REACTING to the Matt D'Avella Bullet Journal 30 Day Challenge Video

[@MissDyna]

I'm genuinely surprised that he didn't reach out to Ryder himself for it. Matt acknowledged that Ryder was the originator of the method, and as a minimalist you'd think he would have gone straight to the source from the start

[@MissDyna]

Also, I had a feeling this video would be coming somehow when I saw your comment on Matt's video 😂 it's like I'm psychic haha!

[@poudre34]

Given your comment, you might be interested in the fact that Matt Interviewed Ryder in 2017 kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYaYgZeHi96qbKc

[@childcrone]

Matt's video is titled 'I tried bullet journaling for 30 days'. When I watched it some time ago I was feeling for him the whole way and afterward my first thought was, "Did you, though?"

[@markyourpages]

Tried but not really but kind of.

[@whollybologna]

I always send people to How to ADHD’s video on bullet journaling. It’s a great way to explain the basic BuJo for beginners. I tell people to avoid Pinterest unless you know exactly what you’re looking for. 😳

[@sarahdesmond5697]

Yes! Absolutely!

[@mapelberg]

I was just thinking about her. Her video was the one that got me started. And I loved her advice that if you're a bit of a perfectionist, mess it up the first thing you do so you have that over with.

[@laurenlovesstories]

Also I send Ryder Carroll’s set up explanation because his journal is very minimal and he focuses on how the system works

[@princessleah9092]

You are spot on Mark. I fell like Matt should have been more responsible to his followers and actually followed the bullet journal method rather than what he did. He was doomed to fail from the start as he didn’t research properly from a minimalist perspective. Love your videos ❤️

[@rpcheesman]

Agreed - dived too deep too early, as Mark said - suckered into the Instagram/Internet 'aesthetic' journals. As he says, he has habit tracking but he's been journaling this method for 5 years... The people Matt referred to for inspiration/ideas creates a combination of creative/bullet journaling. As a minimalist myself, I'm looking at the pure simplicity of Bullet Journal as a core system with which I could expand with in the future. The only thing not included in the original BuJo system is a Weekly Log - I do work on a week-to-week basis rather than an entire month at a time. I'm still planning my BuJo setup, making notes in my long form entry journal so when I do start it (soon!) I'll be able to start simple with that small amendment for weekly preference. I'll even do trial setups in my main journal. I'm also reading through the Bullet Journal book so I'll have a clear idea of the Why of the system.

[@mapelberg]

I've seen someone else who did a "We try Bullet journal again. We're doing it right this time." Maybe he could do that? Maybe Mark can help him?

[@kandjkraft]

I loved this Mark! As a silent follower of yours on YT and IG, I laughed out loud at some of your reactions because I knew exactly what you may say in response! My favorite part was your reaction to him tearing out pages so early on. I also loved the three times you mentioned that a pencil can be used. Why did Matt not think of that or consider that?! It probably would have saved him a ton of time and frustration... :) --Kelley

[@markyourpages]

Thanks for your support Kelley. Silent or out loud, I appreciate you all the same. I’m surprised too honestly.

[@TpyoQueen]

Allll of this!!! And I still cannot believe Ryder wasn't included since Matt interviewed him years ago on The Groundup Show. I first heard one of my favorite quotes on that episode: "It's a mindfulness practice disguised as a productivity system." I guess that didn't really resonate for Matt

[@samueltremblay275]

Wow, you are absolutely right! I forgot Matt interviewed Ryder a couple of years ago and it was a very long interview. The video from Matt shoulf have been about how the Bullet journal method was corrupted by persons who take the bullet journal as a toy to draw and write task like "feed my cat" and "drink a tea".

[@gailpowell9131]

Thank you for this video. It reflected most of my frustrations with Matt’s original video. IMO, it was Matt’s worst executed challenge. There were several points where he could have taken a similar approach to his other challenge videos and have been much happier with the results. I hope Matt will try again and do a 30-day Bullet Journal METHOD video, where he could use a notebook he knows he likes such as a Baron Fig or one of his own Slow Growth Coiled notebooks, as well as a pencil and a pen he likes (and he has one). He would have been better served by interviewing Ryder Carroll himself or another YT creator who takes a minimalist approach to Bullet journaling for the sake of productivity. Ironically, Matt’s use of the TeauDeax app for his tasks should have made him an easy candidate for using a bullet journal, but he did no rapid logging and kept fitting his notes and tasks into his weekly log without an index or any helpful collections. Every decision he made set him (and his viewers) up for frustration. Thanks again for this video and the necessary clarifications for people who want to SUCCEED at bullet journaling for themselves.

[@markyourpages]

Yup, I 100% agree. I feel like he really puts a lot of research into his other challenge videos. This one felt rushed to me.

[@VioletPhoenix922]

I agree with your reactions, Mark (and was dying laughing watching!). Edited to add: I’d love to see you watch/react to Wheezy Waiter’s Bujo videos. He did kind of a similar thing where he tried Bujo for a month for a video and didn’t like it, but didn’t follow the method. He got a lot of comment/reaction saying he should have done it differently so he actually did a second video where he made some changes to be more in line with the basic method, and had a better experience.

