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BULLET JOURNAL: STEP BY STEP SETUP

GUIDE TO STARTING YOUR FIRST BUJO
by PJ Lai Bullet Journal How To, Stationery
18 Apr 2017 10 Comments (/blogs/blog/bullet-journal-setup#comment_form)
Are you a productivity junkie? Are you obsessed with to-do lists, calendars, habit trac
have thousands of post-it notes and notebooks ;oating around?

Well, meet your new friend here -> the bullet journal system.

Now,

What the hell is a bullet journal?

Never heard of it? just look up #bulletjournal on Instagram or Pinterest and be ready to
amazed by a sea of neatly drawn notebook pages.

Bullet journal is an analog method of keeping all your lists, goals, resposibilities and
habits documented in on place. It was originally created by NYC-based designer Ryde
and quickly became popular due the its ;exibility as well as minimalist dewsign.

You can basically use a bullet journal to plan your day, track your habits, record ideas
your lists (things to-do, books to-read, placestogo etc).

The possibilities are endless.

Why is bullet journal so popular?

The fundamental system of bullet journal is so simple, you can use it to create a jour
truly Lts the way your brain works.
Some even call it their second brain.

Imagine..

With a bullet journal, you now have a second place to store all your random ideas, tho
dos, schedules etc - it frees up your brain space.

And your brain can now focus on doing the things it does best - analysing and thinkin
CREATIVELY instead of remembering (pronounced: boring) things.

How to setup a bullet journal: step by step guide

Now that I have sold you the beneLts of starting a Bujo, guess it’s time for us to …sta

If you have looked up #bulletjournal on Instagram or Pinterest (as per advised earlier
would have noticed a lot of fancy stationeries, stickers, tapes, drawings and doodling
other people’s bullet journal.

and you might think to yourself

“Well, that’s not something I can do”

You are so wrong…

For now, just forget about the sophisticated pens, or cute Washi tapes
(https://doodadshunter.com/search?type=product&q=washi), or the fancy artwork ot
people have on their journal (Pssssss….there are actually printables and stencils to he
that– I will share it at the end of this post)

For now, just forget all of that. The most important thing right now is simply to get st

To get started in bullet journaling, all you need is just a pen and a notebook.

First, get yourself a good notebook

You want to get something you like. My personal preference is normally an A5 size jo
dotted pages – but you can use basically any notebooks.

Spend a bit of time on researching the notebooks as it will be your companion for the
months (hopefully).

Consider things like size, paper weight (it matters if you are doing calligraphy or usin
pens), page design (whether it’s lined or dotted or blank), and binding.
If you feel like investing and you have the budget – here are some of the big brands-
original Bullet journal by Ryder Carroll (https://store.bulletjournal.com/), Moleskine B
journal (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015NG451A/ref=as_li_tl?
ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B015NG451A&linkCode=undeL
20&linkId=55526fc9ff2eee4ffea6e7e918470b15), Leuchtturm1917 bullet journal
(https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002TSIMW4/ref=as_li_tl?
ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002TSIMW4&linkCode=as2&t
20&linkId=3c56d72807cae5e142764e5aa5e2140c), Baron Fig
(https://www.baronLg.com/pages/conLdant) and Kikki K (http://www.kikki-k.com/?
gclid=CO3RqsP4rNMCFQFwvAodzkoDCg).

or you could just get something from our store here (https://doodadshunter.com/sea
page=1&q=notebook&type=product).

(optional) Get a good pen

This step is totally optional, you could just use any pen you have.

While you are reading this, why not just shamelessly show you some of the pens we
our store (https://doodadshunter.com/search?type=product&q=pens)

Step 2, number all your pages

You will need a reference system to quickly refer to all the ideas or contents you put
journal

Step 3, create your index on the !rst two pages

You will need to refer your index very frequently as you add more and more content in
bullet journal.

An index is basically a place where you track page numbers are all your logs, monthly
tracker, collections etc.

It could be as simple as this

heryellowbird
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268 followers
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58 likes
heryellowbird

my index page is pretty basic. i don't have many collections!

