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October 15, 2020

5 Things to do when you get a new bullet journal notebook

Whether you’re starting a bullet journal for the first time or just starting a new bullet journal notebook, these are the 5 things you should do to set it up.

1. Count the dots

I count how many dots horizontally and vertically and write it on a sticky note and place in the front cover for quick reference. Now when you want to set up a spread you don’t need to recount the dots every time.

bullet journal tips time saving quick hacks newbie

Related Post: Otto Dot Grid Bullet Journal Notebook

2. Set aside more pages for the index / contents

Some dot grid notebooks don’t include them and when they do it’s usually only 1 or 2 pages which isn’t enough for me. I know you could put the index anywhere but I like having this in the front of the notebook. If you forget to set aside some front pages you could use the back pages instead.

3. Spread counting

At some point you’ll probably want to do a 2 column, 3 column, 4 column spread. E.g. a monthly calendar might have 4 boxes or 7 boxes. If you setup a spacing template it’ll make it much quicker to draw up all your spreads OR another option is to use one of my favorite tools – the Ink By Jeng Row & Column spacer template

ink by jeng row and column stencil review best time saving supply bujo tips hacks recommendations all about planners

Read more: The best time saving tool for bullet journaling (Ink by Jeng Row & Column Stencil)

4. Pen Testing

My favorite part! Time to justify all those pens, highlighters, stamps, brush pens etc. you’ve been hoarding for years to see which ones bleed through, ghost etc.

scribbles that matter pen test review highlighter gel fine tip ballpoint bleed through stamp ghosting a5 bujo notebook pros and cons video

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Related post: Tombow Brush Pen Testing in 8 Different Bullet Journals

scribbles that matter bullet journal notebook review tombow brush pens testing bleed through ghosting paper quality swatches

Related post: Scribbles That Matter Notebook

5. Choose your key / color code

Some helpful posts:

  • 50 Category Ideas for Color Coding Your Planner
  • Color coding your planner: how to choose which colors to use 
  • 7 Color coding mistakes to avoid in your planner or bullet journal

If you have pages you frequently flip to you could make a separate key for these and mark the pages with washi tape.

using washi tape for bullet journal key tips color coding creating tabs how to setup a new bullet journal bujo dot grid notebook

This works well for:

  • Habit trackers
  • Cleaning schedules
  • Routine tasks lists e.g. daily, weekly, monthly
  • Shopping wish list or gift ideas lists
  • Last time I did
  • Go to meals list
  • Quick tasks list
  • If I have time list

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If you’re not sure what pages you want to put where, write the page topic on a sticky note to work out what’s going where or to ‘reserve’ that page for future use so you don’t accidentally write on that page.

Some helpful posts with some pages you might want to add to your bullet journal:

  • 52 Life admin tasks to add to your planner this year
  • Setting up a new planner: 70 Tasks to add 
  • 50 cleaning task reminders to add to your planner

If there’s a page you use often that you don’t want to keep ruling up the spread for, you can resize a printable to fit any size notebook. Instructions are in this post.

how to resize printables for bullet journal leuchtturm rhodia scribbles that matter or any bullet journal bujo

Read more: How to resize any printable for any size bullet journal

More bullet journal tips

  • 15 habit tracker tips & ideas to try
  • 10 Different ways to do a monthly goals review in your planner
  • 10 Bullet Journal Daily Scheduling Layout Ideas

Found this post helpful? Pin it!

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You may also be interested in...

  • 7 Bullet Journal Supplies I Don’t Use7 Bullet Journal Supplies I Don’t Use
  • The best supplies for making monthly spreads in your bullet journalThe best supplies for making monthly spreads in your bullet journal
  • The best time saving row and column stencils for dot grid notebooks (5 brands compared)The best time saving row and column stencils for dot grid notebooks (5 brands compared)
  • 7 Quick and easy ways to make your bullet journal less boring7 Quick and easy ways to make your bullet journal less boring
  • The best time saving tool for bullet journaling (Ink by Jeng Row & Column Stencil)The best time saving tool for bullet journaling (Ink by Jeng Row & Column Stencil)
  • 7 useful spreads your bullet journal should have7 useful spreads your bullet journal should have

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Posted In: Bullet Journal, Bullet Journal Tips · Tagged: bujo newbie, bujo tips, bullet journal helpful tips, bullet journal new notebook, bullet journal newbie, bullet journal notebook setup, bullet journal supplies, bullet journal tips, favorite bullet journal supplies, intro to bullet journal, quick bullet journal tips, setting up a new bullet journal, setting up a new bullet journal notebook, tips for setting up a new bullet journal, what to do when setting up a new bullet journal notebook

Comments

  1. Kelly P. says

    October 29, 2020 at 03:37

    I think you forgot the first two:
    1. Hug your journal and squeal in delight.
    2. Fan the pages from front to back to smell the yummy new-book scent.
    3. Pen test! This comes next because it is super exciting.
    Then we can get on to the other four you mentioned. 😉

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