #washitapes #scrapbooking #craftjournal #aestheticjournal #artjournal #craft #journaling #bujo #stationery #stationerylover #sticker #bulletjournal #scrapbook #bujoideas #bulletjournaling #journalwithme #bujosupplies #stationerystore #starioneryshop #stationeryhaul
Sounds from a day in the life preparing for @nanow Sounds from a day in the life preparing for @nanowrimo last month. 🥰 Please send over any motivation you can though because I haven’t written in a WEEK. 🙈😭 Turns out it’s harder than I thought to write 50k words in a month during the literally busiest week at my day job, while also spending time with my boyfriend, family & friends… and helping to keep our apartment at least somewhat in order. 😅 Posting this video to inspire myself is already working though so… let’s see if I can make it past 6k words today! 💪
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