The bullet journal is a bit of a modern phenomenon. It feels like everyone and their aunt are into bullet journaling, but how do you actually do it?
Find the right notebook
An amazing bullet journal starts with one thing, the perfect notebook. Now, you can’t grab just any journal to get bullet-ing, you’ll need a specific type of book to get you started on your organisational journey. Finding the right notebook is just a question of considering your lifestyle and your style preferences.
Most importantly, you need to find something that’s not lined. This is kind of essential and not all that negotiable in the world of bullet journalling. You can choose one that’s gridded with dots or lines, to help you keep everything neat and in check.
Consider where you’ll be using your notebook, will it be sitting at home? If this is the case, you have more choices when it comes to finding a cover. You have the freedom to explore Kraft, soft leathers, linens, cotton or even a coverless book! Maybe you’re going to be travelling around with your journal? If so, look for a hardcover crafted out of something sturdy, like leather. You’ll also want to find yourself a rigid or reinforced spine to keep your pages protected when you’re out and about.
For your stylistic choice, you should select whatever catches your eye! If you’re into a colour coordinated workbench or desk, stay within the tonal lines of the rest of your kit, if not, go crazy! Notebooks are a pretty low-risk choice, so pick up whatever fun pattern or artistic image you like!
Get your tools together
Once you’ve found your perfect notebook, you need to be sure that you pin down the right tools. For the perfect journal, you should grab yourself at least two different colour bullet point pens, a ruler and a pencil. You can feel free to make your journal as colourful or monochromatic as you like, it’s all about personal preference.
Start the process
Now that you’re all kitted out, it’s time to put pen to paper! Here’s a brief outline of the bullet journal method:
Rapid Logging: This is what makes bullet journals different from traditional diaries. This is a form of shorthand and bullet-ing that transforms your organisational capabilities.
Bullets: These are your bullet points, which are written in shorthand and bulleted with different symbols that signify different types of notes!
Tasks: Tasks are bulleted by a classic dot point, this makes it easy to cross tasks off in a neat and tidy fashion.
Events: For events, use O. You can log events to plan them or record them after they’ve happened.
Notes: Use a dash, -, for your notes. Notes should be brief and only important points that you don’t want to forget.
Nesting: This is where you integrate your different types of bullet points, you can be as creative with this as you like, it’s an opportunity to get all your symbols and colours in interesting formations and create some contrast. Just be sure to pick a system and stick with it.
Signifiers: Your signifiers are added symbols that you can use to bring attention to particular points. Use * for something that’s high priority, and ! for any note that you’ve made for inspiration.
Everything coming together
The way that you choose to bullet is entirely up to you. You can do a daily, weekly, monthly or even yearly plan to keep your life organised.
Now that you know what you need and the basics of the bullet life, it’s time to get started! Bullet journals are mindful and purposeful, discover why so many people are obsessed with it for yourself and get going!