(for some reason my handwriting looks thinner in this photo). p.s. i have terrible writing

#bujoindex #bulletjournalindex #bulletjournal #bujo #bujonewbie #minimalistbujo #bulletjournaling

#bulletjournallove #minimalistbulletjournal #bujocommunity #bujojunkies #bulletjournalcommunity
#bulletjournalnewbie #messybujo #messybulletjournal #wearebujo #bulletjournaljunkies
#plannercommunity #planwithme #showmeyourplanner #embraceimperfection #bulletjournalist
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Or it could be a fancy one like this one

margilaurinspen View Profile

361 followers
View More on Instagram

51 likes
margilaurinspen

#bujo #bulletjournalindex #bulletjournaljunkies #bujojunkies #handlettering link in profile

Add a comment...
 So the idea is – everytime when you add a piece of new content – be it your daily log
log, or a collection (books to read, ideas you learnt etc), you write down the title of th
and the page number on the index page.

Step 4: Create your future log over the next four pages

Future log is basically a reminder for events due in the the future.

It could be a friend’s birthday, an appointment, or a holiday.

In essence, a future log is equivalent to a yearly calendar – a place to record all the im
dates for the whole year

There are many creative ways to draft up your future log but here’s one simple way:

1. divide you page into three equal sections with horizontal lines
2. write the names of the month on the top left corner of each section
3. Events that are due for that month go into the corresponding section

lovelifeloveplanning
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2,644 followers
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83 likes
lovelifeloveplanning

Finished my 'Future Log' I made a couple mistakes, but hey I'm a newbie #futurelog
#leuchtturm1917 #thisyear #bulletjournal
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Some other bullet journal future log ideas

howpeculeah
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431 followers
 View Profile
431 followers

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74 likes
howpeculeah

I may have gotten a teeny bit overexcited and set up my future log for 2017 in my new bullet
journal...
journal...
.
.
I'll be moving into a passport size for next year because I'm looking for more portability. I can't wait
to see how it goes!
.
.
#minimalbujo #bujo #bulletjournal #bulletjournaling #leuchtturm1917 #leuchtturm #planner
#2017planning #futurelog #futureplanning #forwardplanning
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gothamhaus
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8,195 followers
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896 likes
gothamhaus

#planwithmechallenge Next Year.

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raehaus
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458 followers
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76 likes
raehaus

Day 5 | March #planwithmechallenge | Future Planning

.
Finally got around to adding my future log today , and transferring dates from my previous
buju and I added later appointments and events. .
I found this layout over at @logthatlife who had been inspired to modify a future log by Alastair.
Thanks so much for sharing. I mush prefer yours over the other.
.
I have a little less space because I added my dance events, which I probably didn't need to note
here, as I have them on another layout, but it is nice having everything in one area.
.
#simplifyyourlife #bulletjournal #tryingtobeorganized #buju #goalsetting
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bujosis
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304 followers
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185 likes
bujosis

This is my year at a glance

#bujosis #bulletjournal #bujo #bujosetup #yearataglance #futurelog
#bulletjournaljunkies #bujo #weekly #fall #weeklyspread #bulletjournalitalia #goal #todolist
#handlettering #lettering #cute #planner #spread #planning #calligraphy #december #london
#redgreen
#bulletjournalist #bulletjournaling
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 Instagram

The link to this photo or video may be

broken, or the post may have been
removed.

Visit Instagram

note: Don’t forget to add the page number of your future logs to your index
 Step 5: Create your monthly spread on the next two pages

Simply put, a monthly spread of a bullet journal is a monthly calendar, where you list
things you want to get done in that month next to the dates that you want them done

There are endless ways of creating your monthly spread, here’s one of the easiest wa

1. Write the name of the month on both pages

2. On the left page, write down all the dates for the month
3. On the right page, write down all the tasks you want to complete that month
4. With all the dates and tasks listed, you can now match your to-dos with the dates.
5. Don’t forget to check your future log for things you are supposed to complete this
6. Once you have Lnished pairing up your to-dos with the dates , that’s it. Give yourse
your back – you have just Lnished planning for your month

Other creative Bujo monthly spread ideas:

Here’s one which looks more like your classic calendar + To-do list
 Instagram

The link to this photo or video may be

broken, or the post may have been
removed.

Visit Instagram

You can even combine it with your habit tracker. Here’s one beautiful example
 stylish.historian View Profile
954 followers

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380 likes
stylish.historian
 UPDATE: I've made a bullet journal/calligraphy account, @darklovely.designs! never
posted a #monthlyspread before! (of course it's when I made a typo lol) #bulletjournal
#bulletjournaljunkies #bulletjournalcommunity #bujo #bujojunkies #journal #journaling #july
#monthly #spread #notebook #calendar #planneraddict #planner #nerdlife #plannergeek
#calligraphy #lettering #moderncalligraphy #affirmations #selflove #reminder #notetoself
#handlettering #monthlyview #typo #whoops #darklovelydesigns
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At a glance calendar view – everything on one page approach

Source: pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/155303887131939938/)
This is a more complicated version. It has sections for planning for the future(calend
list of goals) and sections for recording the past (memories, habit tracker, expenses
the same page. It’s probably more suited for advanced bullet journalist though.

