Episode 56

full
Published on:

24th Jul 2024

56 | Why You Should Be Bullet Journaling // with Krista Kirkham

Krista Kirkham is a bullet journal enthusiast: she sells pre-made bullet journals, helps you throw bullet journal parties, and creates custom bullet journals. Listen in to our conversation to learn

  • what is bullet journaling?
  • unique ways to use a bullet journal as a young mom and business owner
  • the role of bullet journals in personal development
  • what it would look like to create a custom bullet journal with Krista

Helpful Links:

@createdbykristakirky on Instagram

createdbykristakirky.com

Custom Bullet Journal

Transcript
Speaker:

I've coached nearly 100 women about their screen time,

2

:

and here's what I've learned.

3

:

Women actually don't care about their

screen time, they care about those things

4

:

that are impacted by their screen time.

5

:

Their ability to be patient with their

kids, the growth of their business,

6

:

having time to pursue their creative

dreams, their relationship with their

7

:

husband, the inner peace that they feel,

their confidence in themselves, their

8

:

Connection with God, their friendships

not missing out on their kids' childhoods.

9

:

I'm Alex and I'm here to

help you find inner peace.

10

:

Enjoy true fulfillment

and be fully present.

11

:

Welcome to the Mindful with Media Podcast.

12

:

I am so excited to have my good

friend, Krista Kirkke, here.

13

:

So do you want to go ahead

and introduce yourself?

14

:

Yeah, sure.

15

:

Hi, Alex.

16

:

It's so good to be here.

17

:

So I'm Krista.

18

:

I, we met through Instagram.

19

:

I'm on at created by Krista Kirke

and yeah, I'm a mom of two littles.

20

:

I'm actually pregnant expecting

my third within two months.

21

:

So very pregnant, but yeah, I, I was

a high school math teacher before

22

:

I kind of started my own business,

and I love to bullet journal.

23

:

What else do you want to know?

24

:

I feel like Krista and I keep

finding similarities between us

25

:

because I am a math nerd as well.

26

:

And aren't your kids super close in age?

27

:

How close are they?

28

:

Yeah, mine are 17 months apart.

29

:

Okay.

30

:

And then your next one's also

going to be like, And they'll

31

:

also be like 17 months apart.

32

:

Yeah.

33

:

Okay.

34

:

So I have my two are 18 months

apart, but I don't have another one.

35

:

I know, I feel like we've joked

because you're like a year, your kids

36

:

are, I think, a year older than mine.

37

:

So I'm like, you're like a

year ahead of me in life.

38

:

You're longer in business,

a year longer with kids.

39

:

I just follow.

40

:

I'm just following you.

41

:

But, and this, we'll get to

this later, but Krista is a

42

:

master of bullet journaling.

43

:

And actually, yeah, let's start there.

44

:

How did you.

45

:

Get into bullet journaling.

46

:

I know I saw that you like

what bullet journaling is.

47

:

Okay, for sure.

48

:

I started bullet journaling

at the end of:

49

:

I got married in 2019.

50

:

At the end of 2019.

51

:

I was like, you know, end of

the year goals, just wanted

52

:

to like, revamp my life.

53

:

I don't know.

54

:

And so I, and I'm like, I love planners.

55

:

And so I, I stumbled across

bullet journaling and I was just

56

:

looking at all the YouTube videos,

ordered a bunch of supplies.

57

:

And I was reflecting and

it's, it was really fun.

58

:

Like it was, I love starting new things.

59

:

I think that Whole process is so fun.

60

:

So yeah, I just threw a lot of trial

and error, started my first bullet

61

:

journal, which so I guess I should

explain what a bullet journal is.

62

:

It's basically I like to think about

as a planner and journal in one.

63

:

And so what made me want to start

bullet journaling is because I'm

64

:

kind of like I love goals and stuff.

65

:

So it was like, I was really

excited to like do habit trackers.

66

:

Cause there's lots of different

spreads you can do in bullet journals.

67

:

So this is all just kind of like

what a lot of people think of when

68

:

they think of bullet journaling, it's

like, Ooh, habit trackers, goals,

69

:

planning, a little bit of journaling.

70

:

And so, yeah, that was kind

of the vibe I went into it at.

71

:

As in you can also be really

like artistic with it.

72

:

Like a lot of people draw with

their bullet journals and almost

73

:

use it as like a creative outlet.

74

:

So I definitely have a combination of

all those things with my bullet journal.

75

:

And so yeah, and that's in 2020

of course was like the pandemic

76

:

so I had all these goals.

77

:

Didn't really do any of that.

78

:

, but I had time so I could like

focus on bullet journaling.

79

:

I got really into it.

80

:

I started my YouTube channel where I

kind of showed how I Bullet journal

81

:

started sharing the process of Bullet.

82

:

Okay, so you started that in 2020?

83

:

I did, yeah.

84

:

Okay, cool.

85

:

I didn't realize that, but then I kind

of like got back out of it when I like

86

:

went back to work full time and stuff.

87

:

But that's when it like started

and I feel like in:

88

:

almost had like that I wanna like.

89

:

Share this with people.

90

:

I almost wanted to start a business then,

but couldn't quite figure out how to.

