Bullet journaling adds creativity and excitement to organizing your life. Most of the time, I cannot wait to update my journal or try something new! It's a great expressive outlet that can be for your eyes only or shared with the world. There's so many options and possibilities through bullet journaling it may seem a bit overwhelming at first. That is why I am going to give you a simple guide on how to begin you very own bullet journal.
1. Pick a journal.
The first step is to pick a journal. It may not seem complicated, but there are many options to choose from, including size, color, and even type of paper! I personally have a moleskin journal with dotted paper to create my templates but there are journals that are lined, gridded, as well as blank to suit what you need. The size matters too. I have a big enough journal that I can do detailed enough designs but carry it around in my back pack. You can typically get journals anywhere, from Walmart to Barnes and Noble to any craft store.
2. Gather the materials.
You could have as little as a pencil or as much as full art bin to create you journal. It depends on your style and what you want. The most common materials I see used for journaling are pencils, pens, markers, and washi tape. If you want to get fancy you can use water color too and paint out designs or create a pretty background. If you don't think you are capable of the cute details that you want, do not worry and definitely don't give up! There are companies that make stickers just for bullet journaling! Just one example is Create 365, which has a wide variety and can be found in Michaels craft stores and Amazon.
3. Find your inspiration.
Instagram @january.journal
The possibilities with what you can do through bullet journaling are endless. You can have a simplistic journal, or a crazy colorful one. That is why it is a great idea to look at ideas from other people to see what you didn't think of! Key places to look are on Instagram, Pinterest ,Tumblr and Youtube, under the hashtags #bulletjournal or #bujo. You may even find accounts that you'll like enough to follow and keep up with their style. Without Pinterest, I would not have half the pages I do in my book. I am a creative person but I'm all about working together and bouncing ideas off each other.
4. Figure out what you want to track.
It's not a requirement, but it is fun to see progress throughout the year no matter what it is. I like to keep track of the books I've read and their ratings, as well as how my day has been. Sometimes in my weekly schedules, I've tracked how much water I drink and my migraines but more commonly my school assignments and doctor appointments.
5. Start a table of contents.
Once you've decided on what you will track and organize and how you'll do it, start planning on the order of the pages. I started my journal with pages that consist of tracking things throughout the whole year, such as the books I've read, my mood for each day, and special moments I like to remember. After that I started my monthly and weekly templates to plan out my schedules. There is no wrong way to putting this book together. It is entirely up to you.
6. Be creative!
This is your journal! Hopefully, Instagram and Pinterest gave you the inspiration you needed to start but don't stop there. Grab materials You've never used before and try them out, such as watercolor. This is a new experience and a place to experiment! So go grab those pens you've been eyeing and put them to the test!
7. Set a time each day to work on your journal.
Setting at time aside each day will keep you from being stressed and falling behind. I like to fill out all my trackers and prepare for the next day right before bed. It is a nice reflection of the day and relaxing time for myself.
8. Don't get frustrated!
You are not perfect, and your bullet journal certainly won't be. Mistakes will be made and that is okay. Your bullet journal is supposed to be relaxing a fun so don't stress about the little things. If there's one thing I've learned in art the hard way, there are no mistakes. Take a deep breath when needed and carry on!
9. Begin your bullet journal!
Now that you've done all the necessary prep to keep you sane through this process, you can finally begin journaling! Don't be afraid to try new ideas, invest in some materials, and put your journal on display. Bullet Journaling has a great a community and we can't wait for you to become part of it!
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