Source: pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/26458716541564425/)

Optional: Create your own Bujo key/legend page

When Ryder Carroll Lrst came out with the idea, he wanted to create a journal system
people can just quickly jot down ideas and to-dos – in BULLET POINT form.

Hence the name bullet journal

So the idea goes like this: when you come across an idea/to-do, you simply write it d
your journal

For a task, you add a bullet or a dot next to the text line
For a note, you add a dash next to the line
and for an event, you draw a small circle
When you complete a task, you write an x or cross sign over the bullet
if you don’t get a chance to complete a task, you can put a > sign over the bullet to
to next day/week/month
or you can put a < sign over the bullet to reschedule it to later date (goes to your fu
Source: buzzfeed (https://www.buzzfeed.com/rachelwmiller/how-to-start-a-bullet-jou
utm_term=.vtVOr3gJa#.uoYrBw3Pg)

These six symbols are normally sutcient for beginners like you and me, but more
sophisticated bullet journalists start coming out with new ideas for the symbols.

Like this one here

Source: pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/348606827388702974/)
So a Bujo key or legend page is simply a quick reference guide to remind you of the m
behind each symbols.

This page is completely optional. You can stick to the original six symbols in which c
probably don’t need a reminder, or you can get creative and completely personalize y
journal with unique symbols of your own.

Step 6: Create you daily log

These are pages where you will jot down your daily activities/events/ideas – anythin
everything worth noting.

You start your day by checking for any to-dos

Scan yesterdays log. If there are incomplete task, make sure you migrate them - ei
future log (using < symbol) or to today’s log (using > symbol)
Check your monthly spread for any events or tasks you planned to do today earlier
month

As the day goes on, you continue to use your bullet journal

cross things off your to-dos

make notes about interesting encounters you had or ideas you came across using
symbol
Source: bulletjournal.com (http://bulletjournal.com/get-started/)

Step 7: Create your bullet journal idea collection pages

These pages will truly make your bullet journal yours. Basically you take the ideas yo
in the daily log, and group them accordingly
For example, you may have a page for books you want to read or places you want to
day

source: pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/432486370453177959/)

or you may want to track your habits

source: pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/124130533461653759/)

perhaps mood tracking(?)

source: pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/98657048068323856/)

maybe you want to document your weight loss journey

source: pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/399131585709808647/)

Basically anything that matters to you, you can create a page for it. Just remember th
rule: everytime you create a new page, remember to add the title and the page number
index page.
 Everytime you create a new page, remember to add the title and the page number (s
index page

Conclusion

So there you go – the seven basic steps to start a bullet journal.

Just remember, there are thousands of different ways to style your bullet journal.

But at its core, the system is simple and intuitive. Everything you feel like you want to
you just write down in your bullet journal.

After a while, you will Lnd yourself becoming happier and more creative – because y
no longer has to work as hard as it used to be.

The key to a becoming a successful bullet journalist, is to make it a habit – to carry y

journal wherever you go, and write in it whenever you have a new idea or experience.

Good luck and happy journaling.

! February 25, 2018 " PJ Lai

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10 COMMENTS

" Anne
February 13, 2019

Thank you, this has given me some great ideas and a place to start.

" malo
February 13, 2019

Near the top of the post, you said you were going to share the printables/stencils at t
the post but I didn’t see any? Other than that, this guide was really useful, I feel like m
is going to look pretty good and really help me get more organized. Thanks!!

" Dylan Moline

February 13, 2019

You mentioned “there are actually printables and stencils to help you with that– I will
the end of this post)”
Where are they? :)

" Caressa Brady

February 13, 2019

You’ve inspired me to start a bullet journal TODAY!

I’ll keep you posted on my progress, (I’ll remind myself in my Bullet Journal to do so)

Thank you so much for all your hard work in making this website & inspiring others to
their best that they can be…

" Ellenwood
February 13, 2019

Awesome post! I just started and this was a nice guide.

One suggestion though, you might want to run it through a spellchecker – lots of erro

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