How To Start: Bullet Journaling For Beginners
Bullet Journaling for beginners is like opening the door to a world of creativity and organization. And I’m so excited to open that door for you and guide you into the world of creative planning.
If you’ve ever found yourself drowning in a sea of sticky notes or wishing your to-do list could do more than just remind you of tasks, then this is the guide for you.
Starting a Bullet Journal might seem daunting at first, but with a little guidance and a sprinkle of enthusiasm, you’ll soon discover how it can transform chaos into clarity.
Whether you’re looking to track habits, plan your week, or just doodle, you’ll find that Bullet Journaling is your new best friend, ready to help you navigate life’s adventures with ease and fun.
Getting started can feel like you’re trying to choose your favorite ice cream flavor from an endless list of options, each more tempting than the last. With the Bullet Journal method, the possibilities are limited only by your imagination, so going through all the ideas and resources is a neverending task, especially if you’re a beginner.
Flashback to my early days, lost amid a whirlwind of Bullet Journal inspiration, both excited and a tad bewildered. “What’s all this Bullet Journaling hype about?” I’d muse, navigating through the diverse styles and tracking layouts.
But here’s the thing—you don’t have to navigate these waters solo. I’ve wandered through the maze, and I’m here with a trusty guide to help you out!
Think of this post as your ultimate starter kit, crafted to walk you through each stage of creating your very own Bullet Journal. One that perfectly matches your lifestyle and aspirations.
So let’s dive into this adventure together. By the end, not only will you have a Bullet Journal that’s functional, but also a personal haven where your creativity and efficiency can truly shine.
And don’t miss the end of this post for my FREE course on Bullet Journaling for beginners—it’s packed with extra insights to enhance your journey.
How To Start: Bullet Journaling For Beginners
Starting your Bullet Journal is a journey, and I’ve got the ultimate toolkit to make it a breeze for you. This post is your go-to resource for everything you need to kick things off with confidence.
We’ll tackle all the essentials, but remember, this guide is just the starting point. It’s your story, and you get to decide which parts fit your narrative and which ones you might want to skip.
The trick is to embrace the basics first, and then as you grow more comfortable, mold it to your liking. Discard the bits that don’t resonate and cherish the ones that truly make a difference for you.
With that said, let’s jump into the adventure!
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Get Your Supplies
The first step is to get your supplies. The beauty of Bullet Journaling is that you can kick things off with whatever you already have on hand. Seriously, any notebook and pen will do the trick to get you started.
However, let’s face it—half the fun is indulging in some adorable stationery. Sometimes, a stylish journal can be just the motivation you need to stick to this new habit.
Whether you choose to shop or stick with the basics, I want to share some of my favorite picks that can make your Bullet Journaling experience even more enjoyable.
- A journal. And even though you can get any journal you want, I’d definitely recommend a dot grid one, with is a favorite in the Bullet Journaling community. You can go fancy with Archer and Olive (get 10% OFF with my code MASHA10), or with something more affordable like the Scribble & Dot Bullet Planner/Dotted Journal.
- A writing pen. You’ll do a lot of writing to it’s a good idea to have a good pen you lie to write with. I love Muji pen for thin lines and Pilot G2 Pen for thicker ones.
Truthfully, these two things are the only ones you need to get started with Bullet Journaling. But of course, there are many more things yo can use to have fun with journaling and make it a bit more creative and colorful.
So here are just a few more recommendations.
- Fineliners. There will be a lot of drawing and adding lines on your bullet journal pages, and you need a good pen for that. I’d recommend a set of fineliners, like these Sakura Pigma Micron pens, that also come with different nib sizes to have a wider variety of line thicknesses.
- Markers. If you like adding color to your Bullet Journal pages, you could use some markers. I recommend starting with Crayola Super Tips, which are affordable and come in many colors.
- Brush pens. If you want to decorate your spreads with some beautiful brush lettering, you’ll need some brush pens. I recommend Tombow Fudenosuke, which are small tip brush pens that are perfect for beginners, and Tombow Dual Brush Pens for large brush pens and more color options.
- Washi tapes are perfect for quickly adding decoration to your Bullet Journal pages. There are so many different styles and designs that you can definitely find one that fits your aesthetics. If this is a new item for you, try a few and see how you like it. My bet is that you will not be able to say no to these beautiful and very practical roles of happiness.
- Stencils. The final amazing item on this list is stencils – they are your shortcuts to creating beautiful pages in half the time! I recommend starting with these stencils from Amazon.