91

:

And it would have been great if I had

jumped on it then, because I mean, as

92

:

you know, and I'm sure we'll talk about

this is I am a fairly newer entrepreneur.

93

:

My business, I just started it last year.

94

:

So it was more just like a

creative outlet at first.

95

:

And now it's like, okay, it took a year.

96

:

And I think it worked out because

after the years, right, it's been

97

:

almost five years that I've done this.

98

:

I've like, I've gotten a lot better

at bullet journaling and I understand

99

:

what it is more and so the timing has

all worked out, but totally, totally.

100

:

You are kind of more an expert

now than you would have been

101

:

if you started it in 2020.

102

:

I mean, there's nothing wrong

with starting things early.

103

:

You always learn as you go, but it is

true with regards to bullet journaling.

104

:

I feel like I have lots of experience

with bullet journaling and it comes

105

:

pretty easily and naturally to me now.

106

:

So it's something I can

easily talk about with you.

107

:

I love to talk about with people.

108

:

So then how did you actually

start your business?

109

:

Like what was that process like?

110

:

So like I said, I was a full

time teacher and then I had my

111

:

daughter and I ended up quitting.

112

:

And then I, in general, just love working.

113

:

So I still was kind of in that field.

114

:

I started working from home as a

teacher, but even that was not like,

115

:

I wasn't even working that much.

116

:

It was a part time job and I was like

feeling drawn towards bullet journaling

117

:

and like wanting to share this.

118

:

And actually I was reflecting on this

and it was about a year ago that I

119

:

threw my first bullet journal party

and it was totally like for fun.

120

:

Like I had a couple of siblings of

mine asking about bullet journaling.

121

:

And so I was like, let's just do this.

122

:

And I invited, it was mostly

siblings and their spouses and

123

:

a couple of close friends and

I threw a bullet journal party.

124

:

The end.

125

:

Just taught them all how to bullet

journal, and I was having so much fun.

126

:

And then I kind of had like the pull to

like, even quit that other job and like,

127

:

just wanted to start something for myself.

128

:

And, and we were also moving.

129

:

I feel like the move helped.

130

:

It kind of was like a blank slate

of like, who do I want to be?

131

:

Yeah.

132

:

So.

133

:

Yeah, that's after I threw that bullet

journal party that's when I decided

134

:

to start making the pre made ones.

135

:

So, the bullet journal party I threw

was like with completely blank ones,

136

:

because normally a bullet journal

is a completely blank dot grid

137

:

journal that you set up yourself.

138

:

But, I've started making pre made ones

for people that just, You can kind

139

:

of eliminate the time you would have

to spend making the bullet journal,

140

:

which is kind of the intimidating part

and kind of takes a lot of the like

141

:

brain work to with bullet journaling.

142

:

And so I started doing that at

the end of last year, I made a

143

:

pre made bullet journal and kind

of sold out the end of last year.

144

:

And that's what kind

of started my business.

145

:

So cool.

146

:

So kind of just like.

147

:

To clarify what your business is.

148

:

So you sell pre made bullet journals

and then you sell your, you do bullet

149

:

journal, bullet journal parties,

or you help people throw their own.

150

:

Yeah.

151

:

And so that kind of like naturally tumbled

into itself too, because at the end of

152

:

the year I was like selling journals and

like people were buying journals and then

153

:

I don't even know how I came up with that

idea, but I was just like, That would just

154

:

be so fun to do bullet journal parties.

155

:

So that kind of got integrated into my

business as well because I just think

156

:

it's a super fun way to start your

bullet journal experience with friends.

157

:

Like basically a bullet journal party is

just everyone comes to bullet journals.

158

:

And if you have a pre made one,

you're just kind of coloring.

159

:

If you don't, you're setting it up and

then you can just kind of talk goals

160

:

and just, it's a fun, it's a fun time.

161

:

So yeah, that kind of just

naturally integrated itself into

162

:

like, The start of my business.

163

:

And I, I love, I don't know if I

would say, I do, I love doing parties.

164

:

I'm like pregnant right now.

165

:

So I'm like, as I like lay in

bed half the day, but I do, I

166

:

love, I love hosting and stuff.

167

:

So I just, I feel really passionate about

bullet journal parties and I think it's

168

:

a fun kind of thing to do with friends.

169

:

Totally.

170

:

Totally.

171

:

And then a more recent part of your

business is you've now started creating

172

:

custom bullet journals too, right?

173

:

That has been so fun.

174

:

Yes.

175

:

Okay.

176

:

So let's, let's talk about that.

177

:

, so I've actually made two custom

bullet journals with Krista and

178

:

so I am her biggest fan now.

179

:

Yours are so good.

180

:

I use one of yours as my

bullet journal right now.

181

:

So that's how good it has

been and how fun it has been.

182

:

Oh, well you, you're a master at

like, Well, so I'll, I'll just kind of

183

:

explain for people who are listening.

184

:

So I made one bullet journal with her.

185

:

That's like my day to day life.

186

:

And so that's more basically just

like my planner, weekly planner.

187

:

And I also use it to.

