How To Start A Bullet Journal: The Ultimate Guide For Beginners

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Welcome to our detailed guide to Bullet Journaling for beginners that will answer all the questions you might have about this planning system.

This is the perfect place to get started, and I’m excited to be your guide to the beautiful world of Bullet Journaling.

This comprehensive article will explain the basics of what a Bullet Journal is, why it works so well as an organizational system, plus provide tips and techniques on setting up your own Bullet Journal. So basically, all you need to know about how to start a Bullet Journal and create the system that works for you.

With just some simple planning, tools, and creativity, you’ll soon be enjoying the nearly limitless benefits that come from keeping your very own Bullet Journal. So come on in – let’s get started!

You’re probably here because you’re thinking of starting a Bullet Journal. But what is a Bullet Journal? Would it be a good fit for you? How do you start on such a big project? Probably these and a lot of other questions are floating in your head right now.

I get it – starting something new is always scary and confusing at times. Don’t worry, though, for here I bring to all of you Masha’s Ultimate Guide to Bullet Journaling for beginners! TA-DAAAA!

I started my first Bullet Journal in January 2018, hoping to use it to find myself and become more productive. But I still remember how confusing and overwhelming my first few months of Bullet Journaling were.

That’s why, as soon as I established this blog, I took it upon myself to, first of all, gather together all the information for beginners.

Be sure to check until the end of the post because I do have a special FREE course to help set up your first Bullet Journal.

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

How To Start A Bullet Journal In 5 Steps

This post has a lot of information; it’s easy to get lost or overwhelmed. So I’ll keep it simple, in case you don’t need to learn it all and just want a quick guide.

Starting a Bullet Journal takes a notebook, a pen, and five simple pages. I began mine in 2018 with no drawing skills and no system, and these are the steps I would follow again.

Each one links to the full section below.

1. Get a notebook and a pen. Any notebook works, and a dotted one makes spreads easier to line up. One pen you enjoy writing with is enough.
2. Write down why you want a journal. One or two sentences on your first page, like “remember what I read” or “stop missing deadlines”. Your reason decides which pages you need.
3. Make your key and index. The key lists the symbols you use for tasks, events and notes. The index lists what is on each page, so number your pages as you go.
4. Add a future log and a monthly spread. The future log holds events and tasks for the months ahead. The monthly spread is a calendar plus a task list for the current month.
5. Start your first weekly or daily page. Pick whichever you will actually open: a week at a glance or one page per day. Keep it plain; decorating can wait.

Everything else in this guide, from first-page ideas to trackers and decorating, is optional and can wait until the basics feel easy.

Ok, now let’s dive in and talk about ALL things Bullet Journaling.

What Is A Bullet Journal?

In a few words, the Bullet Journal is a planning system that helps you organize your present and plan your future. 

The Bullet Journal system is created around these concepts.

1. Bullet Journal Spreads / Collections

Your Bullet Journal is a Lego castle, and the spreads or collections you use in it are the building blocks. The beauty of the system is, of course, that you can use a limitless number of different pages and create unique pages suited to your personal needs.

However, there are some core spreads, and we’ll talk later about those.

2. Rapid Logging

Rapid logging is the language your journal is written in. It’s pretty simple – all your journal entries are made in short, condensed sentences and marked by a special symbol.

3. Migration

One of the key ideas of the Bullet Journal is to use it mindfully, so you understand why you are doing things and choose what’s important.

Migration is a way to review. You migrate your tasks from day to day, from month to month, and then, of course, you migrate your journal to a new notebook. This process lets you re-evaluate what’s important in your life.

4. Reflections

Creative journaling, first and foremost, is about building a better and more meaningful life. Reflections are what help you the most to achieve that.

Every time you sit to plan, reflect on what happened the day before, and think of what you could do better today. This is how you move forward.

Essentially, your Bullet Journal mixes different practices and planning methods, taking the best from each, and it is completely customized to your needs.

You can check out the overview of the system in this video by Ryder Carroll, who is, of course, the author of this method.

Why Bullet Journal?

