How to Start A Bullet Journal: Quick & Easy Guide

In this easy guide, we will show you how to start a bullet journal. Bullet journals are a great way to keep track of your life and organize your thoughts. They can help you stay on top of tasks, achieve your goals, and improve your productivity. In this guide, we will walk you through the basics of setting up your bullet journal and show you some simple tips for getting started. Let’s go!

*This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through any link.

How to Start A Bullet Journal

Bullet journals are simple to set up and easy to use. The basic layout of a bullet journal includes the following:

• An index or table of contents
• Monthly calendars
• Daily logs

You can customize your bullet journal however you like, but the sections above are a good starting point. Other section ideas include:

• A simple daily calendar
• A task list for each day
• A weekly overview of upcoming tasks and events
• A log of completed tasks
• Monthly budgeting and goal tracking

Index

The first step in setting up your bullet journal is creating an index or table of contents. This will help you quickly find the information you need without having to search through all of your pages. The index should include page numbers for each section in your journal. To create the table of contents, simply write “Index” at the top of a new page and list the section headings and corresponding page numbers.

Here are some image examples of index journaling pages.

Monthly Calendars

Now it’s time to set up your monthly calendars. Calendars are a great way to track appointments, deadlines, and other events. To create a monthly calendar, draw a grid with 3-4 squares per row and label each square with the month name. Then, fill in the dates for each month.

These are some examples of cute monthly calendar journaling pages.

Daily Spread

The next step is creating your daily spreads. Daily spreads are where you track your day-to-day tasks and activities. To create a daily log, simply write the date at the top of the page and then list out your to-dos, appointments, and other notes for that day. You can use bullets, numbers, or symbols to indicate different types of information. For example, you could use a bullet for tasks, a number for appointments, and a symbol for notes.

Get inspired by these daily spread journal page examples.

These are the basics of how to start a bullet journal. As you get more comfortable using your journal, you can customize it however you like.

Now let’s talk more about the supplies you will need and ways you can customize your journal.

What supplies do you need for bullet journaling?

One of the great things about bullet journaling is that you only need a few supplies to get started. You’ll need a notebook, a pen or pencil, and some stickers or washi tape to decorate your pages. You can find more specific recommendations for what to use in your bullet journal in this article.

Which notebook is best for bullet journal?

When choosing a notebook, it’s important to find one that is large enough for your needs. If you’re just starting out, a smaller journal may be fine, but as you get more into bullet journaling and start tracking more information, you’ll likely need a larger notebook. You can also buy journals specifically designed for bullet journaling or use a regular notebook and create your own custom layout.

Examples of Different Types of Journals

Here are some examples of cute bullet journals available on Amazon.

*This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through any link. Read full disclosure here.*

1. PAPERAGE Dotted Journal Notebook

My favorite thing about the Paperage Dotted Journal Notebook is the simplicity. It’s literally a blank canvas ready to be transformed into anything you want. The lines are already dotted which makes it easy to draw out your lines. This journal is available in 14 different colors.

2. Pink Notebook Planner With Accessories for Beginners

Next on the list is the Pink Notebook Planner by Feela. I think this is a great planner to start out with for beginners because it includes your journal and all the supplies you may need to get started. This kit comes with 1 pink dotted line bullet journal, 15 fine liner pens, 6 sticker sheets, 5 reusable stencils, 6 Washi tape sets, and one black pen all at a great price.

3. Aesthetic Leather Journal Notebook

I added this next journal to the list because it has so much personality! This is the type of aesthetic leather journal that makes you wonder what creative stories are written inside. Plus the added details drawn on the leather are absolutely gorgeous. This notebook is under $15 and currently showing available in 6 different colors: blue, brown, coffee, matte black, matte blue, and red.

Bullet Journal Binder

My favorite type of notebook to use is a 6-ring binder. I never have to worry about running out of paper. It allows me to add cute printable pages. Also, I can reorganize my binder whenever I want.

How do you make a bullet journal binder?

To make a bullet journal binder, you’ll need a 6 ring notebook, a six-hole punch, and some bullet journal paper. Simply punch your journal pages and insert them into the rings. This way, you can easily add or remove pages as needed. You can also customize your binder by adding different cover pages or dividers to make it easier to navigate.

Below is my current bullet journal binder. Of course I purchased it in my favorite color pink! However, if you are not a pink lover like me they have other beautiful colors to choose from. I love all the extra pockets that I can use to store my planner stickers and washi tape.

Here are some other 6-ring binder ideas that I think are super cute.

Gold Leather 6 Ring Binder

This next binder is super chic and the gold color is beautiful! I can definitely see this leather binder being used as productivity or business bullet journal. The extra pockets can be used to store your stickers and important papers.

Transparent PVC Binder

Recently I’ve become OBSESSED with transparent binders. The look is minimalistic and it would be easy to change the look of your binder anytime that you want by simply adding a new a cover page.

Free Printable Pages!

Lots of people use doodling and drawing as a creative outlet, but I love the organization and productivity that journaling has bought into my life. Are you like me and want to keep things simple? Then, you will love my Free Quick-Start Bullet Journal Bundle! It will include a collection of printable pages that you can use to easily get started setting up your bullet journal. It is almost complete. Sign up below so that we can notify you when this bundle is added to the website.

What is the best paper in a bullet journal?

There is no one “best” paper for a bullet journal, as everyone’s preferences will be different. Some people prefer to use thin paper that doesn’t take up a lot of space, while others prefer a heavier paper that doesn’t show through when using pens. You can find more information on different types of paper in this article. Here are two of my favorite types of journaling paper.

1. Dotted Line 6 Ring Binder Bullet Journal Paper

This dotted line journal paper is the most popular. It has the dotted grid lines which makes it easy to map our your daily spreads. This paper already includes the holes which is convenient.

2. Dotted Refill Paper kit

If you want a kit that includes everything to get you started, this dotted refill paper kit is a great option. You will receive 100 sheets of paper refills,160 index notes, 5 page dividers, a zipper pocket organizer, and a 2-Pouch bill bag.

3. Colorful Lined Paper for Bullet Journals

This is a colorful journal paper is a good option for people that prefer lined paper. This paper already has the holes and comes with different color options: green, yellow, blue, pink, and white.

It is a great idea to purchase a 6 ring hole puncher. A hole puncher will come in handy if you decide you want to add printable pages and stationery to your binder.

What type of pen is best for bullet journaling?

The best pen for bullet journaling is by Sakura Pigma Micron. These pens are great for both beginners and experts because they have high ink quality and offer versatility when it comes to journaling.

My favorite colored pens are the are by Staedtler 334 C60 triplus fineliner. They have vibrant colors and can be left open for days without drying out.

How do you decorate a journal with stickers?

There’s no one right way to use stickers in a bullet journal. Some people like to use them to decorate their pages, while others prefer to use them to track specific information. Here are a few ideas on how to use stickers in your bullet journal:

• Decorate your pages with colorful stickers to add some personality to your journal.
• Use stickers as dividers to separate different sections of your journal.
• Track important information by adding stickers to your calendar or task list.
• Use stickers as labels for different collections or categories.

Should I start bullet journaling?

Yes! Starting a bullet journal is the perfect way get organized and become more productive. It is also a creative outlet to explore your thoughts, feelings and inspiration. Whether you are journaling for productivity or creativity, we’ve got just what you need! Sign up below for our monthly newsletter where you’ll receive tips and FREE printables to get started with the bullet journal method of writing. You might be surprised at the benefits one can reap from this simple act! What are some of the ways you want to benefit from journaling?