188

:

Mail plan and have my to do list and stuff

and then she also helped me incorporate a

189

:

little place to well one write my Outside

hours because I'm doing the outside 1,

190

:

000 hours outside challenge and then

also to journal briefly about my kids

191

:

So that's been really fun to kind of add

some new Routines into my life with that

192

:

And then the other thing that I made

with her is a business bullet journal.

193

:

And that was the one that I was

so intimidated by, like that I've,

194

:

I knew I needed a better system

for like my business and planners

195

:

and organizing things and stuff.

196

:

And so I bought a custom bullet journal

with her and I kept like putting off

197

:

actually meeting with her because I was

like, I don't even know what I want.

198

:

And then I think we were like

meeting about something else.

199

:

And she's like, do you want

to just like chat about it?

200

:

And I was like, okay, fine.

201

:

Like, and so she helped me like

brain dump all these things that

202

:

I could use my Like that could

be in my business bullet journal.

203

:

And then she helped me

make it into the reality.

204

:

Like it's so cool that she was

able to like take these things

205

:

that I didn't even know I wanted

from my mind and now I use it.

206

:

So I'm like, it's like right next

to me right now as we're talking.

207

:

So that's my perspective

on like creating this.

208

:

This custom bullet journal with you,

but I'd love to hear your story of

209

:

like how you got into creating custom

bullet journals and what it looks

210

:

like on your end of actually doing it.

211

:

Oh, yeah.

212

:

I mean.

213

:

I can't really explain it better than

you just did because I truly saw that

214

:

with you too, like I could see, I guess,

like my experience with bullet journals

215

:

and like asking things and like seeing

if that would be helpful or not, like

216

:

helped you just clarify, like you said,

I think that's the main thing with

217

:

bullet journaling is that it helps us.

218

:

Just like clear your mind because

sometimes like you said, like

219

:

even I, I would, I've never

figured out how to like meal prep

220

:

effectively in my bullet journal.

221

:

And that's why I loved, that's the one

that I'm currently using is your meal

222

:

prep one or your personal one, because

you just like, Like brought that out

223

:

so well, and I was like, wow, it's cool

to like, have our ideas come together

224

:

and like, be productive together.

225

:

So that's definitely been really, really

fun to do with people is just help them

226

:

see what's kind of stopping the flow.

227

:

Because that's what I feel like it is.

228

:

It's like, it's almost like a creative

flow of like, what's blocking you from,

229

:

you know, moving forward with your day or

moving forward with your ideas or moving

230

:

forward with what you want to do in life.

231

:

So that's so true where it's like, yeah,

I think you bring up such a good point

232

:

where like, if you're not getting your

laundry done, or if you're not actually

233

:

meal planning, or if you're not actually

posting on social media, or if you're not,

234

:

you know, Exercising like you want to be

like a bullet journal, a bullet journal

235

:

can be part of the solution to that.

236

:

And I think not just like the bullet

journal itself, but like for me, the

237

:

process of working with you to help me

realize like what I wanted to be getting

238

:

done and then how I could create a bullet

bullet journal to support that, like to

239

:

make it, to make it as easy as possible.

240

:

Like it just simplifies.

241

:

Yeah, I feel like just this week I had

something happen where I was like, oh,

242

:

this is why I love bullet journaling,

where it was like, everyone says like,

243

:

you got to put your kitchen to bed.

244

:

You got to put your kitchen to bed.

245

:

And I like always struggled with that.

246

:

I feel like our first conversation

I was talking to you about dishes.

247

:

I was like, I'm like, can't get this down.

248

:

And I finally found like a time that

like, I can consistently do it and

249

:

like wrote it in my bullet journal.

250

:

It's like, this is what it's about.

251

:

Like, so now I'm not like, when

am I going to do the dishes?

252

:

It's like, I know what I'm going to do it.

253

:

Like, I don't know.

254

:

That's a silly example, but like, it

truly is like a weight lift kind of thing.

255

:

Like, okay, now I know.

256

:

I've planned what I'm gonna do it.

257

:

So yes.

258

:

And like, I think, well, I think you've

done a post about this, how it's like,

259

:

it's all kind of an experiment, you know,

where it's like, okay, I'm going to like,

260

:

try, you know, put my bullet journal.

261

:

I'm going to do the dishes at this time.

262

:

Okay.

263

:

That time wasn't great.

264

:

Let me try it at this time.

265

:

Like, it's just, it's just all this,

you know, Experiment, which I love

266

:

that perspective because it's not so

like harsh of like, well, I didn't do

267

:

it when I said I was going to do it.

268

:

Like, 100%.

269

:

Okay.

270

:

So kind of with all of that that we

were talking about, what are some of

271

:

your favorite ways to use your bullet

journal or like what, what spreads

272

:

do you like in your bullet journal?

273

:

That's a really good question.

274

:

I mean, I already talked about this in the

super general, but I honestly just love

275

:

to let it like be a brain dump for me.

276

:

So a brain dump can look like so

many things, but Currently, I, and I

277

:

think you and I are similar on this.

278

:

I love to bring up kind of like a routine

or schedule that it's like working for me.

279

:

And so yeah, one of the ideas

that has just been like on my mind

280

:

for so long that I hadn't really.

