BuJo Basics: A Beginner’s Guide to Bullet Journaling

Hello Chaos Coordinators!!! If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by traditional planners or wanted a creative outlet to organize your life, Bullet Journaling (or BuJo) might be the perfect solution for you. Understanding BuJo Basics is key to starting your bullet journaling journey effectively. In this post, we’ll cover the essential tips and techniques for setting up your bullet journal and making the most of this versatile planning system. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your approach, this guide will help you get started with confidence and creativity.

What is Bullet Journaling?

Bullet Journaling is a customizable organizational system created by Ryder Carroll. It combines the benefits of a daily planner, to-do list, and diary all in one. The best part? You can make it as simple or as elaborate as you want.

Essential Supplies

Before we jump into layouts and decorations, let’s talk about the essentials you’ll need:

Dot Grid Journal: Any dot grid journal will do, but I’m partial to the dot grid journals from Tula XII.
Pens: Fineliners are great for precision, but you’re mostly going to want to stay away from any alcohol-based pens as they will bleed through the paper. I do enjoy using the PenGems pens for my basic bujo outlines. You can find more of my favorite pens on my Amazon Storefront. (As an Amazon Associate, I do earn from qualified purchases.)
Extras: Stickers, stencils, deco kits, and washi tape. These fun extras will help you personalize your journal and make planning more enjoyable.

Monthly Layout

Let’s start with the monthly layout. This is where you can plan your month at a glance. Draw a simple calendar grid and add some washi tape for decoration. Stickers are great for marking important dates and events. I love using cute icons to highlight special occasions.

How to Create a Monthly Layout:

Draw the Grid: Use a ruler to create a grid for the days of the month. (I like to use the bookmark stencil edge for this; their extra length goes the full length of the XL Journal page!)
Decorate with Washi Tape: Add washi tape to the borders for a pop of color. Or go all out with one of your favorite deco kits and layer it on the pages!
Add Stickers: Use stickers to mark important dates, like birthdays or appointments.

Weekly Layout

Next up is the weekly layout. This is where you can break down your tasks and appointments for the week. Stencils are a game-changer if you’re not confident in your drawing skills or if you just want to save time.

How to Create a Weekly Layout:

Use Stencils: Create consistent boxes and headers with stencils.
Organize Tasks: Write down your tasks and appointments for each day.
Add Color: Use washi tape or stickers to add some color and personality.

Daily Layout

For daily layouts, I like to keep things simple yet functional. Deco kits often come with matching stickers and washi tape, making it super easy to create a cohesive look. I personally don’t use a daily layout, so I don’t have an image to share, but here’s how you could pull that together.

How to Create a Daily Layout:

Draw Sections: Divide the page into sections for tasks, notes, and events.
Decorate: Use deco kits to add matching stickers and washi tape.
Plan Your Day: Write down your tasks, appointments, and any notes.

Collections

Collections are personalized lists or logs that you create in your BuJo. It could be a habit tracker, a reading list, or even a mood tracker. I’ve created a habit tracker using stickers and stencils. It’s a great way to keep track of your goals and see your progress at a glance.

How to Create a Habit Tracker:

Draw the Layout: Use stencils to create a grid for your habits.
Label Habits: Write down the habits you want to track.
Track Progress: Use stickers or colored pens to mark off each day you complete a habit.

Final Tips

Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to Bullet Journal. Your BuJo is a reflection of you and your unique style. Have fun with it and don’t be afraid to experiment. Whether you prefer minimalist spreads or love decorating with all the extras, the key is to make it work for you.

Watch the Video

For a step-by-step guide and more visual inspiration, check out my YouTube video on BuJo Basics:

If you found this post helpful, please share it with your friends and subscribe to my email list for more planning tips and inspiration. And if you recreate any of these layouts, I’d love to see them! Tag me on Instagram @theblendedmamacc or share them in our community. Until next time, happy planning!