If you’re looking for info to get started with the bullet journal system, you have come to the right place! Welcome to the Bullet Journal 101 post. But be warned. Once you go BuJo, you won’t go back. I am a total newbie, so this is truly a post for people just learning about the method. If you’re wondering, ‘What is a bullet journal?’ or ‘What do I need to get started?’ or ‘Why would I even want to?’ This is the blog post for you.
Q: What is a Bullet Journal?
A: According to bulletjournal.com, “The Bullet Journal is a customizable and forgiving organization system. It can be your to-do list, sketchbook, notebook, and diary, but most likely, it will be all of the above. It will teach you to do more with less.”
Q: Do I need a certain notebook?
A: You don’t necessarily need a certain notebook but, I would recommend ordering a Leuchtturm 1917 Medium Dot Grid notebook from The Goulet Pen Company. You can order one on Amazon, but I’ve done both, and I actually received mine much faster from The Goulet Pen. And furthermore, along with my journal, they sent me a personalized note and a bookmark. Love! The Leuchtturm 1917 is the perfect size, paper weight and has dots to make drawing, sketching and planning much easier. Believe me, the dots make it so much easier to draw lines and correctly space when making grids, graphs, etc. But don’t let not having the correct journal prevent you from getting started. You can go ahead and use any type of notebook, but I think you would really enjoy the Leuchtturm.
Q: Don’t the pens bleed through?
A: As I’ve learned about the system and looked at pictures on Instagram and blogs, I’ve seen several different types of pens being used. I have been using the Tripulus Fineliner 0.3 mm pens (the 10 pack). I absolutely love them. I also really love Paper Mate pens. Even the thick tip Paper Mate pens do not bleed through. I am a Sharpie fan, but the only one I can use with my Bullet Journal is the Sharpie fine point.
A. What other materials are needed?
Q: I recommend carrying around a small ruler that can fit in your purse, bag or in the back pocket of your Bullet Journal (if you have a Leuchtturm 1917). You will be drawing lines for your grids and believe me, a ruler comes in handy. I also use tabs to keep up with pages I use constantly. That way, I don’t have to always refer to the index or memorize page numbers. You will also probably use colored pencils, regular pencils and Post-it notes.
Q: What does the system entail?
A: With the Bullet Journal system, you have the freedom to customize your notebook in any way you like so that it makes your life more systematic and organized. All journals have an index or table of contents to keep track of what is written on each page or series of pages. Many folks rely on a coding system, using a variety symbols and notations. Also, most Bullet Journals have daily, weekly and monthly grids. It may take you a couple of days, weeks or months to find your sweet spot with these, but you will find it! Below are several examples from my bullet journal.
As you see, I’m just getting started with my bullet journal. I plan to make as many tweaks, edits and adaptations until I find something that works for me.
If you would like to start this system, the first steps are to order the materials you need and brainstorm about ideas that will work for you and your life. You can also find a lot of information on Pinterest, through Google searches and searching on Instagram with the hashtag #bulletjournal or #bujo.
Good luck! I have extremely high hopes for this system and look forward to sharing my journey with you. Here’s to a more organized 2016!
P.S. Since writing this post, I’ve created a group board on Pinterest called Bullet Journal Collaborative. It’s very active with 100 contributors and a lot of great info. If you would like to collaborate on this group board, first follow the board then comment on this post with your Pinterest username so I can add you. I look forward to sharing ideas!
Jaime says
I’ve heard so much about the bullet journal! I use a Life Planner, which I’ve loved the past few years. If I ever decide to stray, I’ll have to check this method out. 😉
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
So cool! I use something similar I created for the blog with color coding to match tasks, but it’s not as official as this :-)))
Looks like you are set up for a great 2016!!
Add to the list– Spend time with Julie *priority!
🙂
susannabarbee says
It’s added! And it’s definitely a priority. Can’t wait to hang out! 🙂
momssmallvictories says
I love bullet journaling for capturing all my random ideas and do a sort of hybrid in my planners. The planners have all the grids/layout for me so I just add checklists and lots of note pages. I really want those Staedler pens but haven’t tried them yet. Happy planning!