281

:

Been able to figure out a time to do it.

282

:

Cause I had so many other things

clouding my mind, but I finally started

283

:

like doing a little like homeschool

activity book for my daughter.

284

:

She's two and a half.

285

:

So it's not anything intense, but

like, that's just an example of like

286

:

something that like, it's a cool idea.

287

:

Like, there's so many cool

ideas we have and like.

288

:

Okay, so I just take a blank

page and like, what do I, what

289

:

does that look like to me?

290

:

What does a homeschool

routine look like for me?

291

:

Or I don't know, what sounds fun to me?

292

:

And like, we kind of were just talking

about and just experimenting and

293

:

playing with that, but just allowing

myself to play with these ideas that

294

:

come to me, that's kind of what my

bullet journal is most used for.

295

:

Okay.

296

:

That's so cool.

297

:

And especially that's so

cute with the homeschooling.

298

:

Cause I've had similar thoughts with

my son who's three, you know, cause

299

:

I'm just a little bit ahead of you,

but like, I think it would be so good

300

:

for him to have some sort of, not

because he like, like you say, not

301

:

because he needs to learn anything.

302

:

Like he's three, like he's

learning through play, but, I

303

:

think it would be so fun for him.

304

:

Like right now he's asking a ton about

like numbers and counting and stuff.

305

:

And so he's all the time, like, just

earlier, I was, I think it was when our

306

:

babysitter came and he was, I don't know,

when our babysitter was going to come, I

307

:

was like, he'll be here in like a minute.

308

:

half an hour.

309

:

And he's like, well, how

long is half an hour?

310

:

And I was like, 30 minutes.

311

:

And he's like, well, how,

how many, what do you say?

312

:

Like, how many tens is

30 minutes or something?

313

:

And I was like, three tens is 30 minutes.

314

:

Anyways, just things like that where

I'm like, he's obviously feeling

315

:

drawn to like these math concepts.

316

:

Maybe it's because I'm a math nerd.

317

:

I'm like, teacher mode

activated when it comes to math.

318

:

I'm like, yeah, I don't know.

319

:

I just like, love that idea of

doing homeschool with him, but

320

:

yeah, I haven't made it happen.

321

:

So I love it.

322

:

That your bullet journal

made that happen for you.

323

:

Well, and I also feel like something

that's been kind of fun with my bullet

324

:

journal, I guess, evolution is I didn't

have kids when I started and now I

325

:

have kids and I feel like there's so

many ways to like record your kids

326

:

I mean, photos comes to mind, right?

327

:

Photos and videos and Instagram,

even sharing it on Instagram.

328

:

But I find that I use my bullet journal

to like, keep a record of my life.

329

:

And I'm trying to like, integrate

my kids life in there, especially as

330

:

like, babies, because I have littles.

331

:

And just like, the idea of a baby book.

332

:

Has almost stressed me out, but just

the idea of journaling about them

333

:

every week is so much stress free

because I feel like I'm capturing this

334

:

time with them without being, like,

stressed that I'm not doing enough.

335

:

I mean, I could take more

pictures, I guess, now that I've

336

:

been thinking about, like, ah.

337

:

Photography, that's another

thing I would love to get into.

338

:

See if I can clear some

brain space to get into that.

339

:

But no, so I like to journal

about my kids each week.

340

:

I think we talked about that, right?

341

:

Yeah, that's something that you helped

me include in my bullet journal.

342

:

That's been a game changer because

basically on my, on my baby

343

:

registry, I put a baby book on there.

344

:

Somebody gave it to me.

345

:

I have not touched it.

346

:

It is still in the package.

347

:

Like, I'm like, that was so overwhelming

for me and not my style at all.

348

:

Like I have zero desire to actually make

a baby book, but I'm like, I am a planner

349

:

and I will plan my week every week and

so when I'm planning my week it's so easy

350

:

to just jot down like a few funny things

that my kids have said or like a few cute

351

:

moments or it's it just makes it so much

easier for me and I think you could do

352

:

that with so many things like if you're

looking for ways to like see the hand

353

:

of God in your life or if you're looking

for ways like what's the Rachel Nielsen,

354

:

like, Flux of Gold journal, where she,

like, helps you look for the good in

355

:

your kids, you know, you could, like, so

easily add that into your bullet journal.

356

:

I just feel like it's, it's a much

more practical way to do things

357

:

that you've been wanting to do.

358

:

Yeah, and sometimes I feel like

with a planner or a bullet journal,

359

:

you sometimes get, I don't want

to say intimidated, but sometimes

360

:

you see the blank space and you're

like, well, what do I even put here?

361

:

And that's actually what, how I feel

like the journal part comes in because

362

:

I just like at the end of the day, if

I didn't, if I forgot to put a to do

363

:

list or if I didn't like plan my day

out, I'll go back actually and like

364

:

fill in what I did during the day or

even just like write a few things down.

365

:

So.

366

:

In that way, if you don't use it as a

planner, it's no stress because you can

367

:

always go back and like journal about the

day or like I said, write little notes

368

:

like this worked in my day, this didn't.

369

:

So basically just any space in the

bullet journal, you can always go

370

:

back and fill it with journaling.

