From Burnout to Bliss: Build a Life That Fuels You

The Problem : Your Life Feels Like a Hamster Wheel

Hustle culture sells burnout as a sign of success. Working for the escape of the weekend every week, and for what? To play it on repeat for half a century?

You don’t need an escape – You need a life you don’t want to escape from!

What if you could live a life that felt good today — not decades from now?

Redefine What Success Actually Means To You

Success is a life that feels like freedom. Granted, we all have to pay the bills and consider future savings (hot tip: some online high-interest savings accounts still pay 4% APY or higher!), but is that what success looks like? Hell no.

Pillars of a meaningful life :

Job : a bread and butter bill payer that doesn’t suck the life out of you
Passion : Ikigai, what fuels you (Ikigai is a Japanese concept that combines what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can get paid for. What fires you up? What could you chase even without a paycheck?)
Adventure : experiences that keep life interesting

The way to feel more successful? Infuse more life into your life. You’re gonna regret wasting away on the couch every weekend when life’s clock starts ticking louder.

Design a Life You Love, On Purpose

What would your days look like if you didn’t have to work? (Make that your baseline.)
Borrow from Olly Staniland’s “Dopamine Journal” :
- Plan and schedule adventures, big or small
- Reflect on what truly brings you joy, and adjust accordingly
“Fit more lives into the time you have” (Darius Foroux)
- Don’t just exist – Live a handful of lives before you’re done

The zenBLITZ Formula (Because Balance Matters)

Rejuvenating leisure (zen) : Rest, mindfulness, journaling, deep conversations, long walks
Exciting action (BLITZ) : Adventures, spontaneous plans, learning cool shit
Plan, experiment, reflect, and adjust – And keep fucking going.

The Punk Rock Life Design Manifesto

Don’t grind your life into something you want to escape from, and stop waiting for vacation time to feel alive.

Create a life where the everyday is enough — and the future is even better.

Hustle culture won’t design your dream life. You will. Subscribe for weekly doses of rebellion-fueled self-help.

If you liked this post, please give it a “like”, & share it with your friends.

Rock on!

Spring Cleaning For Your Mind : Dump the Junk and Reset Your Mindset

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Your Brain is Hoarding Trash : Time to Take It Out!

Your mind can get like a messy room – cluttered with random junk, half thoughts, and emotional dust bunnies. If you let it linger, just like environmental clutter, it can drain your focus, energy, and sanity. It’s spring – let’s tidy that shit!

Step 1 : Braindump the Chaos

Get a piece of paper (or five) and purge every single thought, worry, or task onto the page. Don’t do this digitally – it’ll be much more cathartic if you make it a physical list.

Now go through each item and ask, “Does this matter? Why am I holding onto this?” If there’s no good reason, and it really doesn’t matter, toss it.

Spend a few minutes afterward in mindful meditation to help you reset.

Step 2 : Cut the Energy Vampires

Energy monitoring. Keep track of what (or who) leaves you feeling energized vs exhausted. If it consistently drains you, unsubscribe.
Regrets and “what ifs”. Living in the past is like keeping rotten food in the fridge – Toss it!
Guilt and obligation that isn’t yours. Not your problem? Drop it!
Toxic relationships. Some mental clutter comes from people draining the life out of you. If they harshen your vibe, cut them out.
Self-doubt and imposter syndrome. If it’s not making you better, it’s weighing you down.
Mindless distractions and doomscrolling. Don’t let the algorithm dictate your mental real estate. If it doesn’t add value to your life, it’s a distraction.
Embrace minimalism in mind. If a thought, relationship, or commitment isn’t a “hell yes!”, it’s a “fuck no!”

Set hard boundaries, and stick to them – No apologies, no guilt. What needs to be cleared away so that you have room to grow?

Step 3 : Hit the “Reset” Button on Your Mindset

Sometimes a deep reflection can help you evaluate where you are vs where you want to be.

Sometimes you just need a kick in the ass. Here are some quick reset ideas :

Cold shower : Shocks you into a different mindset
Brisk walk : Moves stagnant energy out of your body
Powerful affirmations : Repeat something that actually hits (not just “I am strong”, but more like “fuck it!”)

Keep Your Mental Space Clean (Or At Least Less Messy)

Decluttering isn’t a one-time thing – make it a daily habit! Your mind should be a place you enjoy, not a cluttered attic full of ghosts and rabid mice. If a thought, habit, or person isn’t paying rent for your mental real estate, evict them immediately.

