Starting a Bullet Journal can be daunting. I know because I have been there. I researched the method for almost a year and even tried to set one up for a week before I went all in. Five years later, I am still here and have kept a bullet journal for all this time. I wanted to share 6 tips that I have learned that I hope can be helpful for you too.
Start with the basics. This is probably the #1 thing I hear when starting a new Bujo or creative journal. “I can’t draw, I don’t have all the stationery”. You don’t need anything fancy to get started. Grab a pen or pencil and a notebook. That’s it. Focus on the basics of the Bullet Journal Method first. And if you like it and stick with it, you can start to add some design. Just don’t lose sight of why you are bullet journaling.
You don’t need to spend a lot. This is one is hard, even for me as a self proclaimed stationery addict. But you don’t need to spend a lot on your materials if you don’t want to. Yes, over time I have found favorite products to use. But that was only after starting with a regular ballpoint pen and a free notebook. Quality is important as you learn more, but your first journal is going to be a play ground to fail often and learn more.
Use a pencil before a pen. If you are adding layouts, grid spacing, doodles, or other elements to your page, start with a pencil. I make mistakes all the time when I set up my journals. It’s natural and it will happen, often. But if you start with a pencil first, you can make all those mistakes and erase what doesn’t work.
Don’t wait, start today. We just happen to be right at the spot in the year where I let this one slide… but just a little. A new year is a great time to start a new habit. But you don’t need to start only at the start of a year. Start in a month or in a new week. Your journal will figure itself out over time and what feels alien will eventually become normal and it will all start to work together. But don’t wait on what you could start today.
Save ideas in a saved folder. I love doing this on instagram and pinterest. If you see something you like and what to try, put it into a folder that you can easily reference to get inspiration. I am also a big fan of taking screenshots on my phone and putting things into saved groups.
Don’t be intimidated by others. This is a hard one. Even I succumb to this every now and again. Accept that some people are naturally inclined to be great at drawing or doodling. Some people are really good at lettering and some are great at keeping it simple. Take inspiration from others, but never let it hold you back. Especially with a Bullet Journal. The most important thing is that you are focusing on your why and keeping your journal for yourself.
Get these tips in a free printable.