My Bullet Journal Evolution & Tips for Beginners

Join me for a flip-through of my entire Bullet Journal System over the last 10 months - I show you how my planning inserts have evolved over time and how my collections have morphed over time. Throughout, I share my 4 Bullet Journal tips for beginners.
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Supplies featured:
Notebook cover is a Wide "classic no 7" Foxy Notebook cover: bit.ly/1TT4vrF
Inserts: Dot grid from Yellow Paper House on Etsy & May Designs
Stickers: The Reset Girl Shop, Peaceful Mind Design, Mila Print Shop
Tombow dual brush markers: bit.ly/tombowbr...
Baby ruler: amzn.to/1Q25HE4
Black Staedtler Fineliners: amzn.to/1PIQ74x
Weekly Tracker Stamp: www.etsy.com/s...
Acrylic Block: amzn.to/1XcfQ73
Washi: Michaels
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These are affiliate links in this post, meaning if you buy something I'll make a small commission at NO additional cost to you - to go back into supporting my work. Thanks for your support!

[@MMcKinleyTreasures]

I like the fact you pointed out this journal is for our own life use, not to empress someone with how great we are at journaling. I enjoyed the video so much.

[@mrlongpork3955]

Hi, I've been writing in a journal since December 2011 and when I began it was strictly writing and absolutely nothing else and now 38 composite books later I've taught myself how to draw, I sow thread along the edges of the pages plus many other things I've picked up along the way. But I have never heard of bullet journals and will look forward to incorporating this into my daily routine. Writing in journals has really changed my life for the better and I also found that listening to audio books while writing allows me to completely lose track of time. Have a great day!

[@taliarivera5647]

Thank you for the encouragement! There's a saying: "Example is not the best way to teach, it is the only one." So thanks for being a great example and showing us your journey, and giving us an example of what take heart towards accomplishment means.

[@mcrbarreto]

I like your way to use the bullet journal. It seems the real life, you know... You REALLY use it.

[@radiopoet1330]

This is what I love aboutBulletJournals. You can try different things until you figure out what will work for you.

[@kimmieRH05]

I'm starting my first ever bullet journal for the upcoming year. I've tried using planners and I've tried the daily journaling for years and never stick with it because I find it bores me. I am a growing artist, and the mass variety of ways you can set up a bullet journal will allow me to specifically customize my journal to who I am and my current needs. But, the amount of information on how to set up a journal is overwhelming!! I absolutely love your advice to just start!! I could have listened to you talk for another hour!! 😁 Also, I would prefer to bullet journal using my Travelers notebook, but wasn't quite sure how that would work to fit all my needs, but you answered that for me as well. I am totally giving your separate journal system a go. TFS.... Happy New Year!!!! 🎊🎉☃️

[@watchthevideos56]

Hi I'm glad i got to see your video. I too put my collections in one book and my bullet and journaling in another book. I discovered Chic Sparrow, travelers notebooks and i get to keep everything together. Now it works for me.

[@tonyascott6273]

Great video! I'm still pretty new to bullet journaling and I've quickly noticed that it's a process. There is no magic layout that works for my life and I'm okay with that. Part of this journey is for me to figure it out and adapt. Thanks for sharing, I definitely feel like I'm on the right track at least.

[@dancerrae1205]

this helped so much! I just started a month ago and I was losing my mind trying to make the "perfect "midori, travelers, planner size, I sewed covers that were too wide, not wide enough, too tall, too thin, all to say I had no dimensions after watchin tons of videos that just say "standard size" or whatever anyway, your video helped me see that its what I want to do! and its ok! Type A personality is sometimes a hurdle! Lisa, Hoots and Giggles Crafts!

[@s.gorham738]

Hi, I`m on my hubby`s computer, so logged in under him, I loved this video, really. Your presentation was helpful. I just learned about this thing called bullet journals yesterday! I am a list maker, and a goal setter, using an electronic device is not something I want to do for that. BUT, I don`t have a great way to keep it all together. I had something like this, that I used for years, and there were only 3 things in the book, goals for the year, things I needed, and Christmas lists. It was something I would generally look at in December, not that useful re: goals because some fell off the radar completely. I can see how the bullet method will work for me and will empower me. Thanks for sharing, I appreciate it.

