Do you love stationary? Productivity is a priority? You want to be a better version of yourself? Then you probably already heard about the Bullet Journal method. If not, well pal, this is your lucky day, because in this post I will introduce you to the amazing, creative and simple world of Bullet Journaling.
I started Bullet Journaling in 2018 and to be honest, there were some months when I wasn’t feeling like doing it. And that’s alright! Your whole BuJo should serve the purpose to make you feel more comfortable. If you don’t want to use it for one month, but get back to it later, that is totally fine.
In my first few months I was mostly copying the layouts of all those fancy journals you see around the internet. It took me some time to accept that this really colorful and artistic BuJo might not work for me all the time. I love doing them, don’t get me wrong. Drawing is one of my favorite hobbies, but it can take so much time making these amazing pages.
I also had to figure out what works for me the best. What parts of my life do I want to keep track of? How can I track these different ideas. But in the end, I feel like I managed to make the Bullet Journal mine truly.
So if you decide to start this journey after reading my post, then keep in mind that it will take you some time to modify the system in a way that suits you the best.
Trust me though, it’s worth it.
What is a Bullet Journal?
The Bullet Journal method was created by Ryder Caroll to “track the past, organize the present, plan the future.”
It’s mostly for organizing schedules, reminders, to-do lists, brainstorming sessions or anything you want. You should find your reason why to start a Bullet Journal. It may be because you want to be more productive. Or you just have so many things to look after that you tend to forget them? You can also use it to be a better person, or think more positively. It is totally up to you.
Why should you start it?
Bullet Journaling gives you freedom. There is no right or wrong way, only advice to make it easier for you to customize it. Your BuJo should bring out the best from you, so build up a system that serves you the best. You can always learn or change anything you are not satisfied with. Be brave. Experiment with it. Have fun with the whole method!
What do you need to start it?
A pen, a notebook (preferably dotted) and an intention.
Ask yourself questions.
“Why am I reading this post?”
“What parts of Bullet Journaling caught my attention?”
“How would I set up mine?”
“How can my BuJo help me with my life?”
Figure out these and get started!
Basic setup
I will give you the basic idea of how to start a Bullet Journal, but remember: these are only tips, you can and should change whatever you want.
Index
This is your first page, it’s where you will track what and where you can find in your notebook. Write “Index” on the top of it . As you start new pages, write the page number here so you can easily find them later.
Future log
This can be a 12 or 6 months overview. Simply divide your pages into 12 (or 6) parts and write the name of the months. Make sure you have enough space to write your tasks, events and notes down. This will make it easier to look at the year as a whole.
Monthly log
Here you can make a calendar on one side of the page where you should write your deadlines, events etc. Just make a chronology for the next few weeks.
To the other side, add a task list for the month. Review this whole log by the end of it and transfer everything you haven’t finished to the next one.
Daily log
This is where you will keep your events, reminders, tasks and notes. Most people can’t stick to journaling because it takes too much time of their day.
With the Bullet Journal method the main goal is to be as efficient as possible, that’s why this system is used in the daily logs. It’s called rapid journaling where you only write short sentences to remember everything about your day or plans.
These are the basics but – as I have mentioned quite a few times before – it doesn’t mean you have to stick to this. If your goal with Bullet Journaling is to be as productive as possible, I recommend using this formula first and then adjust every piece of it to your own needs.
I’ve mentioned before that when you search for Bullet Journals on the internet you bump into a bunch of artistically and aesthetically pleasing journals. Though these are truly beautiful and amazing to have, don’t be demotivated if you feel like yours is just more simple. You don’t have to be an artist to start Bullet Journaling.
I also like to switch up minimalist layouts as well as fancy complex ones, because there are times when I just can’t focus on how my BuJo looks. If I have the time and motivation I will decorate it, but for me the focus is on productivity.
Since I have covered the simplest way to make a Bullet Journal for you, here are some more “advanced” ideas to inspire you. These are new layouts, spreads, trackers you can use and some design ideas as well. Enjoy!
If you want to journal, but you always end up quitting, Bullet Journal might be the thing for you. I recommend buying a small, cheaper notebook for your first Bullet Journal where you can test or even screw up everything in the process of embracing the Bullet Journal method for yourself.
Thank you for reading this post, I hope you found it useful! Tell me about your opinion in the comments. Have you ever tried Bullet Journaling before? Do you have any other tips for beginners?
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