People may be tempted to use their smartphones or laptops to keep a journal or diary, but there’s nothing quite like the old fashioned approach of putting a pen to paper.

You may have heard of the bullet journal method before, which has become very trendy these days, and for good reason. Using a dotted grid journal, or a blank notebook, bullet journaling is a perfect way to keep yourself organized. Not only can you use it as a planner, but you can also use it as a weekly habit tracker, yearly goal planner, mood tracker, or keeping track of the books you’ve read.

Here are nine reasons why you should start a bullet journal today.

1. Bullet journals can increase productivity.

If you have scribbles of notes stuck to your refrigerator and on the wall of your office and a calendar full of appointments and other important dates on your smartphone, you’re likely to forget something. By using the bullet journal system to keep everything in one place, you'll be less likely to forget a birthday or an important appointment.

2. You can set up your bullet journal to suit your needs.

Most bullet journals start as blank dot grid notebooks, and you can set them up however you want. Keep it simple using simple pens to plot out a calendar and itemized lists and add stickers for decoration. Or, get more creative and use a different colored gel pen for each list, or add watercolors and personal sketches to make it special. If you want to track your sleep, mood, and daily water intake in your bullet journal, you can, but if you want to keep it a little simpler, you can do that, too.

3. Set up modules to keep yourself on task.

You can plan your bullet journal to keep track of daily, monthly, and yearly goals to make sure you stay on target. Ask yourself every day what needs to be done to meet these goals, and plan out how you’re going to get it done. Plus, because you assign signifiers for every task, you’ll know how to prioritize your goals.

4. You can use it to stay mindful.

Anyone who keeps a bullet journal will likely tell you that it’s a form of self-care. Some people put a lot of time into the design of their bullet journal, and you can use it as a habit tracker, like keeping track of the number of days you exercise every week, how much water you drink, how well you slept, or how your mood changes.

5. A bullet journal helps you stay accountable.

6. You can document a special time in your life.

Because you can set up your bullet journal any way you want to, you can use it to document an important time in your life. Maybe you’re looking for a way to keep track of your pregnancy, keep track of wedding planning, or have a keepsake of your first year in your new home. A bullet journal is an excellent way to pay tribute to these things.

7. Bullet journals are an amazing outlet for creativity.

Everyone has a different approach to putting together their bullet journal. Some people decorate each month according to the seasons or holidays. Others keep it simple and use pencil drawings and sketches. People who have a lot of artistic talent may use watercolors or markers to create gorgeous flowers and calligraphy in the margins, while others keep it simple with stickers, stencils, and washi tape. The options are endless, and you decorate your journal any way that suits you.

8. Creating something by hand creates a deeper connection.

Digital journals, calendars, and art programs are wonderful, but some people get so much more out of analog tools like pencils, pens, markers, and stickers. Depending on how you set up your bullet journal, you can use it to create a deeper connection with yourself. Not only do you have the freedom to decorate and design your bullet journal any way you want to, but you can also use the process of putting a pen to paper to work through things that are bothering you.

Use writing prompts every day to determine what you’re thankful for, figure out what is bothering you, or commit to writing down a positive affirmation every day for a month. When you sit down and intentionally try to get to know yourself better, you can experience some unexpected rewards.

9. A bullet journal can help you create something huge.

It might sound like a bit of a stretch, but a bullet journal can change your life. Yes, you can use it to keep track of daily appointments, bills, and tasks, but a bullet journal can be so much more. If you take the time to set up your bullet journal for daily aspirations, naming things you’re thankful for, or plot out monthly and yearly plans, you might find that you start meeting goals that you may have wanted to reach for a while. To make big changes in your life, you have to start with small steps. A bullet journal is a perfect way to keep track of your progress and keep yourself motivated.

Yes, You Need a Bullet Journal

Whether you’re looking for a way to keep track of your calendar and budget or you want to create something beautiful that can help change your life, a bullet journal is the way to go. You have the freedom to do whatever you want to in your bullet journal, so there’s no pressure. Keep it simple or use it as an outlet for your creativity. The choice is up to you.

You have a variety of options when it comes to finding a journal to use as a bullet journal. Most people prefer dotted journals, but blank, grid, and lined journals also work well. If you are looking for a dotted journal to get started with bullet journaling, check out this selection.