It sounds like an awesome system, right? But why is it so great, and how will it differ from all the other planning systems? 

Well, having a Bullet Journal can be INCREDIBLY impactful, and here is why:

• Using pen and paper will help you to remember things better.
• You’ll be able to concentrate better and find your focus much easier
• You can develop your creativity. Creativity isn’t a secret superpower; just a few chosen ones possess it. It’s a muscle, and you can absolutely train it. Your journal will be a great place to start discovering it in yourself.
• Your journal is a time to spend with yourself, reflect, and learn more about your own desires and dreams. It’s a wonderful element of self-care that we all miss in this busy world.
• Once you set your goals, figure out your priorities, and find your focus, you’ll achieve more and move toward your dreams much faster. 
• Finally, having a huge to-do list in your head that keeps growing can be very taxing on your poor brain. Your Bullet Journal is external storage for all that data, so your brain can focus on completing tasks instead.

I’d recommend you start a Bullet Journal if:

• You’re a person who’s been having problems with other types of planning and time management systems
• You’re a creative and artistic person and want to bring your personality to your planner
• You want a planning system that you have complete control over, and that is 100% created for your needs
• You like the idea of having a planner and a journal in one notebook

The Bullet Journal system might not be for you if:

•  You already have a planning system you love, and that works for you.

If you decide to get into Bullet Journaling and commit to it, I guarantee it will do wonders for you.

If it doesn’t feel like a miracle at first, it probably just means you need to optimize and customize it a bit more.

Thankfully, I’m here for you to help with tons of posts on the blog.

Bullet Journaling For Beginners – Before You Start

Knowing what a Bullet Journal is and that you need one is a good first step. But beware! After that, all the confusion and anxiety settle in! “How do I start? What do I need to BuJo? What mistakes should I avoid?”

First, consider your why. Understanding the purpose of your journal will make it that much easier for you to decide on everything, from what supplies to use to what spreads to create. So before you read all the other tips I have for you, think about your own personal why.

For example, my why was, and still is, to be productive but also creative. Yours can be similar or completely different, depending on your needs.

Ok. Decided? Not yet? Take your time. I’ll go have a cup of nice tea.

Are you done? Great! Time to start preparing. Based on all my mistakes and such, here are a few things you should consider before starting:

• First and foremost, a bullet journal is an organizational system that helps you be more productive and mindful. As much as it looks like just an art journal sometimes, keep in mind what the main goal is, and don’t sacrifice anything for just good looks.
• Speaking of good looks, you don’t really need to be artistic to start a Bullet Journal. Your journal is yours, and it can be as messy as you need it to be. There are many ways you can decorate your journal, even if you’re not artistic, or you can simply go with a stunning minimalist Bullet Journal style.
• There is no one way to Bullet Journal. You can’t do anything wrong because the rules don’t exist. Everyone does whatever works best for them. So don’t feel obligated to use something just because it’s popular in the community.
• Your Bullet Journal is a living notebook; it grows and changes with you. Just like in real life, mistakes happen, but they are what make your journal beautiful and unique. This also means that you should always try new things and new spreads to make sure your journal reflects your current needs.

Now that you have your reasons and expectations, let’s prepare for the actual BuJo setup and gather your supplies.

Bullet Journal Supplies – What Do You Need?

One of the most common questions I get is about stationery. What pens are the best? What journal should I buy? What supplies would you recommend for beginners?

You can start a journal with just a few essential Bullet Journal supplies: a notebook and a pen. That’s it, really! Don’t let the misconception that you need an art-store amount of pens to journal stop you from getting started. Bullet Journal actually doesn’t require more investment than you can.

But if we‘re being honest here for a minute, you’d probably want to have a little something extra to add a little spark to your journal, right? I’m here to help.

First, let’s get back to your why; this will help you realize what you might need. Are you a busy person and just need a notebook to keep your notes organized? Maybe a notebook and a pen are all you need!

My pick: LEUCHTTURM1917 journal and a Muji pen.

Are you a minimalist and want to have one of those stunning black-and-white journals? Maybe add a fineliner or two to the usual set.

