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Learn How a Bullet Journal Can Change Your Life

If you’re curious about finding a way to change your life for the better and increase your self-worth and inner peace, you’re in the right place. This journaling blog includes all the science-backed tools and techniques you need to start living intentionally today, so you can enjoy a fulfilled and peaceful life.

About Personal Development and Bullet Journaling Blog, Refined Prose

Head shot of journaling blogger, Kate Tunstall, at Refined Prose.

I’m Kate, the writer behind personal development and bullet journaling blog, Refined Prose.

Psychology makes me tick.

When I began this project shortly after getting hitched, I had no idea it would become my ‘other baby’. I’m incredibly lucky to have found a hobby I love that has surprised me by developing into a full-time job.

Are you stuck in a rut, of feeling overwhelmed or just a bit… despondent? If you’re looking for a way to find the joy in daily life, then I’m confident that the blog posts you’ll find here will help you to do just that.

What began as a hobby has, over time, become a sanctuary for my soul. It’s a place that I now share the techniques which now shape my life – all with their roots in psychology and supported by research.

(Re)discovering yourself and using approved tools to heighten your experience of everyday life is entirely possible.

When I began this project shortly after becoming a mother, I had no idea my online journal would become my ‘other baby’. I’m incredibly lucky to have found a hobby I love that has surprised me by developing into a successful blog and full-time job.

With hindsight, it’s no surprise really – psychology is what makes me tick, and writing has always been my vocation.

But one of the greatest aspects of the way this blog has developed is the satisfaction I derive from supporting others just like me.

Journaling blog | Bullet journaling blogger in office holding a blue journal.

Losing your identity as a new parent is often an inevitability. Or perhaps you never really explored your true nature in the first place. 

Either way, (re)discovering yourself and using approved tools to heighten your experience of everyday life is entirely possible.

On this website you’ll discover many techniques to help you through the above process and hopefully find a fun new hobby along the way, with some great ideas to inspire you.

Learn more about this blog.

How the Refined Prose Journaling Blog Evolved

What started out as family-focused blog to keep me sane in the early days of parenthood, has been with me as I’ve grown; and Refined Prose has evolved too, into the self improvement and journaling blog it is today.

It was a totally organic process as I felt my way through a difficult phase, and has led to my absolute faith in the incredible power of actively practicing gratitude, later validated by research*.

It’s really important to me that the people who read my blog trust the information I share. I always fact check and cite or link to relevant studies and research.

How Journaling Changed My Life

I started writing weekly gratitude lists on the blog at a time when I was struggling with anxiety and, over time, they changed my outlook completely:

I went from a dreadful cynic to becoming very positive, and have watched my life blossom as a result. 

And now I write about the processes I used to develop those feelings of gratitude, to help others achieve the same positivity and sense of inner peace in their own lives. Journaling has become my favorite thing to do to process, analyse, reconcile, and simply relax.

These days, there are few things that get me as excited as a blank page!

March bullet journal cover page, with bounce brush font and floral design with bumblebee.
Pro tip: 30 day challenges are also perfect for practicing gratitude!

Incidentally, it’s really important to me that the people who read my personal growth blog trust the information I share. I always fact check and cite or link to relevant studies and research where appropriate.

This applies to all content, across the board, in every category, including wellbeing, journaling, and mental health – but also pregnancy, breastfeeding, and CMPA.

Self-improvement and journaling techniques recommended on this site are researched, with sources and studies clearly cited or linked to where appropriate. Exercises taken from My Positivity Project are reviewed and endorsed by BACP and BPS member, registered Psychological Therapist, Emma Kenny.

Let Me Show You How Journaling and Personal Growth Can Change Your Life, Too

So, you’ll still find plenty of parenting content, but over time the emphasis has been redefined according to my personal values. (See what I did there?)

Taking inspiration from fantastic bullet journal bloggers on social media, combined with techniques which are both proven and have worked for me personally, I’ll show you how to get the most out of your own personal journal.

Your journal can become like a best friend, a confidante, and a place to turn for comfort. 

Though I still write about family, these days you’re more likely to find me waxing lyrical and sharing tips about:

This is not because my priorities have shifted; it’s because they’re exactly the same:

To promote mindfulness and gratitude for a more appreciative life – particularly in and of our children; to champion gentle and supportive parenting which models the behaviours we wish to foster in our little ones.

Kate Tunstall

In order to do the best job I can as a parent, my own mental health has to come first. Plus, many of the fantastic strategies I’m learning about and sharing on the blog can be adapted to work for children too. 

As well as providing a brilliant creative outlet, journaling and bullet journaling are excellent tools to help children learn to regulate their emotions and to increase resilience in kids.

You may also be interested in our kids book reviews, focusing on important topics such as confidence, racism, and loss.

Read My Blogs About Journaling to Learn How to Utilise These Techniques

Starting your own bullet journal is a simple way to invest in your wellbeing in a single day. Creating a regular habit of journaling where you spend time writing (or drawing) on a daily basis is incredibly valuable for mental health.

To get you started, head over to this post about mindful journaling to learn about the value of keeping a journal for your mental wellbeing. Then read this post about how to journal to help you begin your journaling journey and write your very first journal entry.

I’ll guide you on your discovery of how your journal can become like a best friend, a confidante, and a place to turn for comfort. 

Journaling blog | bullet journaling blog | Image shows an open journal on a desk, beside white carnations and a pen.

Join a wonderful community of bullet journalists as you develop a journaling routine.

You’ll discover the joy of daily activities and how a simple ten-minute exercise each day can promote positivity and wellbeing, as well as Inspiration and fresh ideas for monthly spreads and weekly layouts.

There are many different styles of journaling, and they all have their place. Here you’ll learn about some of the different ways to write in your own journal, and hopefully join a wonderful community of bullet journalists as you develop a journaling routine.

Looking for printables? Head over to our resources library to find hundreds of free resources to help you build up your journaling habits!

About the Resources Library

During the Christmas period of December 2019, I took my foot off the pedal just a little for a well-deserved rest… And immediately decided I wasn’t busy enough!

By the middle of January 2020, I’d launched my little online store selling a couple of journals and my popular diary, designed for mums breastfeeding through CMPA.

With the new direction of Refined Prose, I’ve since taken the decision to close the shop and make all digital products absolutely free to subscribers! You can access all printables by signing up here:

Here’s a little sneak peek at my adult’s journal (now split up into free printables available in the resources library):

A Diary For Nursing Through Allergies

Being able to support CMPA parents is incredibly rewarding.

Elfin was born with CMPA and is still dairy-free now at four years old. The first year was a very difficult time for us (and we’ve had challenges since too!).

But to try to find a positive from our situation, I’ve used everything I’ve learned and written about it in what I hope will be helpful guides for other parents, such as this milk ladder FAQ.

These make up some of my most-read posts, and being able to support parents in that way is incredibly rewarding.

If this is your reality right now and you are feeling lost or lonely, please reach out. I’ll always try to help if I can.

A great way to pinpoint what specific food/s may be causing reactions in your little one is by keeping a food diary.

While blank notebooks can work perfectly well for this purpose, I created this allergy and breastfeeding food diary specifically with nursing mums in mind. I’d have loved this product to use when I was going through it myself:

Breastfeeding CMPA Food Allergy Diary

You can reach me using any of the following methods:

Read more about working with me.