Do you find yourself writing ideas on random sheets of paper? Ever wish you could better track your ideas, habits, and goals? If you answered yes, it might be time to start a bullet journal.
Bullet journals are not just for artists and college students. I discovered that bullet journals are great for helping me stay organized. A bullet journal offers a dedicated place to track your progress, brainstorm ideas, and see your to-do lists.
Starting a bullet journal is easy and can help you keep track of ideas, habits, and goals with creative touches. Your bullet journal will be your secret weapon, so don’t feel you have to share it with anyone or compare it with other bullet journals. Also, don’t limit yourself to one design idea. I encourage you to design your bullet journal to meet your needs.
If you thought about starting a bullet journal but weren’t sure where to begin, keep reading. Today I will share how to start a bullet journal and guide you through the products you can use for bullet journaling.
It is also worth noting that bullet journaling does not have to be an expensive hobby for beginners. You do not need to get all the featured products. Instead, we have given you a lot of choices to help you start bullet journaling.
Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the links.
How do you start a bullet journal?
A bullet journal (also knowns as a BUJO journal) is an analog customizable and forgiving organizational system. Creator Ryder Carroll created bullet journaling to deal with his Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) when there weren’t many tools on the market that worked in the way he needed.
“Bullet journaling is always about function over form. It doesn’t matter what your bullet journal looks like. It’s about how it makes you feel and how effective it is in moving you towards the things that matter to you.” Ryder Carroll
Some people use bullet journaling for to-do lists, planners, a sketchbook or notebook, or a combination of those elements. Simply put, it is a journal with a series of dots in rows rather than lines that help you utilize it as you wish.
Before you start, there are many bullet journaling books you can read. I recommend The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll.
Next, you must decide what you want to accomplish with bullet journaling.
Do you want to use bullet journaling as a planning system to keep you organized? Or as a tool to help you achieve your goals?
Are you looking to add bullet journaling as a more therapeutic and meditative exercise for self-expression? Would a daily planner be a better fit for you?
The beauty of bullet journaling is that you can choose whatever system you want to follow.
What supplies are needed?
When you first start to bullet journal, it’s easy to think you need a lot of supplies. There’s no need to break the bank. All that is needed are some basic supplies and a little creativity.
You can check out my Best Journal Supplies or look at the items below which focus on the foundational tools and supplies that can be used easily.
Bullet journal notebooks
Bullet planning is all about customization and control. With a dot grid notebook, you can create lists tailored to your needs- whether you’re organizing projects or making daily to-do lists.
My favorite notebook is the Erin Condren Coiled Notebook. Not only can you personalize the cover to include your name or initials, but you can choose the dot-grid design layout for your notebook.
Erin Condren Coiled Notebook
Scribbles That Matter 160 GSM
The Scribbles That Matter bullet journal has excellent quality paper. These are a great choice if you want an empty dot grid page design for a more affordable price.
Dingbats Earth
Dingbats Earth is an eco-friendly brand with adorable cover designs and paper with good density. In addition, the paper is ivory instead of white.
Pens And Pencils
When you first start, there are many types of bullet journaling pens and pencils to consider. It can be tough to decide which ones to use for your bullet journal. Do you want pens that are easy to write with or ones that have pretty colors?
Maybe you want both. Ultimately, the choice of pen or pencil is up to you and what you think will work best for your bullet journaling needs!
Ticonderoga Pencils
Using a pencil can be handy if you plan to add designs to your bullet journal. You draw images or map out words before you trace everything with colored pens or markers. The Ticonderoga pencils are an affordable option.
Pilot G2
Pilot G2 Premium Gel Ink Pen is a great writing instrument for any occasion. It features a rubber grip and comes in ultra-fine, extra fine, fine, and bold points.
Muji Ballpoint Pens
MUJI Gel Ink Ballpoint Pens are well-designed, water-based ink pens that do not bleed.
Sakura Pigma Micron
A Sakura Pigma Micron Pen offers smooth, skip-free writing and crisp Ink colors that leave behind consistent lettering.
Unipin Fineliners
Uni Pin Fineliner Drawing Pen is an artist’s dream come true with its incredible range. From extra-fine to broad. It offers steel tips that last longer than cheaper imitations and gives you ultimate control of your writing with different widths for any project.
Colored Pens
One of the best things about bullet journaling is how creative you can get, and the best way to do this is by using plenty of colors.
Zebra Sarasa
Zebra Sarasa pens have a 0.5mm fine point and rapid dry gel ink in assorted colors. The pens are water resistant and will never smudge or smear.
Pilot Frixion Pens
FriXion Gel Ink Pens provide a smooth writing experience with the ability to erase mistakes. With vibrant colors and an affordable price, these pens make it easy to create something colorful and beautiful.
Stabilo Point 88
Stabilo pens have been designed to provide precision and accuracy while drawing or writing. Also, the pen offers a long-cap-off feature that prevents it from drying out.
Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pens
Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pens offer a medium point felt tip (0.7 millimeters) that produces Bold, expressive lines. In addition, Paper Mate participates in Box Tops for Education.
Tombow Twin Tone
With its clever dual-sided design, Tombow TwinTone markers offer two ways to write in one pen. Durable fiber point tips provide long-lasting and quick drying ink that prevents smudges. The 0.8mm broad tip produces bold lines, and extra fine points create sharp ones so you can get all of your thoughts down on paper without worrying about them getting blurred or distorted.
Markers And Highlighters
The beauty of a bullet journal is that there are so many ways you can make your mark. From pens and colored markers to highlighters-the possibilities do seem endless.
I’ve found that markers and highlighters add another layer of organization and variety to my journal.
Zebra Mildliner Highlighters
These highlighters come in plenty of shades and colors, making them an almost perfect choice for bullet journaling. We did not know highlighting could be so aesthetic until using these.
Stabilo Boss Original pastel highlighters are a great way to make your journal look stylish. They come in soft, fashionable colors that won’t fade. Plus their anti-dry out technology means the markers will not dry out.
Pilot Frixion Markers
Pilot Frixion Markers are a great choice because they are erasable markers if you always make mistakes when writing.
Crayola Super Tips Markers
If you’re looking for various colors to spice up your journal, look no further than the Crayola Super Tips markers.
Zebra Click Art
Zebra Click Art markers are water-based and are super pigmented and a great choice for markers.
Miscellaneous
When it comes to bullet journaling, there are quite a few types of supplies that do not easily fit into a category but are just as important. Adding some extra goodies can make your bullet journal experience more fun. This is not necessary, but it might give you a little inspiration.
Wescott Ruler
I use a ruler with my bullet journal. It’s one of those things that can make or break the spread, and I wouldn’t be able to write anything without it! Here are two types of rulers to consider.
Helix Ruler
If you plan to draw circles in any capacity, having a good Helix ruler like this is necessary.
Washi Tapes
Washi tape adds great visual flair. You can find plenty of varieties to match your style.
Stickers
Have you ever wanted to add an extra touch of creativity and style to your bullet journal? Stickers make it possible. Thousands are available; the best part is they come in many colors and designs.
Ready to start a bullet journal?
A successful bullet journal doesn’t need to be costly or require an extensive collection of supplies. You just have to find the right balance between fun and functionality. The most important thing is to make your bullet journal work for you.
I hope this post helps you to build your journaling habit.
Please check out other bullet journalers to learn more about bullet journaling. One of my go-to channels belongs to AmandaRachLee. Below is her September Plan With Me video where she uses one pen. Pretty cool.