My pick: Sakura Pigma Micron fineliners and greyscale Tombow Dual Brush pens.

Are you planning to use your journal as an art journal and sketchbook? Yes, you’ll need those brush pens!

My pick: Archer & Olive journal (use code MASHA10 for 10% OFF) and Tombow Dual Brush pens.

When you start a Bullet Journal, I always recommend a short trial period. Instead of buying the best notebook and the most expensive brush pens, get some cheap supplies and do a month or two of tryouts.

First, it’ll be a good test to see whether the Bullet Journal is what you’ve been looking for. Second, it’ll help you understand how you want to decorate your journal and what your style is. That way, you’ll be clear on what supplies you might need to up your game.

My pick: RETTACY Dotted Journal, Unipin fineliners, Crayola Super Tips markers.

Ok, these are some basics, and I could talk about stationery for hours. So if you want to learn more and get more recommendations, check the link below.

Meanwhile, let’s dive into the next stage.

READ MORE: The Best Bullet Journal Supplies For Any Artistic Level

First Page Fear – How To Actually Start Writing In Your Bullet Journal

Ok, so let’s say you know what you want from this project, you have all the supplies ready, and your pretty notebook is prepared….

But you never start.

Has this ever happened to you? OMG, guys, it TOTALLY happened to me T_T

My worst fear was ruining my journal with my horrible designs and ugly doodles. So I froze and never actually began.

This happened for a long time, even before BuJo, when I wanted to just create a regular journal. I probably lost years of my life when instead of being productive and artistic, I kept on trying to hold it all in my head.

Does that sound familiar? If it does, you’re suffering from first-page fear! Please don’t let it stop you!

(This was the first cover page of my first proper BuJo. I thought it would look cute, but now it’s one of my least favorite layouts ever)

First of all, everyone has this fear, even the most experienced Bullet Journalists. So it’s completely normal.

Second, your first page will always be the worst! This is pure logic – the more you plan, the better you become, so your very first page will never be as good as your last one.

So don’t let it stop you, and if it feels like too much, you can always skip the first page and come back to it later.

If you want some more practical tips on that topic, check out this post: How To Overcome Bullet Journal First Page Fear.

Bullet Journal First Page Ideas

The other issue I faced when I opened my first ever BuJo was: what should I write on the first page?

A cover page for the whole journal felt so important and decisive that I got confused. To help you avoid this, here are a few ideas:

• Current Year
• Inspirational Quote
• Word Of The Year
• Mandala

The cover page is done; now let’s set up the journal itself.

Core Bullet Journal Ideas For Beginners

Setting up your Bullet Journal can be as easy and as time-consuming as you want. Always remember this: you’re the master of your journal, so it can be whatever you need it to be!

The original Bullet Journal system is incredibly simple and easy to use. 

Here are 5 core parts of the system, and as a beginner, that’s where you should start. Of course, your journal is yours, so you just choose the pages you need.

Bullet Journal Key

This spread is where you add the signifiers you use to write down data in your Bullet Journal. As you already know, for writing things in your journal, you use condensed sentences and signifiers so you can input information faster and understand it more easily.

The basic symbols are:

•  task

X Completed – once you’ve completed a task, mark it with an X

> Migrated – if you didn’t complete a task, you migrate it to another day

< Scheduled -tasks with specific dates in the future. You can add these to the Future Log.

0 – event

–  – note

! – priority

You, of course, are free to use your own symbols and add anything else you feel like you might need.

TIP: don’t overdo it with your signifiers. They’re there to help you input data more easily, and the more you have, the more confusing it can get.

TIP 2: try to create your key on the right side of your journal. Especially at the beginning, this will be a spread you’ll reference quite a lot while you’re trying to memorize the symbols. Putting it on the right side of your journal makes it easier.

READ MORE: Bullet Journal Key and how to create a perfect one for you

Bullet Journal Index

This is one of the things that makes the Bullet Journal method stand out from the rest. You no longer need to flip through your entire journal to find specific information.

Just refer to your index page, and you’ll find what you need in seconds.

