1. Pro: 100% customizable

The beauty of the bullet journal is that it's a blank slate. Everything is up to you. You decide what spreads (layouts) you want and can change them as you need to.

For example, in the summer I like to use weekly spreads similar to what can be found in a normal planner. Because it is less busy, I can afford to have a less-detailed look at my weeks; however, during the school year, I gave each day its own page so I could see my assignments, events, and reflect.

2. Con: It's time consuming

The number-one thing my friend and I agreed on as a con is that bullet journaling takes time. You have to set aside time to create spreads for the following month. I try to spend a few hours making each month's spread ahead of time so that I can continue to use my bullet journal. If you don't plan ahead, it's difficult to stay on track with monthly and weekly spreads. Making a simpler design can help cut down "prep time," and your journal can be as creative or simple as you want.

3. Pro: it's a creativity outlet

Bullet journaling can not only help you organize your life, but help relieve stress, too. For me, designing and doodling on my spreads gives me something mindless to do and allows me time to reflect on my busy days. I love to pick the monthly theme and incorporate it through the next 30 pages or so. I also enjoy making "journaling spreads" for events that I am looking forward to in that particular month.

4. Con: it can turn into an obligation

What started as a fun pastime can quickly turn into a tedious chore. Many people go in loving the creativity, but end up thinking of journaling as an obligation. If spreads aren't pre-made, then the bullet journal is rendered useless and many lose motivation because they are simply too busy.

5. Pro: all of your ideas can be kept in one notebook

With the bullet journal, every idea you have can be in one central location. It completely removes the use of post-it notes for ideas and inspiration. Along with a calendar and planner, I use my bullet journal to brainstorm article ideas, track my practice tendencies, and keep a "to-read" list, and record fun events in my life. Having all of this in my bullet journal ensures that I won't lose my ideas by misplacing a piece of paper or accidentally deleting a note from my phone.

6. Con: there is pressure to be "perfect"

In the day and age of social media, there are so many gorgeous bullet journal spreads that employ the use of watercolors, metallic pens, and fancy calligraphy. This is one of the reasons that I was hesitant to start my own journal because I knew nothing I could do would ever look like those. Many people who keep bullet journals are artists, but many are not. It has taken me a few months to realize that I don't need to create literal works of art in my bullet journal because I am the only one who sees it. My bullet journal uses doodles, stickers, and mediocre cursive.