Ok I can talk about stationery for a long time, so let’s move to the next step. You can get some more posts about supplies you’ll like using in your journal at the end of this post.
Set Your Journaling Intentions
Before you let your pen dance on that first blank page, let me gently suggest a quick pause. There’s a crucial, yet often overlooked, step to consider—setting your Bullet Journal intentions.
“Intentions? For a journal?” Absolutely!
Your Bullet Journal isn’t just a collection of pages; it’s a dynamic tool designed to be wielded with intent. These intentions act as the magic ingredient that transforms your journal into a personalized masterpiece, perfectly tailored to align with your life and dreams.
Think of your intentions as the foundation upon which your Bullet Journal is built.
These intentions will help you decide which layouts to use and keep you inspired, even when the initial excitement of Bullet Journaling begins to fade, as it inevitably does with new ventures.
Take a minute. to think about that and them let’s dive into the next step.
Bullet Journal Key
At the heart of your Bullet Journal lies the key—it’s like your personal compass guiding you through the pages. This handy section is where you jot down an array of symbols (or, as we might call them, signifiers) that will turn logging your daily life into a breeze.
Let’s dive into the trio of symbols you’ll become familiar with:
- Dot (•) for tasks
- Dash (–) for notes
- Circle (O) for events
Think of this page as a quick-reference guide for your future self, ensuring you can instantly locate what you’re looking for.
Now, here’s where Bullet Journaling truly shines—customization. As you get more comfortable with your journal, you might feel the urge to tweak or expand your symbol set.
And that’s perfectly fine! In fact, it’s encouraged. The goal is to create a system that streamlines your life, not one that makes you feel like you’re deciphering a secret code.
Remember, experimenting is a huge part of the Bullet Journaling experience. Feel free to introduce new symbols, add splashes of color, or even devise a code worthy of a detective novel. Finding that perfect mix that makes your journal feel uniquely yours is part of the magic.
Just keep in mind not to overcomplicate things. Too many symbols can become confusing, detracting from their intended purpose.
Bullet Journal Index
The next step in setting up your Bullet Journal is creating your “Index.” Think of it as the control center for your journal—your go-to tool for effortlessly locating any entry, much like having a treasure map in hand!
So, what exactly is an Index? Consider it the contents page of your journal, sitting right at the front, and acting as a quick-access guide to everything you jot down.
Each time you add a new section or capture a flash of brilliance, remember to jot down the page number and update your Index. This way, whether you’re trying to revisit that stroke of genius from last week or find a doodle that made you laugh, just head to your Index, locate the page, and there it is. No more endless flipping through pages; your Index will lead the way.
Now, let’s talk about making it personal. Here’s a little secret: I don’t actually use an Index in my own Bullet Journal. Shocking, right? But that’s the beauty of Bullet Journaling—it’s all about tailoring it to fit your style.
While I prefer to go without, I’m all for giving it a try, especially if you’re new to Bullet Journaling. See if it suits you; if it becomes your go-to guide or if you find you prefer a different method, that’s perfectly fine.
Bullet Journal Future Log
With your Index sorted, it’s time to journey to the next exciting element of your Bullet Journal—the Future Log.
Think of the Future Log as your personal forecast center, giving you a sneak peek into what’s coming up down the road.
This section is your go-to place for noting events, tasks, and deadlines that stretch beyond the current month. Whether it’s Aunt Sally’s legendary birthday bash a few months away or that big project deadline looming at work, the Future Log keeps you on track, offering a wide-angle view of your upcoming commitments.
Setting up your Future Log is straightforward. Open two pages and draw three horizontal lines across both, then add two vertical lines to form twelve boxes—one for each month. Need more space? Feel free to expand onto four pages.
While some folks like to add mini calendars for each month for a touch of flair, remember that simplicity is key. Start with the basics and save the elaborate details for later.
Once your Future Log is ready, it becomes your central point for transferring key dates and tasks into your monthly and daily plans, ensuring a smooth integration of personal and work life.
And don’t forget to update your Index with the Future Log’s pages. This keeps everything tidy and within reach, enhancing the power of your Bullet Journal by providing clarity and control over what’s to come.
Bullet Journal Monthly Log
Alright, let’s turn the page and dive into the exciting realm of monthly logs in your Bullet Journal.
Oh and if you’re thinking you can’t really starts Bullet Journal in the middle of the month – you absolutely can! Feel free to kick off your monthly log anytime, even if it’s right in the heart of the current month.
