Why Every Bullet Journalist Should Go Back to Basics (at Least Once)

The Bullet Journal is a system, not a type of journal. It’s meant to be customizable and should adapt to the needs and requirements of the one who uses the system.

Ever since the Bullet Journal Method became a trend, there have been a lot of interpretations and customizations built by other bullet journalists. It’s normal because the bullet journal can be anything you want it to be. It can be a planner, a to-do list, and a sketchbook all rolled into one.

Customizations can get a little bit out of hand. We get excited and overzealous because of the idea of being able to DIY. And because of that, the fundamentals of the Bullet Journal method somehow got lost along the way. In fact, some beginners still ask how to start a bullet journal even if the basics can easily be found on bulletjournal.com.

I believe that every bullet journalist, regardless of experience, should try or should have tried using the basics at least once in their bullet journal journey.

You have to walk before you can run.

You will learn the purpose of each module and technique as you go along

The Bullet Journal Method was not built in a day. Ryder did not just wake up and make the rules; he had to go through a series of trial and error. Each module or collection has its own purpose and there is a reason why he designed it in such a way.

Honestly, I never started the Bullet Journal as designed by the creator. I used the basics as guide and just followed what looked good on Instagram and Pinterest. I always wanted to try the “modified” versions of the basics. Take the monthly log for example, when I first started, I had the traditional bullet journal calendar but instead of just having a page full of tasks, I added another list because I didn’t feel that it was “enough”.

When I skipped the basics, I was overwhelmed with the upkeep and was really all over the place. If I had started with the basics, I really would have had a better understanding of the monthly log and would have been less overwhelmed in my first month.

Read: The One Thing I Wish I Did Before I Started a Bullet Journal

I ran before I could even learn to walk and because of that, I easily stumbled.

If you started out this way, maybe you should try the basics next month just so you would understand the system more.

You will understand your needs better as a bullet journalist

Being a customizable system means you get to decide what works and what doesn’t work for you. Skipping the basics might not be entirely efficient.

I’ll admit that the entire structure of the Bullet Journal system isn’t for everyone. Some collections might be useful for some but not for some. That being said, you wouldn’t actually know what you need or want unless you try using the Bullet Journal method as designed.

We, as bullet journalists, are like this sometimes:

I started bullet journaling skipping the basics, assuming that I knew what I wanted or didn’t want. And boy, was I wrong.

Ryder describes the Bullet Journal as an empty house. He says,

I like to describe the Bullet Journal Method as an empty house. I gave the community this house to fill it with their own lives. That’s the key, to furnish your space with the things that serve you. If the chair is too fancy, you won’t sit in it. If the kitchen is too complicated, you won’t cook in it. If you decorate your home with things based on other people’s lives, you risk feeling like a stranger in your own space. If you’re not careful, your notebook can quickly fill with all sorts of Collections that ultimately don’t add value to your life. It’s no wonder then when it becomes a chore. You’re maintaining someone else’s journal, not your own.

Ryder Carroll, Back to Basics

No frills, no pressure

There is a large online community of bullet journalists. A lot of them share their “spreads” on Instagram or on Facebook and it can get intimidating. I have seen plenty of beginner and novice bullet journalists who feel discouraged to use their bullet journal because it’s not “as pretty”. Then again, that defeats the purpose of the bullet journal.

Design should always serve a purpose

Ryder Carroll, The Bullet Journal Method

Going back to basics and keeping it minimalist takes the pressure off having a neat or pretty notebook. To be honest, we can’t have a neat page all the time. There will be days where we just need to write down the things that needs written down.

A creative slump can happen to the best of us once in a while. It’s tougher on people who use creativity to express themselves in their bullet journal. Just remember that the creative part in bullet journaling is OPTIONAL.

The Bullet Journal is meant to be your own personal space to offload and organize your thoughts. You can start off with the bare minimum or the basics and if you really want to add a bit of personality to it, do it when you have time to do so.

Going back to basics can help you regroup

Bullet journalists occasionally feel uninspired or lazy to use the bullet journal and that’s okay. Some can easily just get back on it but some have a difficult time bringing themselves back to the bullet journaling habit.

An easy way to get into the habit is to go the minimalist route and go back to the bullet journal basics basics. If you don’t push yourself too hard as you start again, you might be able to continue with the habit of bullet journaling again. Using the basics will help you ease into bullet journaling and hopefully help you rediscover yourself along the way.

If you’re ever feeling stuck, unmotivated, overwhelmed, or simply out of touch with your journal, go back to the basics. Take a step back. Begin by remembering why you started. 

Ryder Carroll, Back to the Basics

Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it, right? The Bullet Journal Method is customizable and truly a forgiving system. If the original design doesn’t work for you, then you can easily switch it up in the next week or even in the next month.