How to Start a Bullet Journal: A Simple 5-Step Method

The bullet journal, or "bujo" for short, is a way of getting organised in a blank notebook. The idea is simple: instead of using a printed diary, you build the pages you need yourself. Social media is full of beautifully decorated spreads, but the heart of the method comes down to a handful of well-planned pages. Here's how to get started without spending every weekend on it.

The supplies you need

There's no need to buy a mountain of stationery. To begin with, you'll need:

• an A5 dotted notebook, ideally with numbered pages and thick paper (120 gsm keeps ink from showing through);
• one or two pens you enjoy writing with, such as a black gel pen and a pastel colour;
• a ruler, or a set of stencils if you want to draw frames and calendars quickly.

Brush pens, stickers and washi tape can come later, once you know which pages you actually use.

Step 1: set up the index

Save the first two pages for your index. Every time you create an important new page, note its title and page number. That's what turns a blank notebook into a real planning tool: in three seconds you can find your reading list or your March budget. Our dotted bullet journal already includes two index pages and numbered pages, which saves you a step.

Step 2: the future log

On the next spread, divide each page into six boxes to give you all twelve months of the year. Note down everything you already know about: birthdays, holidays, exams, admin deadlines. This is your long-term view, to check at the start of each month.

Step 3: the monthly log

At the start of each month, create a monthly page:

1. on the left, list the days of the month with your appointments;
2. on the right, write down the goals or key tasks for the month.

A calendar stencil lets you draw this page in under five minutes, with boxes perfectly lined up on the dot grid.

Step 4: weekly or daily pages

This is where most of the action happens. You have two options:

• a weekly spread: a two-page layout split into seven sections, perfect if your days follow a regular pattern;
• a daily log: write the date, then add your tasks and notes as the day goes on, with no space limit.

Use the method's basic symbols: a dot for a task, a cross when it's done, an arrow when you move it forward, a dash for a note and a circle for an event. This quick system saves you writing long sentences and shows at a glance what's left to do.

Step 5: collections

Collections are themed pages: books to read, gift ideas, habit trackers, budgets, recipes to try. Create them as and when you need them, and add each one to the index. A habit tracker, for example, is simply a table with the days of the month across the top and your habits down the side: colour in one box for every day you stick to it.

Beginner mistakes to avoid

• Expecting perfect pages from day one: your first month is for testing, not showing off.
• Creating too many collections: start with two or three and add more later.
• Setting everything up in advance: draw your monthly and weekly pages as you go, because your system will evolve.

What about decorating?

Once the structure is in place, have fun with it: hand-lettered headers, washi tape to separate the weeks, stickers to flag important appointments and a few touches of colour with your pastel gel pens. Decorating should always be a pleasure, never a chore. A simple bullet journal you use every day will always be more useful than a stunning notebook you're afraid to open.