If you have made it this far, congratulations! You are at the end of my Bullet Journal 2.0 blog series. We’ve covered everything from the backbone and structure of the bullet journal to the fine details and extras. Hopefully, I have answered your questions, reassured your confidence, and helped you start or recommit to the system. In this final installment, I’ll wrap everything up and offer my final bullet journal tips and advice. To read all of the posts, click here.
Bullet Journal 2.0 Wrap Up
As we conclude this blog series, I want to start by saying thank you! Thank you for sticking around and reading my posts weekly– I know they’ve been a little sporadic. And thank you for all the kind words on social media and in your emails. This has become so much more than just a blog. It’s a small, compassionate, and caring community. I couldn’t ask for better supporters. So thank you for that.
The last piece of this series is supposed to just tie the loose ends together. If you didn’t have the time or came in late and don’t want to read all ten posts in this series, I’m going to point you to the most important posts here:
- Part 1: This is the most important part of the series if you are just getting into bullet journaling. It’s all about the backbone of the system. You’ll find all the basic and completely necessary components without any of the extra personalization. It’s where I suggest everyone starts. Just get a solid grip on the basics before trying to make a gallery worthy journal.
- Part 2: Go read this if you know the basics of the system, but haven’t yet decided how to start. It’s a mini-guide to your supplies, resources, and tools you can use.
- Part 8: Part 8 is dedicated to everyone who is too intimidated to start a bullet journal. There’s soooo many beautiful spreads and complicated layouts online that it can be intimidating. This will help you see past those and jump into your new planning system.
- Part 9: All of your last minute questions get answered in this post. What’s a good notebook? Should I take my bullet journal with me or leave it at home? Etc.
Of course, as the writer, I hope you read the whole series, but I don’t blame you if you don’t. Read what you can, and if you still have questions, shoot them my way in the comments or through email.
Final Bullet Journal Tips and Advice
Okay, now I’m going to share some real love with you guys. I’m not putting on any fronts, and I’m not going to sell you anything that I honestly don’t think is an extraordinary product or idea. So here it goes.
Wait on buying every new pen that comes along
It’s not worth it. From first-hand stationery addict experience, it will just suck the money out of your bank account. Those markers that you saw on Instagram. Wait. If you still think you need them in two weeks, buy them. But, don’t compulsively head to Amazon and order them. I have probably 20 packs of markers and pens that I’ve never used except to swatch them. It’s a sad, hard, shopaholic lesson.
Find a pen you LOVE and get a few
Okay, so I just told you not to buy everything you come across on Instagram or Pinterest. I’m sticking to my story. But, I do recommend you find a black pen that works like magic for you, and then buy a 3 or 5 pack. You don’t want your favorite pen to run out of ink and be stuck with a shitty black ballpoint pen that feels foreign and makes your writing look like a three-year-old’s.
Don’t add ALL the monthly pages
I’ve been there and added 17 different pages for one month. I tracked my mood, my meals, my habits, my workouts, daily doodles, and on and on. It quickly became a chore that I wasn’t enjoying doing. And when I wasn’t enjoying it, I was rushing through and not really using each page to it’s potential. Start with your most necessary pages, try them out for a month, and then add one or two if you feel comfortable. Don’t jump in with a thousand tracker you have to fill in each day, though. It’s not worth getting burned out and then giving up the system entirely.
If you do give up, it’s OK
I had a full week– it was actually this week, that I didn’t fill in anything. I was busy with work and the kids. And, I didn’t feel good so I just didn’t open my bullet journal much. I felt defeated at first. This is what my blog is all about. I can’t be giving up on the thing that I’m telling people to use and be consistent with. That’s hypocritical! But, after a little time and honest reflection, I was okay with it. I got back into it, filled in my day and my habit tracker and continued on. Because I know that it’s better to let go of a week or a few weeks and jump back in and use the system than to give up on it and all it’s benefits. If you find yourself in that position, don’t assume it’s over. It’s a notebook. You can always start again and pick up where you left off.
I really hope you all enjoyed reading this series as much as I enjoyed creating it. It felt so purposeful and helpful. I do truly hope the feeling is mutual. I know there are still tons and tons of questions out there. Don’t be afriad to ask! I am more than happy to help in any way I can. Also, if you have any suggestions for future posts, feel free to shoot your ideas my way! I’m here for you guys, so this is as much you as it is me.
Other Posts in the Series:
[ Part 1: WTF is a Bullet Journal]
[Part 2: Before You Get Started]
[Part 3: The Future Log]
[Part 4: The Monthly Log]
[Part 5: Weekly Logs vs. Dailies]
[Part 6: Habit Trackers]
[Part 7: Collections]
[Part 8: Getting Over the Fear of Starting]
[Part 9: Bullet Journal FAQs]
[Part 10: You Are Here]
I really liked reading all the 10 parts of the Bujo series. Thanks for taking the time to write it.
Thank you, Wendy! I’m super appreciative of your comment and all my readers, and it’s been a pleasure making the series.
In a desperate attempt to reclaim some order in my life I ordered a notebook, pens, and stencils on Amazon. I’m a SAHM that loves making lists, but has somehow given in to the chaos that is a house with two small children. Tomorrow my bullet journal supplies are coming, and I had no idea where I was actually going to start. I just read through this whole series in one go, and it calmed my nerves. I feel so much more comfortable and confident with the bullet system now. I wanted to say thank you so much for making this series. As someone who is really not artistic I was getting intimidated by my own Pinterest searches for Bullet Journal Ideas. Thank you many times over! Here’s hoping this system works for me and my family. I’m sure I’ll be revisiting these pages a few times as I adapt to the new system.
Hi Tara,
First off, thank you for the sweet comment. It really makes my day to know I’m helping someone. Secondly, I feel you! I’m a mom of two and sometimes I feel so overwhelmed being a mom and trying to manage a house, kids, myself, etc. The Bullet Journal system has helped tremendously.
Don’t be too afraid to start. It can be slightly intimidating, but in the end, it’s so much more rewarding to be productive than to be pretty. If you can do both, wonderful! But don’t let it stop you from reaping the benefits of the system.
Let me know if you have any further questions. I would love to help you out any way I can! Good luck and congrats on starting!
Erin
Thank you so much for thsee posts, they really helped me see bullet journals in a different way. I was about to jump in and figure it out for myself when I realized I should do some research first. I found your blog and realized that I was missing the point. Thsee are journals to organize our lives and help us see it all in one place, not a drawing competition or a caligraphy contes!. Thank you so much!
Rachel, I’m so glad that this series helped you and that you interpreted it that way. It’s an organizational tool and a way to better your life. I hope that more people can realize this too. Welcome to the the bullet journal community!