What Is a Bullet Journal?
Whether you need to get a better handle on your to-do list or want an outlet to help you relax, a bullet journal can help. But what exactly is a bullet journal? Think of it as a next-level diary for not only writing but also drawing. Instead of blank, lined pages, a bullet journal (or BuJo, for short) contains sections to log daily to-dos, keep a monthly or weekly calendar, jot down notes, track both physiological and mental health, and record both short- and long-term goals.
How to Make a Bullet Journal
Here’s the catch: A bullet journal isn’t something you buy already templated. Instead, you purchase a blank or dot grid journal and create something unique to you and your goals. Because of that, starting a bullet journal does require a rather significant up-front time investment.
The process should be fun and creative, though. (A great addition to any self-care routine!) Besides a few simple sticking points, like an index and a calendar, the contents of your journal—and just how involved you make it—is entirely up to you.
More From Oprah Daily
Don’t let the time of the year throw you off, either. There’s no need to wait until next January—you can start a bullet journal in the beginning, middle, or end of the year (or anytime in between). Remember: Much like creating a vision board, there aren’t many hard-and-fast rules to bullet journaling.
Ready to get started? Follow this step-by-step guide for beginners by calligrapher and illustrator Kimberly Shrack.
Step 1: Gather everything you need.
You don’t have to splurge on an arsenal of supplies. To get started with a bullet journal, you really need only two things: a dot grid notebook and a no-bleed pen. Look for a journal with a lay-flat spine, high-quality paper, a dot grid that’s light and easy on the eyes, and numbered pages. When it comes to pens, dual-tips—pens with a bullet tip on one end, a brush on the other—are most versatile. But if you want to use your bullet journal as an opportunity to be creative, go for it. Stock up on colored gel pens, watercolors, stickers—the sky’s the limit, really.
The bottom line: You’re more likely to stick with the project if it feels manageable and inspiring—and that will look slightly different for everyone.
A beautifully-bound dotted journal with all the characteristics necessary for a great bullet journal.
High-quality dual brush pens in an array of 10 vibrant colors.
For beginners, erasable markers make quick work of correcting any errors.
Don't stress about a lack of artistic skills—there are plenty of tools, like this wide range of stickers, that can help.
Step 2: Think about what purpose your bullet journal will serve.
A bullet journal can be a calendar, a to-do list, a goal-tracker, and a diary all in one, but it doesn’t have to be all those things. Before you put pen to paper, consider how your bullet journal can best serve you.
“As a mom and a small-business owner, the purpose of my bullet journal is to stay ahead of my ever-growing to-do list,” says Shrack. “I use mine to keep track of all household appointments and to-dos, as well as appointments, stats, and ideas for my business.”
But if you prefer to use your bullet journal as a means to help you achieve a goal like living a healthier life, for example, you could jot down activities that get you moving, plan healthy meals, and track your weekly step goals.
Step 3: Make it yours.
As many uses as there are for the bullet journal, there are 10 times as many ways to set it up, says Shrack, who recommends starting with the following:
- Page numbers: Start by numbering your pages for easy reference.
- An index: The first page of your bullet journal should be the index. Make a list of the items you’ll be tracking with your bullet journal.
- A weekly (or daily or monthly) summary: No matter how you use your bullet journal, it should be created chronologically. Because of this, creating a summary at the beginning of every week (or day or month, depending on how often you plan to use it) will help you keep track of everything you want to accomplish. This could include a calendar of appointments, a series of to-dos, activity goals, or whatever serves your purpose. At the start of the next week (or day or month), you can reference your summary to see what appointments were moved, what items still need to be completed, and what goals were accomplished.
- A tracking system for to-dos and goals: Come up with a series of symbols or marks that indicate the status of your to-do items. “I put a square next to every item on my to-do list. When I finish the task, I fill in the square. If it’s in progress, I put a slash through it. If it needs to be moved to the next week, I put an arrow in it. And if it no longer needs to be done, I simply cross it out.” For easy reference, it’s helpful to include a key to these symbols on your index page.
Besides these four items, options abound. Think about what kind of lists will help you boost productivity, improve mental clarity, or achieve a goal. Some ideas for additional pages include a meal planning guide, a mood tracker, a sleep log, a bucket list, and a gratitude list.
Want more guidance? Check out this mesmerizing hyperlapse tutorial.
Step 4: Step back, admire, and get to work!
As soon as you have your page numbers and index created, dive right in with a summary of your first week.
Don’t stress about plotting out everything perfectly on your first go. “Done is better than perfect,” says Shrack. “The truth is, you’re never going to know what works for you until you start.”
Chances are, the look of your pages will change dramatically as you go—and that’s a good thing. The more you build up your bullet journal, the more you’ll learn about what does and does not work for you.
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