Some journals already have a pre-made index page and numbered pages, but some don’t. If yours doesn’t, you’ll have to create an index page yourself and remember to number your pages as you go.

To make your index work best for you, you can organize it in different ways. Your index can be just a simple table of contents, or you could make it more elaborate, including color-coding or sorting by categories.

Here are some ideas for organizing the index in your journal.

• Fill it out numerically. This means that as you go, you write it down separately on each page of your journal. This is great because it will create a very detailed index. However, it will definitely take up a lot of space in your journal. Plus, most likely, you won’t need to write down each and every page.
• Fill it out by content. This will definitely save you some space. This means that you combine the same pages from different months in the same line. For example:
  Habit trackers – 14, 28, 43
  Or you can list all the monthly pages together. For example:
  December – 60-72
• Divide the content. Another way to fill out the index page is to divide it into two parts. Have one index for your planning pages and a separate one for collections.

READ MORE: Bullet Journal Index – Tips, Tricks, Inspirations

Future Log

Your future log is one of the most important and used pages in your Bullet Journal. This is where you plan ahead and organize the year.

There are many ways to set up your future log, and a few alternatives you might want to try. Here we will look into the traditional way.

Divide your page into three equal lines. If you use four pages, that should create 12 equal spaces. Add the month name and a calendar to each. That’s your year!

(Yes, in my example I went extra, because I like to have little calendars for each month, but you don’t have to if you want to keep it simple.)

You, of course, don’t have to make your future log for a whole year to come, especially if you start your journal in the middle of the year.

You might also need more space if you usually have lots of appointments and stuff to plan, so you can always choose only two or even one month per page.

Here are a few ideas on what you can add to your Future Log:

• Annual bills
• Appointments
• Birthdays
• Vacations
• National Holidays
• Deadlines

READ MORE: How To Plan Your Future With Bullet Journal Future Log

Monthly Spread

The Monthly Log is where you organize your month; these pages give you a bird’s-eye view of what your month looks like.

This spread consists of two pages – a monthly calendar on one side and a monthly task list on another.

In your monthly calendar, write all your dates and appointments (consult with the future log we created yesterday!). Make sure you review your future log every time you create a monthly log.

Your task list is… well… a list of things to do this month. It’s best to make it at the beginning of every month, since it’ll help you remember everything you want to get done.

There are many interesting and creative ways to set up your monthly log. Personally, I prefer the calendar look since it’s how I naturally see the month best.

The original Bullet Journal concept is just to create a column with dates and days of the week. Of course, you can choose whatever way works best for you. Keep on experimenting!

READ MORE: Bullet Journal Monthly Log Ideas And How To Use Them

Weekly Spread / Daily Log

Finally, here are the basics of planning – your daily and/or weekly spreads.

The weekly spread isn’t really in the original Bullet Journal system, but by now, it’s an absolute must-have for many of us in the community.

Weekly spreads are a great way to plan for the whole week and see it all at once, which I think is one of the best things about using this format.

Your weekly is a Lego castle, and you can add or remove anything you want from your setup. Here are a few ideas:

• Weekly habit tracker
• Weekly water tracker
• Notes
• Weekly review
• Meal plan
• Calendar for the month
• Number of the week
• Weekly to-do list
• House chores list
• Plans for next week

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The daily log is where you write your to-do list, your appointments, and deadlines – pretty much everything you need to keep in mind on a specific day.

You can create one page daily or start them as you go and assign as much space for each day as needed.

Daily spreads allow for more detailed daily planning, so if you might need them, definitely give them a try. Here are some ideas on what you can include in your daily spreads:

• Notes
• Plans for tomorrow
• Daily menu
• Groceries list
• Journaling
• Daily chores
• Weather
• Daily review
• Health goals
• Motivational word of the day
• Time tracker
• Daily challenges (a doodle a day, a line a day, and so on)

You can use just weeklies, just dailies, or maybe even both together. Always experiment and see what works best for you.

READ MORE: Bullet Journal Weekly Spread vs Daily Log

If you want to see a simple setup of all the basic pages, check out my video below.