Any “quick reset” ideas? Drop them in the comments below!

If you liked this post, please give it a “like”, share it with friends, and subscribe if you’re new.

Rock on!

Bullet Journaling to Improve Your Life (Because Your Memory Sucks)

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Your Biggest Enemy is an Uncontrolled Mind

Your thoughts are scattered. Your emotions run amok. Your memory? Unreliable at best. Enter – the Bullet Journal Method.

Bullet Journaling isn’t just a planner – it’s a mental command center that helps you track, process, and problem-solve.

And when everything seems to suck, it can help remind you that it really doesn’t – you just tend to forget the good stuff.

What Bullet Journaling Really Is (And Isn’t)

Contrary to popular belief, the Bullet Journal Method wasn’t meant to be a DIY planner system. It’s a tool for mindfulness, clarity, and reflection.

Also contrary – You don’t need any fancy layouts – Just a pen, notebook (analog is key!), and whatever elements work for you.

Some people even use two notebooks alongside each other – a portable pocket notebook for on the go, and a larger journal for deep dives.

Core BuJo Elements That Actually Improve Your Life

Basic system and symbols. Keep it functional – tasks, events, notes, & feelings.
Daily highlights and/or gratitude. Negativity bias is real (your brain overlooks the good to protect you from the bad) – combat it by tracking your wins, even small ones. (Bonus points if you turn your highlight log into relevant song or show titles!)
Habit trackers. When motivation wanes, proof of progress will encourage you to practice discipline & resilience.
Braindumps & freewriting. Mental decluttering = less stress and better focus (more on that next week!)
Goal reflections. Are you moving toward the life you want? (More on that in a couple weeks!)
Interstitial journaling. Practice mindfulness by taking a pause throughout your day to log your real-life moments in real time (who, what, where). Your future self will thank you.

There’s Always a Way to Deal With It : BuJo Problem Solving

Instead of freaking out, work through it using these prompts:

What’s bothering you? (Name it.)
Why is it bothering you? (Dig deeper.)
Do you have control over it?
1. Yes? Brainstorm real solutions, then create a mini action plan.
2. No? How can you reframe your perspective and reactions? Control what you can.

Get Your Mind Under Control

Bullet Journaling isn’t about being organized just for the hell of it – it’s about taking control of your thoughts, actions, and emotions. You can’t trust your brain to remember everything or to be rational in every moment.

Write it down. Track what matters. Improve your life.

Have a favorite bullet journaling hack? Drop it in the comments!

If you liked this post, please give it a “like”, share it with friends, and subscribe if you’re new.

And here’s a couple related things I’ve found interesting lately :

An article about reflections in your Bullet Journal

A video with a helpful explanation of daily logging / interstitial journaling

Rock on!

Where I’m At #7

Where I'm At

“Where I’m at” posts are just updates about what’s going on in my life at any random time, based on the areas / roles in my life. Any particular goals I’m working on will be highlighted, so you can easily see what I’m actively working on improving. Leave a comment & give me ideas for things you’d like to see me write individual posts about!

