How to Start a Bullet Journal Like a Pro

I have a new obsession for the past few months. It is called a Bullet Journal. You may have heard of bullet journaling before. If not, I want to teach you how to start a bullet journal like a pro. This will help you organize your entire life.

How to Start a Bullet Journal

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Why I Love The Bullet Journal Method

I searched and search looking for the perfect planner for me. While searching, I found a ton of great options. Erin Condren (affiliate link) is a goddess for planners. Even a really good friend of mine Carrie Elle who sells Planners (affiliate link). I think these are all beautiful and great planners, but they just didn’t fit me. As I looked through the planner, there were several pages I knew I would never use. I just couldn’t see spending tons of money on a planner, and I wouldn’t even use half of it.

While looking for a solution to this problem, I ran across Maria’s Blog from the Krafty Owl. She linked up to our Mommy Club linky party one day.  Needless to say I spent several hours on her site reading all there is to know about bullet journals. Then I found out there is a whole community of people who share ideas for layouts. I then ran across Kara from Boho Berry. She is amazing and great inspiration to follow.  I created a Bullet Journal Pinterest Board you can follow for more outstanding ideas. After gathering all these amazing ideas, I had to get started creating my own planner. Below I share how to start a bullet journal with these simple steps.

What Do You Write in a Bullet Journal

Ryder Carroll is the creator of the bullet journal system. You can learn the basics of the bullet journaling system from him. I started off with the basics in my journal, but I have changed and adapted my system as I go. The first thing you need is a notebook and a pen, after that the possibilities are endless. Here is where my love for the bullet journal begins. I know yours will too. Let’s keep in touch and follow me on Facebook to be the first to know about new Bullet Journal posts.

How do you Start a Beginner Journal

Where Can I Get a Bullet Journal and Set up

First I purchased a Leuchttrum 1917 notebook. I fell in love with this notebook, because it just has tiny gray dots. Be sure to gather the best bullet journal supplies to create your masterpiece journal. I recommend setting up a Key for your bullet journal for tasks and events on the first page. You can borrow from the bullet journal system, like I have, to get started. Start a goals page for things you want to achieve over a year. Next find things that interest you or you want to track.

I found some fun ideas to track books I have read and movies I have watched.

I suggest a Future Planning page. This does not work for me right now, but I have a few ideas that will help me for the next time. Update: See how I solved my bullet journal future planning with this easy set up. Next section is the monthly section of items you want to track to reach your goals and keeping a planner.

Monthly Bullet Journal Spreads and Tracking

I have borrowed from Kara at Boho Berry her monthly setup. This works for me. I will show you a few changes I have made to my layout to learn how to start a bullet journal.

Monthly Memories Page

A monthly Memories page. This is a fun place to doodle places or memories for the month. If you want to see more of my bullet journal follow me on Instagram for sneak peeks.

Next I have a Gratitude log. Honestly, this has become more of a daily thought for the day. What made that day so memorable. I use this as my personal journal log.

Month at a Glance

Next is the month at a glance page. I really like the way this is set up. Events that happen in the morning are to the left. Afternoon in the middle and night time events are past the middle of the book. A little Goals area or things to remember for the month and a glance at next month for quick reference. I write future events in here and then place them on my daily spread when I am filling it out.

This is the fun part, creating a habit tracker for habits you want to develop. Also a great quick way to see visually are you going towards your goal. I like to complete this every evening or first thing in the morning when I get up. It can help motivate me to get things done if I didn’t accomplish that goal the day before. Get your free habit tracker printable here.

Daily Spreads. Here is where I have changed my format several times. I love the way the linear looks and it is so colorful, but it just didn’t work for me and my family. I need to know when and where all the little people in my life need to be. I modified this to a block system. Now everyone has a special color pen so I can identify quickly who needs to be where.  I can place times in order for each day. I refer back to my Month at a glance page to fill in anything happening that week. I have recently started making stickers to help to plan quickly. Check out my Sticker Store for an easy way to put your Bullet Journal together.

What are the benefits of bullet journaling?

This method is perfect for me, since I can track all of the items I want, plus keep me and my family organized. I love how I can customize this planner at any time. It takes some time to set up, but once it is done it doesn’t take long to maintain. Finally I have a planner I love and works for me.

Want to learn more and be part of the community? Join my Bullet Journal community to receive emails in your in box for more tips.

Where to get the best Bullet Journal Supplies

What questions do you have about bullet journals?