Some people treat their monthly logs like a canvas, creating elaborate cover pages that would make any art enthusiast proud. If that resonates with you, go ahead and channel your inner artist! But if you’re more about keeping it simple, just writing the month’s name at the top of two fresh pages works perfectly.
I usually go pretty overboard with my monthly logs making it a full on calendar spread. That’s just the easiest way for me to visually comprehend the m,month.
But you don’t have to, there is an easier way to do it.
On one side of the page list the dates and days of the month in a neat column. On the other side – jot down the month’s key events and deadlines. You can also add another page for a monthly to-do list, so you can list all your tasks and goals in one place.
These pages act as your overview for the month, a central hub that prevents you from getting lost in a sea of responsibilities. By organizing everything like this, you transform the daunting “I have too much to do and don’t know where to start” feeling into a confident “I can handle this” mindset.
Bullet Journal Weekly/Daily Spread
Let’s delve into the essential components of your Bullet Journal: the weekly and daily layouts. These aren’t just pages; they’re your allies in mastering the art of organization and day to day planning.
Think of your weekly layout as the strategic roadmap guiding you through your week. Here, you’ll plan every task and target, pinpointing where the real productivity gems are hidden. The beauty lies in having a bird’s-eye view of the entire week on a single spread—no page-flipping required. That’s a powerful tool for amping up your efficiency!
Here’s where you can really get creative. Design sections to add to your weekly spread for various facets of your life—tasks, appointments, meal plans, and more.
But life, as we know, doesn’t always fit into tidy boxes. This is where the daily layout steps in, ready to tackle the day’s unique challenges with precision.
You can personalize your daily layout with different sections or keep it open-ended. The idea is that your daily log provides you with more space than just a daily vbox in your weekly spread.
And here’s the best part: there’s no rule that says you have to stick to one format or use both consistently. Your Bullet Journal is like a loyal companion, adapting to your changing needs. If something doesn’t fit, mix it up!
Experiment, explore, and most importantly, enjoy the process. The journey of Bullet Journaling is about crafting a space that’s uniquely yours, evolving as you do, and always meeting your needs.
There are many more pages you can add to your Bullet Journal, but then this post will never end. I’ll leave you with some recommendation for pages at the end of this post.
For now let’s dive into the final crucial elements on setting up your Bullet Journal.
Migrate And Evaluate
Before diving headfirst into the upcoming month, take a moment to look back at your previous month’s daily and weekly entries. Those tasks that started with a bang but didn’t quite make it to the finish line? Now’s their time to shine.
Have a candid conversation with yourself. Examine each task and ask, “Do you truly belong on my priority list? Are you worth the effort?” This is your to-do list’s moment of truth.
Find a task that just needs a bit more time to ripen? No problem. Simply move it to your future log for safekeeping.
But why stop at tasks? This is also a golden opportunity for some Bullet Journal reflection. Thumb through your pages and decide which layouts sparked joy and which didn’t quite hit the mark. It’s also the perfect time to think about those persistent life challenges. Perhaps there’s a new Bullet Journal layout that could be the hero you need.
Remember, the aim is to keep your Bullet Journal as lively and adaptable as you are. It should never become a forgotten chore. Embrace this monthly ritual to ensure your journal is not just keeping up, but actively cheering you on every step of the way.
And there you have it—in these straightforward steps, you’re equipped with your very first Bullet Journal setup! While there are countless other pages you might see on social media, starting with the basics is always a wise choice.
If you’re eager to explore further and discover more ideas, check out the links in the “More Resources” section below.
Free Course On Bullet Journaling For Beginners
Need a bit more guidance? No worries, I’ve got something special just for you!
Step into this FREE course crafted with care for both those new to Bullet Journaling and experienced aficionados. This is your passport to a world of insights, practical tips, and endless inspiration, all aimed at helping you create a Bullet Journal that perfectly reflects your life’s tapestry and aspirations.
Just fill out the form below and confirm your subscription, and you’ll receive all the information you need to embark on this exciting journey right in your inbox!
More Resources
Of course, there is so much more in the world of Bullet Journaling! And I bet even after this quick guide you still have plenty of questions in your head.
No worries, here are a few helpful blog posts for you to check out next:
- Must-Have Bullet Journal Supplies List
- 25 Easy Bullet Journal Ideas For Beginners
- 9 Bullet Journal Tips For Beginners That Make A Difference
>>> What is keeping you from starting a Bullet Journal? Share with us in the comments!
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And remember: Keep Bullet Journaling, and Don’t Be A Blob!
