How To Set Up A Bullet Journal: Step By Step Bullet Journal Setup Guide

Looking for a simple step-by-step guide on how to set up a Bullet Journal? You’re in the right place! We’ll talk all about Bullet Journaling for beginners and start with your first one.

I’ll walk you through creating a Bullet Journal setup with all the pages you need. So by the end of the post, you’ll have a ready-to-go journal to start planning right away.

And don’t worry, it won’t take forever. With the Bullet Journal, it’s up to you how much time you spend on each page; it can be as little as 5 minutes 

Bullet Journal is an amazing way to organize yourself and create a better life with more mindfulness and creativity.

Chances are, you already know that since you probably already got sold into the idea and you’re looking for the final step of information: how to actually create a Bullet Journal setup.

Well, I’ve got you covered since, in this post, we’ll go through setting up a brand new Bullet Journal page by page.

Be sure to scroll until the end of the post to sign up for a free course on Bullet Journaling for beginners, as well as watch a step-by-step new Bullet Journal setup video.

This post may contain affiliate links. They will be of no extra expense for you, but I will receive a small credit. Please see my Disclosure for more details. Thank you for supporting Masha Plans!

The Difficult Part Of The Bullet Journal Setup

The best thing about Bullet Journal though is its flexibility; this planner is completely customizable for your needs. You can create any spreads you want for any imaginable purpose.

This also is the most difficult part of a Bullet Journal – to pick and choose spreads and setups. When you can create anything, how do you choose where to start? How do you make sure you use the best possible spreads for you?

The answer is …. By trial and error.

I’ll guide you today through the basic spreads you absolutely need to have in your Bullet Journal and how to set them up. However, there are many more possibilities with this system, and it’s up to you to discover what works best for you.

Check the end for more resources to help you learn about more pages and develop that perfect system that works for you.

Before You Start

Before you start, however, here are a few tips for creating these spreads:

• Don’t overthink it. You don’t need ALL the pages, and even if you forget something – you can always add it to your next empty page. Remember that thanks to the index page it will be very easy to find any collections whenever you decide to write them.
• Don’t forget to add your pages to the index. It might take some time to make it a habit, but it’ll really be useful in the future when you look back at your Bullet Journal desperately trying to find one particular collection.
• Don’t overdo the designs. Of course, if you want to get creative please feel free to! But! Don’t let a creativity block stop you from starting a Bullet Journal. If you’re not feeling it, just go with something simple and functional; nobody will judge you. Plus, believe me, your first pages will never be the best ones in your journal.

Ok, I’m done sharing my wisdom; let’s dive in and start setting up your Bullet Journal.

How To Start A Bullet Journal: Step-By-Step Setup

In this post, we’ll be creating fundamental Bullet Journal pages that many consider to be essential in their Bullet Journal setups. But I want to clarify something before we dive right in: these aren’t mandatory.

That’s right, folks, there’s no Bullet Journal police out there who will come knocking if you decide to skip any of these pages. This is your Bullet Journal, after all, and its beauty lies in its flexibility and adaptability to your unique needs and lifestyle.

That being said, the pages we’re about to discuss are widely loved by the Bullet Journal community for good reasons. They’ve proven to be helpful in organizing thoughts, tracking habits, noting down important tasks, and much more. In essence, they’ve become popular because they work. And who knows? They might just work for you too!

If you want to see this in the video format – there is a Plan With Me video at the end of the post.

Step 1: Cover Page

Sure, you could bypass this step, but I’ve got to tell you, I find it incredibly handy. And let’s be real, who doesn’t love an excuse to get those creative juices flowing?

Setting up your Bullet Journal is more than just a task; it’s an adventure, an opportunity to express yourself, and your first step into the world of creativity that awaits you within those blank pages. So why not start that journey with a splash of fun?

Now, let’s talk about practicality. The cover page isn’t just for show; it serves a functional purpose too. I always use it to jot down the year I started the notebook. When I reach the end of the journal, I also note down the date of completion. This little habit transforms my Bullet Journal into a personal timeline, making it so much easier to look back on my past entries.

The cover page of your Bullet Journal doesn’t have to be a work of art. It’s not about crafting an intricate masterpiece that would make Van Gogh green with envy. Nope, it’s about making it uniquely yours.

In fact, in my latest Bullet Journal setup, I just scribbled down my name and the dates, and jazzed it up a bit with some colorful washi tape. It’s simple, it’s personal, and it makes me smile every time I open my journal.

Now, you might be thinking, “Why bother decorating a page I’ll hardly ever look at?” To be completely honest, I rarely flip back to my cover page. But here’s the thing: it’s not about frequently revisiting the page; it’s about the joy and sense of ownership you feel when you first create it.

