Guide to Bullet Journaling: Great Bullet Journal Ideas​ for 2025

A few years ago, bullet journal ideas were all the rage. While they may not be as trendy as they once were, many people are still quietly enjoying their bullet journals. These handy and flexible little journals help people get organized, maintain healthy habits and so much more. Do you think bullet journaling may be right for you?

To find out, let's see what bullet journaling is. We'll answer how it's different from a normal planner. So, read on to learn all about bullet journals and our favorite bullet journal ideas.

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• How Do I Start My Bullet Journal?
• Bullet Journal Ideas For Beginners
• Bullet Journal Ideas For Students
• Bullet Journal Ideas For Adults

How Do I Start My Bullet Journal?

Bullet journaling is a unique and flexible method of organizing and tracking your life. The concept was created by Ryder Carroll, a digital product designer, in 2013. Carroll created the bullet journal system as a solution to his own struggles with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (more commonly known now as ADHD) and the need for a simple yet effective way to manage his daily tasks, appointments and goals. 

His system was designed to be adaptable and accessible to anyone, regardless of their artistic or organizational skills. The bullet journal's core concept revolves around using a series of symbols, known as "keys," to categorize and prioritize tasks, events and notes within a simple notebook. This system allows users to create a customized organizational tool that suits their needs and preferences. It’s more flexible than a standard planner, and you can use any type of notebook for it. 

What should I put in my bullet journal?

With that in mind, you may be wondering “What should I put in my bullet journal?” or “How do I start my bullet journal?”. Let’s talk about it!

Your bullet journal can be whatever you need it to be. Its versatility and flexibility make it an excellent tool for a wide variety of unique purposes. For example, students can use it to keep track of assignments, deadlines and study schedules. Professionals can use it to manage meetings, projects and deadlines. Artists and other creatives can incorporate doodles and sketches to spark new ideas. People looking to improve their mental and physical health can use it to monitor their mood, exercise and sleep patterns. The possibilities are as endless as your ideas. 

If you're interested in starting a bullet journal of your own, you'll need a few basic supplies you can get at any office supply store: a notebook, a pen or pencil, and a willingness to try something new with your bullet journal ideas. While you’re planning your bullet journal, consider what you want to achieve with it. Do you want to track your daily tasks, monitor your progress towards a specific goal or simply have a creative outlet? Perhaps all of the above?

Begin by setting up your “key”, which will serve as a legend for the symbols in your journal. Next, create an index to help you navigate your journal's contents. From there, you can start building your spreads, which may include daily or weekly logs, habit trackers, and reflection pages, among other elements. If you need inspiration, look online for examples of bullet journals. Over the past few years, they’ve blown up on social media, so there are plenty of bullet journal ideas and examples to choose from.

What To Write In My Bullet Journal Daily Log?

When it comes to writing in a daily log in your bullet journal, the possibilities are endless, and the topics or themes you choose will depend on your personal preferences and goals.

Many people use their log to track their daily progress towards specific goals, such as exercise, reading or creative projects, breaking down larger objectives into manageable tasks and monitoring their progress. Daily logs can also be used to track personal habits, such as water intake, sleep patterns, exercise or meditation practice, in order to identify areas for improvement and develop healthier routines. Some people may focus their logs on creativity, using them as a space to brainstorm ideas, sketch out plans or experiment with different artistic techniques.

Another approach is to use your daily log as a mindfulness practice, writing down observations about the world around you, such as the weather, the people you meet or the sights and sounds you experience. You could also use your daily log to explore your thoughts and feelings about specific topics so you can explore your own mental landscape. 

Many people use their daily logs to record accomplishments or set goals. Any accomplishment, no matter how small, will help you feel better about yourself and build momentum for future accomplishments. Write them down and see your progress throughout the year.

There are countless ways to use a daily log. Whether you’re jotting down feelings and observations, writing down new morning routine ideas or documenting your daily recipes, there’s always a way to use your bullet journal notebook. 