Bullet Journal Collections

Now that we are done with the basics, it’s time to check out what else Bullet Journal has to offer – collections. Collections are basically spreads created on a specific topic. Collections can be lists, logs, trackers, maps, info dumps, and much more. 

Collections are great for exploring new things, staying organized, and generally improving your life. They are also pretty simple to set up – just turn to a new page, add a header with the name of what you want to do on the page, and ta-da! It’s ready.

The problem is that there are limitless possibilities for the pages you can create. And that can be pretty overwhelming.

When you’re deciding which collections to include, do this…

First of all – think about the purpose of your Bullet Journal: Do you need to be productive? Or maybe you want to take better care of your health? Maybe you just want to be more mindful? Knowing your “why” is always the first step to creating your own perfect system.

Second – keep experimenting! Try different pages and see what works for you. Don’t try them all at once; add one page and see how it works during your monthly review.

But before we get started, here are a few things for you to consider

How To Organize Your Collections

Before we start with the collections, I thought I’d share a few tips.

The biggest problem people usually have is how to organize them, so here are a few tips on handling this issue.

• At the beginning of your journal

That’s the first way I tried, but it came with some difficulties because it added pressure to set up my journal, since I thought I had to decide on all the collections right away.

• At the end of your journal

This method is great, but it won’t work, of course, if you’re already using the end of your journal for an index page.

I also found that when I ran out of pages in my journal, I still had collections not filled, so I had to migrate them.

You don’t actually have to migrate them; you can keep them in your old journal and come back to them when you need to fill them out, but it seems very similar to our third option.

• Use a separate journal

Eventually, I got tired of collections and their big dumb problems, so I went with this option to teach them who’s boss here. It’s so convenient, honestly! All your collections are separated, and there’s no need to migrate them when you run out of pages.

The only drawback (darn it! It seems we can’t escape you, you evil drawbacks!) of having a separate journal is that you might not use it too often. This totally happened to me.

• Use a different type of notebook

If collections and organizing them is something that really bothers you a lot, there is one more option for you – switch to a different kind of notebook.

Disk-bound or ring-bound notebooks let you move pages around, reorganize them, and keep your collections exactly where you want them.

Personally, I tried Filofax one as my travel journal, and I love their paper quality.

For some more information, you can check my post How To Organize Collections in Your Bullet Journal

With that out of the way, let’s check out some collections worth having. Below are some of my favorites and the ones that are more popular in the community for a good reason.

But always remember: this journal is made for you. If something doesn’t really resonate with you, don’t do it. Find something that works for you instead.

Annual Goals

Hands down, this is the most impactful spread in my Bullet Journal. I started my BuJo to get myself together, to become more organized, and to start living to my full potential, and none of that would’ve been possible without a goals page.

The important thing about annual goals is to keep them flexible. During the year, a lot of things can happen, and sometimes your goals might change.

There is no reason to keep working on something if it isn’t really what you want anymore. Treat your annual goals as a general direction of your life.

READ MORE: How To Set And Crush Goals In Your Bullet Journal

Monthly Review

A monthly review is really a must-have page in your Bullet Journal.

By taking a moment to flip through your last month and think back on how it went, you might be able to get some powerful insights that will, in turn, help you make adjustments to your life and improve it.

Also, use your monthly review to audit the pages you had. Take a look at which pages worked, which ones didn’t, and what you might’ve been missing.

This is very useful when you’re building your own planning system.

READ MORE: Why You Need A Monthly Review Page

Gratitude Log

This spread is great for mental health and, more broadly, a happier life. Making an effort every day to find something to be grateful for is a very powerful practice.

This spread will help you recognize and be actively grateful for many little things you’ve been blessed with but taken for granted.

You’ll be happier and more mindful, and that will definitely reflect positively on your relationships with the people around you.

READ MORE: Bullet Journal Gratitude Log For Happiness In Your Life

Habit Tracker

For me, it’s a definite must-have page for each monthly setup. Habit tracker helps you to develop better habits and get rid of unnecessary ones.