[@jo-annemcallister6280]

I like your honesty. Pretty pages make it seems like your trying to impress, yours however are authentic and have a purpose! Thank you for helping me make my mind up between a planner/ dairy and a bullet journal (and mine will be a whole lot messier).

[@leflers]

I totally agree! I have been scouring KZbin and Pinterest for days and have come to the conclusion that I don't want to spend hours on a spread. This journal is suppose to make my life easier, not harder. And thank you for not calling them "fails". It is inspiring!

[@lucymorningstar3312]

Thank you! You said something I needed to hear today: the don't compare your beginning to someone else's midde. I've only been bulet journaling for like 2 weeks and I'm still finding my rhythm. I can see huge changes in how I've done things already and now I've got some stencils I'm really looking forward to seeing where it goes on a more visual front

[@carolmelancon]

"Plan to live, not live to plan" This is going inside the front cover of my bujo.

[@catnipper56]

This is really hopeful to me to know there is hope for me! Just starting to bullet journal and haven't gotten a rhythm to it yet. .. Nice to see the process you have been through Thanks!

[@PattyCampbell]

Great video! I've finally found a good bullet journaling modification I like and works for me finally, but I'd been missing a collections book and didn't even realize it. I love yours and got tons of ideas. I am making mine now! Thanks!

[@wendywander7]

Great video with so many good points! I agree that the only way to find what you need is to do it and continue to evaluate and tweak for where you are now. So glad to have found your channel!!

[@Nita-dp1mt]

Tbh, after looking through all the super neatly arranged bullet journals from studyblr and studygram, I felt pressured to make mine look just as "perfect" in the beginning. In the end, I realized it doesn't matter if my lines weren't straight or lettering's off. Now, I literally just make simple lists which works for me. It's also nice seeing how bullet journaling worked out for you!

[@CoffeeBookChick]

I absolutely love these notebook inserts! I'm coming back around to Bullet Journaling as well.

[@aliquirch5377]

This is so helpful! I agree with keeping a more planning centric and calendar bujo and then a separate notebook for more lifetime bucket list and collections. I hate to rewrite or paste that stuff every time I switch bujos.

[@penguinsforever1609]

Nice. I liked how you showed your progress with your trial and error to figuring out what works for you. Thank you for sharing. Viewed many videos that had pages decorated with 95% stickers and hardly any writing. Wished they had titled it "How to decorate your planner".

[@PrettyPrintsPaper]

There is definitely differences in the ways people plan! I am not a heavy sticker user and highly function-focused - I like being able to show people the wide range of planner types. Glad it was helpful for you!

[@avargs3505]

Just found your video.. I wish more people talked about this. I actually went the loose leaf paper method with Japanese 75g/m2 kokuyo 836BT 6mm dotted ruled B5 paper.. the 10 pack of kokuyo dividers (2 sets of the same 5 colors) and a campus smart ring notebook (26 rings) and a maruman (file 26 b5 200 sheet capacity binder) You have flexibility and portability with the b5 size.. You have duplicate tabs in both binders.. When you start filling your daily driver.. You can transfer or dump the old sheets into the larger binder. Only do this dump when you know you won't need to look at back on that anytime soon. If this is important to you.. There are larger capacity binders.. I think the smart campus is only 40-60 sheet.. There are other b5 26 ring notebooks that hold 75-100 sheets. I love this system because you can easily play with the format and get it just right to your liking.. You need new pages? Just open the rings and put in new paper in your monthly, future, daily, collections, etc... Need more space and don't need the older stuff in those very tabs.. Take it out and transfer it to the respective tabs in the larger dump bujo binder.

[@paganpines]

This has so many great ideas, and is helpful for weeding out all the unnecessary extras I'm tempted to tack on.

[@AlexS-df7qk]

I love the "never fly spirit again" box, lol. I know the feeling. Great video!

[@OrganizedPlannerChic]

It was great to see the evolution of your bullet journaling system. Thanks for sharing!

