This post is all about how to start a bullet journal you will love!
A bullet journal can be an overwhelming planner to start. Why? There is so much information and pictures out there so when you’re thinking about how to start a bullet journal, you do not even know where to begin! I am here to change that for you!
I started bullet journalling all the way back in 2016, which is crazy, and I now share bullet journaling ideas, and tips and tricks to help beginners and all other levels with their bullet journals.
This post is going to go step by step, from your first page to the beginnings of your monthly and weekly layouts, to all different list and tracker ideas. This is truly the perfect guide on how to start a bullet journal for beginners!
So get out your journal and your supplies, save this post for future reference, and let’s get into how to start your bullet journal so it is you best planner yet!
This post is all about how to start a bullet journal!
What Makes a Bullet Journal Different To A Planner?
Now bullet journaling is something you need to stick with for it to really work. Traditionally a bullet journal is a personalised planner that you can make yours. It is different to your traditional planner because you can customise it however you would like.
The original bullet journal key system focused on lists- read more about it here. What I am going to show you in the post is what bullet journaling has developed into: weeklies, monthlies, lists and a few more bits.
And remember you can make your journal as simple or as artsy as you like!
Benefits of a Bullet Journal – Why Should You Start
There are many advantages to having a bullet journal and here they are:
1. Organisation
Bullet journaling can keep you so organised as you can create a page for anything and in any way you like for you and your system.
2. Creativity
Journaling is magical creative outlet. You can let your creativity run free and make any spread you would like! This post is going to give you a bunch of bullet journal ideas that can help spark your creativity
3. Get It Done
When you physically write things down, you are more likely to accomplish what you need to do. Apparently, writing in blue pen also helps you remember your to-do list. Having a physical list of to-dos and goals also holds you accountable so you’re more likely to do them.
4. Sentimentality
As bullet journals are what you make of them, you can keep yours as a memory keepsake forever. I have kept all of mine as they are a great way to see what you were doing a few years a go!
How To Start A Bullet Journal
I am splitting this post up into two sections: bullet journal essentials and general bullet journal layout and bullet journal examples
For this post, I have decided to make it as easy as possible to follow. I will therefore not be showing any crazy layout ideas or very artistic bullet journal spreads. But please don’t fret, this post is going to contain so much bullet journal inspiration and bullet journal spread ideas to help you on how to start a bullet journal.
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Bullet Journal Supplies
It can be quite daunting starting something new and thinking you are unprepared so you never actually start it. It’s the same with bullet journalling. However, with bullet journalling you only really NEED a journal and a pen; it’s what you do with them that makes a bullet journal. Having said that, bullet journaling has taken considerable steps up in terms of essentials and basics.
Here are my essential ‘How to Start a Bullet Journal Supplies’ – and thankfully these will not break your bank account!
1. Journals
I have used many brands of bullet journals and from the five brands that I have used I recommend Leuchtturm1917 and Scribbles That Matter.
Both come with over 150 pages. The main difference between the two, for me, is the colour of the pages. The Leuchtturm has ivory pages with darker dot-grid, whereas STM has brighter pages with lighter dot-grid.
Out of the two, my favourite is the STM journal! Yes, it has less pages than the Leuchtturm but the brighter pages is a winner for me.
2. Pens
Please don’t think you need ALOT of money on the tombow dual brush pens right off of the bat, you really do not. Here are some great pens I use and they are all very affordable and great quality!
Everyone who knows me and reads my bullet journal posts knows how much I love my Hethrone Dual Brush pens. I cannot and will not stop talking about these brush pens. For such an amazing price you get a great quality brush pen (well 72 of them!)
I don’t think the Triplus Fineliners need a big introduction as everyone knows how great these pens are. If you don’t, definitely try them out!
I cannot rave enough about the brilliance that is the Sakura Sigma Micron fineliner pens. These pens are used across the board: from artists, to students, to me! They come in various nib sizes and are instrumental in every single spread I ever make- even for my university notes!
As per absolute essentials, these are what will get you buy for a few months until you get a bit more comfortable in your style/ bullet journal needs.
RELATED POST: Must Have Bullet Journal Essentials!
Bullet Journal Order and Bullet Journal Spread Ideas
For ease of use and to bring up the less confusion, I am going to show you the bullet journal spread ideas in a traditional bullet journal order.
1. Bullet Journal Index
An index is something everybody starts but hardly anyone finishes. To tell you the truth, I only used my index for about three months in my first bujo and I have not used it since. However most bullet journals come with an index right at the beginning so thats usually the first page!
2. Bullet Journal Key
After an index you should put the key. The bullet journal key is what you use for your to-do lists. This comes straight after the index on a blank page.
3. Bullet Journal Title Page
Next up we have the ‘start’ of your journal; the title page. This can be as simple or as complex as you would like. As you can see both options are great.
