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Bullet journal monthly setups almost always include a calendar (duh) but what kind of calendar you use depends a lot on your style and what you use your journal for. The major two types of calendars are the traditional calendar and the Ryder Calendar.
I’ve tried out both calendar types in my bullet journal and found out one thing for sure, the Ryder calendar is the way for me.
Make sure to check the end of this post where I have some pictures of different calendar combinations!
Quick Word on the Traditional Calendar
In order to talk about Ryder Calendars, lets first address the traditional version.
A traditional calendar is just that; what you think a calendar looks like. The grid version of the month with seven boxes across for each day of the week and 4-5 rows. Each day gets its own box to add notes into.
If this is your style awesome! I’m so happy it works for you. But if you’re reading this, I’m guessing you want to know what else is out there.
I’ve done traditional calendars a few times (check them out here and here) and I’ve always ended up facing the same struggle.
The box just doesn’t seem big enough.
And because it’s not big enough I end up leaving it empty then I don’t use my calendar at all.
To boot, it took me longer to make… wasted space and time are not my jam.
Moving to a Ryder Calendar
The benefits, in my humble opinion, of the Ryder Calendar are these:
- It’s super easy to make. You can create one in under 2 minutes, no joke
- You have a whole line to write down anything you want
- It’s easier to separate your personal stuff from work if you need to
- You can add a habit tracker super easily
What is a Ryder Calendar?
The first logical question is what is a Ryder Calendar?
It’s super simple.
A Ryder Calendar typically has the dates down the side of a page along with the day of the week the date lands on. That’s it.
My Ryder Calendars are one page and look something like this.
It’s called a Ryder calendar since this is what the creator of the Bullet Journal Method uses in his journal. His name is Ryder Carroll and you can get your copy of the Bullet Journal Method here or you can get it as a free audiobook with a trial of Audible here.
Functionality
The reason that I like this design so much is that I feel like I can write a lot more across a page than I can in a little box. I just separate items with slashes.
Something else that I like to do with Ryder Calendars is to box off days according to a colour code. This way, at a glance, I’ll be able to see the type of activity that’s most important that day.
Take this example
I have blue boxes for holidays, pink for events, green for birthdays and purple for my trips.
Separating your Priorities
As I mentioned in the benefits, it’s easy to separate your priorities on a Ryder calendar.
All you need to do is draw a line down the page and your dates are split into two sections. One for personal and one for work, school, kids, or anything else that’s important.
I’d just recommend that you stick with 2 or at most 3 sections as to not clutter your calendar.
Adding a Habit Tracker
Adding a habit tracker to your Ryder Calendar is also a cinch.
If you only track a few habits it can be annoying to try to add boxes to each day in a traditional calendar but it might not seem worth it to have an entire spread dedicated to it either.
The answer?
Add the tracker to your Ryder Calendar!
Just make a box that is the number of habits you’re tracking wide and put it beside your calendar like this:
You save space, have it accessible AND you only need to write out all the dates once. Amazing.
This is best if you track 5-10 habits. Any more than that and you might want to do a full spread.
- Related: Habit Trackers
- Related: 7 Trackers you’ll actually use
Ryder Calendar Variations
All in all, the Ryder Calendar is a low maintenance, functional version that will keep things simple.
Bullet journaling can get super complicated if you let it and that’s not the point. It’s a productivity tool.
Of course, the creative aspect can be so much fun and is a great way to enjoy the planning process. But remember, if you’re stressed trying to “keep up” with your journal then it’s not serving its purpose.
Changing things up and making it easier for yourself is what’s going to make it more fun and you less frazzled.
If you like a traditional calendar and the visual aspects work for you, do it!
But if you need something quick and simple give the Ryder Calendar a try, if it doesn’t work you can always switch it back next month. Or you can add a mini calendar like I often do so that you have the best of both worlds!
Add a gratitude log
Try a mini traditional calendar to transition
Have both a traditional calendar and a Ryder Calendar