[@lel4per]

Great idea! I watch Wheezy regularly now just because I found his first BuJo video when I started the practice!

[@JessicaChungMN]

THANK YOU. The fact that Matt has literally interviewed Ryder before baffles my ever moving mind since he didn't even have him on there.....

[@gazingatsaturn]

its honestly even more egregious that he didnt follow the orginal bujo method since he literally quoted ryder in the video !!

[@atrotsiuk]

Mark, you are great! I loved the video. It’s a shame that he didn’t read the book or understood the method before he started. The method is so beautiful and very focused on purpose and intention. It hurts so much seeing him doing so many things wrong 😅

[@ThaBloodWitch]

He should have started as bare bones as possible. Four hour set up is insane. My monthly set up takes me about an hour but I've been at this for three years and I didn't start out at that level. Bare. Bones! Man! Then build from there. And drawing out months is a pita, print and paste if you really want it. 😂

[@ScientistPlans]

I am so glad you made this video! It was funny to watch, Matt is very entertaining! But wow, poor bujo didn't have a chance. Anyways, I totally agree with all your remarks. Hope his video will not tell the wrong message that it takes 4 hours and it is about slow writing... that bothered me so much! :(

[@trinelykke1483]

Thank you so much for doing this. I was SO EXCITED when I saw Matt had done a BuJo video, but I was devastated after watching it. As you say, basically what he did had nothing to do with the original Bullet Journal Method. Thank you for sharing and being honest.

[@markyourpages]

I think we all felt the same way about it. I was PUMPED and then quickly so so sad.

[@documenting.the.journey]

Loved that you did this! I started bullet journaling this year (because of you ☺️) and I made the mistake of going too fancy (although super minimal) and I got frustrated and overwhelmed too. When I decided to go super minimal and just focus on my task list, it was so much easier and way more productive! And now I’m totally going to reread the bullet journal method now!

[@sarahdesmond5697]

Thanks for this! I 100% agree. Sad that the original bullet journal method never was part of his trial

[@egrusa99]

I really enjoy this video a lot. I love your reactions. They were great, because they emphasized the missed opportunity. I loved it when you said start with the method, then modify when you are comfortable. My phrasing. Keep up the great work, my friend!!

[@KocholateKoutureCo]

You brought up great points Mark! I find the bullet journaling method to be incredibly helpful in organizing my life.

[@daphnefaff]

So surprised that someone who has focussed on being minimalist would get sucked into all that faff! i think he may have appreciated the experience more if he followed the original method like you suggested.

[@onekaatvignoblesconsultanc6956]

It's been 3 years of Bujo. 10 mins to set up. The Index and simple Future Log are everything, though I have tabs for frequently used collections. My daily gratitude and weekly reflections are invaluable. I am glad you made this video ❤ I hope it encourages others to try the original system better yet, read the book!

[@markyourpages]

Yes! It’s been so awesome for me too!

[@lukenetti4244]

I started bullet journaling this past February. I started with the method in the back of my bullet journal notebook. I started very basic and slowly added new spreads. This is the best way to do it! I felt the same way you did watching Matt’s video. Unfortunate he didn’t have a better experience.

[@julia-here]

this was super fun; the commentary is right on the money,. the silent (maybe?) judgement of the Moleskine and the pen sent me, lol.

[@rebeccaw9656]

Lol, I made all these mistakes in my first BuJo, and never picked it up again for 6 months. But then after studying Ryder Carrol’s system from inspiration on you tube, I bought a new dotted journal, and have now had a BuJo for the last 5 years… and I do have a hybrid BuJo system with digital apps.

[@markyourpages]

The basic do wonders

[@CLSmith-fd1es]

Love both you and Matt’s video. I hated bullet journaling when I first started until I read the book and came to the realization that the minimalist style worked for me. After a year of doing only a minimalist style, adding only easy, non-artistic spreads and trackers when I need them, I now love my journal. However, I still hate gel pens, the index, and 160gsm paper. And that’s okay. My artwork is stamps and the kids crayon pencils, an occasional Dollar store sticker, a couple rolls of washi tape for page dividers, and sticker paper for printing my start-of-month divider. White-out is my best friend and I use an old, beaten-up dot journal I use for experimenting in before moving it to my daily buyout helps suppress my perfectionism. Also, if flipping the page to try again agitates you because you know there’s an F-up there, print a pretty picture on some sticker paper, cover it up and never speak of it again. 😀. And use Instagram, Pinterest, etc as inspiration only. Posting your bujo on the internet is NOT an essential part of bullet journaling.

[@markyourpages]

Your last comment is one I include in my podcast and videos. You do not need to show it, ever.

[@mirosanovo8071]

That's exactly the reason why I quit bullet journaling years ago! I didn't know Ryder, I just saw beautiful layouts and spreads from creators and I thought it was mandatory to have certain setups and most of all to be able to draw and do creative things, but I'm not good at it at all! After years of not satisfying planners I finally discovered Ryder and all became clear! Now I've been using this method for a year and I went from a pretty basic setting to a bit more complex system but still minimalistic and productive for my own needs!

