Bullet Journal Quick Guide (for beginners)
How about starting a bullet journal this bullet journal quick guide to starting one for beginners will help you take action!
If you have never started a Bullet Journal before this quick guide can take all the fuss and overwhelm away making it even simpler to grab a journal and start!
If you want a more in-depth look at bullet journaling you can check out this guide here.
(If this post contains affiliate links please see our full disclosure policy although I have to say I tried really hard to make it interesting and even I struggled to write it so if you really must read it you can find it here)
There are so many ways to can start off a bullet journal. This guide will give you a quick run-through of the essentials to have so you can START!
That is always the best first step and it doesn’t have to be perfect check out my first page!
It’s not perfect but gets the job done.
If your curious and in a hurry check out what I have started with:
☑️Compare TOP 4 NOTEBOOKS
1.Minimalism Art
2.Dotted Grid Notebook/Journal
3.Leuchtturm1917
4.Dotted Journal by Scribbles That Matter
I recommend both the notebook and pens to get started with the paper is thick enough that it doesn’t bleed through and the pens are lovely to write with.
If you are overwhelmed with the choice of pens and notebooks go for these budget options to get you started out. These are what I have started with and the notebook and pens are great. No bleed through the pages of the notebook I was well impressed ( smudged with my gel pen so maybe a ballpoint or just these pens below would be better to write with as they definitely don’t smudge).
What is a bullet journal
Bullet Journal Notebooks were first started by Ryder Carroll a bloke for Brooklyn in the US.
He calls it an “the Analog Method for the digital age”.
If you love the simplicity of notebook and pen- that’s me too! Then you will love Bullet Journals.
It’s like a giant To-do List!
Make sure when you start its simple look what I did:
It may not be the prettiest or best way I should have started but heh I started and you should too. My colours are all wrong!
Keep it simple!
Here are some inspirational minimalist Bullet journal spreads.
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How to start a simple bullet journal
First, you need to set up your pages to get started. Some Bullet journals like the one I bought ( you can buy it here) have the Key page and Index pages all ready for you to fill in.
As well as having these pages you also need to number the pages – this should be your first task so that you can fill in the Index page.
You will need the following pages:
- The Bullet Journal Key page
- The Index
- The Future Log
- Monthly Logs
- Daily Logs
- Migrating tasks
- collections
Yep, it sounds a lot but I have added a Future Log – I will get to this so it’s up to you.
The great thing about Bullet Journals is because they are more organised compared to a regular notebook which I used ( numerous ones).
I could never find the pages I needed – this way it’s all at your fingertips!
The Bullet Journal Key Page
This is an index of the symbols you will be using in your Bullet Journal. You can have lots or a little.
Best to start off with a few otherwise you might not use them all!
This is the main ones you should use:
▢ Task
■ Task complete
➜▢ Forward Task – arrow over the box
─ ▢ Deleted task – line over the box
- Note
? Further Research
> Task Migrated
– Notes
* Priority
My Key Page
More examples of key pages
Other Ideas for Key Pages
Wasabi Tape Key Page Tracker – using wasabi tape as tabs for key pages in your journal.
This will help locate pages easily too!
The Index
Have a few pages set aside for you Index pages. Preferably have the page numbers sequential not like I started:
This will help with finding your collections, monthly and daily logs.
The Future Log
The future log is the first pages of your bullet journal usually a 6-month plan sometimes it can be a 12-month yearly calendar.
Monthly Logs
This is a Monthly layout with tasks for each month.
The Layouts can vary with grids of the days of the month or use each line of the day of the month.
It’s not necessarily a To-do list but an overview of the month to help you have an overview of what you need to do.
Here are some examples of monthly spreads
Daily Logs
This is your official start page of your Bullet Journal.
You log each task you need to get done on the day. Anything you need to remember about the day. At the end of the day, it can be migrated to another day, to your monthly spreads or 6 monthly spreads.
Migrating tasks
At the end of the day or the next morning. You will want to go through your daily list. Find out what is complete and what still needs to be done. Move over any tasks that are still to be done to the next daily task list.
Collections
Collections are pages or logs where you have collections of related information.
You can have collections of things like a financial tracker, weight loss trackers, birthdays or a list of books you want to read.
Bullet Journal can Boost your Productivity
The great thing about Bullet Journaling is that you can improve your productivity because plan your day and get tasks done.
I love getting things down on paper because it gets it out of my mind onto paper. It will allow you to plan and prioritize your tasks. Even if you are super busy you can write down what you need to do quickly using the keys.
What is a Minimalist Bullet journal
A minimalist Bullet Journal is paired back journal without lots of fancy drawings. It is the minimal layout but its quick and easy to get started.
It is great for productivity because the layouts are quick and easy to create. If you don’t feel you are artistic is also a great way to create a bullet journal without the arty stuff.
Starting with a minimalist spread gets you into the habit of bullet journaling. Ultimately you can but whatever you want in your journal to make it suit you. So if want a bit of creativity one week add it!
Motivational Bullet Journalling
Complete your To-do lists help you become productive. You know what you should be doing rather than getting distracted especially with social media.
Bullet Journal for Reflection
Finally, bullet Journals can help you look back and reflect on what you have achieved. As you migrate tasks you can see what you are achieving and what you need to work on. If you use your bullet journal for blogging it can be a useful tool to see what has been working and what need to be improved.
What are you waiting to start one today?
Related Bullet Journal posts
7 Bullet Journals templates to help save money
7 Budgeting Bullet Journal templates
Ultimate Beginners Guide to starting a bullet Journal
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