[@ultravioletpisces3666]

"One layout to rule them all" :)

[@PrettyPrintsPaper]

THANK YOU for noticing!!! I always drop those little hints in there hoping someone will pick up on it.... LOL

[@rednaff]

I LOVE your weekly spreads! Thank you for the inspiration :D

[@ritabailey3257]

Most sensible video I've seen on journaling - thank you ❤️

[@rosehuang129]

Rita Bailey gG

[@thepotatobug6783]

I started mine on June 1st. I just grabbed a notebook I used for one of my classes last semester and made a cover in the middle of the book. The notebook is not as pretty as yours but it really helps me to stay on task. I love to use markers for headings.

[@joyrichardson5736]

Jessica, thank you so much! I have a whole page of notes in my bujo of inspiration from this video! I also work in education and I found your work videos really helpful too. Thank you for sharing :)

[@mikeyfinger8026]

TYVM for giving me permission to be myself in my own damn book!

[@PrettyPrintsPaper]

YESSSSSSSSS

[@SarahSayerBB]

Thanks for sharing! :) It was really helpful to see your whole evolution.

[@kennithbaucom4449]

I'm a 23 male who journals nonstop I thought u was the only one who writes nonstop but now seeing all these Kool veidos that people are puting on here it Kool I'm not the only one

[@ultravioletpisces3666]

I write nonstop too. Lol

[@cathysparks2797]

Just sent join request to bulletin journal junkies FB group. I'm hooked!

[@auntpurl5325]

Yes! It's just paper. There's always a blank page ahead.

[@TinyRayofSunshine]

Loved seeing a flip-through of your notebooks over time and thank you for the shout-out! :)

[@Anna-de4mu]

Thank you for your wonderful tips!!! And great encouragement as well👍

[@shanacoltion5565]

I needed very much to watch this, thank you for creating the video.

[@meiwood7678]

The "ums" drive me crazy, but your information is crazy useful! Sincerely appreciate your videos!

[@jennawirtz9620]

I was so excited to see this in my sub box!

[@rowena8752]

Helpful video! I just ordered two May Designs notebooks which I am hoping to use as a bullet journal! :)

[@ValeriaSerpa1]

thank you so much for this! ive put so much pressure on myself to make mine look pretty and It ended up not being helpful for me. but Im giving it a try again!

[@riechanster]

where do you get your bullet journals? You started with a thicker more moleskin like one but then they are like little notebooks? I love that!

[@happyone444able]

Thank you so much for this! I am just learning about this and find your video so helpful!

[@sarahdickerson7488]

So helpful! Thank you so much! Also, in like 11:38 how to do you write march on your spread? Like is that watercolor or is that a pen of some kind?

[@miarivelis4666]

ive been getting a little confused with all the monthly weekly and daily spreads. if you do a weekly, do you not do daily ones? Because i dont know if I need both to plan what I need to do or just one or the other. love ur vid btw :)

[@eunicecastro6997]

Your hand lettering is so nice! Do you have any tips for how to improve on hand lettering? Also, your bujo is amazing! Love it so much

[@nadines.1107]

So many great points!

[@SuzanneLight]

Very good flip through - informative :)

[@jeremysnowdenz]

Absolutely love this! Thanks for sharing. J

[@therestingtree2607]

thank you for your video! Can I ask you though, how and where would you put your future appointments / meetings, etc if you haven't drawn nor planned the future weekly / month spread yet? I would love to adopt such a system, but I can't see how it works (unless I have missed something or another video...). Thank you!

[@rebekahthompson8630]

Thank you! Great video!! I have a question, where did you find the sleep tracker? And is it helpful to you?

[@authordeborahjeanwhite6188]

Brilliant video. Really helpful. Thank you

[@authordeborahjeanwhite6188]

+Jessica // Pretty Prints & Paper started last night and I love it. So cool.

[@blogfashionpas23]

this was a really helpful vid - thanks!

[@onefourosix_]

Hey there! How do you put 4 journals together in a "booklet"?

[@14ruffs]

Probably a stupid question but I am just getting started with this. Do you write out the daily spreads in advance or do you do them every day?

