diff --git a/naxalnet.service b/naxalnet.service
index 4280cfd..78cbee3 100644
--- a/naxalnet.service
+++ b/naxalnet.service
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ RestartSec=2sec
 # naxalnet cannot start a mesh network but exits without errors.
 # So, we give a 2s delay.
 ExecStartPre=/usr/bin/sleep 2
-ExecStart=/usr/bin/naxalnet
+ExecStart=/usr/bin/naxalnet --systemd
 # Reload systemd-networkd after naxalnet exits
 ExecStartPost=/usr/bin/networkctl reload
 # Delete all files starting with mesh.* in /run/systemd/network
diff --git a/naxalnet/__init__.py b/naxalnet/__init__.py
index 2160232..15a69d5 100644
--- a/naxalnet/__init__.py
+++ b/naxalnet/__init__.py
@@ -36,4 +36,4 @@ See README.md for documentation.
 #
 # In case you forgot to change the version, skip the number
 # and put the next number in the next commit.
-__version__ = "0.3.0a2.dev1"
+__version__ = "0.3.0a2.dev2"
diff --git a/naxalnet/config.py b/naxalnet/config.py
index 711166b..2c72b5f 100644
--- a/naxalnet/config.py
+++ b/naxalnet/config.py
@@ -139,6 +139,13 @@ def parse_args() -> Namespace:
         help="volatile directory where configuration files of systemd-networkd should be copied",
     )
 
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--systemd",
+        action="store_true",
+        default=False,
+        help="send log messages to systemd journal",
+    )
+
     parser.add_argument(
         "--version",
         default=False,
@@ -146,5 +153,9 @@ def parse_args() -> Namespace:
         help="prints the version and exit",
     )
 
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "-v", "--verbose", action="count", default=0, help="increase output verbosity"
+    )
+
     # logger.debug("Parsing arguments")
     return parser.parse_args()
diff --git a/naxalnet/iwd.py b/naxalnet/iwd.py
index e15d660..e85e990 100644
--- a/naxalnet/iwd.py
+++ b/naxalnet/iwd.py
@@ -58,8 +58,11 @@ and what they mean:
 - node: a machine that runs naxalnet and is therefore
         connected to the mesh.
 """
+import logging
 from dasbus.connection import SystemMessageBus
-from naxalnet.log import logger
+
+# from naxalnet.log import logger
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 IWD_BUS = "net.connman.iwd"
 IWD_ROOT_PATH = "/"
diff --git a/naxalnet/log.py b/naxalnet/log.py
index 75c2a9c..1aa93a2 100644
--- a/naxalnet/log.py
+++ b/naxalnet/log.py
@@ -10,7 +10,22 @@ to the systemd journal
 
 import logging
 from systemd import journal
+from naxalnet.config import parse_args
 
-logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
-logger.setLevel(logging.DEBUG)
-logger.addHandler(journal.JournalHandler())
+
+def get_logger():
+    """returns the logger object for logging"""
+
+    args = parse_args()
+    if args.systemd:
+        logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+        logger.setLevel(logging.DEBUG)
+        logger.addHandler(journal.JournalHandler())
+    else:
+        # logging.basicConfig(level=logging.DEBUG)
+        logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+        logger.setLevel(logging.DEBUG)
+    return logger
+
+
+logger = get_logger()
diff --git a/naxalnet/scripts.py b/naxalnet/scripts.py
index 18086cf..6b7a6d7 100644
--- a/naxalnet/scripts.py
+++ b/naxalnet/scripts.py
@@ -28,13 +28,18 @@ When run from the commandline, the function here_be_dragons() is called.
 """
 
 import sys
+import logging
 from pathlib import Path
 from shutil import copy
 from dasbus.error import DBusError
+from systemd import journal
 from naxalnet import __version__
 from naxalnet.iwd import Adapter, Device, IWD
 from naxalnet.config import parse_args
-from naxalnet.log import logger
+
+# from naxalnet.log import logger
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 
 def copy_files(args):
@@ -144,6 +149,21 @@ def here_be_dragons():
     """
     args = parse_args()
 
+    # --verbose
+    if args.verbose >= 2:
+        loglevel = logging.DEBUG
+    elif args.verbose == 1:
+        loglevel = logging.INFO
+    else:
+        loglevel = logging.WARNING
+
+    # if --systemd is given, log to systemd journal
+    if args.systemd:
+        logger.setLevel(level=logging.DEBUG)
+        logger.addHandler(journal.JournalHandler())
+    else:
+        logging.basicConfig(level=loglevel)
+
     if args.print_wifi:
         print_wifi(args)
         sys.exit(0)