How To Start A Bullet Journal
Bullet journals have been around for a while, but you may have noticed that they’re picking up popularity quite quickly lately. I’ve been curious about them, but looking at all of the different page layouts and directions online can be super overwhelming! After becoming frustrated with my multiple notebooks full of random, disorganized notes and the piles of loose scrap paper and sticky notes laying on every surface in my apartment, I decided enough is enough. I’ve got to get this under control, and I think a bullet journal just may be the way to do that. If you look past all of the doodles and stickers and pretty page layouts, the core of a bullet journal is actually really simple, and really flexible.
So if you’re curious about what a bullet journal is, how to start a bullet journal, and how to use it to organize your life, read on my friend; I’ve got some tips for you on how to start a bullet journal of your very own. Not only are they awesome for being able to just “mind-dump” all your thoughts into one nice, neat little place, but they can also organize the chaos of any area of your life.
Is A Bullet Journal Right For You?
The beauty of a bullet journal is that it can vary from person to person as to what it means and why they use it, but the overall function stays the same. Bullet journals can be used to be able to think-tank, brainstorm, and put random thoughts on paper in no particular order. They help organize future goals, current wants, and present thoughts…about anything that you want to put on paper. Literally, it can contain complete random information about ANYTHING you want. It’s your bullet journal. There isn’t a right or wrong way to fill up your bullet journal. There are very few structured rules to starting it. It’s freedom to do what you want, when you want and write or draw whatever you want. If you are intrigued by how to start a bullet journal of your own, here are some tips to get you off on the right foot.
Bullet Journal Supplies
The first step in how to start a bullet journal is to get your supplies in order. The great thing about a bullet journal is that any blank notebook will do. Just find one that seems like a handy size and that calls to you! (At the end of this post, I’m giving away 3 notebooks like the ones in these photos that you can use for your bullet journal!) Once you’ve chosen your notebook, it’s time to pick your pens. Again, any pen will do, you don’t have to choose anything fancy for this. Pens, pencils, colored pencils…heck, even some half-used crayons will work. If it writes, you’re golden. Many people choose to purchase pens to use specifically for their bullet journal, but it isn’t a necessity. To keep things looking neat, I recommend you choose just one or two pens that you’ll use every time. I also find a couple of binder clips to be useful in holding my journal open to the page being worked on. Post its or index tabs can be used to mark pages that you use frequently. Lots of people also like to decorate their journal with doodles, stickers, washi tape, etc. but that’s totally up to you! Having a clean and minimal journal is totally fine too.
What Is A Bullet? Here’s the Key
Before you can learn how to start a bullet journal, first you need to understand what a bullet journal actually is. What’ does “bullet journal” mean? The name comes from the idea that you’ll be using bulleted lists or organize things. Somewhere in your journal (usually the back or front) make a key of bullet symbols, which you can reference if you forget what symbol to use. The different kinds of bullets will allow you to quickly see what needs to be done, what’s already been done, what you’ve moved to a different page or section, etc.
Below is my key, which uses some common symbols, or bullets. For example, you can start off an item with a dot, or “task” bullet, and then once the task has been completed, draw an X over the bullet. It’s similar to crossing things off of a to-do list, but it’s neater, and makes things you’ve done easier to read later on if you need a reminder.
If you decide not to complete the task when you had originally intended, you can use symbols like arrows to show that it’s been migrated (moved) to a different week, or that you’ve scheduled it (such as making a doctors appointment). If this doesn’t make sense to you, or doesn’t seem useful, make your own symbols! The symbols you use are another creative and unique aspect of your bullet journal, so don’t feel confused or hindered by them.
Index
Now we’re getting into the meat (or tofu) of the matter. Open your bullet journal, and label the first 2-3 pages as “Index”. The index will fill up over time and will help you find your content quickly and easily. Once you’ve labeled your first 2-3 pages as Index, add numbers to the rest of the pages in your journal. When you start a new page you’ll add that page number to your index so you can find it again later. Looking for that list of movies that you want to see this summer? Your index has it notated on page 45. Win!
Future Log
Following the Index, many people set up some “future log” pages. Um, what? Ok, “future log” is just a fancy way of saying “calendar”. That’s it. Simply use these pages to draw out a calendar or make a list of months like I’ve done. It can be as minimal or as fancy and elaborate as you want it to look, but at it’s core, it’s just a quick and easy way to reference your important future commitments and events, all in once place. Not everything has to go here, later you’ll break things down into months, weeks, even days, if you want to. I think this space is best used for important reminders like trips, birthdays, appointments, or other events that you want to see at a glance.