After years of journaling, I learned very well that it’s the little habits you have every day that eventually have the biggest effect on how your life goes.

It works pretty easily. You set a few habits you want to track for a month, and every evening you sit down and mark which habits you completed that day.

After weeks or months, you’ll clearly see your patterns, so you’ll know why some things are difficult and what you need to do to achieve what you set out to achieve.

READ MORE: The Ultimate Guide To Habit Trackers

Mood Tracker

Whether you’re fighting mental illness or just looking for a way to bring more happiness to your days, a mood tracker can be the tool for you.

Once you start tracking your moods, you’ll be able to see interesting patterns and learn what actually influences your bad moods.

Once you know the “why”, changing your attitude or fighting the illness will be that much easier!

For more about mood trackers, check my post: 35+ Fun and Creative Bullet Journal Mood Trackers And How To Use Them.

If you want to get some more ideas, check out my resources hub Bullet Journal Page Ideas where you can find 300+ different ideas and inspirations for pretty much any area of your life.

Find Your Bullet Journal Style

Looking at my pages full of doodles and color, or at the work of some other creators, it’s easy to get intimidated and feel like Bullet Journaling is absolutely not something you could do.

But you would be wrong. We all choose our own style that fits our needs and personalities.

If you want to just use black and white – be it! If you want to add colors and drawings, that’s your choice.

Always remember that it’s your journal and your rules; nobody can tell you what to do there.

Your style might also change as you build skills, like drawing or lettering. Or when you discover new stationery, like when my style changed after I discovered washi tape.

The key here is to keep experimenting and trying new things until you find something you like and feel comfortable with.

To get you started, here are a few styles you might want to try.

Minimalist Bullet Journal

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This word means something different for everybody, but when it comes to Bullet Journaling, it usually means simple spreads in mostly monochrome colors with basic designs or none of them whatsoever.

Minimalist Bullet Journal spreads are usually easy to set up; they are extremely functional and have plenty of white space. At the same time, they look absolutely stunning!

Minimalist spreads are great for beginners because they don’t require any special skills and also don’t distract you from the main goal. They are also fantastic for busy people because they take minimal time to set up. They also require minimal stationery.

Artistic Bullet Journal

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These are those crazy pretty journals with drawings and paintings. Yes, these pages take more time to set up, but drawing is also a kind of therapy, and being creative in your Bullet Journal is another benefit the system offers!

If you feel like bringing your creative juices to your Bullet Journal pages, definitely take a look at this style.

Doodly Bullet Journal

This style is for somebody who is creative (and we all are!) and wants to bring it to their journal but maybe isn’t really in the artsy stage yet.

I think this perfectly describes my own style!

Learning to doodle is pretty easy, especially with good teachers. And here is a little shameless plug: I have quite a few doodle-related posts on my blog to give you a start, so be sure to visit my post hub How To Doodle.

Scrapbooky Bullet Journal

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This type uses different media, such as photos, journal cutouts, stickers, Post-it notes, and washi tape. This style is incredibly beautiful!

I actually started my creative journey with scrapbooking, so looking at these layouts really brings back a lot of memories.

Whatever style you end up with, remember this is what works for you. The Bullet Journal community has a lot of criticism, but don’t listen.

Your planner – your rules!

How To Decorate Your Bullet Journal Pages

One objection I hear a lot is “I’m afraid to start Bullet Journal because I’m not artistic and can’t create beautiful pages”.

Well, let’s talk about that!

First of all, Bullet Journal isn’t about pretty pages! (Well, ok, unless you really want it to be and you are like, crazy talented, in which case, share your art so we can all be jealous inspired by you in the comments!). Where was I? Oh right. You can get all the perks of the Bullet Journal method with just structured notes.

