Bullet Journaling Basics

Bullet journaling is my new addiction.

When I started writing in my journal again after a long hiatus, I wrote the way I always had with long passages that described all my random observations. Because I’m always trying to simplify and save time, I started making my daily to-do list at the top of each entry. But I was still having to dig out my planner to get an overall view of my appointments, which seemed a bit clunky for someone who loves to streamline.

Then I discovered bullet journaling and wondered, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Needless to say, I’m new to this but I had to share just in case you hadn’t heard of it.

In its simplest form, bullet journaling is an organizational system that uses bullet points, symbols and short descriptions to help you keep track of your life. In its most complex form, its a combination journal/planner/tracker/scrapbook/art project that contains lists, doodles, notes and washi tape.

My personal system vacillates somewhere in between. (You’ll get a sneak peek on Friday!) The beauty of bullet journaling is that it can be completely customized to fit your personal needs. You start with a blank notebook and a pen, and there aren’t any boxes or structured pages telling you what to do. All the choices are yours!

There are a few components that seem to be fairly common:

• index
• monthly goals
• weekly appointments
• daily to-do lists

But beyond those components is where it gets fun! You can make a collection for anything that’s important to you.

• finances
• habit tracker
• weight loss/health
• books you plan to read
• movies
• business ideas

The list of possible collections is endless!

Speaking of which, the bullet journaling community has its own lingo, a.k.a. “collection.” A collection is a group of related ideas or tasks, like those listed above. A “spread” is 2 facing pages, but I’ve heard collection and spread used interchangeably. Then there’s “ghosting” which is when ink from one side is slightly visible on the other side. “Bujo” is short for bullet journal—and I’m slightly embarrassed that I didn’t understand that one right away. Of course, you’ll find different definitions depending on where you look, but those are the basics as I understand them.

The great thing is, if there’s something you don’t know, there are plenty of people eager to help you on your bullet journal journey (say that 5 times fast!) There are communities on Facebook and tons of people on Instagram who love to chat and exchange ideas, always looking for ways to take their bullet journals to the next level.

To get a few ideas, go to Instagram and search #bulletjournal, #bujo, #planneraddict, just to name a few. There’s tons of eye candy so be careful, you’re about to fall down a rabbit hole.

Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Come back on Friday and I’ll share a few of my personal pages along with my Instagram alter ego. Plus, I’d love to see your bujo too!

Have you tried bullet journaling?

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