Think about it like this: You know when you move into a new house or apartment? That feeling of excitement as you stand in your new space, imagining all the possibilities? That’s what creating a cover page is like.

And let’s not forget about the process itself. There’s something incredibly therapeutic about taking a few moments to yourself, letting your creativity flow, and personalizing your Bullet Journal. Whether you’re doodling a simple design, sticking on some washi tape, or just writing your name in fancy lettering, you’re making the journal yours. And trust me, there’s something incredibly empowering about that.

Here are a few ideas for your cover page:

• The year when you start the notebook
• Zegtangle pattern
• Botanical doodles
• Work of the year

If creating a cover page is something that holds you back, like you keep on being afraid to make that page because you want it to be perfect – skip it, and come back to create it later when you’re more confident in your skills.

Another great tip is for you, before you sit to do the cover page, to do a pen text spread at the end of your journal.

First of all, you’ll want to know how your pens work in your current journal so you don’t have any unpleasant surprises.

But also – because by doing that, you kind of break in your new journal, and creating a cover page will be less scary.

Step 2: Key

The key is the little guide that deciphers the unique language of your Bullet Journal.

Now, when I say ‘language,’ don’t worry; I’m not asking you to learn French or Mandarin overnight. No, this is the language of rapid logging, a brilliantly simple system that will revolutionize how you log and structure information.

So, what exactly is rapid logging? Picture this: You’re in the middle of a meeting, and your boss is throwing out tasks left, right, and center. In the olden days (before you discovered the joy of Bullet Journaling), you might have scribbled down these tasks in a haphazard list, only to later find yourself squinting at your notes, trying to decipher what on earth ‘TPS report ASAP’ means.

Enter rapid logging. With this system, you can quickly jot down tasks, events, and notes using a few simple symbols.

Here are a few of the basic ones:

“•” for task

“–” for note

“O” for event

But the beauty of Bullet Journaling is that it’s totally customizable. So, if you’d rather use a star for tasks, a smiley face for events, and a heart for notes, go for it!

Use this spread to write down all the signifiers. As a beginner, you’re likely to look back at this spread a lot before you memorize it, so it’s more convenient to have this spread on the left side of the notebook.

Also, remember that you can customize symbols and even add your own – the ones above are just examples. Just make sure that you’re not overdoing it. The purpose of these symbols is to make things easier, not overcomplicate them.

Step 3: Index

The index is like the GPS system for your Bullet Journal, guiding you to those nuggets of information that would otherwise be buried in a sea of pages.

Think of it as a table of contents, but way more personalized. It’s your very own treasure map, leading you to all those brilliant ideas, important dates, and random thoughts you’ve jotted down in your journal.

Now, when creating your index, I cannot stress this enough – leave ample space. Imagine you’re halfway through your journal, you’ve got a ton of great spreads and collections going on, and then…you run out of room in your index.

The horror!

To avoid such a catastrophe, I’d recommend leaving at least three pages for your index. Trust me, your future self will thank you.

And speaking of things your future self will appreciate, let’s talk about page numbers. Yes, I know, it sounds tedious. But believe me, it’s a game-changer.

If your journal comes with pre-numbered pages, fantastic! Each time you create a new spread, just hop back to your index and jot down the page number.

But what if your journal (like my go-to Archer and Olive notebooks) doesn’t have pre-numbered pages? Well, my friend, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and number those pages yourself. Yes, it’s kind of cumbersome, but consider it a labor of love. It may seem like an extra step now, but when you’re able to effortlessly flip to that amazing book list or meal plan spread you made months ago, you’ll be patting yourself on the back for numbering those pages.

Now, here’s a little secret: not every Bullet Journal requires an index, and I actually don’t use one in mine. Gasp!

If you’re running a lean, mean, streamlined journal with no extra pages apart from your daily planning, an index might be overkill. You don’t need an index because most of the information there is not evergreen, and you probably won’t have an urgent need to find your plan from a specific day in the past.

Or perhaps you’ve devised your own ingenious system to mark essential pages, like adding colorful tabs or decorating the edges with washi tape. If that works for you, more power to you!

Remember, the beauty of Bullet Journaling lies in its flexibility. It’s like a choose-your-own-adventure book, but for productivity.

While I wholeheartedly recommend using an index, the decision ultimately lies with you. Give it a whirl and see how it fits into your journaling routine. If it works, fantastic! If not, no harm is done.

Step 4: Future Log

The future log is like a crystal ball for your Bullet Journal, offering a glimpse into the months ahead. This is where you can stash all those nuggets of information about future events that you don’t want to forget.