[@markyourpages]

So many people have been turned off by thinking that something has to be a certain way. Each Bullet Journal needs to fit the needs of the author. But I think it's important to see different ways to do it to jump start and find what you do and don't like.

[@j.devore]

I watched that video and basically made the same faces you did too! I loved watching your reactions and hearing your input. I would love to see more of you reacting to bujo experiment videos (and maybe trying some bujo experiments of your own, like trying different habit trackers or styles or whatever--as long as it didn't mess up your own personal system too much, of course). Also, this reminded me of the "Why You Can't Stay Organized" video by Answers In Progress, which was a video I really enjoyed. I'd love to see your reaction to it too! Anyway, love the content! :)

[@thestationeryjunkie]

I just stumbled upon this coz I'm about to try my hand at Bujo. So glad I found your 15min express setup vid before seeing this. You're right you don't need 4hrs if you learn the basics first before moving to something more ambitious.

[@markyourpages]

I'm pumped that you found the other video! With Matt's reach, I think that might turn alot of people off from something that is actually really amazing.

[@thestationeryjunkie]

@@markyourpages Tbh, it's the overly fancy-looking ones that are always on the front page, but I was intentional on learning the basics. Your vids on these were extremely helpful. It's my 3rd week on bujo and I couldn't be happier. Thank you for being part of my journey!

[@susiebolt4021]

I'm glad you did this. I saw some of your comments on Matt's video and they were spot on. I like Matt's content, but feel like he missed the mark on this one. I gasped when I saw how he was setting it up, especially that monthly box calendar layout. I wish Matt had started with Ryder's method, as you said. I also think Matt completely missed the key part of the original Bullet Journal method - which is to set your intention. Matt's unspoken intention was "make a video documenting my 30 day challenge". But had he really put effort into this he would have realized that he has a journaling practice already, which he admits is a dumpster fire, and his intention could have been to better organize his existing practice. Notice his video had no mention of Collections, in addition to missing the Index and Future Log. He got there in the end, when he said he can implement some of the bujo system to better organize his journals, but because he skipped the basics (didn't watch one of Ryder's guides or read his book but instead consulted with an aesthetic practitioner) he's probably still missing out on the full potential of the original bujo method. And his video probably turned off a lot of people, which is a shame.

[@noteworthyfiction]

You should do a followup video showing what he could have done to make each spread easier.

[@markyourpages]

Great minds. I have a few notes and will likely try something

[@melnorman350]

So glad you did this video because I watched it and was saying all the things you said. I have been bullet journaling for 8 months now I don’t use his bullets but have created my own custom bullets, but I read his book listened to interviews with him and modified it to suit me. I have had so many comments from people in my life that since I started they have noticed a change in me - more content, getting things done happier etc.

[@markyourpages]

There is so much wisdom in the book. Amazing to hear that you are getting the positive feedback from your peers too! Just goes to show that it does work.

[@FlatEarthMath]

One thing I've learned after watching a ton of Bullet Journaling videos on KZbin is a new definition of "Minimalist." From context, Minimalist means: take some LSD, spend $300 at an arts and crafts store, have at least 1000 stickers, and 5 different kinds of rulers, 12 calligraphy nibs, and 58 rolls of Washi tape. Then spend roughly 48 hours (coffee is permitted) locked in your room drawing lines, applying stickers, and calligraphying every page. And then press upload on the time-lapse video you recorded over those two days. Minimalist! 😛 It's a shame that Matt fell under the dark influence of Mad Scrapbookers who are channeling their mojo into what they CALL a "Bullet Journal" but it looks like none of them are bullet journals. The best video I watched is the super-short "Bullet Journal Basics" by Ryder Carroll. It took me 5 minutes to "set up" my Bullet Journal.

[@markyourpages]

Minimalism has taken different forms in the bullet journal space, for sure. Even for myself, what I call minimalist is probably just minimal from the more advanced (as you described) approaches. I like to think that Matt was going this way for shock factor and not his actual use. he actually just put out a tracker video that I felt was much more positive on tracking and a way to use a journal than this.

[@swimmstagal]

I think he should have looked for more targeted bujo setups. Look at videos that match your setup needs, for me personally it takes hours to set up, only because I choose to add art to my Bujo.

[@markyourpages]

Yeah, his set up seemed to only really be influenced by pick up limes.

[@BonnieBrown426]

Absolutely loved this video! Your reactions were spot on IMHO Anyone who doesn't tell beginners to go with the basic program is only looking for clicks and subscriptions, and not looking out for the the actual person. Have to say, this has to be one of my favourite videos that you have done (your reels are still my absolute fav though :) )

[@adamds27]

I completely agree with your final thoughts, Mark. I'm a fan of Matt's, but this video is the equivalent of me trying 30 days of running, and doing so by using an Ironman training plan: unnecessary, overly complicated, and not even aligned with my goals. I hope it's not the case, but I kind of feel like this was fishing for a reaction..