Lee MacArthur says
I wish I were this organized. I should probably do something like this as I’m holding down a full time job with over time and work on maintaining two blogs. Thank you for all the detailed pictures.
redheadbabymama says
Very cool! I’ve never heard of this system, but I would like the flexible freedom.
Diane Gasaway says
I’m still tweaking my planner, and would like to join the board. I’m following.
susannabarbee says
Great! What is your Pinterest username?
Mae-Mae Han says
What’s the name of your notebook’s color? I can’t seem to find it!
susannabarbee says
One was ‘Emerald’ and the other ‘Orange’. The Emerald doesn’t really look like a traditional emerald green so maybe that’s why you didn’t see it at first.
Jim says
Hi there! Just started the bullet journal towards the middle of May. It has been a great process that has become a powerful organization tool, creative outlet/hobby, book journal, work hacks, and goals. Love following the ideas on the board. Can you sign me up as well? Thanks much . Jim. @jrharris100
susannabarbee says
Hi Jim! I have invited you to collaborate on the Pinterest board so once you accept, you are good to go. Thank you!
Rachel Savage says
yes, bullet journals look fabulous! I now can’t wait to get started – I feel very inspired and the photos are very helpful thank you
susannabarbee says
You are welcome! I hope your bullet journal is as helpful for you as it has been for me.
unique(horn)me says
Hey there, thank you for this wonderful posts, it gave me a lot of information when I started my BuJo two weeks ago 😀
I’d like to join the pinterest-group, just pushed the ‘follow’-button.
My Pinterest-Name is uniquehornme
https://de.pinterest.com/uniquehornme/
susannabarbee says
Great! Adding you now. You should be getting an invite. Just click “Accept”.
cnoyes says
Please add me to your group. Thanks!
Kimberly Wisener says
I’ve just discovered the bujo system and I’m looking forward to the fun!! Thanks for your wonderful post with a great base of info!!
Thanks so much!
susannabarbee says
I’m so glad you found it useful!
Scott McKinney says
Please add me to this board. Thanks!
– Scott McKinney (scottm)
Christina Smith says
Great post. I would like to be added to your Pinterest board. My username is cmsmith0211.
kimberjoy65 says
my pinterest username is and I would like to be added to your Collaborative Bullet Journal Board. I have been trying out many of the formats I found in various blogs and pages of bullet journals and just about to start in my new Leuchtturm 1917 with new pens and can’t wait to see what’s on the board. Great ideas in your starting out blog. Thank you.
Emily says
I’m thinking about starting a BuJo, i’ve always been very organized but always used a regular week/month calender notebook. this gives me so much more freedom to actually make it how i want! I’m wondering what size notebook you bought? I see on the Leuchtturm1917 there are multiple sizes. Of course the more variety of colors are with the smaller A5 paper but i feel like I’ll need more space. Is that what you used or did you get the larger size notebook?
Carol says
I just started following your Pinterest board. My user name is carol_t
aquila1769 says
I will copy the pattern the habit tracker. Thanks
Kitty Durmaj says
This is the first I’ve heard of bullet journaling and found your post to be great info to get someone interested asnd on the road to starting a bullet journal
susannabarbee says
Thank you and good luck on your Bullet Journal journey! I couldn’t survive without mine.
zailalugan says
Hi! I already follow your board and my username in Pinterest is zaicabagiran. Thanks!
Sassy says
I followed the pinterest board before I found this post, and I couldn’t figure out how to join, but now I do! My username is sassierthanyou7 (don’t judge it, I made it in 5th grade)
FamPed says
Just followed your board Bullet Journal Collaborative. Thanks for the invite to take part. ☺ / FamPed
Tracey says
Thanks for your basic ideas. Can you add me?
Jessica McMahan says
Followed your pinterest board 🙂
Britania says
Hi I love your bullet journal and would love for you to add me to your grok l group.?