Is a Bullet Journal Good For ADHD?

According to the CDC, 15.5 million US adults had ADHD as of 2023. It’s a widespread condition, and many people require assistance in managing it. As we mentioned, Ryder Carroll created his bullet journal idea to help him with his own ADHD. The journal’s unique structure allows users to create a personalized framework for organizing tasks, appointments and notes (among other things), which can help people with ADHD (as well as neurotypical people) stay on top of their responsibilities and commitments. The use of visual aids like colors, symbols and doodles can also help people with ADHD better visualize and prioritize tasks, making the journaling process more engaging and enjoyable.

The journal is great for taking large tasks and breaking them down into smaller and more manageable chunks. This is incredibly effective for anyone struggling with executive dysfunction, something that affects many neurodivergent people. It can also create a dopamine reward system when those tasks are crossed off after completion. This allows people with ADHD to be more productive and feel less overwhelmed than they may with a standard planner. 

Bullet journals are fun to create and use, and that fun makes them more accessible for people with ADHD who often struggle to stick to tasks that don’t involve a dopamine release. Using stickers, gel pens and other decorative tools and items will help people with ADHD use the bullet journal notebook to its full potential.

This isn’t to say that bullet journals are only useful for people with ADHD, or that people with ADHD can’t also benefit from more “standard” planners. Bullet journals just provide another option that some people may find more beneficial if standard planners or journals don’t work for them. 

Bullet Journal Ideas For Beginners

1. Daily Log

A daily log is one of the most basic and common (but still useful) bullet journal ideas, especially for beginners. It’s a page for recording daily events, thoughts and feelings. Think of it as a diary, or a play-by-play of your day. It can help you remember notable things about your day and help you be more mindful about how you’re spending your time. 

2. Future Log

A future log is a bit different from a daily log. It’s a bullet journal section for planning and tracking upcoming events and appointments. You can separate it completely from your daily log, or you can use it as a framework for your daily log. You’ll write the future log first and then fill in the details once the day has passed. This is great for people who struggle with scheduling or time agnosia. Filling in the future log may feel fulfilling. 

3. Habit Tracker

Do you have some habits you’d love to make or break? This bullet journal idea is a page for monitoring progress in developing good habits or breaking bad ones. You can write the habit down and set goals for either creating it or breaking it. Make notes whenever you partake in the habit and the circumstances around it.

4. Mood Tracker

How have your moods been lately? If you’re not sure, a mood tracker may be a good bullet journal idea for you. It’s a page for tracking emotions and moods over time. You can jot down your moods (perhaps with color-coding) and the circumstances surrounding them. It can be interesting to see how your situations corresponded with your moods at the end of the year. 

5. Goal Setting

Everyone should have goals, but it’s easy to lose track of them in the hustle and bustle of our day-to-day lives. A goal-setting page or section can help with that. Write your goals and the steps you need to take to achieve them. Cross off those steps when you complete them. This can help you stay on track. 

6. To-Do List

A basic to-do list is a great bullet journal idea for both beginners and long-time bullet journal users. Jot down the tasks you need to accomplish for the day, week, or month, and check them off as you complete them. Satisfying! 

7. Gratitude Log

What are you grateful for? If you’ve been feeling down lately, a gratitude log can help you feel more grateful for the things you have. Jot down everything you’re grateful for, no matter how small, and you’ll feel more gratitude day-to-day. 

8. Sleep Tracker

Do you struggle with insomnia? A sleep tracker in your bullet journal can help. Write down how long you slept, if you woke up at all throughout the night, how restful your sleep felt and if you had any dreams. This can help you develop better sleep hygiene. 

9. Meal Planner

Coming up with something new to eat every day can feel like a chore! If you enjoy bullet journaling, this bullet journal idea can make it even more enjoyable. Create a page for planning and tracking meals. Get creative! This is perfect for individuals who want to spend less time stressing in the kitchen and for those seeking to enhance their nutrition. 