[@mewblueberry7782]

I did what Matt did for my first bujos as well and they all lasted a max of 3 months before they got derailed by life changes because they were too much effort and time or I made my system too rigid. Now it's 2 years later and I'm trying again with the fluid original method and crossing my fingers at it working.

[@markyourpages]

Wishing you all the best with picking it back up.

[@melimellow95]

I bought my first bujo around 2018? Tried every single year to complete until 2021 I did it successfully. And that was the problem. I got carried away with beautiful spreads from other people and since I'm not artistic at all it discouraged me. In 2021 I finally started tweaking all the spreads. If something didn't work for that week or month I would change it for the other. So far I LOVE it and will never go back to not having one. I actually ordered a new one already for next year (I only use one per year), I also have a moleskine and hate how much the pages bleed and ghost. Will try 160 gsm which I still I don't need that much but I hope I will like it

[@ik3z735]

I love watching you Mark! I find your passion quite frankly adorable and I can relate cause I’m also a bujo nerd! Keep up the amazing content!

[@markyourpages]

Thanks so much for checking it all out. I really appreciate it

[@PhanorColl]

I stasted bujo two weeks ago, and spend a week previous to that researching, I felt overwhelmed so I simply went to the source, and follow that setup, it took me maybe 10 minutes, and I have to say, these past two week have been the most productive ones I had in a long time, I know where I'm going, my goals, I dont feel stressed out at the end of the day, which felt weird because for the past 10 years I felt like that, I love this method, its changing my life, the way I look at things, the way I think, I even started learrning French and Italian, now I know I have time to do more things than work, if I do what's meaningful to me. BTW, love your channel.

[@markyourpages]

Glad we found each other. And congrats on your new bujo journey.

[@anwesha_rc]

I love how you said that we need to understand the rules before we bend or break them. A handful of people have asked me how I find the time to bujo since they are bombarded by the flashy Instagram/Pinterest posts. I always redirect them to Ryder Caroll's video. They tend to be surprised at how minimalistic Ryder's bujo is!

[@markyourpages]

Yeah even if you do a little weekly, it can be done in under 5 mins

[@valerietheron146]

I really enjoyed this video. I couldn’t stop laughing, I really said all the same things. The only thing I always remember when using my journal is, keep is simple, you can always add a creative touch later. I totally feel that he missed so many things that could’ve made his bullet journaling experience so much easier & quicker. For starters a index, Future log, Grid spacing guide, using a pencil & eraser so that you don’t have to curse yourself for making a mistake. Keep all the trackers for another time. It’s a lot of pressure to keep up all those calendars & habits and that was a lot. Lastly the miss information that was given in the video, I just read the Bullet Journal book. That’s the best place to start.

[@dayannam]

I just started and I am finding I really want to keep it super simple. I found for me I really just want a year spread for important dates like trips and birthdays, a single page for a catch all for the month and I found a tracker for stress, mood, sleep, fasting that I slightly modified for myself. Then from there I might do a weekly spread, but I haven't decided yet. I keep seeing so many extra sets ups and it's just too much! I love the black and white astetic to what I am doing so far and I really don't see the need for all the crazy art, stickers, stamps and layouts and I am a fairly artistic person but that seems like too much for my journal lol

[@markyourpages]

Welcome to the fun club. :-) I feel you on wanting to try it all, and the good thing is you totally can. I always say to start with the basics and get used to it and then slowly add bits of what you want. I’ve found it to be the most enjoyable

[@MzRite66]

PS I have only been Bullet Journaling a few months and I want to thank you for your simplistic and clear presentations. You have helped me to realize how much I had already been putting into journaling. I'd been writing therapeutically most of my life; so thank you so much. I look forward to learning and sharing more in the up coming year. I service special populations that can benefit from this but can only embrace it if introduced properly.

[@markyourpages]

Thank you. Bullet journaling is really a collection of a lot of different methods. Glad it’s been helpful for you.

[@darwincruz20]

I share with most of your reaction while watching him. Haha. I was surprised as well that he did not stick to the basic Bullet Journal Method. I am a minimalist and also use a BuJo. Btw, i don't use a pencil. I just open a new page when I make a mistake -- which rarely happens since I started using the Bullet Journal 2.0 notebook which included the dotted guide like where is the middle of the journal

[@KarlKarperPerry]

Hey, I have just started again using a BUJO as apps were frustrating me. There are so many apps and videos that say you need to use this and that. It was costing me silly money trying them all and for some setting up was longer as I needed to learn the app. This is just day 3 of my new BUJO journey and as you said I went to basics. I use an index, future log - although this is more a dump of ideas that I migrate to my weekly or daily log. I always pop the page number on my future log where I have moved that action to so I can quickly find where I planned the task. Since starting I have been more efficient although as a test I have copied these pages into a minimalist note app to compare them. Yes I will be double handling the information but it's an experiment right. I do love the tangible feel of my journal and purchased a Ryman book to start. Yes it is ruled only but that's fine as I won't doogle or put in fancy detail. I need speed and a functional tool not a work of art. Love your channel and love my journal and this will be something I keep doing. To back this up further I purchased a small note book to jot field notes on the fly and when I can sit properly these go into my journal. What's your thoughts on field notes, do you have a video on this. Keep up the channel as you have some really neat ideas on making this tool really productive.

