This post is full of information about how I started my Bullet Journal and why a digitally-oriented person like me is such a Bullet Journal fanatic now. I have lots to say about how using a Bullet Journal has helped me stay focused, organized, and reflective, but let’s back up. What is a Bullet Journal?
A Bullet Journal is an empty notebook (doesn’t have to be a certain brand or size) used to organize events, to-do lists, ongoing lists like books you want to read this year, and daily, weekly, or monthly habits you’d like to track. I use this one as do many other Bullet Journal people, but really any notebook is fine.
The original concept using a certain method to migrate tasks from day to day and keep track of yearly, monthly, and daily tasks was created by Ryder Carroll, a digital product designer. (Ironic, yep.) You can see his system here, but please understand that Ryder’s creation begot tons of versions, which he generously encourages.
There are endless sites and Instagram accounts dedicated to Bullet Journals, and if you like notebooks, pens, and pleasant pictures of lists, then get ready to lose hours of your time. I do think it’s worth glancing at these pictures for ideas, but the point is to create something that works for you. DO NOT be scared away by gorgeous handwriting and other fancy things. I am practically in love with My Bullet Journal and my handwriting and art skills are awful. The little calendars you see above in my “future log” (that’s Bullet Journal lingo) are stickers.
This all sounds nice, but with all the incredible apps and even the pre-made notebooks to keep track of everything mentioned above, why in the name of All That’s Practical would people create their own systems on blank pages? Doesn’t that take extra time? And you bought stickers? Are you seven years old?
You’re asking good questions, dear readers. Those of us who love to use Bullet Journals know about all those apps and cool planners and we love to use the Bullet Journal system anyway. We (yes, it’s like I’m in a cult) prefer the freedom to mold that daily notebook/calendar/habit tracker/list-keeper into something that works for us in ways not available in anything pre-made or digital.
NOTE: There is no “right way” to use a Bullet Journal.
And that’s the beauty of it! I can’t even draw a straight line and all of my t’s look like x’s. None of that matters. For example, in many videos, Bullet Journal users make monthly spreads, but I found I wouldn’t ever use one so I stick to the weekly ones. I tend to use the calendar on my laptop for a monthly view. I also don’t use any of Ryder Carroll’s symbols (he calls them “signifiers”) for moving tasks. I do, however, use his system of collections, which are essentially pages dedicated to lists you want to keep track of like restaurants to try, books to read, meals the kids actually liked, and so on.
ALSO NOTE: Using a Bullet Journal doesn’t mean giving up all things digital. Not at all! There are NO rules. I still use my iPhone for appointments, contacts, and certain kinds of notes. I already mentioned I use my laptop to see my month at a glance.
HOW I STARTED MY BULLET JOURNAL AND WHAT I WOULD DO DIFFERENTLY
In November and December of 2016 I found myself thinking about Bullet Journals nonstop (because something is obviously wrong with me), but I kept insisting I couldn’t stand to look at my handwriting or deal with blank pages. It seemed like just another thing to do and nobody needs more things on the to-do list, including making more to-do lists.
Finally, when I couldn’t let go of the desire to try, I took notes for ways to start as I watched YouTube videos. I printed out pages of weekly spreads from around the Bullet Journal community. I figured out what might work for me, then experimented for two weeks in an old notebook. I would recommend those steps to anyone.
What I would do differently: I obsessed about silly things like what color notebook to buy. (I got navy and later wished I’d chosen yellow.) I worried about having the right pens. (There are no “right” pens.) I probably watched too many videos then entered into analysis paralysis about how to start. FINALLY, three months after I first learned about Bullet Journaling, I decided to begin already. (Which is also how I started a writing career in 2007. I recommend the JUST START method!) The perfect is indeed the enemy of the good.
BUT WHY DO I LOVE THIS METHOD SO MUCH? AND IS IT WORTH THE TIME?
I love the very thing I thought I would struggle with—the blankness of the pages ahead. I actually love that not all the weekly spreads and habit-tracking pages are created yet. I love that I can change my mind, do it differently week to week, and assess what works and what doesn’t before diving into the next week. I can change the format of the page, and I can change the things I’m tracking or the topics I’m taking time to jot down.