[@kiayafreeze7696]

Thanks so much for your videos! I have sort of binged a couple, and I can really relate to your blog about bulleting to track "doing" as well as "being". Ever since I graduated college I've sort of had this mental struggle to "get my shit together" and I'm hoping bulleting can help with that. Admittedly, I've started and stopped many a times, and now I'm sort of in a reflecting on why I quit, what needs to change to resume, and your strategies are addressing some of those issues. But I have that same index problem as you and I think I came up with a solution! I can't ever commit to the index but I need it because I want to incorporate recipes and creative wrting prompts, work writing prompts and want to be able to have a reference that allows me to flip back to them. What about an index bookmark? My brain is already lighting up thinking of how I can just accordian fold some computer paper and use it as a long-term tracker. I'd love if you tried this so I could see how you incorporated it, your design inspirations, and if it helped you at all. Thanks again! Keep doing what you're doing, because it's helping me!!

[@kiayafreeze7696]

Jessica // Pretty Prints & Paper I do, but I haven't (re)started billeting yet. Going to Key West for a wedding and coming back Friday. I'm hoping I can start fresh Monday! instagram thefairyrebel :-)

[@JesThePants]

What is rock your writing? It looks cool! I'd love to do some!

[@haydeeserna]

Thank you for sharing this, getting some inspiration. :-)

[@buttagal]

Any advice for people who don't do much these days? 😭 I want to journal but good nothing to write down.

[@sparrowsparrow]

you could journal things such as meals, grocery lists, track your exercise or moods, chores around the house, maybe things that you do want to do? or you could just adapt this into a "classic" journal of writing what you did that day rather than what you will do.

[@kktn4739]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@zpinkcloudz]

I love your handwriting, what pens do you use for your bold titles?

[@zpinkcloudz]

+Cloud Le Okay i'm sorry I asked without finishing the video and reading the "about" section. Thank you for sharing!

[@Cornelia6]

Great video! Thank you :)

[@yupyup1562]

Wow, how do you find the time to do all this and keep up with it? Seems like it would take so much time.

[@hannahwoods573]

I found that I wasted a lot of time, imo, watching TV and browsing Facebook. I cut that out mostly and it was like: wow suddenly so much time to do this relaxing and rewarding activity. :) But that's just me.

[@dangerzone-bh2ev]

Thanks for sharing. 😊😊😊

[@lilja2235]

What type of marker do you use when writing the title of each page, such as with March at 9:56?

[@rosereedplans2521]

do.you think a smaller tn size is best? I just got a large moleskine and was going to use that

[@bleachfreak811]

+rose reed It really depends on what you like to use. It all comes with trial and error.

[@colorsofavon934]

AMAZING!!

[@nikkolestagowski4285]

what is the name of the journal you originally started from??

[@asmaa.763]

Thanks for sharing.

[@miscellanicole]

Hey there! I really liked your video and I want to try making some videos too to contribute to the community. How do you set up your camera? :)

[@nniiccollee]

where did you find that sleep tracker printout? i would like to use one in mine/ also, great video!!!

[@TEAMORICKY1]

I have no IDEA how to use Instagram ? I do not work, so some days, I have nothing to do. I make lists constantly and I really want to have a more organized system. Where do I buy Stickers ?

[@yahumee]

2:21 start you're welcome

[@blukitty2315]

I really need help. Why is it called a bullet journal? Is this like a scrapbook ,post its, calendars what kind of book or notebooks do you use? I'm journaling to really get through my life and write my poetry. Should I go to Pinterest? I dont belong to facebook, but do have a Instagram.

[@PrettyPrintsPaper]

I always recommend people visit www.bulletjournal.com to look at the original description video. It's meant to be simple, and a way to make planners work how you want them to - and you can use whatever supplies you want. The only right way to journal is just how you WANT to journal. I also have another video where I talk about it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZOTY5tvp66qqJI

[@saraht.9209]

I suffer with anxiety. Would bullet journaling help?