[@markyourpages]

all that money to find out those apps don't work sound like my life. I have been there too! Glad you are enjoying your new journal and finding ways to make the analog approach work for you. The pocket notebooks are perfect for on the go. I used to carry one with me all the time too

[@_erickgama_]

Loved this, Mark! Agree with all the comments you’ve made. I personally don’t use a bujo because all of my work projects need to be scheduled in Microsoft for management tracking but he set himself up for failure by not including an index and not using a pencil. So unfortunate

[@raphael.wermuth]

Thanks for your reaction, Mark! Very useful - and necessary. Suggest you invite Matt for a 1:1 to teach him the 'real method', the minimalist version. 😎

[@falistiq]

Yes I do use bujo and digital and it helps me alot when I went outside and left my bujo

[@markyourpages]

It's a great pairing.

[@darrenbarson3828]

Thanks Mark, I am really enjoying your channel as a man who is thinking about taking the plunge. I am glad I saw your videos first. Matt's video was one I did watch but even me, as someone who doesn't journal yet, could see some basic mistakes and I found yours much more encouraging. I will be ordering my first notebook from Ryder's site in the next couple of weeks and I am excited to get started. I am about to subscribe to your channel as its is, so far, the one with the best ideas for a minimal journal, as, like a lot of people, I have mostly seen all of those pretty "girly" journals on the internet that initially put me off, and as soon as I saw your channel name, I knew it was the place for the right advice for me (a nearly 60 year old man). Thanks for your help :-)

[@markyourpages]

Glad to be a resource. Excited for you to get up and running.

[@PaperJoyPH]

I agree with all your opinions! Abby is does beautiful travel journals😊 BuJo isn’t really the first thing that comes to mind when I think of her content 🤔

[@markyourpages]

Yeah. Maybe they are friends? I feel like a little more research would have pulled up others that have a more minimalistic approach.

[@CayoBuay]

Soooo sorry Matt got caught up with the Instagrams, I almost did tht too but I like minimal so went' taht way which is how I found your channel. I started journaling a bit ago and kept my digital calendar, like Ryder, I do the bujo first then migrate things back and forth so you can have others know when you're available (digital) and you know what your scheduled time buckets are if you are not by your computer.

[@CayoBuay]

I work in IT and most of my life revolves around quarters so I modified the yearly into my quarterly. I also only have only a Quarterly (3 monthly views), then jump into weekly and I avoid the repeating montly calendars like the plague.

[@markyourpages]

Yeah... a lot of the instgrams and popular YT videos. Welcome to the Minimal twist zone. I also follow a mix of digital and analog. Working in the digital marketing and design field - it's a good place for both.

[@MiaBlaha]

Usually I love Matt’s video but I was screaming at screen with this one so much. This was not his usual minimalistic approach. You have much calmer reaction to his video 😂

[@markyourpages]

Hahhaa, I wanted to scream at the screen. I felt the same way - this just felt so off for him. But to each their own.

[@BNris]

@10:19 /called out. Takes me forever to sketch a layout. Pencils are DEFINITELY my best friend 😂

[@markyourpages]

Pencil is always better when you are unsure

[@disney.daze.55]

I watched his video ages ago and man, I felt bad for him. 4 hours is insane. I spent 2021-22 in my bujo starting out with Ryder’s method and then tweaking it, trying other layouts, and even now I still tweak it a bit but it’s a very simple, minimal bujo. If he did my setup it’d take maybe 10 min. It can be so simple and quick.

[@markyourpages]

While I love a nice design - I don’t think they need to take forever.

[@mikes64travel]

I do Bujo since 5years in a minimalist way. I need my bujo everywhere ^^, simply and tracking progress.

[@joycehuff9769]

I have a few comments. The whole bujo system was created to be simple yet tens of thousands took the idea around a bend. Very few offer advice or specifics on how to actually set up (there are too many general overviews) but nothing specific. The artists that draw perfectly straight lines without a ruler, the ones that do elaborate, detailed monthly title pages, the ones that have $85 000 invested in stickers and washi are really a deterrent to anyone wanting to begin. I was sad this guy ripped out pages too as pencil or erasable gel pens are available. If I wasn’t already using the original Ryder Carroll system, I wouldn’t start with it now.

[@markyourpages]

I think there might be a lot of general ones before the basic system is pretty straight forward. There is really only 1 way to do it if you are following the method exactly. I think that we tend to add our own spin to capture someone looking for something a little more or different, I know that I do. The approach would turn me off too if this was my first video. It's not always easy, but to begin, I feel that we should follow the method very closely before starting to venture out.

