3 Reasons Physical (Bullet) Journaling Is Superior to Digital
And 3 of the best (2-minute) ways to bullet journal for peak benefits
I first sent this to my 3300+ 2-Minute Journal users a week ago. To get posts like this in your inbox, grab the free 2-Minute Journaling Notion Template.
Bullet journaling is the highest ROI habit in existence.
In only 2 minutes, it lets you reflect, express gratitude, and plan the day’s top-priority tasks — no wonder Improvement Pill ranked it #1 in his habit-tier list!
“Bullet Journaling is among the perfect ways to help you track the past, organize the present, and plan for the future.”
— Ryder Carrol
But today’s “digitization” has (greatly) diluted its power…
The 3 Core Issues with (Bullet) Journaling Digitally
Digital journaling is convenient — but at the cost of its effectiveness :
- Intangibility. When you hand-write on paper, your brain registers the tactile/spatial info deeply. But digitally? Way less tangible = Way less powerful.
- Less Therapeutic Effect. Journaling by hand unburdens and unloads your mind. But intangible and “virtual,” digital journaling isn’t (as) therapeutic.
- Distractions/Screen Time. Starting with “journaling,” you’ll end up stalking your ex’s Instagram — that’s how our “smart” phones are designed.
3 of The Best Ways To Journal Physically
Tangible, therapeutic, and distraction-free, physical journaling is a fading gem.
Here are 3 simple ways to preserve its existence — and reap its benefits:
1 — The “Not Too Bad” Way:
- What? In a regular notebook with my free 2-minute template.
- Why? Easy and free of cost. With a pocketbook, you get portability too.
- Why Not? The tedious daily hand-copying of the template. Illegible drabness — leading to inconsistency and demotivation.
Refusing to journal digitally, I hand-copied my own template daily for a year — until I created the 2-minute journal (more on that soon).
Neither legible nor pleasurable, it merely “worked.”
2 — The “Decent” Way:
- What? A humble whiteboard.
- Why? No daily hand-copying hassle = Saved time and frustration. Constant task visibility = Better keeps you task-focused.
- Why Not? A whiteboard ain’t cheap — and needs space. Visible to everyone, your tasks/gratitude won’t have privacy.
3 — The Best Way:
- What? Journal with the 2-Minute Paperback Bullet Journal.
- Why? The preprinted pages will save you hand-copying time. The aesthetic design will keep you motivated & consistent. The FAQs/instructions will solve all your doubts — and the 5-in-1 secret bonus will boost your productivity.
- Why Not? None — as I specifically designed this journal to solve the “Why Nots.”
Interested in The 2-Minute Paperback Bullet Journal? Click Here to Learn More About It.
Digital (Of Anything) Isn’t Always Better…
Over millennia, we’ve evolved to use our hands and fingers in complex ways — with whole neural circuits dedicated to our fine motor skills!
Hone your motor skills and maximize journaling’s benefits by journaling physically.
Be it the 2-minute journal, a notebook, or a whiteboard — you have plenty of options.
P.S. Can’t journal by hand due to a suffocating schedule, neuromotor disorder, or any other genuine reason? → Then, go digital with the free 2-minute Notion template. No worries. No guilt.
But in all other cases, physical journaling is the superior option.
Physical or digital, journaling regularly is crucial — so pick the option you can stick to the best long-term.
Any journaling questions or doubts? Leave a comment down below, and I’ll be happy to help.
Godspeed and Regards,
Neeramitra Reddy
Want to Journal in One Click and Less than 2 Minutes a Day? Grab Your Free Copy of The 2-Minute Journaling Template