371

:

Yeah, that's a really cool idea.

372

:

And, and I think that's something

that I'm, I think still grasping.

373

:

I don't know, just because when I

first made it, I was like, okay, this

374

:

is my planner, but that you helped

me realize like a bullet journals.

375

:

a planner that you intend to keep.

376

:

And I was like, okay, like, I don't know.

377

:

Yeah.

378

:

Just like how fun is that to look back

and see on the same way week that we

379

:

went to these splash pads and these

parks and did these things with these

380

:

friends and I got these things done.

381

:

Like that my kids did these cute things.

382

:

I don't know that it's just like fun

to see my life laid out like that.

383

:

Oh, I think it's beautiful.

384

:

And that's whenever, like,

the creative side, right?

385

:

Like, I know a lot of people use

bullet journaling to, like, draw or

386

:

be artistic, but I even think just

planning and writing is an art form.

387

:

So whether you're, like, coloring

or using it to be creative in,

388

:

like, maybe an artistic way, I

guess writing is a form of art.

389

:

But, like, just the actual planning

and journaling is a form of art.

390

:

That like, that's cool.

391

:

Yeah.

392

:

Former creation.

393

:

You're creating.

394

:

Yeah.

395

:

You're creating something just by

planning and reflecting if you're

396

:

adding reflecting in there too.

397

:

That's like a beauty in itself.

398

:

Yeah.

399

:

And I think that's something that

we as a society and especially as

400

:

moms of young kids need more of.

401

:

It's just that time to just.

402

:

Reflect and process and yeah, for me, I

think writing is really healthy for me.

403

:

I know people have different forms,

like you say, but, and also I'll

404

:

say that kind of like, I am not into

typical forms of art, like the whole

405

:

making all cute and stuff like that.

406

:

Just like, I appreciate it

for other people, but I just.

407

:

Don't do it.

408

:

It's just not my thing.

409

:

But because I have these custom ones

that I made for you and they have like

410

:

cute flowers and cute little designs

for the months and stuff and I'll have

411

:

right here like my thing of colored

pencils that I went and bought because

412

:

I didn't own any colored pencils so that

each week I can color and it's been so

413

:

therapeutic for me to have that like

time to just you know it's like not

414

:

that much but just have a little bit

of coloring time has actually been a

415

:

very Therapeutic thing for me as well.

416

:

Yeah.

417

:

And like there, you specifically asked for

dated bullet journals or dated planners.

418

:

Most bullet journals are undated.

419

:

And sometimes I even feel like

the process of like dating it, or

420

:

you could say like the process of

just like coloring and starting it

421

:

almost like gets your mind, like.

422

:

Yeah.

423

:

In that mode, I found I like kind

of like that where I sit down

424

:

instead of like going straight

to like, Oh, I didn't do this.

425

:

I need to do this.

426

:

Like, it's like, Oh, I'm just going to

color for a little bit first and like

427

:

set up the dates whether it's dated

or not, but like, look at the dates.

428

:

What are the dates of this week?

429

:

And like color in a few things and then

you kind of can reflect and I mean the

430

:

whole process on my YouTube channel.

431

:

There's lots of.

432

:

How to's and stuff, but, you know, we

can get into the whole process of like,

433

:

looking at what you didn't accomplish

and like, is it still worth it to you

434

:

and crossing it off if it's not or moving

it to next week if it is or all those

435

:

things are important, but it's kind

of nice to have something in between.

436

:

a little bit like therapeutic, like

you said, to just kind of get you

437

:

into it because then it's not just

like you open your planner and you're

438

:

just like, ah, I didn't do this

stuff or I need to do these things.

439

:

It's just like a fun thing,

a peaceful thing, hopefully.

440

:

Yeah, no, that's so true.

441

:

Those are really good tips

for making them more peaceful

442

:

experience because you're right.

443

:

I'm like, I haven't always

felt this way about planning.

444

:

Like I've always been a planner,

but there have been times in my

445

:

life where , people would say, you

know, like every week you should.

446

:

You know, make a plan for the week or like

every night before you go to bed, make

447

:

sure you have a plan for the day tomorrow.

448

:

And I was like, that

just feels so stressful.

449

:

Like I'm not doing that, but yeah, I

think you bring up some good points about

450

:

like why I don't feel that way anymore.

451

:

And I think a lot of it is

like, it's a smoother process.

452

:

Yeah.

453

:

I'm like, why, why is it different now?

454

:

I don't know.

455

:

It was an art.

456

:

I think, I think, I think that's where

like the journaling part comes in.

457

:

Like, you know, you're going to keep

it, you know, you're like excited

458

:

about this, you created this thing.

459

:

So it just like makes it.

460

:

And I guess one other thing I'll

say about the journaling side of

461

:

it is sometimes when I used to,

I don't really journal anymore.

462

:

I just use my bullet journal.

463

:

That's a whole nother topic.

464

:

But when I used to just like

journal, like free, right.

465

:

And my journal, it was almost sometimes

like venting or like I needed to get off

466

:

like hard emotions, which is important.

467

:

But the nice thing about bullet journaling

is that I know I'm going to keep it

468

:

and I also like love to show it, share

it with people, show it to people.

