I bought a $25 stencil set for my bullet journal and it just collects dust now

Susan Bell · 2026-04-16T07:20:04.891533+00:00

I found I spend more time lining up the stencils perfectly than actually writing anything down, so has anyone found a simpler way to add neat shapes without the fuss?

elliot_johnson315mo ago

My $30 ruler does the same thing. I mean, maybe it's just me but I gave up and just freehand stuff now.

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william_torres5mo ago

Ever try just tracing around a small object from your desk? I use a coin for circles and a binder clip for rectangles. It's way faster than a stencil and you get a clean line.

4

wendy3915mo ago

My own stencil kit is buried under a stack of old magazines, a monument to good intentions. I spent more time trying to get a perfect hexagon than I ever did planning my actual week. At this point, a slightly wobbly circle drawn with a bottle cap feels like a act of rebellion. The quest for neat shapes can totally defeat the purpose of getting your thoughts down. I'm starting to believe a little mess is part of the system's charm.

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