Here are a handful of ideas on what to include in your future log to get your creative juices flowing:

• Birthdays of loved ones
• Anniversaries, both personal and professional
• National holidays that you celebrate
• Business trips or conferences
• Upcoming vacations (because who doesn’t love a good countdown?)

By jotting down these events in your future log, you’re essentially creating a bird’s eye view of your year. It’s like having a personal assistant who always knows what’s coming up next. Plus, you’ll always have a spot to scribble down future happenings as they arise.

Now, let’s chat about the setup. The beauty of Bullet Journaling is that you can tailor it to your needs. So whether you want to map out the entire year, six months, or even just one quarter at a time, the choice is yours.

Take my midyear Bullet Journal setup, for instance. I kicked this one off in August, so I didn’t need to include the beginning of the year. Plus, I wasn’t sure how long this journal would last me, so I only created a future log for as many months as I could comfortably fit.

If this journal ends up being a marathoner and lasts longer than expected, no problem! I can always whip up a new future log when the time comes.

Now, before you panic at the thought of meticulously writing out all those tiny dates for each month, let me assure you, you absolutely don’t have to.

Although I personally love the sight of those cute mini calendars (they help me visualize the year ahead), you can definitely keep it simple. Just jot down the name of the month, and voila! Your future log is ready to go!

Step 5: Monthly Log

Next up is the monthly log, the heart of your Bullet Journal, the hub where all your plans, tasks, and events for the month come together. Picture it as the control center of your life for the next thirty-ish days.

Traditionally, the monthly log is accompanied by a trusty sidekick: the monthly to-do list. This is the master list, the big kahuna, the mother of all to-do lists.

It’s where you jot down ALL the things you need to tackle in the coming month. Whether you want to slip it right next to your monthly overview or give it its own dedicated spread for a more detailed breakdown, the choice is yours.

Now, speaking of ways to set up your monthly log, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Like I keep on saying, the beauty of Bullet Journaling is that it can be tailored to fit your unique planning needs and time constraints.

So whether you want a simple calendar layout, a vertical list of dates, or an elaborate spread filled with doodles and decorations, the world is your oyster.

If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed, fear not! I’ve got you covered. Check out the resources section at the end of this guide to discover a treasure trove of ideas for setting up your monthly log.

Now, before we move on, I must confess: I have a soft spot for monthly cover pages. There’s something about turning the page to reveal a fresh, new month that fills me with anticipation and excitement.

Not only does it provide a clear demarcation between your monthly spreads, but it also sets the tone for the theme you’re using.

But that’s not all! Monthly cover pages are also a fantastic playground for your creativity. It’s your chance to unleash your inner artist, to doodle, draw, paint, or collage to your heart’s content.

Whether you want to sketch a detailed landscape, doodle cute little icons, or simply write the name of the month in fancy lettering, this page is your canvas.

Step 6: Weekly Spread & daily log

And now, drumroll please, we’ve arrived at the pièce de résistance of Bullet Journal planning – the humble yet mighty weekly spread (or daily log if you prefer).

It’s like a bird’s eye view of your week, neatly divided into boxes for each day. Each box is a blank canvas, waiting for you to create a customized task list for each day.

Now, I know what you’re thinking, “But what if I don’t have much going on at the weekend?” Well, my friend, that’s the beauty of Bullet Journaling. If your Saturdays and Sundays are more about rest and relaxation than running errands and ticking off tasks, simply merge the two days into one section. Just like that, you’ve tailored your weekly spread to fit your lifestyle.

The beauty of the Bullet Journal system isn’t just in its simplicity; it’s in its flexibility. It’s like a chameleon, changing and adapting to suit your needs. This means you can have a ball experimenting with your weekly spreads and how you use the space.

Are you a task-master with a to-do list as long as your arm? Dedicate the entire space to your daily sections. Or perhaps you’re a quote collector, a habit tracker, or a meal planner? Go ahead and carve out a little corner for those elements. Need a space to jot down random thoughts or brilliant ideas that pop into your head? Why not add a brain dump area?

The point is, your Bullet Journal is your playground. So feel free to slide down the slide, swing on the swings, and play around until you find a layout that works for you. Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to Bullet Journal. It’s all about what helps you live a more organized, productive, and satisfying life.

Finally, we’re down to the smallest spread in planning with a Bullet Journal – a weekly spread (or a daily log).

The weekly spread is an overview of your week with boxes for each day so that you can create task lists for every day separately. If you don’t really have that much to do on the weekend, you can always fuse the two days in just one section.

Now, let’s dive into the other way to plan your days – the daily log. Each daily log is dedicated to just one day, which means you have an entire page at your disposal. It’s like having a blank canvas every single day, ripe for filling with whatever takes your fancy.