469

:

So I try and like consciously

write down the good things.

470

:

And so that's like a

form of therapy, right?

471

:

Like remembering the good.

472

:

And like, so anyways, just.

473

:

knowing that I'm going to save this.

474

:

So I try and just

remember the good moments.

475

:

Like, not that I don't want to forget.

476

:

I don't want to like exclude the hard

moments, but like clouding my mind

477

:

with the good things rather than bad

things is kind of where it comes from.

478

:

That's like literally like

a psychology concept, right?

479

:

Where it's like your mind, like the

way our brains are designed is it's

480

:

like they're designed to keep us safe.

481

:

And so we look for dangers or for things

that are going wrong, you know, just as a

482

:

survival instinct, but it's like teaching

your brain to look for things that are

483

:

going right and look for things that

are working and things that are going

484

:

good can actually create that reality.

485

:

It's like 100%.

486

:

I definitely think that, yeah,

like as I think of the good

487

:

things, I see more of it.

488

:

So it just can only help.

489

:

Yes.

490

:

And no, I think that's been really good

for, with my kids and this, I, you know,

491

:

I'll just say like, I'm a work in progress

with this, but it's been really good with.

492

:

My son, especially, who, he, he's very

sensitive and has some intense needs,

493

:

and it's really easy for me to get sucked

into that, like, he's so hard, like, you

494

:

know, it's so hard, blah, blah, blah.

495

:

And it's like this, you know,

having this space to look for like

496

:

all the sweet things that he does.

497

:

I'm like, oh my gosh, I have the cutest

son who's like so sweet and so loving.

498

:

And he's had some sensory things that gets

in the way that makes it hard for him.

499

:

But I feel like I've been able to

see him differently because I'm

500

:

constantly like seeing all these things.

501

:

Like, he really, I'm like, oh

my gosh, he's the most loving

502

:

little boy I've ever met, which

I have not always felt that way.

503

:

Yeah, we're entering the tantrum phase.

504

:

I'm like, what do I do here?

505

:

Experimenting day by day, trying

to figure out the ways to do it.

506

:

Yeah.

507

:

Okay.

508

:

I feel like this has been good stuff.

509

:

Is there anything else that I missed

or that you would, that's on your

510

:

mind that you'd like to chat about?

511

:

I know.

512

:

I'm trying to think, I feel like we

covered a lot of good stuff, actually.

513

:

Yeah, I know.

514

:

It kind of went more into the

like deeper coaching stuff,

515

:

which I didn't anticipate, but.

516

:

I mean, that's, I can't remember if I was

telling you this or not, but I feel like

517

:

coaching and bullet journaling kind of go

hand in hand because like I, like what I

518

:

shared when I started my bullet journaling

experience, I was kind of just like,

519

:

you know, in the mood to like do things

different or like do better in my life,

520

:

start better habits, have better goals.

521

:

And so I feel like, you know, when you.

522

:

want to be coached or when I,

and I love coaching by the way,

523

:

but it's that same mindset of

like, I'm ready to like step up.

524

:

I'm ready to like do something more.

525

:

So I do feel like they are very

similar fields and I like them both.

526

:

So I'm very, I'm very into bullet

journey, of course, but I'm also like,

527

:

so intrigued and into coaching too.

528

:

So being coached and trying out

coaching a little bit has been fun.

529

:

So.

530

:

No, I think this has been so cool,

even just like hearing how you like

531

:

view your to do list differently.

532

:

Like you say, coaching and

bullet journaling go hand in

533

:

hand more than I ever realized.

534

:

And all of the coaches that I've

worked with well, not all of

535

:

them, but lots of like coaches and

even creators I've worked with.

536

:

They always mention journaling as

like, you should journal about this.

537

:

You should like, here's a couple of

reflecting questions, which I love to do

538

:

reflecting questions in my bullet journal.

539

:

So like, yeah, I feel like, like you

created a journal for your business.

540

:

I feel like it's, it goes hand in hand

with coaching in that way too, because

541

:

there's a lot of reflecting and journaling

that goes along with coaching as well.

542

:

So yeah.

543

:

Even just the journaling

part, like you say.

544

:

Yeah.

545

:

So, that was been, that one was

so fun to make with you, that,

546

:

that business bullet journal.

547

:

Cause I feel like I learned a lot

about how you do business and just

548

:

business in general because of how

you set up that bullet journal.

549

:

Oh, thank you.

550

:

You seriously were a master at taking it

out of my mind and getting it on paper.

551

:

That was intimidating for me.

552

:

I'm curious, like, the, because you

design your things in Canva, right?

553

:

That's like where you

design the bullet journals.

554

:

And then, What's that whole process like?

555

:

I guess like kind of like

the behind the scenes.

556

:

The technical side.

557

:

Yeah, like the tech side.

558

:

Yeah.

559

:

Yeah.

560

:

So I, I do, I just I use like a third

party manufacturer, so I don't actually

561

:

physically make the bullet journals.

562

:

So I make them digitally and then send

them off to be like created physically.

563

:

And that company is Lulu and

I really liked them cause I

564

:

love spiral bound journals.

