A Beginners Guide To a Bullet Journal- What is a Bullet Journal?

So, You're interested in bullet journals? Well, let me tell you the basic of the Bullet Journal.

What is a Bullet Journal?

What is a bullet journal? It is differnt depending on how you use it, a bullet journal is a lot of things. For most, it's a planner, whether they decorate it more so is up to them. However, what a Bullet Journal is what you make it and how you use it.

How Did The Bullet Journal Start?

The Bullet Journal was created in the 1990s by Ryder Carrol. It was just simple lists that created an organizational system, but like people, it developed.

Ryder Carrol in my eyes has created one of the best organization systems I have yet seen.

Are There Rules To Bullet Journaling?

No. Although some Spreads are often used as they are widely agreed on as helpful, your Bullet Journal is what works for you. Spreads or Collections ( See: What are Spreads?) that are mentioned here or anywhere else are not requirements, just suggestions.

Types of Bullet Journaling

There are many types of Bullet Journaling, and below I listed some of the main few, but your bullet journal is whatever you want it to be. That is the most important part.

No one should tell you that your Bullet journal is wrong because it's not like someone else's journal or for any other reason. This list in just if your brand new and you want to get in the general direction as for what works for you.

• Please note these names are unofficial

• The Orginal Way To Bullet Journal (See Ryder Carol's book here)

• Minimalistic lists see image (see image here)

• Creative; Umbrella Term as there are many variations, also the way I Bullet Journal

• Brown paper, also known as Kraft Paper, (see image here)

• Black Paper, (see image here)

• Many More (as all Bullet journals are completely customizable)

What are Spreads?

I know by now I that I probably used the word "Spread" a lot. Well, what does that mean exactly? A "spread" is a term for bullet journal pages. Everything you in the Bullet Journal, that's a spread!

There are two types of spreads:

- Collections

-Tracker + Calendars (this name is unofficial, but Collections is an official name)

Trackers and Calendars are what most people think of when someone says Bullet Journal.

Trackers are things like your habit tracker, mood tracker, sleep tracker, basically anything that you want to keep track of. Usually, people base their trackers around health subjects and design a new one every month, Unless of course, you do a year in pixels which is a mood tracker for the whole month.

Calendars are just what they seem. Monthly and weekly spreads to keep track of api=ointments or events. Like a pre-printed planner.

Collections are probably some of the most fun to create. A collection is list or organization of items into a spread. Think it would be easier to understand if I gave you some example: Movies to watch, books to read, places to visit, bucket lists, etc. They are SO fun to doodle and decorate.

Setting Up

This may seem intimidating, as there is no set way to do this, but keep in mind that is is also one of my favourite bullet journaling processes.

Starting spreads are often your most used spreads and often the most practical. Considering they're the first of the year, they may be a little messy, so don't stress it.

These are my top starter spreads:

1. Key

This actually is more important than it looks, and it really helps organize your tasks. You can have a different symbol for different tasks.

This is my Key, made with the printed index in my scribbles that matter journal. Depending on your journal you may have to write this out yourself.

2. Index

If you bullet journal a lot, you know you don't want to spend an extra five minutes flipping through looking that one page you can't find. The index solves that problem.

3. Year at a glance and Future Log

Need the month to well, glance at? The year at a glance page is at your service. Perfect for checking days for monthlies and checking what day land on a certain day of the week. What about the future log? Track events that go farther on the current month.

So now that I gave you the basic explanation of the Bullet Journal, I think you're ready to go out into the big world of Bullet Journals. Of course though, not without guidance.

If you feel stuck for spread ideas, confused, or just a little bored, You can check out these two Bullet Journalers Or Visit Ryder Carrol's site here

Amandarachlee (Name is Amanda, not Rachel)

Insta ~~ Youtube

Bujoandcookies

Insta ~~ Youtube

Creator

Ryder Carrol (www.bulletjournal.com)

While you're here check out my Insta to be inspired right here @bujowithkitty

Thanks for reading,

Bujo With Kitty