Warning : It’s been a rough month, I’m not gonna lie…

planner : Well, I set up a whole fondue party, only one of my guests RSVPd (however, 2 of the guests RSVPd to that guest instead of me, and at the last minute one of those guests informed us she was bringing 3 additional people)…so, luckily, my youngest caught a cold & I had to cancel the party LOL. We did, however, enjoy an overnight stay at a local hotel! We went out for a nice ambient dinner & took advantage of the pool at the hotel, which the kids absolutely loved! I would definitely recommend this kind of “staycation” to anyone who needs it! Next month, we’ll be hosting a tea party for the girls, but I’m only inviting the one guest who RSVPd to the last one lol – fuck everyone else (sorry, not sorry). Not sure yet what mini adventure we’ll be embarking on – I’m thinking maybe rollerskating or mini golf. We’ll see!
self (body & mind, emotion & education) : I’ve been quite unhappy this month – lots of stuff on my mind. One big thing is that I had annual lab work done & my doctor’s office said my cholesterol is a bit elevated and so I need to improve my diet & exercise and do follow up lab work in six months (I’ll be working on a related post soon!)
marriage (relationship & libido) : He’s been driving me crazy. I’m working hard to figure out how to deal with it.
mom (BooBoo & Bubby) : The girls are good! BooBoo got her yellow belt in karate, and Bubby started gymnastics this past month! I think Bubby caught her cold at gymnastics though because a lot of the parents there don’t seem willing to keep their kids home when they’re sick (literally every little kid there is snotting all over the place – so gross!) So now we’re all sick (especially me & Bubby!)
teacher (K & PK) : Having lots of fun with school, and BooBoo is always surprising herself when she can read things! Bubby is identifying more letters, but I’m still a little concerned that she might have inherited hubby’s dyslexia – so, we just go a bit easy with her, & push her pace a little but not too much.
zB : I actually upgraded my site! LOL. I wanted to start a weekly newsletter, and I needed a proper domain, so I finally bought zen-blitz.com – and I’m excited hehe! (Sign up for my weekly newsletter here & get a free set of journaling prompts!)
homemaker (finance, cleaning, gardening, prepping, travel) : Really haven’t had time for much of any of this stuff (except for planning the overnight trip to the hotel).
witch : Trying to meditate more often. Hopefully my mind will calm down a bit soon…

Currently

eating : Gazpacho pasta salad! lol

drinking : Chamomile mint tea with honey

watching : White Lotus & The Baldwins on Max, and Sisters Feud, Alpha Males, & Younger on Netflix. And the new Daredevil series on Disney+, but I’m not sure how much I like it yet.

reading : Everything is Fucked by Mark Manson

playing : Fruit Merge on my phone

buying : Shoes for everyone but me heh

listening to : Stray Heart by Green Day

celebrating : Spring!

pinning : Green Day, homeschool, self care, journaling

planning : Tea party, mini adventure, & garden

feeling : Kinda shitty, to be honest

How to Make an Emergency Binder (Without the Doomsday Vibes)

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Why Everyone Needs an Emergency Binder (Yes, Even You)

The only constant in life is change.

Unexpected curveballs—family emergencies, natural disasters, financial setbacks—can throw everything into chaos. The smartest thing you can do? Minimize that chaos before it happens.

If something happened to me, my husband would be completely lost. That’s why I put together an emergency binder. It’s like a cheat sheet for life’s worst-case scenarios.

Imagine having everything important in one place, ready to grab when shit hits the fan…

Keep It Simple, Stay Sane

You don’t have to go full doomsday prepper unless you want to (here’s an extreme version if you’re feeling extra). But for most of us, the key is only collecting the essentials. Overcomplicating it just makes it less likely you’ll ever finish.

What to Include

Pro tip: Build it in stages! Start small and add as you go.

📝 Personal Information: Birth certificates, IDs, Social Security cards, marriage licenses, death certificates, medical records

🏡 Home & Financial Info: Usernames and passwords, mortgage/rent documents, deeds, car titles/payments, insurance policies (home, medical, auto, life), bill list with due dates, investment info

🩺 Health Records: Allergies, medications, primary doctor contacts, important medical devices (pacemakers, etc.)

📞 Emergency Contacts: Family, neighbors, local emergency services

⛑ Survival & Reference Info: I like the Doomsday Preppers Survival Guide because it’s thorough without going full bunker mode. But having any physical survival guide is smart.

Digital vs. Physical: What’s Best?

A digital copy is accessible anywhere, but let’s be real—storing all your sensitive info in the cloud (even encrypted) feels risky.

My ideal setup? A physical binder stored in a fireproof safe, with a secure USB backup inside.

That way, you have both digital and hard copies, but you control access.

Keeping It Updated (Without Overcomplicating It)

Set a reminder once or twice a year to review and update your binder. For small, temporary changes, use sticky notes—just swap them out as needed!

Make It Personal (Because You’ll Actually Use It That Way)

Use bold colors or labeled tabs
Create custom covers for each section
Name your binder something fun (Apocalypse Playbook? The Oh Shit File? Your call.)

Preparedness Is Power

This isn’t about living in fear—it’s about taking control. When life throws the unexpected at you, you won’t be scrambling.

💡 Your challenge: Start small. Gather just three essential documents today. Future You will thank you.

If you found this helpful, hit like, share it with a friend, and subscribe for more!

Rock on! 🤘

Winter Rut Survival: Simplify, Refocus, & Snap Out of It!