[@joycehuff9769]

@@markyourpages I agree with you. When I started I wanted to know how to actually draw it out not just concepts. I don’t think I’m explaining my point very well. I’m going to message you on instagram

[@CharlotteRKO1]

Great video. You have inspired me to start a bullet journal. Just about to watch your set up videos 👍🏻

[@markyourpages]

That’s awesome. Wishing you all the best as you get started. If you have any questions, let me know

[@kajal1953]

He already knew the originator was Ryder & still followed some other KZbinr. Sadia (from pickuplimes), has a lovely style of her own which is not original bujo style as Ryder but she has amended it to her own liking and what suits her schedule and serves her purpose. Matt just tried to copy instead of knowing what he really wanted out of his Bujo.

[@markyourpages]

Yeah, when rewatched some of her videos I realized that he really did just use her set up.

[@planetawkward4069]

Gee wiz! I get the feeling the dude was over dramatising it for clicks. Also clearly didn’t research properly. To just mention in passing Ryder Carroll as the creator then ignore the technique is bananas. He did it no justice.

[@PaperJoyPH]

I agree with all your opinions! Abby is does beautiful travel journals😊 not really sure what was her take on the essence of BuJo.

[@markyourpages]

I totally agree!

[@PastorRosemaryPeek]

I was reacting the same! And the tearing out of pages foretold the outcome for him. A pencil! Please get a pencil! Seriously, I do not know a perfectionist who does not approach most things with a pencil first. I tell people the same as you: follow the basics first, then change it up as it suits you. Or not! :)

[@StateofFerg]

I thought the same think when I saw his video. He should have kept it simple and just gone with the original method. Way more minimalistic.

[@markyourpages]

I agree. I think he would have found so much more success.

[@catherinedevinewhittle8145]

Loved your reaction video! The opposite reaction happened for me after watching Matt’s video. I’ve been a planner for years trying dozens of planners and spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars. After watching his video, I loved the flexibility and (potential) simplicity of the bullet journal. I watched Pick Up Limes video and a bunch of others - and that’s how I found you! - and started one of my own. I love love love it and did it exactly how you suggested - simply and quickly. Just finished my first month and will continue for sure!!! Thanks for your content. :)

[@markyourpages]

That's awesome that you were able to discover Bullet Journaling through that video. I think many of us were so taken back because he made it harder then it needed to be, which threw him off form using such a flexible system. So happy to have found each other, and if you ever have any questions as you kick up, let me know.

[@holdmyown32]

For indecisive people I can 100% see how it can be overwhelming.

[@markyourpages]

Yeah - but I find that whenever you are felling overwhelmed, just take it back to the basics. It usually always helps

[@Fclwilson]

My bujo for work has no decorations. The minimalistic style of the bujo is quite attractive, and efficient to use.

[@markyourpages]

I agree. I teeter between what I love in minimal design and adding a little extra flair.

[@Syntart]

I don’t know this guy, but everyone says he’s into minimalism and then chooses to complicate one of the most minimalist productivity systems out there … What?! 🤷🏻‍♀️ Great video!!

[@evelynatcraneshearth]

Dang the dude didn't even go watch Ryders video? No wonder he took on to much for a first attempt.

[@myriam_92]

Watching this video after a while though but... Although I'm a pretty artistic bujournalist (I LOVE to take hours to plan and realise my spreads, also changing them month by month), I also prefer a minimalistic approach for what concerns things I know will be always the same: for instance, my keys are less and quite different from Carroll's ones, and written down on a sticky note that I've been moving from a bujo to another for the last 3 years. Plus, I use plenty of stickers, printed sheets and stamps for calendars and trackers and daily spreads, just to get focused on what really relieves me, i.e. taking my time to choose patterns and decorations to help my brain dumping all the sh*t I go through during my weeks.

[@markyourpages]

I think that there is a time and place for all the things. I too love the process of creating and breaking down my thoughts over time. In this case, because of Matt's minimalistic style, he wasn't looking for that and I think it's what turned him off from making it work.

[@tootsfour956]

Can you contact him or send him your video? Thanks for this video

[@julialoosjes7769]

Thank you 😊 I needed this reaction video!

[@olenkam84]

That's a fun video actually :) I think, bujo can be very overwhelming for people who hear about it and starts checking on internet, YT, Instagram, etc. and see all this art! and not even checking the basics... I am not gonna lie - I was like that (few years ago). now I know what I'm doing and I love my monthly cover to be pretty, but rest is super minimalistic :)

[@markyourpages]

I think it's all about finding your space and style. But it takes time and I don't feel like 30 days is enough to make or break something.

[@olenkam84]

Agreed :) When you start you definitely need more time to find your way of working with bullet journal :)

[@RayneBlue]

When I watched Matt's video my first thought was "you're doing too much" which seems to be the downfall of most beginners........

[@MzRite66]

I cannot get past the first six minutes of this great video. This is however the reason I cannot sit through an action packed triller. I absolutely love you in the most unconditional way right now - and though I am laughing it is only because I totally can identify with both you and Matt lol

[@markyourpages]

The wonderful world of journaling.