Want some more bullet journal ideas? Check these out:
- 20+ January Bullet Journal Ideas
- 20+ Swoon-worthy February Bullet Journal Ideas
- September Bullet Journal Ideas
- August Bullet Journal Ideas (my fave)
- July Bullet Journal Ideas
- April bullet Journal Ideas
- October Bullet Journal Ideas
- 23 Cozy Fall Bullet Journal Themes
- Savings Tracker Ideas
- 15+ Weekly Spread Ideas You Need To Try
- 6 Bullet Journal Pens that DO NOT Bleed Through
OR click HERE for all bullet journal inspo posts!
4. Bullet Journal Year at a Glance OR Future Log
With a future log and year at a glance, you see your whole year across a few pages. You can track birthday, holidays, periods etc. on these!
The next few sections before monthly and weekly spreads is completely optional and you do not need to have trackers and collection pages. However, they are great things to put into your journal to help you stay organised and ontop of things.
Want some more bullet journal ideas? Check these out:
- 20+ January Bullet Journal Ideas
- 20+ Swoon-worthy February Bullet Journal Ideas
- September Bullet Journal Ideas
- August Bullet Journal Ideas (my fave)
- July Bullet Journal Ideas
- April bullet Journal Ideas
- October Bullet Journal Ideas
- 23 Cozy Fall Bullet Journal Themes
- Savings Tracker Ideas
- 15+ Weekly Spread Ideas You Need To Try
- 6 Bullet Journal Pens that DO NOT Bleed Through
OR click HERE for all bullet journal inspo posts!
5. Yearly Trackers
These are grouped together topics you can track in your bullet journal such as, books read, mood tracker, exercise tracker, savings trackers and, social media trackers. I have a few examples of these below!
RELATED POSTS: Savings Tracker Bullet Journal Spreads | Dutch Door Spread Ideas
The point of yearly trackers is that you can constantly refer to them over the year and track your progress in a certain area. I love using my mood tracker just to see how I have felt throughout the year; its so cool!
6. Miscellaneous
After some of your yearly trackers, it is great to put in some collection and goal pages. These can include: quaterly goals, yearly goals, series to watch, a master shopping list. This list is endless. These are put in your journal to keep you organised. Here are a few visual examples:
Want some more bullet journal ideas? Check these out:
- 20+ January Bullet Journal Ideas
- 20+ Swoon-worthy February Bullet Journal Ideas
- September Bullet Journal Ideas
- August Bullet Journal Ideas (my fave)
- July Bullet Journal Ideas
- April bullet Journal Ideas
- October Bullet Journal Ideas
- 23 Cozy Fall Bullet Journal Themes
- Savings Tracker Ideas
- 15+ Weekly Spread Ideas You Need To Try
- 6 Bullet Journal Pens that DO NOT Bleed Through
OR click HERE for all bullet journal inspo posts!
7. Bullet Journal Monthly Cover Page
It is very beneficial to introduce some sort of introduction page to a new month in your journal as it allows for easy compartmentalisation and keeps you organised.
I am obsessed with monthly cover pages, I do a new inspiration post on them every month! Here are a few to check out:
- October Bullet Journal Ideas
- 23 Cozy Fall Bullet Journal Themes
- September Bullet Journal Ideas
- August Bullet Journal Ideas (my fave)
- July Bullet Journal Ideas
- April bullet Journal Ideas
7. Bullet Journal Monthly and weekly spreads
Monthly and weekly spreads might possibly be the best organisation tool in your bullet journal. These spreads are THE spreads where you look at every single day. Here are few examples, with great organisation layouts:
Again, these spreads are all about trial and error, trial and error and more trial and error. Don’t be put off if you do not find the spread that works for you first go. Take what you did find helpful and implement it in the following week’s spread!
This post was How To Start A Bullet Journal You Will LOVE!
Want some more bullet journal ideas? Check these out:
- 20+ January Bullet Journal Ideas
- 20+ Swoon-worthy February Bullet Journal Ideas
- September Bullet Journal Ideas
- August Bullet Journal Ideas (my fave)
- July Bullet Journal Ideas
- April bullet Journal Ideas
- October Bullet Journal Ideas
- 23 Cozy Fall Bullet Journal Themes
- Savings Tracker Ideas
- 15+ Weekly Spread Ideas You Need To Try
- 6 Bullet Journal Pens that DO NOT Bleed Through
OR click HERE for all bullet journal inspo posts!
Loved this. I’m starting my first bullet journal and read this just in time. About to do my first monthly cover page and also learnt that this can help me be more organised in a more fun way than having a bought diary. Thanks!
Thank you.I am 65 years young and start my journal today,something I have always wanted to do …but never been able to.
What if you’re not good at drawing