Buying and Starting a Bullet Journal
Let’s start out with, What is a bullet journal, (BUJO)?
A bullet journal is typically a dotted journal used to track habits and relieve stresses of an individual.
Or according to urban dictionary…
A journal used for personal use, such as a planner, art book, organization journal, and or a diary.
I have loved using my bullet journal for over a year now, but if you’re still iffy on wanting to start a bullet journal, let’s check out some myths about bullet journals.
“You have to be artsy to start a bullet journal” WRONG! Your bullet journal is for YOU and for YOU only! You’re not trying to impress anybody! The point of a bullet journal is to help you track and organize YOUR own life!
“It takes too much time to have a bullet journal” WRONG! You can put in as much or as little time into a bullet journal as you want! The more you use it, the more effective it will probably be, but it’s YOUR choice!
“You have to use expensive and fancy pens and journals” WRONG! If you know me, you know I love getting myself a good deal! Mostly any pens are fine and any journal shouldn’t cost more than $25 and it is so worth it!
So now that we have calmed you down and now you’re thinking about starting a bullet journal, how do you choose what brand?
Well there are a few things I make sure a bullet journal has before I buy it, other than it being a dotted journal:
Page Numbers: It makes bullet journaling EXPONENTIALLY easier to have page numbers, so you don’t have to write in your own! Page numbers are so helpful when looking for a specific topic in your bujo and just looking up the page number.
2. Table of Contents: A bullet journal already having a table of contents gives you the gift that you don’t have to. It’s a lot easier to keep up with a table of contents when it’s already provided for you! Also this makes it easier when keeping up with page numbers!
3. Thick Pages: You DEFINITELY want thick pages so that your pens, markers, etc, don’t bleed through to the next page! It’s really hard to tell just looking at the cover of the bullet journal if the pages are thick, but I have a few suggestions and you can always look up a review before you buy!
A great way to test this is with a Pen Tester Page: Some bujo’s come with one, but a lot don’t and it’s definitely not an essential, because you can easily make one. It’s just a page in the back of your bujo that you test pens, markers, etc on before ruining a main page in your journal!
These are 2 examples of a provided pen tester page (left) and a self-made pen tester page (right
4. A Cover You Like: Whether it’s your favorite color, a design, or a quote, make sure it’s something you enjoy to see!
You’re going to see it everyday, or fairly often, so make sure it’s something you love!
These are the 2 bullet journals that I have used the most!
FUN ADD-ONS: Every bujo probably has at least one of these fun add ons but these are just always fun, but not necessary!
Bookmarks (most bujo’s will have one)
Extra Stickers
A pen holder
Elastic Band (that wraps around the journal to keep it closed)
Pockets
Like I said, these can be useful, but not necessary!
The best bujo brands that I have found are:
Scribbles That Matter (pink)
Chronicle Books (shine bright)
If you have any questions about certain bullet journal brands, feel free to ask me, I would love to help! Also if you find brands you love of your own, I’d love for you to share!