How many times this week have you forgotten a deadline, or your brain feels like a browser with 47 tabs open? This used to be me. Back then, I organized my life with half-filled planners and iPhone reminders I’d swipe away, until I discovered Bullet Journaling.
What Is Bullet Journaling?
Bullet Journaling (or BuJo) was invented by Ryder Carroll, a designer with ADHD who needed a way to wrangle his thoughts. Instead of rigid schedules, BuJo is about flexibility and mindfulness. You’re not just tracking tasks—you’re curating your life.
You might be thinking, Why not just use a to-do list app or all those productivity app on app store? Well, digital tools are great when starting out. But let’s be honest: Digital tools often turn into dopamine casinos. Notifications keep popping up on screen which only make me overwhelmed and distracted.
Why Try Bullet Journaling?
BuJo forced me to slow down. Physically writing tasks (with, you know, a pen) made me actually think about what mattered. No more mindless “Add Task” clicks. And a journal keep everything is in one place. No more random sticky notes or mental clutter. But BuJo doesn't stop at planning, you can create you own system of symbols and lists that help you take action.
Sounds good? Let’s break down how to get started!
5 Steps to Start Your Bullet Journal
First rule of BuJo: Your BuJo doesn’t need to be Instagrammable; any notebook is just as good for your first Bujo.
1. Set Up Your Key (Symbols)
Symbols keep things speedy. In BuJo, key is a system of symbols to categorize tasks, events, and notes quickly. Here’s a basic set to get started:
● = Task (“Fold laundry”)
○ = Event (“Dentist @ 3 PM”)
— = Note (“Cats probably own the internet”)
✔ = Done (“Adulting achieved!”)
→ = Migrated (“Nope, not doing this today”)
> = Task Moved To A Future Date Which Is More Than One Month Away (“Your first 10K training plan”)
< = Task Rescheduled (“Meet up with friends”)
★ = Important/Priority (“Job interview”)
You can totally customize this! The key is to keep it simple so you don’t overthink things.
2. Create Index Pages
The first 2 pages = your index. When you create a page (like “April Goals” or “Therapy Notes”), jot the topic + page number here. No more frantic flipping!
3. Make a Future Log
The Future Log is a place to jot down big events or goals that are months away. Simply split 2 pages into 6 boxes (one for each month) and scribble big-picture stuff here like vacations, birthdays, or long-term projects.
4. Set Up a Monthly Log
Create a Monthly Log to track key dates, goals, and habits. Some people also include space for things like books to read, meal planning, or fitness goals. Make it work for you!
5. Start Your Daily Logs
Your Daily Log is where the magic happens. Each day, list your tasks, appointments, and notes. At the end of the day, review what got done and move unfinished tasks to the next day if needed.
A lot of people like to add extra details—like doodles, weather tracking, or gratitude lists. The best part? There are no rules! Make your Bullet Journal as simple or creative as you want.
But Wait—What If I Mess Up?
Oh, you will. I’ve spilled coffee on habit trackers, and my highlighter ink bled through pages. That’s the point. BuJo isn’t about pretty spreads; it’s about progress. So just start small and begin with whatever makes sense to you—maybe just jot down today’s to-do list or add a few notes. Over time, you’ll find a system that works best for you.