What is a Bullet Journal?

Have You Heard of Bullet Journals?

At Paper Papier, we love all kinds of journaling - that’s why we carry all kinds of journals! We’ve noticed in the last couple of years that Bullet Journaling has become a very popular way to journal. 

Quite often our customers come in with questions about journals. Often they are looking to purchase a specific journal and supplies to go along with it. More recently we‘ve noticed customers asking “What is Bullet Journaling?”

Since one of our favourite things to do is to not only provide our customers with the best products, we also love to answer questions. That’s why we thought we would have a more in-depth look at Bullet Journals.

Over the next few weeks, we are going to provide you with a guide “What is a Bullet Journal and How to Bullet Journal”. From a brief history to why journaling is beneficial, how to set up a bullet journal and the perfect supplies, we intend to answer your bullet journaling questions

And...as a thank-you to our email subscribers, we are having a giveaway so you can get yourself a Bullet Journal and supplies! See then end of the blog for details!

What is a Bullet Journal?

A Bullet Journal is great for anyone. However, it’s especially helpful for someone who struggles to stay on top of things and feels stress from this. Often people who’ve tried to organize themselves using other methods discover that a Bullet Journal actually works!

We don’t want to assume that everyone knows what a Bullet Journal is. So we figured the first step is to take a broad look at Bullet Journals and journaling in general. 

While Bullet Journaling is most definitely about journaling, it’s more than writing down thoughts in a journal. It’s actually a methodology and productivity system. Bullet Journaling can be seen as a mindfulness practice disguised as a cleverly designed system. The system helps you organize at the same time as it helps you focus on your why. Essentially, its purpose is to help you live intentionally. Productivity is its goal but meaningfulness is at its core.

What are the Benefits of Journaling?

We’ve written a little list below of some of the top reasons to journal. We also found this great video that explains the benefits of journaling:

Before we continue looking into Bullet Journals, we wanted to highlight some of the benefits of journaling and the many reasons to actively keep a journal:

• Journals can help you set and achieve goals.

• They help you keep your thoughts and ideas organized.

• Improve your writing skills by writing in a journal every day.

• Journals are a place to write down your ideas as they occur.

• If you are experiencing stress, they are a great stress reliever. Just dump your worries onto a page this gets them out of your brain.

• Writing Improves your memory. 

• Journaling gives you an opportunity to reflect on your thoughts and ideas.

• Creativity is encouraged through writing.
  
  

What is the History of Bullet Journals?

In anticipation of getting into the details of Bullet Journals and how to practice Bullet Journaling, it’s important to acknowledge where Bullet Journals came from. 

Ryder Carroll, an author and digital product designer, created the Bullet Journal. It was his response to the challenges he faced growing up with learning disabilities. Early in his life, he figured he would need his own way to be productive and able to focus on learning. As a response, he created a system to help himself become more productive in learning. In fact, his system was so successful that he now focuses on helping others learn his method and the art of intentional living. 

If you would like to learn more about Ryder Carroll and his journey to overcome learning disabilities, in 2017 he gave a talk at a TEDX event. 

If you don’t want to watch the video - here is the synopsis: Ryder Caroll shares how he worked with his diagnoses of attention deficit disorder by creating a system. This system not only worked for him but he found his friends also loved it and eventually his system became known around the world as a way to live with greater efficiency and satisfaction. 

The Viennese-born Ryder Carroll now makes his home in New York City. Currently, he works as a lead designer in digital products and has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Vogue, and the L.A. Times, to name a few.

Getting Started and Essential Supplies

As this is a series of blogs rather than our usual stand-alone blog, next week we are going to get into the specifics of creating a Bullet Journal. We hope this proves to be a great place to start if you are a seasoned journal keeper or are just getting started. Even Bullet Journal aficionados appreciate re-visiting “How to Start a Bullet Journal”. 

How to Get Started with Your Bullet Journal

Up to now, we’ve only touched on the Bullet Journal as a system for productivity and living a better life. You may be left thinking that this is far more complicated than you were expecting. We don’t want you to feel this way.

In fact, getting started is really easy. Once you have your basic supplies - see the next section - it’s up to you where you want to begin. The important thing to remember is that there is no right or wrong way to get started. In fact, the order you start in is up to you. You can start where you want by choosing whichever page piques your interest and use that as your jumping point. As it feels right and you are ready, you can then add more pages. 

What Supplies Do I Need to for a Bullet Journal?

Great news! All you need to start are the most basic of supplies: a journal and a pen. Then it’s a matter of getting going.

This week we will focus on three journals we have here at Paper Papier that are perfect for creating your Bullet Journal.  

Leuchtturm

These colourful hardcover journals come in a dot grid paper, squared, lined, and of course, blank. They are a great way to get you organized and are perfect for newbies! 

These journals come with:

• A pocket

• Two bookmarks

• Pre-numbered pages

• Blank index

• Set of stickers for clear labelling

• Good quality paper that will prevent bleed-through. 

• Thread-bounding allows for the journals to lay flat.

• Elastic closure.

• Page marker.

Clairefontaine

Clairefontaine creates journals that are inspired by the Bullet Journal planning method. These journals make it possible to create the perfect journal to suit your needs and are fully customizable. Some features:

• Beautiful white, crisp paper

• Fountain pen friendly

• Opens flat

• Different sizes

• Ruled, grid or plain

• Good, basic journal to get you started 

 Rhodia

Known for its high quality, exacting standards, Rhodia is associated with creativity and tradition. This journal has an almost cult-like following and is a favourite of designers, writers, artist, and fans of journaling. Things you’ll like:

• Distinct paper is velvety smooth

• A great size - small enough to fit but not too small

• Perforated sheets

• Good for any type of pen

• Dot pattern that doesn’t take over