The bullet journal: the method of personal organisation that you’ve never heard of.
Though the concept of the bullet journal was first shared with the public by digital designer Ryder Carroll back in 2013, this means of creating schedules, reminders, to-do lists and brainstorming all in one perfectly neat notebook has flown under the radar for many.
Fear not, for we’re here to explain exactly what bullet journaling is, as well as provide a run-down of the best notebooks for your new favourite way to keep your life on track.
What is a bullet journal?
A bullet journal is essentially a daily, monthly and yearly planner rolled into one. The brand itself, however, describes the process in a more holistic manner – “The Bullet Journal Method is a mindfulness practice disguise as a productivity system.”
The system combines the ‘what’ and the ‘why’ associated with your tasks and accomplishments in order to help you live a more intentional life. That is to say, you’re not just thinking about what you’re doing but why you’re doing it – an exercise that actually aids in remembering tasks at hand and feeling motivated to complete them.
What makes this system different?
There are a fair few features specific to bullet journaling that makes it different from your standard planner. These include:
An index
- This marks the beginning of your bullet journaling journey, and is where you’ll find your self-appointed table of contents, which points to where various sections are located – whether it be your future log, monthly log or daily log.
Logs
- The aforementioned to-do lists which span various timescales: future, monthly and daily.
Rapid logging
- This is a system of logging using symbols to simplify and abbreviate information. You can choose which symbols you’d like to use, though the ‘Bujo’ experts usually go with a series of bullet points, dashes, triangles and circles.
- Each symbol represents something different, such as a task, event or personal note.
- The meaning you assign to your symbols of choice will be laid out in a key at the beginning of your journal.
Collections
- The logs themselves make up mini ‘collections’ – but you can also add other sections to your bullet journal.
- Popular collections include reading lists, mood trackers, restaurants you’d like to try or movies you’d like to see.
Dotted pages
- In order to perfectly lay out these unique features, a bullet journal features dotted paper.
Artistic outlet
- You can get as creative as you like with your bullet journal. Create cover pages for the beginning of every month, practice your calligraphy skills when writing your headers or simply doodle away.
What happens if I lose track of my journaling?
Losing track of your journaling is nothing to be afraid of, it happens to all of us. Likewise, our goals are constantly in flux depending on our current situations – whether it be work, family, love life, mental or physical health. The Bullet Journal isn’t about hyper-productivity or ‘grind culture.’ Rather, it’s about adding mindfulness to your daily practice in order to help you along the way to becoming better organised and equipped to take on challenges.
Keep scrolling for the best bullet journals to get you started.
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Rise and Shine Bullet Journal
The futuristic, sunbeam gradient on this hardback bullet journal by Papier is simply stunning. We just love the calming hues and minimalist text which – rather wonderfully – reads ‘rise and shine’. Though you can choose between lined, blank and dotted paper – we highly recommend purchasing the latter option for optimal bullet journaling.
The journal features 192 sides of paper and the inner pages are 85gsm. The hardback cover is 3mm thick with a 150gsm silk paper finish. Thanks to Papier’s sustainability promise, their paper is always sourced from Forest Steward Council (FSC) certified promise, and they also use plastic-free packaging. It’s a win-win.
Buy now £23.00, Papier
MOO Hardcover Notebook
Another luxurious hardback option for our stationary lovers, this hardy and colourful notebook by Moo is sure to fulfil all your bullet journaling dreams. However, this hardback journal is not like other hardback journals. It is bound with an extra special Swiss binding so that it is able to lay completely flat for your writing comfort and convenience.
It measures 130mm x 207mm and comes in an array of colourways, though we’re particular fans of the deeply romantic wine red and lavender combo.
Buy now £18.00, MOO
Leuchtturm1917 Notebook Bauhaus Edition A5
Embrace your inner architect with this selection of Leuchtturm1917 Bauhaus edition notebooks. Wassily Kandinsky – a painter and lecturer at the Bauhaus school once declared that ‘everything starts from a dot.’ Indeed, this a particularly fitting quote when it comes to Bullet Journaling - so we’re big fans of the fact that it’s delicately pressed into the front cover of this one.
Kandinsky was emphasising the notion that the true naissance of an artistic concept is the amalgamation of a thought and an idea through that very first dot on a piece of paper. The dotted grid of this journal’s paper is sure to remind you of Kandinsky’s philosophy at every turn.
You can pick up this unique A5 Leuchtturm in black, red, lemon and royal blue. The paper is once again FSC certified, and the journal features a gusseted pocket at the back.
Plus, Leuchtturm1917 is the official maker of the original Bullet Journal – so you know you’re in for a hefty, sturdy and practical notebook that looks the part too.
Buy now £20.50, Etsy
Custom Blue Moon Bullet Journal
This beautiful baby blue journal features extra-thick paper to prevent the bleeding and ghosting often caused by your favourite pens, which makes it the perfect option for extra artsy bullet journalers out there. It’s A5, comes with 160 pages of dotted paper and can even be personalised with your initials.
It also has a stitched lay-flat binding for easy journaling and includes a ribbon mark, elastic band and back pocket to store all those extra documents, receipts and sticker sheets.
Buy now £12.99, Etsy
Bullet Journal Edition 2
As hinted at earlier, the official Bullet Journal – created with the help of Leuchtturm1917 – is a great option for those who are new to the journaling game. Printed on sustainably-sourced 120 GSM dot-grid paper, this second edition of the classic notebook that started it all comes with a variety of key features to help make your bullet journaling life easier.
With 204 numbered pages, an official Bullet Key, Index and Future log – you won’t have to start your journal totally from scratch. The included sticker sheet will help you to speedily set up your monthly logs, while the pocket guide will ensure you’re following the renowned system to a T.
Buy now £23.02, Bullet Journal
RHODIA 193039C - Spiral Notebook
For a spiral bound notebook with extra flexibility, this Rhodia journal is the way forward. It comes in at an incredibly reasonable price point of under a tenner and can be scooped up in either A4 or A5. This dotted journal also includes 160 pages of PEFC certified and totally vegan paper.
Made in the Rhodia factory in Alsace, the iconic and authentic brand is your go-to for a classic and highly functional bullet journal.
Buy now £9.81, Amazon
Ottergami Bullet Journal
For major dark academia vibes, grab this luxury vegan brown leather journal by Ottergami. Supple yet sturdy, this journal is able to lay flat at 180 degrees. It comes with 152 pages of thick dotted A5, smooth ivory paper and each notepad has an elastic closure to help keep your pages protected.
Buy now £14.99, Amazon
3-Pack Dotted Notebook
For ultimate customisability, artists will rejoice for this simple dotted notebook with a frosted, transparent cover. Ideal for the creative bullet journal addict, this three-pack of 160 page notebooks will keep you going for months and months on end. With 100gsm acid-free paper that is smooth to the touch and a sturdy spiral binding big enough to hold your favourite pen, there’s not much this journal can’t do.
Buy now £32.00, Amazon