Second – there are ways to decorate your journal, even if you don’t know how to draw. Seriously! Check out a few ideas here:

• Stencils
• Stamps
• Washi Tapes
• Stickers
• Collages

READ MORE:

• 9 Bullet Journal Decoration Ideas Even If You’re Not Creative
• 9 Simple Ways To Decorate Your Bullet Journal

Just remember two extremely important things:

• Don’t compare your journal to others. It’s your journal, and you have your own path. Get your inspiration from others, of course, but only compare yourself to yourself from some time ago!
• In time and with practice, you will get so much better! How do I know that? When I started my Bullet Journal, I had no idea whatsoever about how to create pretty pages; I didn’t know how to draw, match colors, or compose a well-structured page. But I didn’t let that hold me back. Now, in less than a year, more than 50K people follow me on Instagram and enjoy my spreads, which is ABSOLUTELY CRAZY. If I can do it, anyone can! 

My secret is continuous learning. Ever since I started Bullet Journaling, I’ve kept looking for places to learn something new and build my creative skills.

Because I didn’t start out creative. At all. I started from zero. I couldn’t draw; I had no idea how to match colors, and my first pages looked like it. I wasn’t some naturally artistic person who just “had it.” I got better by learning one small thing at a time, practicing, and not quitting, even when my pages didn’t look anything like the ones I admired.

Looking back, I wasn’t untalented. I was untaught. And that’s the good news, because being untaught is something you can fix.

Shameless plug time!

That’s why I created Journal Glow Up. It’s a 27-lesson course where I gathered everything I’ve learned over my years of journaling and put it in one place. If I could go from zero to where I am now, you can get better too, and a lot faster than I did, because you won’t have to figure it all out on your own.

You’ll learn how to bring more fun, comfort, and creativity to your journal pages, so opening your journal feels exciting and not intimidating. Even if you’re sure you’re “not creative.” Especially then.

👉 Check out Journal Glow Up here

How To Deal With Bullet Journal Mistakes

When you’re creating your Bullet Journal spreads, remember you are human, and mistakes happen. It’s in our nature; that’s how we learn! Even the most experienced Bullet Journalers suffer from occasional mistakes, and it’s ok.

Don’t let the fear of mistakes hold you back, or frustration ruin your Bullet Journal experience.

I make mistakes all the time – I measure my tables wrong, I misspell things (every time I get corrected in the comments, my ego suffers quite a beating T____T), I don’t align things properly – you name it, it happened, and it still happens to me!

Yet, with all that, I’m also quite a perfectionist, so imperfect pages used to drive me crazy.

I still needed to have a structure, and I needed my Bullet Journal, so instead of freaking out and abandoning everything, running to my bedroom and hiding under my blankie away from this hating world (like I often felt like doing), I came up with ways to deal with this and to fix my mistakes.

So much so that some of my pages actually got better because I made a mistake and had to fix it creatively.

Want to know my secret? It’s all about your mindset. Instead of seeing it as a mistake, I see it as a reflection of my personality, my character, and my life. I think mistakes are what make your journal uniquely yours.

But of course, there are also practical things you can be doing. It really depends on the situation, and there are many ways to fix things.

Here are a few of my favorites:

• White gel pen – perfect for smaller mistakes and works best on pure white paper.
• Washi tape and stickers – works great for headers or other bigger mistakes.
• Printables – perfect to cover up big mistakes when the whole page is lost.
• Collages – perfect for repurposing a page with a mistake or one that ended up unused.

READ MORE: 11 Creative Ways To Fix Bullet Journal Mistakes

How To Start Your Journal In The Middle Of The Year

You either finished your journal in the middle of the year, or you just learned about the Bullet Journal system and want to start right away without waiting for January 1st.

In a way, it does kind of contradict our minds – all things have to start on Monday, the first of the month, or even the first day of a new year.

However, you have to fight this impulse. Why wait for that proverbial Monday if you can start using your Bullet Journal and improving your life right away?

And honestly, it’s not that different from setting up your journal for January 1st.

I usually set up my journal in June each year (except for 2020; it seems like this journal will last me until November). So feel free to check my post on How To Start A Bullet Journal In The Middle of The Year to see how I tackled it in my BuJo.

Generally, the entire process is the same; the only difference is your future log. In my setup, I created a future log that lasted from June 2019 to June 2020 – the entire year from the month I started.