[@bujodogabs]

Hey Mark! Thanks for sharing this. I can say your reactions on this are very similar to mine 😅. When someone new to this method aproach me to how to do it i use Ryders video and website as an intro to it. Even i who decorate my bujo, dont take that many hours to set it up 😬 I 100% agree with your coments.

[@actiii2548]

Loved this video! Reinforced my own internal struggle between KISS and PRETTY. Ryder Carroll wins. BTW I have greatly benefited from the “mindfulness disguised as productivity” purpose description.

[@ivanmoren3643]

Yes, it was not very well researched - but I think from an outside perspective it's really easy to read it as a simple system from the beginning that has evolved into a good, productive system. It is a basic assumption of Thing Popular, Thing Better that I think many of us have learnt unknowingly. If you have that basic unreflected belief of all things and ideas constantly evolving into better and better solutions it is usually accompanied by the related belief that what's popular or successful is representative of that state. With that logic, using the metric of what is popular on KZbin, to find out how to set up your bullet journal makes perfect sense. Not going to segway into how this is like a metaphor for the market serving money rather than people/nature, but seeing through those often unknown structural assumptions (at least for the first time) is really hard. Potential ways of combating this might include improving on the Wikipedia article on bullet journaling, possibly separating the functional and aesthetic developments, but probably most importantly describing the original process instead of just referring to the core parts. And who knows, if Matt does a follow-up video "I WAS WRONG - the MINIMALIST approach to BULLET JOURNALING", that could have the potential to lift the issue of too complex bujo setups scaring away newcomers while also explaining the basic ideas behind. But what do I know, I can't keep track of my own glasses, let alone a notebook.

[@markyourpages]

Great insight into the method and the overall approach. Because of how well the other videos of his were done, I’d hope for a better approach of the original method.

[@childcrone]

His 'Yearly View' pages was his Future Log

[@bluepsiongamer4909]

It is strange because I've never been able to keep to any system.. I think this is another example of social media utterly ruining something for someone. It is great to have a beautiful journal, but .. what is so great about bullet journaling is you don't have to precious about it and you have nothing to prove. My first three months of bullet journaling was in a cheap lined notebook out of a pile of them gotten at a yard sale. It worked great!

[@markyourpages]

Keeping it simple is great. I feel you on socials sometimes ruining things. You have to really dig deep to understand something beyond the top layer. But most don’t spend the time to do that. But also social can be a great way to discover something new.

[@daniataylor6783]

I almost can’t listen, like what!? I’m glad you’re doing a reaction video to set things straight

[@markyourpages]

it was too much for me. haha

[@PoopiteeScoop]

10:16 lol had the exact same reaction myself 😳😂

[@markyourpages]

haha, we all did

[@CrystalClearLife]

Loved this video. Idea for you...I know you have children, so have you thought about setting up a basic bullet Journal for students. As a teacher we always taught kids to use a planner or agenda book for homework assignments, notes, reminders etc. It was an easy way for parents, teachers and students to communicate. But I think teaching students early to use a bullet Journal might be a fun. Idea. Just a thought, love your channel.

[@markyourpages]

Thanks so much. I’ve done a few small set ups for my daughters, but they have been more online with tracking and memory keeping. I’m hoping to introduce them to it more formally to use for school.

[@CrystalClearLife]

@@markyourpages yes I loved Violet sharing hers. 💜

[@loriguercio4374]

I can relate to Matt, i'm such a perfectionist and just thinking to start a bullet journal overwhelms me 😩...

[@markyourpages]

A lot of people are in that mind space, but I will tell you, when you start simple it makes it so much easier to just begin.

[@loriguercio4374]

@@markyourpages u are right...Thank u!!

[@amandahenderson1201]

its all about organising and the connection to yourself and your world

[@markyourpages]

100

[@phoebeyuu4525]

Hahah I'm as frustrated as you when I watch that video, too. I think I'm kinda glad that my search for ADHD and anxiety led me to Ryder Carroll's video about bujo. I've heard bujo prior to my own experience and just like Matt, all I see is pretty journals from an artsy person and automatically think it's not my thing. But really, thanks to my ADHD research (as I am newly diagnosed with work/planning related anxiety at that time) that I found Ryder's method, the original one. Started in 2019 and it helps tremendously for my planning anxiety until now and my work productivity increases since I have less panic attack now when my Team's task reminder blaring on my computer. If I didn't find Ryder's video and try the basic and original method, I might still getting put off by bujo and never found my best planning system.

[@markyourpages]

That's amazing that you found him and his direct content first. It's not always the most stunning - but it gets the job done.

[@SuperVeeveez]

The final thought was on point 👌🏼

[@markyourpages]

Thank you. I was and am really passionate about everyone giving Bullet Journaling a fair chance.

[@esracaglayan5495]

I was SOOOO frustrated by that guy's video. Sorta glad I'm not the only one. Also to be fair, I never have an index, I just have various markers and tabs on important page edges. Also I commented about this on the original video as well but I feel like 30 days is way too short to figure out how one wants to use a bullet journal. Usually I feel like one reassesses what worked and what didn't at the turn of the month.