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Is it just me, or does winter feel like it lasts for years? I loathe bundling up in bulky clothes just so I can step out the door, so I generally don’t leave the house unless I really need to (even though I know it only makes things worse). Because of that, I find myself restless as all hell. I’ll start working on something and then find 50 more things I could do. Before I know it, I’m driving myself crazy learning things I don’t really give a shit about and stressing over a massively unnecessary task list.

The Struggle is Real. Every year.

Perfect example – The other day, I found myself freaking out about my blog. Am I in the right “niche” for what I want to create? I even went down a rabbit hole about AI agents—do I need one? Do I even know what one is? Researching and tweaking and…all of a sudden I have a task list full of bullshit busywork! Why? Apparently I’m bored!

I slammed the brakes and thought “Does any of this really matter? No? Then fuck it!” In this scenario, all I need to concern myself with is creating valuable content that I enjoy sharing. There’s no reason to overcomplicate that.

Simplify and Break Free

I’m sure you can relate, especially during winter. You have this tired, restless energy, but you have nothing useful to do with it so you just stress yourself out. What can we do?

What matters? Make a list. Keep it as simple as possible. Embrace some selective apathy instead of spiraling and drop the guilt about things that don’t really matter to you.
Create small “chaos breaks”. Dance, wash five dishes, or write out a messy braindump (and then throw it in the recycling bin if it ultimately doesn’t matter!)
Get outside, even for five minutes – just enough to feel the cold slap some sense into you. Like I said, I loathe bundling up, but the crisp fresh air does do wonders for snapping me into a different mindset.
Channel restless energy productively. Work on something that does matter to you, whatever that may be.

Bonus : Create something to look forward to. You don’t need to lock anything in – just let yourself dream a little. Personally, I like to brainstorm ideas for summer travel, tattoos, parties, my garden, local hiking spots, concerts, and exterior property maintenance. Most don’t happen, but that’s fine—I like having options.

Conclusion

It’s normal to feel restless in winter, and it’s ok to feel like you’re in a rut sometimes. Check your priorities, cut the bullshit, and give yourself something to look forward to! And enjoy these times of rest and reflection while they last.

If you liked this article, please give it a “like”, share it with friends, subscribe if you’re new, and leave me a comment down below – What do you do when you’re feeling restless?

Rock on!

Where I’m At #6

Where I'm At

“Where I’m at” posts are just random updates about what’s going on in my life at any random time, based on the areas / roles in my life. Any particular goals I’m working on will be highlighted, so you can easily see what I’m actively working on improving. Leave a comment & give me ideas for things you’d like to see me write individual posts about!

planner : Looking forward to spring! Even though it’s still like 3 weeks away lol!! I have to plan the family party for the month – February’s crockpot potluck was lovely, so I want to do a simple fondue dinner thing for March, but hubby wants to do a murder mystery party. We’ll see! I also want to plan an overnight hotel stay so the girls can go in a pool at some point lol
self (body & mind, emotion & education) : Feeling a little more comfortable in my “mom bod”, but I’m still working on improving my diet with more produce & protein, and I’d like to take more time for exercise because I’m tired all the time heh. Otherwise, I’m doing pretty well. A little frazzled because I want to do too many things, of course, but I just keep stepping back & focusing on my priorities!
marriage (relationship & libido) : Doing pretty well here. I’m learning the art of being a “smart wife” lol. We’re finding more moments to steal for intimacy now that the girls are getting bigger, so that’s pretty awesome LOL
mom (BooBoo & Bubby) : The girls are doing pretty great! They’ve been obsessed with this YouTube Roblox video of “Cutie” playing the walking heads event, & it’s creepy as all hell, but…otherwise they’re good LOL

Why?! Why is this even a thing?!?

