Curious about what this whole bullet journaling thing is, and whether it’s really worth your time? Then you’ve come to the right place!
This post is a (growing) collection of bullet journaling bits for beginners. We’ll go through everything you need to know about this mindfulness-meets-productivity system that helps you feel less overwhelmed and more grounded in your daily life.
Bullet journaling is perfect for busy people who want to make space to (re)connect with their creativity. I didn’t know it at the time, but starting my first bullet journal a decade ago was a foundational first step to rediscovering and nurturing my own creativity. Those little notebooks have:
- Made me be more consciously aware of the life unfolding around me.
- Reignited a long-lost creative spark and supported me as I explored it.
- Helped me finally feel as though I were “on top” of my life rather than constantly catching up to it.
It’s incredible what you can accomplish with a simple pen, a notebook, and a system. (That’s why I mention it so often on the blog!)
There are some beautiful notebooks out there with elaborate setups that are half robust systems and half gorgeous art projects. These lovely examples are both what draw people in and what cause them to feel like they can’t keep up. It’s that desire to reignite our creative spark and the fear that we won’t be able to live up to our creative vision.
But behind all of these stunning examples is a very simple and meaningful journaling system. That system incorporates your basic needs (a calendar and task-list), but also fosters mindfulness, adapts to your needs, and creates space for your creativity.
In this series we’ll get started with a minimalist approach to the basics, with the aim to gently encourage your creativity and mindfully organize your life.
(If you already keep a bujo, you are welcome here too and I would love to join you on your bullet journey!)
In this series, we’ll cover:
- Bullet Journaling Basics: What It Is & What You Really Need to Start One
- Bullet Journal vs Planner: Which One Works Better for You?
- How to Use a Bullet Journal: Key Spreads & Basic Methodology
- Why I Always Recommend Bullet Journaling for Busy Creatives
- Beyond Basic Bullets: Customizing Your Rapid Logging System with Signifiers
- Beyond Basic Bullets: Exploring Bullet States
- Navigating Your Bullet Journal: Migration, Scheduling, and Threading
And I will continue to add to the list as I publish more of the guide.
Want to practice some rapid logging? If you haven’t already, join my monthly newsletter and pick up the free 5 Minute Reset, a grounding one-page practice that lets rapid logging shine by decluttering the mind. This is great for mornings, between activities, or any time you need a little reset.
Let’s get started!
What is bullet journaling?
Bullet journaling is “a system that combines elements of mindfulness, productivity, and self-discovery”, and requires only two things: a blank notebook and a pen.
Within its pages, you develop your own planning and tracking system – one that works specifically for your mind. You build it as you go, and it grows with you as you use it!
Get started with the very basics here: Bullet Journaling Basics: What It Is & What You Really Need to Start One
Why use a bullet journal when planners are ready-made for you?
This was a great point of confusion for me before I started. I had spent many years using those planners provided by our educational institutions, and they kept me on top of things well enough. But my planners lacked a certain flexibility and synergy between past, present and future.
This is where bullet journals shine!
My bullet journals became my greatest creative companions, and the methodology translated impeccably into my arguably chaotic work life.
If you’re curious about whether switching to a bullet journal is worth it, you might want to read: Bullet Journal vs. Planner: Which One Works Better for You?
How to set up a bullet journal that works for you
Bullet journaling starts with a few fundamental spreads and a basic system to use them all together. The system works best if you let it develop with you over time by:
- Learning the basic system and set-up
- Feeling out what’s working well, and what’s lacking or where you want to expand
- Drop anything that doesn’t work for you
- Add anything that’s inspired you
Kick off this process and learn about monthly logs, future planning, and collections, plus how to use them in a way that feels manageable, here: How to Use a Bullet Journal: Key Spreads & Basic Methodology
Why I recommend bullet journaling to busy creatives
We tend to ignore our creative pursuits in favour of the hustle when things get busy, but honestly? This has a huge impact on our creative souls! Bullet journaling can help us stay grounded and connected to our creativity, and on top of our busy lives. (All in one convenient little notebook!)
I mentioned above that bullet journaling was a key part of my own creative reclamation. If you’re curious to know more about why I recommend it to everyone, I wrote a short post about it here: Why I Always Recommend Bullet Journaling for Busy Creatives
(More to come as I build up the guide!)
Parting words
Whether you’re brand new to bullet journaling or you’re already a bujo-enthusiast, I’m excited that you’re here! I hope the series meets you where you’re at and supports you in your busy day-to-day life and your creative journey.
Bookmark this page so that you can come back when new posts go live!
If you have any questions, or wish to share your tips and insights from your time in a bullet journal, you know I’d love to hear from you.
Happy journaling!