565

:

But yeah, I just, you

can do whatever shape.

566

:

shape you like.

567

:

They have lots of different like

sizing options, but I've found a

568

:

size that I really like and most

people like the size that I found.

569

:

It's A5 journaling.

570

:

So I just create it in Canva and

luckily I, Lulu also had like a blank

571

:

dot grid because normal bullet journal

pages are blank dot grid pages.

572

:

So most of my pages start with

a blank dot grid page and then

573

:

I just kind of draw over it.

574

:

Not really draw, but like, Put the layouts

over it, add some designs and stuff.

575

:

So yeah, it's, it's pretty fun.

576

:

It's kind of really satisfying because

like, as you bullet journal, if

577

:

it's a blank docker journal from the

start, you're making it as you go, but

578

:

this is like a whole process in one.

579

:

So it's a lot of work upfront,

but then it's just like that time

580

:

payoff later is nice because then

you're not setting it up every week.

581

:

Not that.

582

:

That's not fun.

583

:

Cause I still think setting up a

bullet journal is really fun, but like,

584

:

you don't have to like be counting

out dots or making calendar spaces.

585

:

So it saves time in that way.

586

:

And it also, I think saves

like mental space of like.

587

:

Oh, I need to like set up my

bullet journal this at this time.

588

:

What am I going to do?

589

:

It's like, Oh, I know it's already there.

590

:

So like whenever I'm ready,

I can just go set it up.

591

:

And that was a huge thing for me at

the start, especially the start of a

592

:

year at the start of a bullet journal,

there's so many pages you want to kind

593

:

of like set up and it's like, Oh, it's

all set up, like I don't have to do it.

594

:

And so that's been nice for me.

595

:

Cause I, yeah, technically I

was using a bullet journal.

596

:

for the last year and a half, but I

didn't know that it was a bullet journal.

597

:

Well, no one really knows

what bullet journaling is.

598

:

It's like this word.

599

:

Because I couldn't find

a planner that I liked.

600

:

I love Target.

601

:

I love the planner section, but I

could not find one that was like

602

:

exactly what I was looking for.

603

:

And so I just found a 10 bullet journal.

604

:

That I didn't know was a bullet

journal, on Amazon, and then I just,

605

:

yeah, each week I'd draw my lines.

606

:

And like you say, I think there was

some, like, therapeutic aspect to

607

:

that, but Not enough to be worth it to

me to like, want to keep doing that.

608

:

And like, I actually really love

now because before I would just do

609

:

it like week by week, sometimes I

would do it like a couple of weeks in

610

:

advance, but it's really nice to be

like, Oh, I have this thing next week

611

:

or in a couple of weeks at this time.

612

:

And I can already put it in there.

613

:

Yeah.

614

:

That's so advantageous for

you because I feel like I.

615

:

still in like of the mindset

of like, Oh, week by week.

616

:

Cause I did it for so long week by week,

where finally, I think June was the first

617

:

time I was like, well, let me just set

up my whole month because I can, I'm

618

:

just so used to doing it week by week.

619

:

But yeah, it's like good and bad,

obviously to both, but it is really

620

:

nice if you're really wanting to

get some plans out there to like,

621

:

no, you can just plan out there.

622

:

I was also going to say the other

fun part of like the kind of backside

623

:

of making it is doing covers.

624

:

I mean, I'm definitely not like a

graphic designer but doing your covers

625

:

was like so fun like the exterior of

the journal because I like to keep it

626

:

pretty simple and I just like found, I

don't know, your brand colors and like

627

:

a little icon that reminded me of you.

628

:

And that was just like really fun.

629

:

So it was so fun for me because, oh yeah,

with my first one, you just surprised me.

630

:

I was like, I trust you.

631

:

Like just do one.

632

:

And it's so cute.

633

:

Yeah.

634

:

And it just feels so on brand.

635

:

And then, yeah, no, I totally agree.

636

:

Like I feel like the, it's been

more fun for me than I thought it

637

:

would like to have a cute cover.

638

:

Oh good.

639

:

I didn't really care about

that, but yeah, yeah.

640

:

I

641

:

So yeah, that part's, so that's what like

has been, I would just say a very fun

642

:

part about making custom journals is like

going through the process of the interior

643

:

pages because I feel like that's the most

important part especially for like the

644

:

whole like clearing your mind and helping

you just like do what you want with your

645

:

bullet journal and life, but then like

kind of wrapping it up with like, Oh, I

646

:

think this would be a nice cover for you.

647

:

But I can totally make it any cover.

648

:

Like I, I'm starting to play

around with like any of my

649

:

journals that I saw on my website.

650

:

Like, let me customize the cover for you.

651

:

If you want something different, like

it's really easy and fun for me to just

652

:

like change the color, change the graphic.

653

:

That's been really fun.

654

:

That's a fun, fun part of it.

655

:

Okay.

656

:

I'm kind of wrap up, but Oh, I think

I just I wanted to make sure that

657

:

my audience knew that because a lot

of my audience are business owners.

658

:

And so if they want to create a custom

bullet journal that they think would

659

:

be a good fit for their audience.

660

:

then they can become an affiliate

for that bullet journal, right?