teacher (K & PK) : School is moving along fine. BooBoo’s getting better & better at reading, and we’re focusing more on Bubby’s letter & number recognition. BooBoo loves science; we did a “snow” experiment with conditioner & baking soda that they both thought was pretty cool. I can’t wait til it’s warm enough to go outside & explore with them! We’re still debating on whether we’re going to keep BooBoo in karate after she gets her yellow belt, but so help me god, I’m definitely getting Bubby in gymnastics starting in March (she’s so excited, & I’m so excited for her!)
zB : Omg, I’m having so much fun writing posts & creating digital products! I’m super behind this month, partially because of it being a short month, but…at least I’m enjoying it! And it seems to be gaining a bit of traction, so that’s pretty awesome hehehe (HI!!)
homemaker (finance, cleaning, gardening, prepping, travel) : Doing alright here. I don’t have much time for household projects because of homeschooling, but that’s ok. Priorities! Haven’t had a chance to work on gardening ideas yet either, but I do know that I’m not going to listen to Hubby & I’m putting it where I want this year lol. We also need to plan our trips, & I need to nag Hubby to get the bus ready. sigh
witch : I started working on this stuff online more, which has been enjoyable so far! I’m still doing my usual hearthcraft though, of course!
reseller : Yeah. No. lol. I’m SO over it…or am I? I would like to do it a little bit, I just don’t have the time, space, or passion for it right now.

Currently

eating – soup

drinking – spiced wine

watching – Younger, Beast Games, & Sisters Feud mostly

reading – Nothing right now

playing – Sims Freeplay lol. A little bit. I used to be obsessed with it.

buying – Spring dresses on Temu lol

listening to – Green Day & Reverend Horton Heat

celebrating – Spring!

pinning – Green Day, journaling, exercise, home design inspo

planning – a party & a hotel stay, tattoos

feeling – frazzled, excited

Where are you at? Let’s chat in the comments!!

Rock on!

The Great Digital Declutter : An Annual Necessity

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**Well… that’s one way to do it…!**
*Image created with Copilot*

Why Your Digital Life Needs an Audit

Your digital life is your second home – So why let it turn into a dumpster fire of random files and endless notifications? Do you really need screenshots of that recipe from 3 years ago?

The mental load of digital clutter distracts from creativity, focus, and growth. That’s not to mention the importance of securing your accounts and cutting down on unnecessary digital footprints.

It’s time to reclaim your digital life on your terms. I do this at least once a year, and I always feel like everything’s so much easier to deal with afterwards!

The Punk Manifesto for a Digital Audit

In brief : Keep what’s relevant, and what empowers you. Delete what doesn’t. When in doubt or overwhelm, archive ruthlessly into the searchable abyss.
The PARA Method (ref “Stop Scrolling” post) can be applied to almost anything that can be organized and searched.
This is about freedom, not perfection.
There is no “one size fits all” system – Do what works for you.

The Checklist

I tried to be inclusive, so not everything will apply to you. Do whatever you need to do. It may help to rearrange this list by which device it makes the most sense for you to work on each task (for example, laptop, phone, or tablet) – An analog mind map might help with organizing, or a digital file.

It might also help to review this list and select your top 3 areas : What stresses you out most? Where do you spend the most time looking for what you need? Start there.

In no particular order, here we go…

Email – Aim for “Inbox Zero”

Unsubscribe from any boring junk
Flag spam as such
Set up folders / labels for organizing essentials
Create filters for automation (if that would be helpful)
Create a separate “junk email” that you never bother to check
Create a spicy auto reply (”I’m busy doing awesome things, I’ll get back to you ASAP!”)
Phone stuff : voicemails, texts, contacts

Cloud and device files and stuff

Delete or archive old or unnecessary files (duplicate photos, outdated documents)
Organize other files into intuitive folders (use PARA, organize by year, or both!)
Backup important files (only important files!)
Consider backing up to an external hard drive
Delete unused apps, programs, and home screen distractions
Cleanup desktop, and downloads folders
Update software and apps you do use
Utilize your computer’s built in disk cleanup, storage optimization, defrag; clear cookies & cache
List cloud files to tackle (ie Google Photos, Google Drive, etc)
Clean up browser bookmarks & history
Turn off any annoying notifications

Social Media

List the social media you use (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, etc)
Unfollow accounts that are inactive or don’t add any value to your headspace
Audit your profiles for authenticity
Check privacy settings
Avoid oversharing!
Clean up saved posts and playlists

Security and Passwords

Consider using a password manager
Update weak or repeated passwords
Enable two factor authentication on important accounts (Google, banks, etc)
Check for and remove old accounts
Update security software

Subscriptions and Permissions

Cancel services you no longer use or need ($5 subscriptions add up!) – try the Rocket Money app (I plan to soon!)
Audit app permissions (who really needs access to your location?!?)
List the e-commerce sites you use (Amazon, eBay, Temu, etc)
- Remove saved card info (you’ll thank me later)
- Audit wishlists

If you’d like a printable PDF copy of this list, you can find one here!