After your future log, you can make room for the current month’s plans and goals. Again, you can draw out a calendar, or just make a list of days like I did. Most people that I’ve seen use at least a two day spread, one with a calendar/list of things happening on specific days, and another page for tasks, notes, goals, or anything else that doesn’t have a specific day attached to it. It’s a great space to write motivations down for your month as well as things coming up that you need to get out of your brain and down on paper.
This is where you get to start using the handy-dandy bullets from your key! As you can see in example task list below, I’ve already taken blog photos (complete), but I haven’t yet made an eye appointment or done my taxes. I’ve also listed some goals that will need to be further broken down into tasks. If I don’t get to these goals this month, I can migrate them to the next month.
Next come your weekly and/or daily spreads. If you want to break your schedule even more, take the next few pages to make a weekly spread, followed by a breakdown of your daily to-do’s. Talk about planning and preparing! This can be as detailed as you want it to be. Many people use different colored pens or pencils here to help items stand out more or color-code to show items that are urgent versus ones that can wait. My weekly spread looks pretty much exactly like my monthly spread, but you can change it up if you’d like!
Collections
Collections are the best. These are anything that falls outside of normal planning. Trips to take, shows to binge, books to read, habits to track… it can be in a list form, a giant run-on sentence, whatever you want it to be. Make it your own! You can add a new collection whenever you think of something you want to remember. Just start a new page, and then add that page to your index. I’ve seen a lot of fun and creative collections in my research. If you’d like to gather some ideas, follow my Bullet Journal Inspiration board on Pinterest. Flair it up! Give your bullet journal a punch of color or draw some pictures that make you happy throughout. Write everything in pink and sprinkle glitter all over it…whatever works for you and makes you happy!
The point of a bullet journal is to release the thoughts that are running through your mind and put them down on paper. While the suggestions above are how many bullet journals are structured, don’t let it discourage you if you find yourself wanting to do something different. Have fun with your creativity and make it work for you. It’s your bullet journal, for your eyes only. If you want to create and write in a different format, go for it! I hope you’ve found this guide on how to start a bullet journal helpful. Scroll down to find out how you can win the notebooks featured in this post, to start your own bullet journal!
Bullet Journal Giveaway
Ok, you know how to start a bullet journal and you’re ready to go! To get you started in your bullet journal journey, I’ve partnered with
Yellow Pear Press, who are generously giving away three notebooks to one lucky reader of my blog! These gorgeous notebooks are completely blank inside and just waiting for you to fill them up with your thoughts and plans! Entries must be received by 11:59pm on Sunday, March 9th. Open to residents of the United States, age 18 and older.
To enter the sweepstakes, simply leave a comment on this blog post with your email address and a note telling me how you found this guide (i.e. from Pinterest, my email list, etc.). Your email address will only be used to contact you if you win.
For an EXTRA entry, follow Yellow Pear Press on Instagram, and then leave an additional comment here with your email address and your Instagram handle. Please leave separate comments for each entry!
For a THIRD entry and unlimited access to my Free Printable and Digital Library, sign up for my email list here, and then leave an additional comment on this post, with your email address and a note saying you signed up for the mailing list! If you’re already on the list, just leave a comment with the email address you used when you signed up so I can check my subscriber list and make sure you’re on there!
Now for the boring legal stuff…
Sweepstakes rules: No purchase necessary to win. A purchase does not increase chances of winning. Winner must be 18 years or older at time of entry and live in the United States. Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Void where prohibited.
Entries will be accepted online starting on Friday, February 23rd 12:01am PST and ending Sunday, March 9th 11:59pm PST.
Maximum three (3) entries per person, one using each method described above. One (1) winner will a prize receive three (3) notebooks from Yellow Pear Press, valued at a total of $32.85. No cash or other prize substitution shall be permitted except at the discretion of Yellow Pear Press and Brighter Sides.
The odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. Winner will be selected by random drawing and notified by email within five (5) days of selection of winner. Brighter Sides and Yellow Pear Press shall have no liability for winner’s failure to receive notices due to spam, junk e-mail or other security settings or for winner’s provision of incorrect or otherwise non-functioning contact information. If Winner cannot be contacted, is ineligible, fails to claim the prize within five (5) days from the time award notification was sent, the prize may be forfeited and an alternate Winner selected.
By entering, you agree that you have read and accepted all rules.
Whew! Ok, now comment below to enter!
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