The Wonderful Magic of Bullet Journaling To Boost Your Productivity
Here’s how I structured mine, the ways it helped, and why you need to start one right now.
Everyone seems to be getting into journaling right at the start of the year. In fact, here’s a graph of searches for ‘bullet journal’! The spikes, predictably, are Januaries.
Looks like most people are either not keeping their resolutions, or learning to manage one without needing to search for inspiration online as they did when they first g got it. I’m willing to bet its the former, sadly.
Of course, there are many types of journals.
- A standard journal, which is just lined pages. A bit too basic, while still being restrictive. If words are your medium, they’re perfect.
- A pre-printed planner, which can come in daily, weekly, and monthly layouts. The one week spread is the most common, with each week taking up two pages (this is also how i structured my bullet journal
- A bullet journal, the perfect blank slate for creativity and versatility. Just a dot-grid to fill to your heart’s content!
- A digital journal/planner
Additionally, there are many specialized journals for budgeting, recipes, travel, school, and more!
I’ve tried many planners, and only the bullet journal truly offers the freedom to do it all.
Bullet journaling, or “BuJo", as it’s known in its circles, has a vibrant and diverse community, catering to any lifestyle, gender, or age!
All you really need to get started is a bullet journal (printable pages and a binder will do the trick too!) and your favorite pen. One pen for now, at least, as you’ll inevitably end up with an entire collection of pens just for journaling!
Get a journal (or printable!) with thick paper, as you’ll likely end up turning your pages into a wonderful mixed-media form of expression.
My setup
When I started my journal, I went with a mixed monthly and weekly layout. I’d do a calendar spread on two pages, and then do weekly spreads until the next month, rinse and repeat. You can look up “bullet journal spread ideas" if you’re not sure how to start. I suggest leaving a few blank pages after every month, just for to-do lists or some artistic expression. I’m not very skilled when it comes to drawing or painting, but I made several clipping collages in one of my journals!
If you’re the do-it-yourself type like I am, you probably have a cutting machine already. If not, this is your excuse! One of my favorite things to do for my journal is design stickers for things such as subscriptions, reminders, school assignments, and lists!
If all this crafting intimidates you, that’s okay! Your journal is only as creative as you make it. A minimalist, easy to copy design may be better suited for your needs. In fact, I sometimes opt for simple layouts for weeks when I’m working on big projects or I’m just too busy. For me, this usually means skipping colored pens and fancy fonts.
If you can’t tell by now, although BuJo has a huge community, it’s a very personalized endeavor. It’s calming, expressive, and useful. Of course, it can also be easy to obsess over, so please remember that this is YOUR planner, and it doesn’t have to look like the beautiful, complex works of art you may see online in your search for ideas. What might work for me could be different for you, and vice versa. All that matters is that it helps you structure your life, and that you feel good while doing it. Giving it a try won’t hurt your productivity or your wallet!