Make it Fun, & Reflective!

Gamify the process by making a points system for every action completed, and treat yourself to rewards for milestones of points earned
Journal through the process :
- How can streamlining your digital life help you take charge of your time and energy?
- What do your digital habits reveal about your priorities?
- What do you actually need to feel organized and in control of your digital life?
- What habits led to clutter, and how can you avoid that next time?

Personally, my YouTube subscriptions were out of control, as was the spam in my email – It’s so much easier to deal with now that I’ve culled the clutter! And archiving has been my BFF for old files that I’m just not sure if I’ll need sometime in the future (but probably won’t, lol).

Tools to Simplify Your Digital Life

I don’t use password managers, but I’ve heard good things about LastPass and BitWarden. If you’re like me & prefer an analog password manager, here’s one I created to print!
Digital note apps : I use Notion, but Google Keep, Obsidian, Capacities, and Evernote are other good options.
Focus apps : I liked Forest when I used it, it’s cute. Freedom is another that I’ve heard of.
To do list apps : I’ve used Notion and Google Keep for that. Todoist is pretty popular. For household cleaning tasks, I’ve been using Sweepy for years!

Try & use whatever resonates with you!

Embrace Your Chaos Free Digital World

Digital audits are less about perfection and more about taking back your time, space, and energy. Take control of your digital world, and rule it like a boss.

If you enjoyed this post, please give it a “like”, help someone else ditch digital chaos by sharing this guide!, and leave a comment down below to let me know : What area are you going to start with? Did I leave anything out?

Rebel With a Pen : How to Journal Like a Rockstar

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(Retrospective note : I may have gotten a little carried away with this post because I LOVE JOURNALING SO MUCH. You’ve been warned. 😘 Though there is a little TL;DR at the end.)

Forget the fluffy prompts about your favorite ice cream flavor – journaling isn’t just for Pinterest vibes. It’s a weapon for clarity, self discovery, and flipping the script on life’s chaos.

I’ve been journaling pretty consistently for over 30 years, and I’d love to share some unique ideas with you!

Why Journaling is the Ultimate Rebel Move

It’s yours; no rules. You do what you want with it. Write messy, angry, sarcastic – Whatever feels real in any given moment.
Supercharged memory keeping. Personally, I have to write everything down or it gets lost in the abyss of chaos in my brain. It’s fun to add pictures, drawings, ephemera, etc to help you reexperience momentous events!
Empowerment through reflection. Your journal can be a safe space to contemplate unconventional ideas, or take control of your thoughts and emotions rather than letting them control you.
Self reflection in a noisy world. Journaling helps you tune out the noise and focus on your voice. Reduce stress, discover yourself, embrace your imperfections, boost your creativity, and gain insight into who you truly are.

How to Journal Like a Rockstar

Step 1 : Forget the aesthetics. Or don’t. Make it yours!

It doesn’t need to be pretty. A beat up notebook and a pen that barely works will suffice. You don’t even need to write full sentences – bullet points, doodles, or rants are all fair game.
Or… Get creative if you want! Use bold colors, write diagonally across the page, tear shit up and paste it in with gum if you like.
Better yet, do both!

Step 2 : Don’t overthink it (unless you want to).

Set a timer for 5 minutes and spew your thoughts out, raw and unfiltered. Being brutally honest promotes personal growth.

Inspiring Creative Weapons to Consider

Analog anarchy. Different sizes and different paper thicknesses are good for different purposes.
Digital nomadic. Apps like Notion and Daybook are good options.
Prompts. The analog Daily Stoic Journal is insightful, the Five Minute Journal has both analog and digital options, and the Rosebud app uses AI to provide prompts and insights twice daily!

