If you've spent any time on Pinterest or TikTok, you've probably seen bullet journals. The beautifully hand-lettered spreads, the colour-coded habit trackers, the intricate monthly layouts that look like they took three hours to create.
And you've probably thought: I could never do that.
Here's the thing — that's not actually what bullet journaling is. The elaborate versions are fun to look at, but the real purpose of a bullet journal is much simpler. It's a flexible system for organising your thoughts, tasks, and life in one place. No artistic ability required.
This guide is for complete beginners. By the end of it, you'll know exactly what a bullet journal is, what you need to get started, and how to set up your first one without overthinking it.
What Is a Bullet Journal?
A bullet journal (often called a "bujo") is a customisable organisation system that lives in a notebook. It was created by designer Ryder Carroll as a way to track the past, organise the present, and plan for the future — all in one place.
Unlike a pre-printed planner, a bullet journal has no fixed layout. You create the pages yourself, which means it can be as simple or as detailed as you want. Some people use it purely as a task manager. Others add habit trackers, mood logs, goal pages, and weekly spreads. You decide what goes in and what doesn't.
That flexibility is what makes it so powerful — and what can also feel a little overwhelming at first.
What You Need to Get Started
Not much, honestly. The beauty of bullet journaling is that you don't need to invest in a lot of gear before you begin.
A notebook with dot grid or blank pages. Dot grid is the most popular choice for bullet journaling because the dots give you structure without the rigidity of lined paper. A5 is the most common size — big enough to be useful, small enough to carry with you. The Papermaid Stapled Bullet Journal A5 is a great starting point: quality paper, clean design, no unnecessary clutter.
A pen you like writing with. That's it. You don't need brush pens, washi tape, or a set of Tombows to start. A good ballpoint or fine liner is all you need.
Everything else — stickers, rulers, colour coding — is optional and can come later once you know what kind of journaller you are.
The Basic Building Blocks
Every bullet journal uses a few core elements. These are worth understanding before you start.
The Index. The first few pages of your journal become an index — a table of contents you add to as you go. Every time you create a new page, you note it in the index so you can find it later. Simple but incredibly useful.
The Future Log. A high-level overview of the next few months. Think of it as a place to park things that are coming up but not right now — appointments, deadlines, events. A two-page spread with a section for each month works well.
The Monthly Log. At the start of each month, you create a monthly spread. This usually includes a calendar view of the month and a list of tasks you want to get done. It gives you a bird's-eye view of what's ahead.
The Daily Log. This is the heart of the system. Each day, you open to a fresh section and write down your tasks, notes, and events as they happen. No need to pre-fill a whole week — you just start each day fresh.
Rapid Logging. This is the shorthand system that makes bullet journaling fast. Instead of writing full sentences, you use short bullets with symbols to categorise entries — a dot for a task, a dash for a note, a circle for an event. When a task is done, you cross it out. If it moves to another day, you migrate it forward with an arrow.
How to Set Up Your First Bullet Journal
Keep it simple. Seriously. The number one mistake beginners make is trying to create something Instagram-worthy on day one and then giving up when it feels like too much work.
Here's a straightforward first setup:
Pages 1–2: Index. Write "Index" at the top and leave these two pages blank for now. You'll fill them in as you go.
Pages 3–4: Future Log. Draw six boxes across two pages, one for each of the next six months. Write the month name at the top of each box. Add anything you already know is coming up.
Pages 5–6: Monthly Log. Write the current month at the top. On the left page, list the dates down the side and note any events or commitments. On the right page, write your top tasks for the month.
Page 7 onwards: Daily Logs. Write today's date, then start logging. Tasks, notes, appointments — whatever needs to go somewhere. At the end of the day, cross off what's done and migrate anything unfinished to tomorrow.
That's it. That's a fully functional bullet journal.
Tips for Actually Sticking With It
Don't try to make it pretty at first. Aesthetics are great, but they're not the point. Focus on the system first. Once it's working for you, you can add whatever you like.
Do a weekly review. Once a week — Sunday evenings work well — flip back through the week, migrate any unfinished tasks, and set up the next week. This is what keeps the system alive.
Make it yours. If habit trackers don't work for you, don't use them. If you love mood logging, add it. The system should fit your life, not the other way around.
Don't worry about missed days. Unlike a pre-dated planner, a bullet journal doesn't guilt you for skipping a day. Just pick up where you left off.
Which Papermaid Notebook Should You Start With?
If you're ready to dive in, the Stapled Bullet Journal A5 is included in The Pink Edit bundle — dot grid pages, quality paper, clean design, nothing in the way. It's the perfect blank canvas to build your system from scratch, and it comes paired with a daily planner, weekly planner, notebook, and notepad so your whole desk is sorted at once.
The Pink Edit is made right here in New Zealand, from recycled and renewable paper, with no plastic in sight.
Ready to Start?
The best bullet journal is the one you actually use. It doesn't need to look good. It doesn't need a colour scheme. It just needs to work for you.
Pick up a notebook, write today's date, and start. Everything else figures itself out from there.
All Papermaid products are designed and made in New Zealand. Free delivery on orders over $100.
