How to Start a Bullet Journal

Learn how to Start a Bullet journal – it’s a simple, fun, and personalized way to organize your to-dos and dreams onto paper!

Bullet journaling. #BuJo. Whatever you wanna call it. Here’s a quick overview of how to get started.

What is a Bullet Journal?

You’ve probably heard the term tossed around quite a bit, especially with everyone setting goals for the new year. But what exactly is a bullet journal and why do I need to start one? According to bulletjournal.com, “The Bullet Journal is a customizable and forgiving organization system. It can be your to-do list, sketchbook, notebook, and diary, but most likely, it will be all of the above. It will teach you to do more with less.” Pretty much a bullet journal is a way for you to creatively combine all of the parts of your life that keep you organized. I dig that. Now let’s take a peek at what supplies you’ll need to get started.

What is the Power of Bullet Journaling?

The power of bullet journaling lies in its flexibility and personalization. It serves as a dynamic tool that helps individuals organize their thoughts, track goals, manage tasks, and reflect on their lives in a way that suits their unique needs and preferences. With the freedom to design layouts, add creative elements, and tailor the system to individual lifestyles, bullet journaling empowers users to take control of their planning and foster a deeper connection with their goals and aspirations.

Helpful Bullet Journal Tips.

1. Start Simple:

   • Begin with basic elements like a key, index, and monthly/weekly spreads. You can always add more complexity as you become comfortable with the system.
2. Consistent Symbols:
   • Create a simple set of symbols for tasks, events, and notes. This will make your entries easy to scan and understand at a glance.
3. Use Collections Wisely:
   • Collections are a key part of bullet journaling. Create them for lists, goals, or anything else you want to keep organized.
4. Track Your Habits:
   • Incorporate habit trackers to monitor your progress on daily or monthly goals. It’s a great way to build positive habits.
5. Weekly Reviews:
   • Set aside time each week to review your tasks, migrate unfinished items, and plan for the week ahead. This keeps you organized and on top of your goals.
6. Embrace Mistakes:
   • Bullet journaling is a flexible system. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes or change things up. It’s all about what works best for you.
7. Experiment with Layouts:
   • Try different page layouts and designs to find what suits your needs. You might prefer a minimalistic approach or enjoy adding artistic touches.
8. Index Your Collections:
   • Keep track of your collections by numbering your pages and maintaining an index. This makes it easy to find specific information later.
9. Color Code Entries:
   • Assign colors to different types of entries (tasks, events, notes) for a quick visual reference. This can help streamline your journal.

10. Personalize and Have Fun:

    • Your bullet journal is a reflection of you. Feel free to add personal touches, doodles, and creativity. It should be a tool you enjoy using.

What Notebook Should I Use for Bullet Journaling?

There is a lot of good information and opinion on the best journals to use for bullet journaling. Many people swear by the dotted paper notebooks like these Leuchtturm 1917 ones.

Another die-hard bujo favorite is the Moleskine Classic Colored Notebooks with blank pages. However, ruled or lined notebooks work equally as well.

What Pens Should I Use for My First Bullet Journal?

Of course, there is a pen for every type of thing you’d like to journal, but we’ll cover some of the basics. For daily use, mostly for creating the layouts or templates of the page, we recommend Faber-Castell PITT Artist Pens. For adding those cool splashes of color, the Staedtler Triplus Fineliners are great felt-tip pens that come in a variety of package sizes depending on your love for color. And if you want to package your pens into one nifty utensil, the Tombow Dual Brush Pens are stellar. They have a marker tip and a brush tip so you can create a combination of hand-lettering, thick lines, and thin fonts.

What Are Bullet Journal Layouts?

Layouts are essentially the theme or topic you want to journal. Check out our round up of bullet journal layouts.

A layout can be anything from a savings tracker, a recipe planner, weekly to-do list, daily inspirational quote or anything else your brain wants to document in a fun and creative way. This awesome post from Boho Berry goes over the basic layouts to get comfortable with your new bullet journal life.

What Are Some Fun Bujo Extras?

Firsthand I’ve discovered a bunch of awesome extras that make designing layouts even more fun. The #1 (and #2) thing I recommend is a good ruler and shape stencil. I love making custom tabs for the journal using these Post-It Tabs.

Washi tape is always a quick way to add pattern, color, and shape to your journal too. I personally love falling down a washi tape rabbit hole on Etsy. For those layouts that include jotting down a memory, a small photo sticker printer is a heaven send.

Happy journaling! 📓✨

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Jess

Comedian behind the YouTube channel, SHUGGILIPPO. Jess toggles between making relatable jokes on the internet and raising a millennial family.