{"id":16510,"date":"2024-05-02T09:00:49","date_gmt":"2024-05-02T08:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog-content.thortful.com\/?p=16510"},"modified":"2024-08-01T09:13:33","modified_gmt":"2024-08-01T08:13:33","slug":"how-to-bullet-journal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog-content.thortful.com\/how-to-bullet-journal\/","title":{"rendered":"How to start a bullet journal"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the past few years, bullet journaling has absolutely boomed in popularity. And if you\u2019re the type of person who finds organisations extremely satisfying or simply think it could help you in your daily life, you might be considering giving it a go yourself.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking to get started, you\u2019re in the right place. We\u2019re here to discuss everything you need to know about how to bullet journal, from breaking down essential terms and phrases to providing some layout ideas for beginners. Just keep on reading to find out more!<\/p>\n

What is a bullet journal?<\/h2>\n

To put it simply, a bullet journal is a book where you can log all sorts of information that you\u2019d like to keep track of or refer back to. Think of it as the lovechild of a calendar, planner, and diary.<\/p>\n

For a lot of people, their favourite part about bullet journaling is that you set it up yourself to suit your needs, which basically means you can get as creative as you like.<\/p>\n

Basic bullet journal glossary<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re new to bullet journaling, you\u2019re probably going to come across some terminology that you\u2019re unfamiliar with. That\u2019s why we\u2019ve pulled together a mini basic bullet journal glossary to explain the essential terms and phrases you need to know.<\/p>\n

Spread\/Layout<\/h3>\n

A spread refers to the pages in a bullet journal – more specifically, two pages that are side by side, creating a spread. The reason for this is that most people layout things out over two pages so that they\u2019ve got enough space to add all the necessary information, rather than trying to just squeeze it all into one.<\/p>\n

Bujo<\/h3>\n

This one\u2019s pretty easy and kind of obvious (well, it is once you\u2019re in the know), but \u2018bujo\u2019 is just short for bullet journal.<\/p>\n

Signifiers and keys<\/h3>\n

Keys and signifiers are used together, hence why we\u2019ve grouped them together.<\/p>\n

Signifiers are the little symbols that can be used to help add extra information to your bullet journal pages. For example, an exclamation point could be used to mark something as important, whilst a question mark may mean that something is uncertain or yet to be confirmed.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll probably have already heard of the term \u2018key\u2019 before, and it\u2019s a space used to provide context as to what each of your signifiers means. That way, you won\u2019t forget what each of your signifiers means and don\u2019t need to fill unnecessary space.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no one true way to use signifiers, and what you include in your key will vary depending on what you\u2019re using it for.<\/p>\n

Index<\/h3>\n

An index is the place where you can keep track of all your different spreads with the corresponding page number. It\u2019s basically the same thing as the contents page of a book. Usually, the first page of your bullet journal (or the first few pages in some cases) will be dedicated to being an index, as it\u2019s the easiest page to refer back to.<\/p>\n

Title page<\/h3>\n

As you might be able to guess, title pages are used to introduce a separate section or type of spread in your bullet journal. It\u2019s also worth mentioning that some people choose to go all-out when designing title pages, which is probably because it\u2019s the start of a new section. After all, you do want it to stand out!<\/p>\n

Bleeding<\/h3>\n

No, this isn\u2019t as gory as it may initially sound. Bleeding is just when your pen or other form of ink has gone through the current page and you can visibly see it on the other side.<\/p>\n

Setting up a bullet journal: step-by-step<\/h2>\n

1. Get yourself a suitable notebook<\/h3>\n

Of course, perhaps the most important step is picking out the vessel that is going to become your bullet journal for the foreseeable. Honestly, it\u2019s up to you whether you stick to a classic paper notebook or use digital tools, each option comes with its own advantages and disadvantages.<\/p>\n

For instance, with a paper notebook, you get a real physical journal to work with, although this does require more time and effort. On the other hand, an app or digital option can be a lot easier and quicker to work with (especially if you don\u2019t class yourself as particularly artistic), but it may not feel as personal.<\/p>\n

2. Decide what you want out of bullet journaling<\/h3>\n

Once you\u2019ve got your chosen notebook ready to hand, it\u2019s time to decide what you want to use it for. From a daily or monthly log all the way to doodle pages, you can choose just one thing that you want to get out of it or go for a mix.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, it\u2019s all about whatever you want to get out of it and keep track of. If you\u2019re struggling for inspiration, be sure to carry on reading as we\u2019ll be running through some fun bullet journal ideas for beginners further down.<\/p>\n

3. Gather all the necessary bullet journal supplies<\/h3>\n

Aesthetic-wise, you can decide how artsy-craftsy you want to get with it. Some people prefer to keep it plain and simple with a few doodles here and there, whilst others want every page to look bright and funky.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re obsessed with stationary, this is most likely a dream situation, and we\u2019ve pulled together a quick list of some bullet journal supplies that you might want to have handy:<\/p>\n