Creative and Unconventional Journaling Approaches

I’ve compiled more ideas than anyone could ever want…lol :

write angry letter you probably shouldn’t send
burn the rulebook : What would you do differently if society didn’t dictate your choices?
collage your emotions or aspirations when words feel limiting
essence journaling : a one sentence summary or highlight of your day, or just give each day a song or TV show title
daily log, like Austin Kleon’s logbook : just the facts (who, what, where)
gratitude (I know, not unconventional, but it promotes a positive mindset and mindful appreciation of “the little things”)
anti gratitude : acknowledge and accept your personal imperfections and flaws – how can you use them to your advantage?
stream of consciousness chaos / morning pages : 3 pages, 5 minutes, whatever constraint you want to use, just braindump everything on your mind and don’t stop writing (even if you’re just saying “I don’t know what to write” repeatedly like Bart Simpson on a chalkboard)
private vlogs and be considered journaling, and can even get you comfortable in front of a camera, which can actually be a valuable skill these days
note peoples’ names, and use them (your barista might eventually gift you a freebie!)
Bullet Journaling didn’t really start as a planning method or creative outlet, y’know?!?
argue with yourself – challenge your negative self talk
write about the same event from multiple perspectives (your own, the other person’s, and an objective observer’s) to gain insight and compassion
mind maps can go in all sorts of directions
track your habits, or moods
commonplacing (link PKM post) : write down quotes or paragraphs that get you thinking, and reflect on them
poems, dreams, sketches, sticker bombs
periodic reflections, like my “Where I’m At” posts
brainstorm your passion projects
goal tracking : “What’s working? What’s not? What’s next?”
daily check in : “What went well? What sucked? What can I do better tomorrow?”
shadowwork prompts, like “What are my biggest fears?” or “What are my darkest secrets?”

A List of Lists to Make When You’re Bored

(Because I’m into lists right now lol)

Things I’ve Been Told I Can’t Do (But Will Anyway)
Lies Society Told Me (and the Truths I’m Replacing Them With)
Ways I Can Rebel Against My Own Expectations
Traditions I Don’t Care About (and Why That’s Okay)
Reasons I’m a Total Badass
Things I Love About Myself That Others Might Find “Weird”
Compliments I’ve Always Wanted to Hear (and Can Give Myself)
Wins I Don’t Celebrate Enough
Things That Make Me Unique (and Why That’s Awesome)
Things I’ve Been Afraid to Admit (Until Now)
Habits That Are Holding Me Back (and What to Replace Them With)
Moments When I Felt Powerful
People, Places, or Things That Drain My Energy
What I’d Do If Failure Wasn’t a Concern
Rebel Mantras I Want to Live By
Songs That Feel Like an Anthem for My Life
People I’d Love to Have a Conversation With (Dead or Alive)
Things That Inspire Me to Dream Big
Tattoos I’d Get (Even If Just for Fun)
Things I Want to Learn This Year That Have Nothing to Do with Work
Ways I Can Simplify My Life Without Losing What Matters
Goals That Feel Impossible (But Aren’t)
People or Things I Need to Let Go Of
Times I Trusted My Gut and It Paid Off
Risks I Took That Changed Everything
Mistakes I Don’t Regret
Dreams I Let Go Of and Why They Don’t Fit Me Anymore
Winter Activities That Bring Me Joy
Ways I Can “Hibernate” to Recharge This Month
Goals I Want to Bloom This Spring
Small Luxuries That Feel Like Self-Love
Times I Took a Stand: List moments where you stood up for yourself or others.
People Who Inspire Me: Write about people who have had a positive impact on your life.
Unapologetic Desires: Things you want in life without feeling the need to justify them to anyone.
Moments of Pure Joy: Instances that brought you immense happiness.
Random Acts of Kindness: Acts of kindness you’ve done or received.
Unexplored Places: Destinations you’ve always wanted to visit.
“Mini Adventures for My Soul”
Boundaries I Refuse to Compromise
Toxic Patterns I’m Consciously Dismantling
My Personal “Fuck It” Manifesto
Ways I’ve Outgrown Past Versions of Myself
Personal Definitions of Success (That Don’t Involve Money)
My Non-Negotiable Personal Values
“Things I’d Tell My Younger Self” (But wouldn’t listen to)

What I Do (For Now)

I use a combination of digital and analog.

Digital :

Notion : I have a database for journaling that includes some templates with prompts, but I mostly just use a daily template for habit and mood tracking and daily “interstitial journaling”. I use my daily logs for weekly (etc) reviews, and for long form journaling in my analog notebook when I have time.
Rosebud AI : It’s a pretty fascinating free app that provides prompts and insights, which I’ve found pretty useful at times!