People have asked if the set-up time takes away from the functionality, if it’s just one more thing to do. I say yes and no. Yes, it takes more time than the digital and pre-made notebooks, but the process is enjoyable for me. Thinking about the shape I want my year, months, and weeks to take and allowing myself the space and time to change my mind taps into something creative in me and brings me an odd amount of joy. Also, I love having a paper record of my thoughts. I am so laptop and iPhone attached that I forgot how much I adore paper and pens. I put my supplies in a small basket and feel extremely possessive about it all, as you can see in the photo below.
STUFF I BOUGHT (contains Amazon links)
- As I said earlier, the Bullet Journal world is bananas for the Leuchtturm A5 Medium Dotted Notebook. I do love mine. It’s a good weight and size, comes with two page holders, a folder in the back, and an elastic to keep it closed. Of course any notebook will do.
- I’m loving these pens for my daily notes. The fine tip and easy glide are good for the handwriting challenged.
- I also bought these fine-tipped colored pens. [Edited 3 months later to say I also bought these. It’s not necessary to have both, but I love pens!] Edited almost FOUR YEARS later in 2021 to say, LE PEN is the superior pen.
- A small metal ruler like this one for $3 is helpful.
- I don’t understand what some of the artsy Bullet Journal people on Instagram and Pinterest are doing with the fancy tape. So no, I don’t use that.
I HOPE THIS HELPS ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN CURIOUS ABOUT BULLET JOURNALS! FEEL FREE TO ASK QUESTIONS. [
POSTS I WROTE LATER WITH MORE INFO:
After Three Months of Bullet Journaling
Simple Monthly and Weekly Setups
AND BY THE WAY, I EDITED THIS AGAIN IN JANUARY 2021, and I just want to say my Bullet Journal habit is still going strong!
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34 Responses
I’m thrilled that you’re enjoying it so much. And now I know how your one looks so cute – stickers!
I have a blog friend (who also has twins) who told me the stickering is the part she loves most about her planner! It’s a way she explores her creativity.
Not for me – I only use a coloured pen and a bit of washi tape if I’m in the mood.
Oh, I use washi just to “underline” the heading 🙂
I seriously loved your post today, too. So much pretty paper and pens. I’m clearly on a paper and pen kick.
Ha! It’s the tape that has always confounded me when I read about the Bullet Journal! I’m glad you have found a system that works for you. I really like the “collections” idea. I will probably add that into the blank pages of my pre-made planner (which I find I can hardly get myself to use regularly).
Marcia, above, explained how she uses the tape. I think it’s for a more colorful look, and I totally respect that.
I’m intetested- now I’ve got to do research! I journal in a notebook and keep a hardback daily calendar with lists – this sounds perfect!
Could be a great fit for you!
Oh boy. This could be very dangerous or completely amazing for me. 🙂 I just checked out the hashtags you suggested in IG–wow! Please keep sharing your bullet journaling insights–I’m very intrigued.
I know re: Instagram. Can get lost for hours, but also too intimidated so be careful!
LOVE this!! And yes, I totally agree with everything you have said. Hooray!
Thank you again for being one of the people that made it sound doable!
I love every bit of this post! I do not bullet journal, and I’m in love with my planner, but I like the concept of doing whatever works for you. I’m going to look at the official site and see what methods would work for me.
You and I like many of the same things. We’re wired similarly, I think!
Stupid Question Alert: why is it called a Bullet Journal? And will it make me feel less anxious about all the things I have to do (if that question is better suited for my therapist, feel free not to answer)
That’s a good question and I should have covered it! In Ryder Carroll’s original concept, he has symbols for all kinds of tasks, which start with a bullet point. You can do all kinds of things with that one point–make it an arrow, a star, box, etc. Each symbol stands for something about that task. I found that particular piece of it all too detailed for my needs.
You know, I have found the process has made me feel anxious about tall that I need to do. Also when I physically moves things from day to day I do have to stop and wonder if that task is something I need to just let go. Similarly, my desire not to rewrite something silly to skip like “make mammogram appointment” encourages me to just MAKE THE CALL so I can cross it off and be done with it.
