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I mentioned in my Bullet Journal Layouts and Collections for Weight Loss that I am new to bullet journaling. Since then, I have had several questions about how to get started. Here are a few tips if you are interested in giving it a try!

Disclaimer: Post may contain affiliate links. 

1. Don’t be overwhelmed by all the fancy, decorative and colorful bullet journal layouts.

I learned many years ago that comparing myself to others gets me nowhere. I don’t compare myself to other teachers. I don’t compare myself to other bloggers. I don’t compare myself to other bullet journalers. 

There are some people out there that clearly have more time on their hands than me. Their journals look great and I am happy for them. My BuJo is fairly clean and simple. That works for me for now. The best part of bullet journaling (and the part that drew me to it) is that it is so customizable. I can finally have a planner that works for me and with me. I can even adjust my layouts each week or each month to meet my needs. 

Here is my January 2017 Weekly Layout:

2. You don’t need expensive equipment.

For the last several years I have used an Erin Condren planner.  I loved it and still have one that I use for teaching. It worked great for a linear, scheduled day like I have at work. My real life isn’t linear and scheduled out. I needed something more flexible and trying to make a $70 planner work for me wasn’t working. 

Many Bullet Journalers use the Leuchtturm1917 notebooks and that is ultimately what I went with. It was about $20. It’s still a bargain compared to my previous planner, but you could truly use any spiral notebook or composition book just as effectively. 

I chose the dotted version. I didn’t even splurge for the $.95 pen loop. If you use the elastic on the cover as shown below, it will hold up to two writing utensils nice and snug, right where I always need them. 

3. You don’t need to be an artist and you don’t even need to measure. 

I use the dotted paper and a small ruler to create the guidelines for all of my layouts. On some, I counted squares to make sections equal but that was as fancy as I got!

4. Make a list of what you need before you start making layouts. 

I sat down with a piece of copy paper and made lists of what I needed in a planner. I wanted it to house my daily tasks as well as blogging related information and some space for bible journaling or sermon notes. 

I also investigated Bullet Journal Collections and made a list of possible collections I planned to include. 

 

5. It’s okay if you make a mistake. 

When I showed my husband what I was doing he said, “Wow! I would be afraid I would make a mistake.” Well, mistakes are okay. I made several and I just kept going. I misnumbered some things. I counted boxed incorrectly. In the end, it is okay!

6. Just do it!

Don’t keep sitting around thinking you need to get started without taking action. Who cares if you are reading this post on January 2 or on June 11. The great thing about Bullet Journaling is that you can start TODAY!

My Favorite Products

Leuchtturm1917 Medium Size A5 Hardcover Notebook, Dotted Pages, Royal Blue

Staedtler Pigment Liner, 0.3mm, Black Ink

Staedtler Triplus Fineliner Pens, .3mm, Metal Clad Tip, 20-Pack, Assorted

 

Want to learn more about Bullet Journaling?

Check out my post and video for my January and February Walkthrough!

 

 

 

 

 

Check out my post Bullet Journal Layouts and Collections for Weight Loss.

 

 

 

 

 

You can also check out my Bullet Journal Pinterest Board. I am pinning new stuff daily!