But since your journal might not last that long, you can set up your future log for just half a year, and then if it surprises you and lasts for longer, you can add another future log somewhere in the middle of your journal.

Remember that you can add the pages anywhere you want; with an index, you’ll be able to easily find your new future log. Or create a bookmark so it’s always easy to access.

I know we always feel like we need to do something special for the new year. Well, just add those special yearly pages before you start setting up for January. 

Create a spread like “word of the year” and it will beautifully divide your last year from the new beautiful year approaching.

Digital Bullet Journal

Another trend that’s been growing lately is digital Bullet Journaling. Even though it seems to contradict the original concept, it’s still just another way to plan, and it has its own advantages.

I tried digital Bullet Journaling myself, and I must say it is pretty fun.

The main benefit I saw was how much easier it was – you can correct all mistakes in just one tap, and you can reuse your headers or any other designs.

It’s also very convenient if you travel and move around a lot; with a digital Bullet Journal, all you need is one iPad.

If you want to go digital, here are the supplies I’d recommend:

• iPad Pro
• Apple Pencil
• Goodnotes App
• Procreate App

You can create everything by yourself from the start, or you can get some help and buy a pre-made Bullet Journal. The one I got is not on sale anymore, but I found this digital Bullet Journal that also comes with several pre-made pages, so it will help you as a beginner.

I usually create my layouts in Procreate because it lets me be more creative with lettering, doodling, and more.

After it’s done, I save it as a PNG and export it to my planner in GoodNotes.

I must say I didn’t go back to digital Bullet Journaling. As fun as it was, for me, nothing can replace paper, and I’m just enjoying using all my pens and notebooks too much.

But it might be a good option for you! 

Bullet Journal Tips For Beginners

I’ve been Bullet Journaling since 2018, and when I started, I learned by doing rather than by reading guides like this one.

So I did make pretty much every mistake in the book. I’m kind of a pro at giving tips to beginners.

• Don’t Overdo It

Don’t try out every page at the same time. It will just overwhelm you, and you’ll stop using your journal altogether. Take it one step at a time.

• Experiment

Yes, don’t overdo it, but do keep on trying new things. New spreads, new layouts. Bullet Journal is a customizable planning system, so keep customizing it to your needs by trying new things and figuring out what fits you and what doesn’t.

• Give It Time

I know “ain’t nobody got time” these days, but you have to give yourself some to make your Bullet Journal work. Your pages won’t look perfect the first time. You won’t find your ideal setup and style in just one day.

• No Crazy Shopping

The important thing to understand is that when you start Bullet Journaling, you don’t know your style, you don’t know what you’ll like or what stationery you will need. So start small, expand your collection as you go, and learn what fits you and your Bullet Journal needs.

• Don’t compare

With Instagram and Pinterest full of amazing Bullet Journal pages, it’s easy to start comparing yourself to others and end up feeling pretty sad. Believe me, I’ve been there. This will only hold you back, though! Use these pictures for inspiration and fun ideas to try in your journal, but don’t compare yourself to them.

Remember, we all start at square one; what you see on social media is usually the result of years of practice and mastery.

The most important tip, though, is to have fun with it. Remember that your Bullet Journal is a helpful tool, not a chore or a source of stress.

But that’s not it! I also asked experienced and well-known Bullet Journalers to give their best tips for beginners. Here is the link – 9 Ridiculously Useful Tips For Bullet Journal Beginners.

I think we covered it all; I bet you don’t have any excuses left, and you’re ready and motivated to dive into Bullet Journaling.

Free Course “Bullet Journaling For Beginners”

Looking for some more help with setting up your Bullet Journal? Join our FREE course on how to start a Bullet Journal.

I’ll be walking you through the process of setting up your Bullet Journal page by page. Give me just a few days, and you’ll have your Bullet Journal all ready!

That’s about it for now. Do you have any questions? Please leave them in the comments section below; I’d love to know what your Bullet Journal struggles are and help you join our wonderful community.

Hope this post was interesting 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 remember: Keep Bullet Journaling, and Don’t be a Blob! 

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