What Is Bullet Journaling and Why Is It So Popular?
Bullet journaling started as a way to track tasks, goals and notes in a more personalised manner. It’s not just another notebook with to-do lists scribbled in; it’s a whole system created to help us keep track of our thoughts and daily activities and make sense of the things floating in our minds.
Think of bullet journaling as a mix between a planner, a diary, and a notebook. It’s a simple method using bullets, symbols, and collections to organise our tasks, ideas and things we need to remember. The best part? We can design it however we want. Whether we’re more creative or like to stick to straight lines and categories, bullet journaling lets everyone work in their own way.
We at A2B Office love that bullet journaling allows each of us to organise notes and tasks without feeling pressured to follow one template. The freedom is where the magic lies.
The Basics: How to Start Bullet Journaling
Starting one is pretty simple. We just need a notebook (preferably dotted), a pen and our thoughts. Here are the basic steps to begin:
1. The Key
Start by setting up a key. This is where we decide what symbols will represent each type of note or task. For example:
- Bullet point (•) for tasks
- Cross (×) for completed tasks
- Dash (–) for notes or quick thoughts
- Circle (○) for events
- Star (*) for priority
- Arrow (>) to move a task forward to the next day
Once we’ve got our key, we can reference it every time we use our journal.
2. The Index
This page will help us find things later. As we create new pages in our journal (like monthly overviews, habit trackers or study notes), we write the page number and title in our index. Some bullet journals come with a pre-made index page, like the Clairefontaine Rhodiarama Creation Dot Goalbook A5, which is perfect for keeping everything well-organised.
3. The Future Log
The future log is a glance at upcoming months. It’s where we jot down birthdays, school terms, events or deadlines that are not coming up this month. Think of it as our mini planner spread across a few pages.
4. The Monthly Log
At the start of each month, we create our monthly log. This typically includes:
- A calendar spread to mark important days
- A task list for the month
- Goals we want to focus on
- Reminders
5. The Daily Log
This is where the everyday magic happens. We list the date, write down tasks, meetings, ideas, and notes we come across during the day. Some people like to leave a full page per day, while others use a half page to stay compact.
By setting up these sections, we lay the groundwork for a bullet journal that does way more than hold our to-do lists.
Best Supplies to Get Started
The joy of bullet journaling also lies in using notebooks and tools we love. A good dotted notebook makes all the difference. Paper quality matters too, especially if we enjoy using markers or brush pens.
One popular choice is the Sigel Jolie Journal A5 Gradient Sea, which has strong dotted pages, a pen loop and lays flat when open. It also looks beautiful on a desk or in a bag.
If we love brighter colours or something a little more playful, the Sigel Jolie Journal A5 Gradient Ice Cream is perfect. These notebooks have a built-in elastic fastener and thick paper that doesn’t bleed.
We always recommend high-quality manuscript books too, like the ones in the A2B Office manuscript range, for anyone who prefers lined pages over dotted ones or wants a more traditional layout.
As for pens, go for something smooth and quick-drying to avoid smudging. Black gel pens, coloured brush pens or fine-line markers work well to add flair without making the pages messy.
Customising Your Bullet Journal
One of the best things about bullet journaling is how creative and flexible we can be. We can personalise our journals with these content ideas:
- Habit trackers: Track water intake, exercise, screen time or sleep.
- Mood logs: Draw little emotion faces or colour-code your daily moods.
- Monthly themes: Each month can follow a different colour scheme, doodle theme or inspirational quote set.
- Project planning: If we’re working on school assignments, work tasks or personal passions, a dedicated project spread can keep us on track.
- Budget tracking: Create tables for income, savings and spending.
- Meal plans and grocery lists: Help stay on top of healthy eating and shopping habits.
The beauty is that none of us is wrong in how we set up our journal. If a spread doesn’t work, we move on to another idea. Mistakes are okay , we just keep going.
Keeping It Simple vs Going Artistic
Some people love decorating their bullet journals with drawings, stickers, washi tape and zentangles. Others prefer a clean, minimal look. Both styles are valid, as long as the journal stays useful.
We don’t need to be artists to use bullet journaling effectively. The goal is to make the layout work for us. If creative decoration motivates us to keep journaling, then go for it. If clean lists work better, that’s great too.
Try starting simple and gradually adding doodles or visual touches as we get comfortable with the format. A journal full of checked-off tasks is more useful than a half-finished one with beautiful art that we give up on.
Here’s a fun idea: pick a theme each month and go with it! For example, January could be snowflakes and blues, while July could be tropical fruits and yellows. This makes journaling feel less like a chore and more like a fun, creative project.
Using Bullet Journaling for Study and Work
Bullet journaling is especially helpful for students and professionals. It gives control over time, tasks and goals without being too rigid.
For students, use bullet journals to organise:
- Class schedules
- Assignment deadlines
- Revision topics
- Study goals
- Exam countdowns
For the professionals among us, bullet journals can help:
- Plan meetings and deadlines
- Break down tasks into bite-sized goals
- Keep track of client notes
- Draft ideas or public speaking outlines
Pairing your journal with a mobile literature display like this one lets us present our projects or organise visual materials on the go, especially useful for presentations or classrooms.
We’ve found that bullet journaling helps reduce brain clutter. Instead of trying to remember everything, we can write it down, track it and come back to it later.
Getting Into a Bullet Journaling Habit
Starting is easy, but turning bullet journaling into a habit can take a bit of effort. Try setting aside 10–15 minutes at the start or end of each day to update the journal.
These tips help us stick with it:
- Keep the journal and pen close, like next to our bed or on the desk
- Use bookmarks or ribbon markers to jump to the daily log
- Don’t try to make it perfect; it’s okay to mess up a page
- Try weekend reviews: update goals and set intentions for the week ahead
- If we miss a few days, we can always pick up where we left off
Bullet journaling feels more natural over time. It becomes a helpful habit we look forward to instead of a task on our list.
FAQs About Bullet Journaling
Is bullet journaling only for creative people?
No. Bullet journaling is for everyone. Whether we love doodling or just like writing neat lists, it fits multiple personalities.
Do I need a fancy journal to start?
Not at all. While dotted journals like those from A2B Office can enhance the experience, we can start with any notebook. What matters is how we use it.
What if I make mistakes?
Mistakes are part of the process. We can cross things out, use correction tape or even decorate over it. Bullet journaling is about progress, not perfection.
How do I stay consistent with journaling every day?
Make it a routine. Keep it visible. Remember that bullet journaling is meant to help us, not stress us out.
Can students use bullet journals for revision?
Definitely. Many students use their journals to break subjects into topics, revise with flashcards, note confusing parts to ask teachers and track their progress.
Wrap-Up
Bullet journaling is more than a note-taking method. It’s a personal way to stay organised, remember tasks and get creative. Whether we’re students, professionals or just love writing things down, this system grows along with us. With the right supplies from A2B Office, like beautiful dotted journals and handy writing tools, we can start journaling in a way that truly fits our daily life.
Why wait? Grab your pen and start your bullet journaling journey today. Let’s get organised, our way.
Looking for a place to begin? Explore the Sigel and Clairefontaine journal collection at A2B Office and find your perfect match.