10. Self-Care Checklist

Do you spend any time on self-care? A self-care checklist will help you remember to nurture yourself, even on days when you feel too busy to do so. Jot down some self-care habits and make sure you check them all off every week. 

Bullet Journal Ideas For Students

11. Study Planner

It’s time to study! Create a spread in your bullet journal to plan out your study schedule, including deadlines, tasks and notes. This can help you stay on track during study times, a frequent challenge for students. 

12. Lecture Notes

It can be tough to keep track of all of your lectures, especially if you’re a student with ADHD or a new student. Organize your notes from lectures and use symbols and colors to denote important information.

13. Assignment Tracker

Students often have many assignments to balance at once. Use this bullet journal idea to track your assignments and deadlines. This helps you stay on top of your work and responsibilities, while also enjoying the process.

14. Exam Prep

When exam season comes up, will you be ready? Plan out your study schedule for exams, including any material you need to review and practice questions. Color-code it and match it to the colors you use for each of your subjects. Include study checklists to ensure you’re ready when exam day arrives. 

15. Research Log

Research is an inescapable part of school. Use this bullet journal idea to track your research progress, including sources, notes and findings. Go back and revise when you find something new or conflicting. 

16. Activity Calendar 

School isn’t all about academic work. Social events, clubs, internships and volunteer work are all important parts of the school experience. Create an activity calendar to make it easier to keep track of your day.

17. Academic Goal-Setting 

What are your goals? Would you like to end the semester with straight A's? Do you want to pick up a second major? Perhaps you want to complete an internship in your dream field. Write those goals and track them with this bullet journal idea. 

Bullet Journal Ideas For Adults

18. Budget Tracker

If you struggle with money management, try this bullet journal idea. Monitor your expenses and income so you can stay on top of your finances and make smart financial decisions. Or maybe you're saving up for something? Keep track of how much you've saved toward your goal with a meter. 

29. Fitness Tracker

Improve your fitness this year! Track your workouts, progress and fitness goals. Whether you have an aesthetic goal, a strength goal or any other type of goal that screams "fit," this bullet journal idea can help you get there. 

20. Travel Planner

If you’ve got the travel bug, add a travel planner to your list of bullet journal ideas. Plan out the trips you’d love to go on. Consider adding stamps and postcards from each place you go to make the pages more fun. 

21. Mindfulness Practice

Most people could benefit from being a bit more mindful. Use this bullet journal idea to track your mindfulness practice. Track things like meditation, gentle exercise, yoga or even just the things you notice throughout the day — within or outside. Mindfulness is all about being present. Journaling of any type is great for that. 

22. Cleaning Schedule

Keeping a tidy space can feel like a full-time job. This bullet journal idea can help you plan out your cleaning schedule. You can stay on top of household chores and maintain a clean living space with the help of a few quick notes.

23. Brain Dump

A brain dump is perfect for people who feel like their brains are always too “loud.” There are a lot of ideas in there, but they’re all jumbled together. With this bullet journal idea, write down your thoughts, feelings, and ideas as they occur to you, a technique known as stream of consciousness. Use the bullet journal as a space for reflection and creativity. You can turn those jumbled ideas into fully-formed creations once they’re out of your head and on the page. You could even move them into more specific art journal ideas.

24. Morning or Nighttime Routine

What does your routine look like? Many people would be more productive with better morning or nighttime routines. If you think you’re one of them, use your bullet journal to plan your routines out. Check off each activity as you do it and track how the routines make you feel. 

Is a bullet journal right for you? These bullet journal ideas can help you get organized, be more mindful, focus on your health and so much more. You can use any journal as a bullet journal, so what’s stopping you? Try this flexible and innovative style of journaling this year and see if you can get back on track. 

For even more fun ideas to really make your journals pop, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!