Analog :

A6 pocket notebook : Kind of a commonplace book and an on the go journal for those rare times when I can take myself out to lunch. I usually just note interesting things I’ve heard or read and would like to write more about when I have time.
B6 Stalogy : I fell in love with this size in my Bullet Journal phase. Now I use it as my “zenBLITZ BuJo”, and write all of my posts by hand in it!
A5 Stalogy : My long form journal. Where I do all kinds of stuff. Nothing is off limits.

Why Journaling Matters for Us “Rebels”

It’s a tool for liberation from overthinking and self doubt
It’s a way to recharge by reflecting on where you’re at and where you want to go, without anyone else’s input
It builds self awareness by helping you find your truth so that you can fight for it

Things to Keep in Mind

Try to keep things mostly positive or light hearted. Like 80/20. It’s good to vent, and a journal can be a cathartic place for that, but it’s not good to ruminate. Draw the line somewhere.
Switch up methods as needed. It’s yours, so do you!
Review and reflect! It’s essential to browse through what you’ve written and created from time to time so you can gain some insight and perspective from your experiences. You might just be surprised.

Conclusion / TL;DR

Rockstar journaling is about breaking away from expectations (even your own) and writing your way to clarity, confidence, and self love. The key is to make it fun and personally meaningful. There’s no shortage of ideas to inspire your creativity, but just using a pen and paper to vent your mind is a beautiful creation in its own right! It’s yours – do as you please.

So grab a notebook, ditch the rules, and start journaling your way to a life that’s unapologetically yours. Your story deserves to be heard – even if it’s just by you.

If you enjoyed this post, please give it a “like”, share it with someone you think would enjoy it, and be sure to share your own unconventional journaling techniques in the comments below!

And if you’d like to watch a couple of quick videos about journaling that I’ve recently enjoyed, check these out :

Rebel Self Care : Redefining Love and Wellness for Yourself This February

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Self care has been hijacked by overpriced candles and Insta-worthy aesthetics. It’s time to take it back and make it your own – honest, accessible, and tailored to your needs with unique methods of accepting your authentic self!

What Rebel Self Care Really Means

Rebel self care is about rejecting the cliches by only saying “yes” to whatever fuels you (even if it is cliche). It’s also about rebelling against “hustle culture” and complete selflessness. It’s about embracing boundaries and prioritizing your needs. Self love isn’t narcissistic and self care isn’t selfish, they’re necessary for self preservation.

Create a Self Care Plan That Doesn’t Suck

Step 1 : Identify what drains you

List 3 things you despise doing, and brainstorm how you can minimize, delegate, delete, or make them fun.

Step 2 : Identify what fuels you

Ask yourself “What makes me feel like me?” Make as long a list as you can.

Step 3 : Commit to regular acts of self care

Schedule days, make it a habit, and don’t let anything get in your way.

9 Rebel Self Care Ideas

Physical Wellness Basics Done Your Way

Forget 8 hours & calorie counting – What fuels your energy and makes you feel alive? What is your body asking for more or less of?
Make exercise a celebration, not a punishment – Dance like you’re in a primitive tribe, host a personal silent disco, go for an urbex hike (carefully!), or punch a pillow
Hibernate like a boss or schedule a Do Nothing Day – Rest isn’t lazy, it’s recharging for your next move

Break the Mental and Emotional Self Care “Rules”

Twisted journaling – write angry letters that you’ll never send, list what you won’t do this week, or create a mood board with magazine clippings
Practice selective apathy – Choose where to care and let the rest go
Therapy or vent sessions – Whether a pro or a trusted friend, let it out
Mindful daydreaming – Occasionally indulge in intentional fantasies about your ideal life, overcoming challenges, etc. Positive, productive daydreaming is akin to visualization, which can improve confidence and mindset.
Rage bake a masterpiece – Embrace the inevitable mess and channel some frustration into a chaotic, experimental baking session. Disaster or not, it’ll be cathartic.

Whatever you try, be sure to practice healthy boundaries and responsible self care. Your mental health is not a trend, it’s your life.

Why Rebellious Self Care is Essential

It’s not just about you. When you take care of yourself, you show up better for your loved ones and your work. “You can’t pour from an empty cup.”
Choosing to protect your mental health in a world that wants you burned out is revolutionary.

Conclusion

Rebel self care is yours to define. Reject the cookie cutter version and build what feels true to you.

This February, ditch the rules and create a self care plan that’s as bold and unique as you are. Start small. Start now. Start by putting yourself first – unapologetically.