The Bullet Journal Monthly log is by far one of the most well-known pages in the bullet journal community. You see it on Instagram and even on Youtube – the Plan with Me videos. Typically, we see calendars and drawings and themed pages so it seems pretty straightforward but I still want to talk about the original method and other interpretations/variations of the monthly log.
Monthly Log in the Bullet Journal World
Ryder Carroll’s monthly log is simple. Start off with 2 blank pages, create a vertical calendar on the left and write your monthly tasks on the right.
The original method is a strange take on a monthly calendar. As you learn/ed about the bullet journal, you probably asked these questions: “what if there are several events in a day? What about my appointments? What if the event is cancelled? Will I have enough space?
You see, the monthly isn’t supposed to look like desktop calendars with all the appointments displayed or these big calendars that are typically hung or placed on a desk.
The Bullet Journal monthly log was actually designed to act as a reference page or a summary page.
It offers a bird’s-eye view of the things you have to do, as well as your available time.
Ryder Carroll, The Bullet Journal Method
If you look at Ryder’s version, you will notice that he uses the calendar as a form of memory keeping and events logging rather than a place to keep all appointments. You can use it for important dates, of course. Ryder prefers logging events after they happen because not all events are set in stone. He advises us to keep it short and simple because it is supposed to act as a timeline.
The Calendar
I think bullet journalists who were coming from using planners, agenda, books, and desktop calendars might have been the ones who had a more difficult time reconciling with or adjusting to the Bullet Journal monthly log. Before learning about the Bullet Journal system, I was a planner girl. I almost always wrote down my meetings, critical to-do lists, deadlines, etc.
I was definitely worried that the monthly log will be counterproductive. When I started bullet journaling, I tried the original method (with a *bit* of design). I realized that I wasn’t able to use the monthly log well because I wanted to write multiple appointments and notes in the summary page. I was right, it didn’t help me that much because I had been so accustomed to a calendar setup on a planner.
Those who have tried using the original layout explored other layouts because they found that the original did not suit their needs. This is one of the reasons why we see a lot of variations of the monthly spread and to be honest, one of the reasons why people think that they need creative skills to start a bullet journal.
Linear / Vertical Calendar, the original design
We’ve seen what the monthly log was designed to look like. There are still quite a number of people who find this useful. I’ve noticed that most of the people who use this method are those who are always “on the go” and don’t have time to sit down and create calendars (or even print them). I have a friend who is a law student and uses the bullet journal system – she enjoyed using the linear minimal layout because it was straightforward and easy to use.
Sylvia of Via Calligraphy also uses the original Bullet Journal monthly log. Being a creative person, she adds flair to it. She’s been using this format for as long as I can remember and it seems to be working for her. Highlighting weekends is also a great way to divide the weeks.
You might have seen the next layout in my 20 More Minimalist Bullet Journal Accounts to Follow.
Splitting personal and work events. You’ll probably see a lot of these.
Traditional Calendar
Based on my observation, bullet journalists who have been accustomed to planners often use a traditional calendar format. Some use a mini calendar and some recreate the traditional planner calendar format.
Circular Calendar / Calendar Wheel
I was not supposed to include this on the list because it doesn’t seem practical. But, I wanted to share it just in case you wanted something different. I don’t see this often used as a layout to log events and appointments but I see these more on trackers. Calendar wheels are not easy to do! There is a lot of measuring involved (trust me, I know) and it WILL take time unless you find a printable.
Tasks Page (“Mental Inventory”)
There are a lot of calendars to choose from but let’s not forget that a Bullet Journal monthly log needs a tasks page. This page is often overlooked because of the monthly calendars. The tasks page should be a place to dump all of the things that need to be done in a month – a master to-do list.
Maxie of calligrabujo‘s monthly log is a really good interpretation of the original monthly log. She divides her monthly calendar page into two so that she can split between dates and tasks.
In her post, she mentions that she logs important dates (like birthdays, etc) and things that she wants to remember on the left and she lists down tasks and appointments on the right. On the second page of her monthly spread, she logs her tasks but also writes down her monthly goals in separate section.
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