#clockwork-hobbit

a cascade of falling leaves, frost spread on a window pane, steaming hot tea, and quiet days in

Hi there! (omg I love your username!!) By weekly log, I’m assuming you mean like a weekly bujo spread? Let me take you through my process!

➸ pick a theme

A theme can be anything! For my past bujo spreads I’ve had stuff like … comic book, easter, dandelion, quote, flowers, harry potter, molang, etc. If you’re having troubles, here’s some ideas how you can pick a theme:

washi tape. if you have any sort of washi tape, use it to your advantage! it has polka dots? give your spread them dots. it’s a landscape? flowers? a pattern? match it! it’ll make your spreads that much prettier (imo)! also with washi tape - you can always go by color. this one is blue and green? looks like i’ll use blue and green for my spread too! etc.

books. i’m sure there’s some book out there that you enjoy. you can choose quotes from it, take inspiration from character moodboards or ideas if they have been turned into movies … 

disney. you can do a bunch of disney related spreads!! characters, movies, themes, environment. you can even derive inspiration from original fairy tales (like the grimm brothers) and give hints of the stories on your spreads. @/stvdybuddies have some disney spreads you can check out! if you’re not a big disney fan, you can always pick other movies, too!

holidays. these ones can be super fun! if a holiday coincides with your week, you can emphasize it! use the holiday colors and patterns. or, each month has a focus/awareness you could use. 

minimal. as long as you have the basics, you’re good to go.

➸ layout

After choosing a theme, I plan (mostly in my mind, on paper if I’m having troubles) how I want to lay out my spread. I typically come up with a couple ideas of how I want to emphasize my theme and how I can fit seven days worth of information on my spread. I typically have around 2-4 different items to get my theme across. For example…

dandelion theme: wish related quote, drawings of dandelions, picture taken on grass

comic theme: comic book font, black and red - bold colors

easter theme: chicks, eggs, pastels

harry potter theme: house crests, designed font

moana theme: maui’s hook, heart of ta fiti, tattoo design

If you don’t like choosing a theme, feel free to skip that and instead go to deciding a layout. When I first started my bujo, I focused more on function than design. I had my days listed and an area to have what needed to be done that day - but that was it. And if that’s how you like it - great! Work with it! Or you can always decide a layout and later add doodles and other designs. Some ideas/something you can include:

habit tracker (sleeping, drinking water, exercise, etc)

mini monthly calendar 

day of the week (listed by number/day)

photo/art

shopping list

weekly to do 

diary log

days all on one side, image on the other

days on top, image/other on bottom (or vice versa)

include (or don’t include) weekends

days listed horizontally

days listed vertically

here’s some weekly spread layout ideas by @/alimastudies !

Normally, when deciding a layout, I try to think about what my week is going to be like too. For instance, if I know my week is going to be suuuper busy and I am going to need a lot of info written down, maybe I’ll go for a more minimalistic layout that allows for plenty of bullet points. If there’s … ehh not so much on my plate, then I can fill in the blanks with a design or have a busier layout.

Once the idea has been solidified, it’s time to put it together. Gathering your supplies; journal, pens, washi tape, etc. If it helps, you are 10/10 free to work on all your art, lettering (or any other written information) on separate pieces of paper if you don’t like putting it directly on your bujo - and instead glue it in. It can help with layout flexibility; say something you were thinking doesn’t turn out the way you thought - you can easily switch it up this way.

In choosing colors, I tend towards black and white + one color. But! It is best to keep to one or two colors within a spread. It usually looks a bit more pleasing that way. 

➸ planning your week

Once my layout has been set, it’s time for me to add what my week is going to consist of. I usually follow this pattern of putting down information:

work schedule

assignment due dates (when in school)

tasks and sub tasks

appointments

high priority things to do

reminders

people I need to talk to

miscellaneous, things to do in my spare time

planning for the following week (ie appointments)

Everything that I have written down, I normally have some sort of signifier to go with it. Like an exclamation point if it’s important, can’t be put off longer, needs to be done asap, etc. Or a dollar sign when it’s something I need to budget or spend money for. A music note when I hear a song I like but want to find later. It helps me find what information I’m looking for quickly! If you want to see my full key for some ideas, look here.

But remember, everything that is written down in your bujo is for you. I’m pretty forgetful in some aspects, and clearly remember other aspects of my daily schedule. Figure out what your priorities are within your week and stick to it!

A bujo is like a customizable planner, and a place where you can quickly add needed information. For a monthly spread, it’s good to use for the big picture - big ticket items like weddings, birthdays, vacation days, school events, etc. Having a weekly spread allows for you to dive deeper into your days and be able to set specific goals for yourself, and track what it is you’re doing from day to day. It’s a great way to jump start productivity!

➸ look at other weekly spreads

Honestly? This is what I do most of the time. I love love love looking and seeing how other people put together their week and what kind of content they put in their weekly spread too! Layouts, photos, trackers, minimal to detailed … all of it helps me find different ways to work on a weekly spread. Every time I work on a spread I always always am looking at other people’s content for ideas and to be inspired. 

➸ other resources:

resources you may find useful in setting up a weekly spread.

@/obsidianstudy’s guide to bullet journaling

@/chrissiestudies’ “how I make my weekly spreads”

@/passionplanner shares ABCDE method - prioritizing your tasks

@/productivityplant’s how to make a bullet journal

@/rhubarbstudies’ guide to bullet journals

@/allystudiesx’s things to add in a bullet journal

Your make up ����