[@maddiemusa7093]

Sarah T. I can't it definitely will for you but the process of having a quite detailed plan for the day, week month etc. definitely helps my anxiety and gives me less to stress about. The creative aspect of bullet journaling is also very relaxing and sort of like a wind-down activity for me; id definitely give it a shot

[@LesterSuggs]

Would work in MS OneNote?

[@SimonPoikilia]

Really nice video :) I'm actually wondering why there are some japanese numbers at 6:49 ? :p

[@creativeinspirations7806]

Please i need your help i suck at almost all that i do and i need confidence i love bullet journaling i have just only just found out this year by accident really but loved what folk were doing

[@Budgie_Bop]

#IDEAS OMG I sooo love this!! Going to use your ideas if thats cool?? :)

[@CashCatMoney]

My bullet journal is a hot mess. My index is non existent. And I mix long form journaling in it, and it's not organized. Thank you! 😭

[@PrettyPrintsPaper]

If you know where your stuff is (in general), it's organized :)

[@clan_fraser19]

I'm inspired by your creativity, but the whole thing seems to fkn complicated for me lol. I just write a to do list on a notepad everyday and I'm good to go.

[@jmeyer3rn]

Hobonichi?

[@ultravioletpisces3666]

I don't use an index or number my pages either!

[@PrettyPrintsPaper]

I give up on it in like 3 minutes LOL

[@creativeinspirations7806]

I am just coming to the end of my first journal at the end of October and between August 1st and now there are so many different variants in my weekly layouts and habit tracking i just this September found a weekly layout i like. My Layouts for Monthly's do not change as they are inserts i got from a dollar store and i just write the month and day on it. I have included my to dos in the layout for my weekly format and if i can i will show you what i nean my IG is @journalingnz as i am from New Zealand

[@ЛюдмилаМушкина-д4е]

You got a big expirience from all of them, yes?

[@TheFiFiStudio]

Oh. I thought that "goals" actually said "goats" xD

[@zanewolf2408]

so....how did isis start?

[@marievanaalst2769]

het spijt me Jessica sorry maar bij ander video doe ik hun duimpje om hoog okee dag jessica

[@marievanaalst2769]

het spijt me

[@ankitak7574]

Really dong like the long intros

[@marievanaalst2769]

je tekent mooi maar ik geef een duimje om laag sorry jessica

[@mspixiedust100]

So I take it bullet journals are for people with no kids.

[@mspixiedust100]

+Jessica // Pretty Prints & Paper thanks

[@caseydarliiing]

+mspixiedust100 I'm a mom and it works great. It's the most flexible planning system I've used.

[@LadyInTheTree]

mspixiedust100 I know this comment was a year ago but I wanted to share my experience so far. I have an 8 year old boy who is in a lot of sports and an active toddler who I am always looking for new ideas to keep him busy PLUS I work. 1. My yearly layouts are a little more artistic. I take my time to add creative spins on to it. (My favorite pages are actually about my children) I keep track of cute things they say or milestones. 2. My week to week layouts are very basic. (I track events and things that are important to me) 3. I work on this during free time meaning I wake up before the kids or will work on it after the kids go to bed. I am a big pen an paper person. I keep all my appts and lists in notebooks that’s why this system works for me. This is me time. A year ago someone told me being a “mom” doesn’t define you in one word. You are more and deserve more. Many times I forget I am allowed to me selfish and do things that make me happy. If you enjoy the whole pen and paper I would take a jab at it.

[@ultravioletpisces3666]

Bullet journals don't have to be decorate at all, or have "layouts" and "spreads"- it's all how people chose to do it. If you look at the original concept it was just writing, no decorating. If you Google " how to bullet journal " you'll see that it's super basic compared to what you see. In fact, you should start very basic and really only embellish when you get the hang of it-- if you decide to at all.

[@gtiger766]

Seems like a lot of wasted time doing this. You could spend that time completing tasks instead of doing this.

[@lilyludwig4323]

As someone with ADHD, bullet journaling has literally saved me from failing college. Yeah I might spend an extra hour or so each week setting up my planner but the fact that I'm remembering to turn in all of my assignments makes it more than worth it. :)