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How To Start Bullet Journaling

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Hofstra chapter.

Across the Pinterest sphere over the last year, I saw these planners people hand lettered and I was in awe. I wanted to know more, and do it myself. So with a little research, I learned these weren’t planners— they were bullet journals. And so I started my bullet journal journey. 

 

So, what is a bullet journal?

 

The founder of Bullet Journal calls it the “Analog system for the digital age” and it is a way to collect all of your tasks, notes, and events in one quick glance system. 

The bullet journal combines a planner, to do list, and journal into one system. It works on any notebook and you can be as creative or simple as you want to be. You can personalize every aspect of this planner which makes it great for unleashing creative energy, emotions, or stress.

Ryder, the founder of bullet journal explains the basics in his official video: 

However, you can go as creative and crazy as you want— with colors, stickers, and other spreads expanding beyond the minimalist design of the original Bullet Journal system. 


A post shared by Ryder Carroll (@bulletjournal) on

You can add creative future logs, detailed monthly logs, weekly logs, daily logs, and include more than just tasks and events. Many people include modules like a reflection, inspirational quote, health trackers, and more. 

Ok, great it is everything I need. How do I start bullet journaling?

It is so easy to start, all you need is a journal and a pen. I prefer a blank journal or a dot grid notebook and the Pilot Frixion pens that are erasable. 

Pro tip: a spiral bound book will be much easier to work in than a journal, and the heavy weight of drawing paper works fabulously if you want to use markers and other fun details. 


A post shared by Maria (@mountainofmarkers) on

Open up a notebook and, following the video, draw out your index, future log, monthly log and daily log. 

Now you just need to learn the system for detailing tasks, events and notes, and I promise it is super easy. I like to keep it all written down in a key just in case I forget. 

Ok, so I’ve started but now I want to get creative with my spreads! 

This is the easy step, just hop on Pinterest and check out our Pinterest board for tons of inspiration!

Remember, this is your bullet journal. Do whatever you want with it. Be super creative, or keep it simple and focused. Use color, or stay in black and white, you don’t need to be any bit artist or creative to be a bullet journal-er! 

A post shared by Isabel Teresa (@sab_terri) on

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Just a Midwest girl exploring the big city.