661

:

Yeah, that has been so fun.

662

:

Okay.

663

:

So I think this is like such a cool thing.

664

:

So you can meet with Krista,

create a custom bullet journal, and

665

:

you've done like homeschool ones.

666

:

You've done business ones,

like you can basically whatever

667

:

your audience is, right?

668

:

Maybe like a prayer journal.

669

:

For sure.

670

:

Prayer journal comes

to mind for me so much.

671

:

I would love to make a prayer journal.

672

:

I feel like Someone help me.

673

:

I don't have the ideas.

674

:

Give me your ideas, but

I'll make it for you.

675

:

No, I'm kidding.

676

:

And you want to do something that

you can do it with Krista, and

677

:

then you can become an affiliate

for the journal that you created.

678

:

And so then anyone who buys it,

you'll get commissioned from that.

679

:

So I think that's, a cool thing if

you're interested in working with Krista.

680

:

Yeah.

681

:

And I think just like on that, like,

I can just speak to the ones you've

682

:

created as like, I'm in your audience.

683

:

So like the journals you

created, like I want them.

684

:

So it's like, it's a service to

yourself to make it for yourself.

685

:

And it's a service to others

to like share that with people.

686

:

Like just that, feeling of being able

to , plan or, or write what you need to.

687

:

I don't know.

688

:

I just think it's a service to everyone.

689

:

If you create one for yourself and

share it with the people in your

690

:

audience, cause you never know

who it could like really help.

691

:

So I totally agree.

692

:

Totally, totally agree.

693

:

And I think, like you say, I think

everyone in their mind has these

694

:

cool ideas and these cool concepts.

695

:

It's just like getting it all

on the paper, which is where.

696

:

You are the expert in that.

697

:

And I I know we've kind of talked

about like some of the different things

698

:

that you offer throughout the episode,

but, how can people work with you or

699

:

what's kind of like your one product?

700

:

that you would direct them to?

701

:

Oh, I would definitely say that

you should make a custom journal.

702

:

I agree.

703

:

And if you, if you don't, if you

don't like know where to start with

704

:

a custom journal, then maybe like

go to my website and find a journal.

705

:

But like, Your mind has some cool

ideas, whether you know it or not.

706

:

And like, even if it's like not a

planner, even like we talked about prayer

707

:

journal, I guess prayer journals are

planners, but there's so many different,

708

:

my husband made a recipe journal.

709

:

There's just like lots of

different ways to journal.

710

:

And I would love to help like

bring that idea out with you

711

:

and just help you create.

712

:

So if they want to create a custom

713

:

Is that on your website?

714

:

Yeah, so the way to like actually

purchase it is on my website.

715

:

But definitely send me a DM and we can

start chatting and then yeah, I can

716

:

send you the link and we can start,

yeah, that process together because I

717

:

just, I love working with people and

that way it's, it's been really fun

718

:

to collaborate with people on that.

719

:

No, I totally agree.

720

:

That's what, yeah.

721

:

I'm like the biggest fan of

custom journals with Kristy.

722

:

Oh my gosh.

723

:

Oh, you're fine.

724

:

Yeah, for sure.

725

:

I feel like, yeah, it was, you

were with me when I was like, I

726

:

want to start doing custom ones.

727

:

And like, people were

like, please help me.

728

:

So I'm like, okay, this is,

this idea needs to happen.

729

:

So I know there's people out

there with really cool ideas

730

:

that I'd be so happy to help.

731

:

I agree.

732

:

Okay.

733

:

Well, thank you so much for sharing all of

your, your bullet journal wisdom with us.

734

:

And don't be scared of

the word bullet journal.

735

:

Yeah.

736

:

Yeah.

737

:

If you can't wrap your head

around it, let's just make a

738

:

planner together or a journal.

739

:

Okay, so where can my audience find you?

740

:

So I'm on Instagram at Created by

Krista Kirke, and then I also have a

741

:

YouTube channel Created by Krista Kirke.

742

:

So either of those places, my

website is CreatedbyKristaKirke.

743

:

com, and that's where all my

journals are, like, housed.

744

:

You can see past journals I've made

either for myself or collaborated

745

:

with other people on, and yeah,

that's, that's where you can find me.

746

:

Okay, I love it.

747

:

And I'll make sure to link all those

in the show notes as well to make

748

:

it easy for people to find you.

749

:

Oh, you're so sweet.

750

:

I am so grateful that I found

the Bullet Journal Queen on

751

:

Instagram because It's so sweet.

752

:

You helped me realize that I love

it when I didn't know what it was.

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

Show artwork for Mindful with Media

About the Podcast

Mindful with Media
This is the podcast for entrepreneurial moms who want to grow a meaningful, profitable business without sacrificing their other priorities (like spending time with their kids or getting enough sleep).

Host Alex Fales—business coach, mindset mentor, and mom—shares honest conversations, simple strategies, and powerful mindset shifts to help you and make money doing work you love and grow as a person while you're at it.

Expect solo episodes, authentic chats, and real-life stories that help you blend business strategy with personal growth, so you can build a business that supports your life (not the other way around).

Because you don’t need more hustle.
You need clarity, confidence, and the courage to do business your way.