As I get older, I find myself enjoying writing about my daily life more and more. Whether capturing my thoughts and reflections in Microsoft Word or jotting them down in a journal, writing has become a meaningful habit. Therefore, in this blog post, I want to focus on one particular style of journaling: bullet journaling.
What is Bullet Journaling
Bullet Journaling is a planning system developed by Ryder Carroll. It uses a journal with a dotted grid layout, designed to help you organize your tasks and goals. In his video, Ryder Carroll explains the foundational concepts and vision behind the bullet journal system. Think of it as a personalized filing cabinet, complete with charts and symbols to help you track your to-do lists and objectives. I find bullet journaling particularly useful for:
- Writing to-do lists with pen and paper.
- Tracking various goals and themes.
- Journaling creatively with stationery, pens, and stickers.
- Improving overall organization.
How to Start Bullet Journaling
To get started, consider making a list of what you’d like to include in your journal and highlight the goals you want to achieve with your bullet journal. Below, I’ve shared my list of what I include in mine:
| Savings/Coupons | Cleaning Schedule | Vision Board |
| Monthly Goals | Fitness Tracker | Food Log |
| Dream Vacations | Budget | Home Ownership |
Where to Buy Bullet Journals
If you’re looking to start bullet journaling, there are plenty of great places to find a journal to suit your needs. Online retailers like Amazon and Etsy offer various options, from affordable basics to handmade and customizable designs. Major stores like Walmart and Target carry stylish and budget-friendly journals that are easy to find in their stationery sections. Craft stores such as Michael’s and Joann Fabrics are ideal for pairing their journal with creative supplies like pens, stickers, and tape. For unique designs, Paper Source is another choice.
How to Set Up Bullet Journaling
Setting up a bullet journal is a customizable process for organizing your life and tracking goals. First, begin by choosing a notebook and pen that you find enjoyable to use, as highlighted in the “Where to Buy Bullet Journals” section. Next, here are the steps I followed to set up my bullet journal; however, feel free to customize it to suit your preferences.
Page1: Introduction
The first page of your bullet journal is typically an introduction page. You can personalize it by adding a title like “This journal belongs to… Thrift N Styles” or your name and a creative touch to make it uniquely yours. This page sets the tone for your journal and adds a personal connection.
Pages 2 & 3: Year at a Glance
On page 2 of your bullet journal, include a “Year at a Glance” section to display the entire year’s calendar for quick reference. Use page 3 for a “Year at a Glance – Important Dates” section to record key events such as anniversaries, work anniversaries, birthdays, and other significant milestones. This setup helps you stay organized and ensures you not to miss an important occasion.
Page 4: Create Key & Symbols
This section serves as a bullet journal key, providing a set of symbols to keep your entries organized and consistent. Examples of commonly used symbols include a dot (•) for tasks, an “X” for completed tasks, a right arrow (→) for migrated tasks, and a strikethrough for canceled tasks. You can also customize your key with additional symbols to track events, notes, priorities, or ideas, ensuring your bullet journal reflects your unique planning style.
Page 5: Create an Index
A bullet journal acts as a table of contents, allowing you to map out what will appear on each page. This feature helps you plan and organize your journal effectively. For example, you can dedicate pages to monthly logs, habit trackers, goal setting, or creative spreads like mood boards or gratitude lists. By numbering your pages and listing them in the index, you create a personalized guide that makes it easy to locate specific sections or revisit important entries.
Pages 6 & 7: Calendar
Unlike traditional calendars, a bullet journal offers the flexibility to personalize your pages with creative touches, such as fun lettering, illustrations, or decorative elements. This allows you to make your calendar not only functional but also visually appealing. Experiment with different fonts, colors, and designs, transforming them into a reflection of your unique style and personality.
Page 8: Weekly’s/Daily’s
Just like a monthly spread/calendar, you can also create a weekly spread to outline your to-do’s and goals for the week. Additionally, you can jazz it up with your favorite stickers and other decorative elements. Personally, I typically get my stickers from Michaels, Amazon, or Dollar Tree, but feel free to explore other options that suit your style.
Page 9: Vision Board
A vision board in bullet journaling serves as a space to showcase your wishlist and aspirations. Examples might include dream vacations, ideal homes, charitable goals, fashion inspirations, and more.
Conclusion
Bullet journaling is a useful tool for organizing, setting goals, and embracing creativity. It allows for personal reflection and planning, helping to track important milestones and activities. Whether it’s managing daily tasks, creating vision boards, or noting important dates, bullet journaling fosters self-expression, allowing you to incorporate artwork, inspirational quotes, or decorative elements that make the process more enjoyable.
Resources:
Here are some resources I’ve compiled for bullet journaling.
YouTube:
Book:
Supplies
- Color Pens/Fine Liners at Amazon, Michael’s, or Dollar Tree
- Printables. You can look online for free printables to include in your bullet journaling or visit Etsy
- Stickers. I would suggest starting at Dollar Tree
Note: This particular blog post did not use affiliate links