I’m so electronically oriented, but I wonder if it would also be good for work as a paralegal? I’m constantly writing notes and lists and they are all over the place… Plus we are pen snobs, my boss and I. Thoughts? I could really get into this and get rid of the calendar planner I carry around for yet other things… That are already on my digital calendar!!! Pens, stickers and colors all sound so fun!!!
I think it’s worth a try! Remember that it really can be a combo of paper and digital. If nothing else, I’d start with having all your lists in a notebook like this.
I was talking with a colleague about bullet journals on a conference call tonight. She gave me the 30-second spiel. And then I found this. WOW!
Not sure if I have time with the new baby… but I’m intrigued!
It’s funny when you start hearing about the same thing in different places. Bullet journaling is definitely making the rounds. With the new baby it might help you feel on top of all there is to do, but I get that it could feel like just another TO DO on your list.
I’m loving keeping up with your new baby life by the way.
Hi Nina,
I love hearing how others utilize their bullet journals, so thank you for sharing this. I am a recent convert to Bullet Journals as well – I started using it in July 2016, and I will be using this system for the rest of my life! I used to have my appointments on multiple electronic formats, and it drove me nuts – now, I keep EVERYTHING in one place. And the fact that it is always with me is fantastic as well. Some of the things I do differently:
1) I use the monthly view, but I made it into a grid so it is easier to see all of my appointments
2) I use the master tasks lists, but I created them for each month so that my tasks lists and monthly view are together
3) I list my daily tasks by the roles that I have in my life (Artist, Director, Relator/for all of my social relationships/interactions); this helps me to see if I am providing the right level of attention to each area
4) I use Moleskine medium sized notebooks and JetStream archival pens (I went with archival ink because I intend to keep all of my journals over the years so I can refer back to them)
Have a great weekend,
Cindy
This was so helpful to hear how someone else is using a Bullet Journal! The role concept is so interesting to me. It makes tons of sense. And archival! Good idea!
Great post, Nina. I first heard of bullet journaling last year when the gals of She Reads fame (Mary Beth and Ariel) raved about them. My curiosity was piqued, because – once upon a time – I was a big user of Franklin Covey planners. I’m dating myself, probably, but without knowing more than what you’ve mentioned above, it seems he was on to the same prioritizing of various portions of your life (work, spiritual, physical, etc). My planners came with “compasses” that inserted into each day so you could track those priorities (They were SO expensive, so I stopped using them). Perhaps this is just an artsy do-it-yourself version? And it DOES appeal to me. All this talk of stickers and pens and paper… I was swooning a little bit (having been a sticker and rubber stamp fanatic in my youth). Maybe I need to try this. Right now, I simply type my tasks into a Word doc, print it off every week, use a white board at-a-glance monthly wall calendar for my appointments… And then all those other goals… Well, they also are on Word documents that get lost and, sadly, many goals are not attended to…Perhaps because they aren’t top of mind or in my face…
I did Franklin Covey session years ago (1999 to be exact) and I do think there are some similar concepts in terms of prioritizing. It seems like the system you have going now with Word docs is working well so I hesitate to even suggest trying something new. Maybe as an in between idea it would be fun to start a notebook for ongoing lists like movies you’ve watched, recipes you want to try, and so on.
Interesting. I’ve never heard of this. Of course, I know what a bullet list is but didn’t know it had evolved into a journaling craze. 😉 I love lists. I love journals. Off to check out your links. Thanks for sharing!
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It comes from the idea of a bullet list! I could see you getting into this concept.
I’ve been using a bullet journal for almost a year now. Super simplified but love it!
Not surprised you’re into it, too!
I do love the idea! And how you can make it your own, AND still use the digital world too. I have awful handwriting, but it won’t get any better if I NEVER use it. (I love stickers)
It’s so true about the handwriting. I do think mine is so terrible because I let the muscle die or something.
Nina, the bullet journal people for sure had you in mind when they created the concept! Your excitement jumps off the page! Thanks for the great tips!
Yes I think they did have me in mind! 🙂
As a girl who LOVES paper and pens and organization, this is hilarious and totally intriguing…do I want to jump down this obvious rabbit hole…???:)
Amy, this is so for you! I really think so!