[@markyourpages]

30 days is a short to make a full decision, but if you aren’t feeling it, no surprise that you wouldn’t give it time to change into something more.

[@Chad-xh8zs]

Daily log in a lazy rapid log style is all I really need to get a lot of the benefit.

[@markyourpages]

Keep it simple

[@KazumiShiunsai]

came here becasue Simie iriarte mentioned his video and see you comment on this. Knew the trainwreck was coming LOL

[@markyourpages]

Hahah. If you know you know 😂

[@kevinrichie2015]

Thank you.

[@Fclwilson]

Damn I am new to bullet journaling and I spent maybe 20 minutes to get the basics entered.

[@markyourpages]

Haha yeah it should never take this long for anyone ever to

[@joycehuff9769]

Yes Mark, the original yearly calendar set up takes hours! I’m not sure why you’re surprised by that part

[@markyourpages]

In my opinion, it should not to hours to set up your yearly overview. I am not saying that it doesnt take time - but if you are just getting started, getting that detailed would be more of a deterrent than get you excited about using it.

[@snapninja3454]

And Matt interviewed Ryder!!!

[@markyourpages]

yeah, that was odd.

[@amandahenderson1201]

a great lesson on what not to do

[@markyourpages]

Yeahhhhh

[@beautifulanjail]

I had the same reaction when he ripped the pages out 😂

[@markyourpages]

We all died a little

[@MarkJunk]

Take away....use a damn pencil. Better advice has never been given! Thanks for the video, I enjoyed it lots 😀

[@clarkindee]

Weird that Matt missed the index. Something went wrong here -- and I really don't agree with the "aesthetic" approach. It's not meant to be an art project -- it's a productivity system. Agree with you.

[@markyourpages]

Something was off for sure

[@Rogheeb90]

To be honest, I never considered Davella as a minimalist. He's a minimalist content creator, yes. But from what reads from the way he goes about things, he doesn't seem like someone with a minimalist mindset at all. Especially in this video about Bullet Journal, where he gets caught up in perfectionist fantasies instead of taking a completely minimalist way.

[@markyourpages]

Interesting perspective. I hope it's not all a front. I feel like what he shows is what you'd get in his approach to his day to day. But this one was off. For sure.

[@ADHD_Gamer]

Im still confused on a future log when you have a monthly log. (yes totally infected and overwhelmed by the net - some of them should just be art classes) anyways. so do you start with FUTURE LOG starts after the current month, then have a CURRENT MONTH, then weekly and daily? sooooo confused...

[@markyourpages]

The connection between the Future Log and Current monthly can be confusing, and it can be because everyone uses the monthly log differently. The Future Log is a core collection page and is there to capture things that are coming up, or that need to be planning ahead on but do not live in your daily log. For example, if you need to book an appointment next month, you would add that to your future log for next month. When it's the next month comes, you have 2 choices (this is where it gets a little confusion). You can choose to take those Future Log items and bring them into your Monthly Log page. You can add them to a running last list or some people add them to their monthly calendar. Some people use the monthly calendar for reflection vs dates since it's about 1 line. Everyone finds the best way for it to work for them. I wish there was a straight forward answer, but there is not 1 way to do it.

[@Somebodyelse141]

Usually if someone sets up a weekly log like Matt's they don't have a daily log. My weekly log just has a habit tracker and tasks and appointments that I wasn't to get done during the week. My daily log has the tasks I want to do that day, as well as any appointments, events, thoughts I think are important to jot down, etc. Also, Ryder's method does not have a weekly log. It goes from monthly to daily. You don't even need a habit tracker if you don't want one

[@ADHD_Gamer]

@@Somebodyelse141 yes I took a look at Ryders Bullet journal method. I did not realize how simple his was. Looks like the internet bullet journal fan club went on steroids. It does make much more sense to have a monthly log, a future log, and just a simple daily log. Or a weekly log. I didn't find it practical to have both of them since they're pretty much the same. I've been tinkering around with it and it seems the daily log does the job just fine.

[@Ne0nLicht]

You are extremely kind. What Matt does has nothing to do at all with the bullet journal method. It's so, so, so sad!

[@markyourpages]

I believe that a Bullet Journal needs to fit it's authors needs. I felt like he tried to fit himself into someone else's notebook vs doing his own.

[@michaelperrigo]

MORE REACTION VIDEOS PLEASE!

[@markyourpages]

Gotta find some more to hype me up, haha

[@adylaar6708]

I think he chose that first few pages setup bcs he thinks he wants his calendar to be in visual. But then it just become a clutter bcs theres too many dates.

[@markyourpages]

It gets to be a lot over time, for sure. Finding the mix of what works vs what is overwhelming. We've all been there.

[@UnrealSoundDesigner]

i just don't understand why he didn't just reach out to ryder instead? he's a big enough youtube personality to call ryder and have him explain it in an hour