Think of it this way: your daily log is your personal assistant for the day. It’s there to keep track of your tasks, remind you of appointments, and even act as a sounding board for your thoughts and ideas.

If you’re someone who leads a busy life with a packed schedule, you can simply jot down the date at the top of the page and get straight down to business by listing out all your tasks.

But what if you’re not sure which type of planning works best for you? Here’s a nugget of wisdom from my own Bullet Journaling journey: try both a weekly spread and a daily log and see which one fits your lifestyle better.

The beauty of Bullet Journaling is its flexibility. There isn’t one perfect format that works for everyone, all the time.

Life is a rollercoaster, full of twists and turns. As your life evolves, so too will your planning needs. Always remember this golden rule: if something isn’t working, don’t be afraid to shake things up and try something new. Your Bullet Journal is a reflection of you, so it should adapt and grow with you.

What we’ve covered so far – the future log, monthly log, weekly spread, and daily log – are the basic building blocks of Bullet Journaling. They provide a solid foundation for you to start planning your life and witnessing the transformative power of this system.

But this is just the tip of the iceberg! There are countless other pages and elements you can incorporate into your Bullet Journal. Think habit trackers, mood boards, gratitude logs, goal-setting pages… the list goes on and on.

If I were to detail every single possibility, this post would turn into a novel! So, instead, I’ll point you in the direction of the resources section at the end of the post. It’s a treasure trove of inspiration and advice, so be sure to dive in and start exploring.

Meanwhile, here is the plan with me.

Plan With Me: Bullet Journal Setup

Roll up your sleeves, grab your favorite pen, and get ready to dive into the wonderful world of Bullet Journaling with me! I’ve put together a special ‘Plan With Me’ video just for you, where I walk you through all the spreads we’ve discussed.

This isn’t just any old planning session, though. Oh no, this is a hands-on, step-by-step guide to setting up the fundamental spreads in your Bullet Journal. We’ll start with the big picture, mapping out our year with a future log. Then, we’ll zoom in to plan our month with a monthly log, followed by a closer look at our week with a weekly spread.

Now, if you’re picturing intricate doodles and elaborate decorations, let me stop you right there. This ‘Plan With Me’ session is all about simplicity. I’m keeping it as basic as possible, stripping back the frills and focusing on functionality.

Why, you ask? Well, my friend, there are two reasons. Firstly, I want to show you that Bullet Journaling doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. You don’t need to be an artist or spend hours creating beautiful spreads (unless you want to, of course!). All you really need is a pen, a notebook, and a willingness to try something new.

Secondly, I want to make it as easy as possible for you to follow along and replicate these spreads in your own journal if you want to. By keeping things simple, you can focus on understanding the structure and purpose of each spread rather than getting tangled up in the details of decoration.

So, whether you’re brand new to Bullet Journaling or a seasoned pro looking to get back to basics, this ‘Plan With Me’ video is for you. Together, we’ll lay the groundwork for a more organized, productive, and satisfying life.

Free Bullet Journal Course For Beginners

Finally, I wanted to share with you a free course I’ve created to help you navigate through setting up your very first Bullet Journal.

All you need to get your access is to sign up in the form below, and once you confirm your subscription, you’ll get an email giving you access to ALL the goodies.

More Resources

Well, well, well! Look at you, all prepped and primed to dive headfirst into the wonderful world of Bullet Journaling.

But hold on just a minute. If I know anything about embarking on a new adventure (and trust me, Bullet Journaling is indeed an adventure), it’s that you probably still have a few lingering questions.

Bullet Journaling isn’t just about jotting down tasks and ticking off to-dos. Oh no, it’s so much more than that! It’s a life-changing tool that can boost your productivity, increase your mindfulness, and even unlock your creativity. So it’s completely natural to want to get it right.

But here’s the best part: there are endless opportunities with the Bullet Journal system. It’s like a never-ending buffet of planning goodness. You can mix and match different spreads, experiment with various layouts, and even sprinkle in some personal touches that reflect your unique style and personality.

Here are a few additional resources that will come in handy as you progress along your planning journey.

• How To Overcome First Page Fear
• Bullet Journal Monthly log
• Bullet Journal Weekly Spread VS Daily Log
• 300+ Bullet Journal Page Ideas
• 11 Bullet Journal Layouts For Beginners

Where in your journey are you? What are some of your favorite spreads? Let us know in the comments!

Hope this post was useful; if you find it so, please share! If you enjoy my content and want to show your appreciation, please consider supporting me with a cup of coffee.

And always remember: Keep Bullet Journaling, and Don’t be a Blob!