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Journaling and Planning Bullet Journal Bujo Basics: Monthly Log and Some Layout Ideas
  • Bullet Journal

Bujo Basics: Monthly Log and Some Layout Ideas

  • March 22, 2019
  • Jestine
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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.

@bulletjournal

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.

Apple.com
JSTORY Large Monthly Planner

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.

Image courtesy of The Bullet Journal Method

The Calendar

Bullet journalists who came from traditional planners, agendas, or desktop calendars may have found it challenging to adjust to the Bullet Journal monthly log. Before learning about the Bullet Journal system, I was all about planners – jotting down meetings, critical to-do lists, deadlines, etc.

Honestly, I was worried the monthly log would be counterproductive. When I started bullet journaling, I tried using the original method (with a bit of design) but realized it didn’t fit my needs. I struggled to adapt because I was used to a calendar setup that allowed for multiple appointments and notes on one page. It turned out I was right – it didn’t help me much.

September 2016 Bullet Journal Monthly Layout
A far cry from my current layouts, right?

Those who tried the original Bullet Journal layout often explored other options because it didn’t suit their needs. That’s why you see so many variations of the monthly spread—and honestly, it’s one reason people think they need creative skills to start a bullet journal.

  • Read: You Don’t Have to Be Creative 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.

@bulletjournal

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.

@viacalligraphy – get the same notebook here
@cwistina_s has created a functional monthly log. I really like how she uses her keys to indicate if it’s an appointment or a full-day event. Oftentimes, she also marks the locations of certain sets of events, which is great especially if you travel a lot.
Pen used: Pilot g-tec
@amizaomar
Amiza posted her monthly log where she creates two columns for her personal monthly log and her work monthly log. This is a great way to easily distinguish each type of event without the need to color code or use additional signifiers.

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.

This is an old monthly log from junjournals. The layout is really more form over function because there isn’t enough space for you to write down appointments. Some opt for the mini calendar because they don’t use the bullet journal monthly for appointments.

Maria from Minimalistic Journal has this gorgeous monthly calendar that also acts as a cover page for the month. With layouts like these, you should know that you will have to allocate space (or another page) for writing your monthly entries (appointments, events, milestones).

Merakumi does the same and leaves a bit of space to write down important events on the page (although I’m not sure if she does that)

Here’s a monthly layout from Federica. This has been her monthly format for the past few years and I take that it has been working for her very well. She writes down important dates on the left side of her monthly spread – where her cover page lies. And I think she marks the calendar on the right with small dots indicating that there is something significant on that date.

Next up, we have Rhean’s bullet journal: I like this one because it’s a mix of both traditional calendar and vertical calendar.

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.

@calligrabujo

Mark from @menwhobullet uses an overview page that includes his goals, task list, notes, and birthdays.

The next one is similar to the previous except there is an additional section for what’s coming up in the next month.


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Related Topics
  • Bullet Journal Basics
Jestine

Jestine (she/her) is a Product Manager in the tech space who loves writing on paper, bullet journaling, fountain pens, and film cameras.

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