Have you ever felt like your daily to-do list is longer than the queue for a new iPhone release?
It can be overwhelming to keep track of everything, especially when life gets busy.
But don’t worry, my fellow organization-challenged friend!
Let me introduce you to the world of bullet journaling.
Bullet journaling is an amazing system that has transformed my life from chaos to control.
A bullet journal helps you organize and allows you to track your tasks, goals, and daily routines in a fun and creative way.
And the best part?
You don’t have to be an artist to do it!
Monthly spreads are one of the most important parts of a bullet journal.
They give you the chance to plan and visualize your month ahead, and they can be as simple or as elaborate as you want them to be.
Plus, they’re a fantastic way to flex your creative muscles and express yourself.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “But wait, isn’t bullet journaling just for artsy people who have a knack for drawing and calligraphy?” Nope!
Bullet journaling is for everyone, regardless of your artistic ability. All you need is a journal and a pen, and you’re ready to go.
Creating monthly spreads can help you stay on top of various aspects of your life, from work tasks to personal goals.
Need to schedule some self-care time?
Want to track your water intake?
Or maybe you just want to see your plans for the month laid out in front of you.
Monthly spreads can do all that and more.
So, let’s get started!
Grab your favorite bullet journal supplies, and let’s create some monthly spreads that will help you organize your life like a pro.
5 Fantastic Ideas that you can use on your bullet journal monthly spreads
Monthly bullet journal spreads are an excellent way to stay organized and plan ahead for the month.
Creating monthly spreads can initially seem daunting, but once you get the hang of it, it can become a fun and creative process.
Here are some tips on setting up your monthly spreads:
1. Create A Monthly Cover Page that Will set the tone of your monthly spread
Are you ready to unleash your inner artist and create a stunning cover page for your bullet journal’s monthly spread? Let’s dive right in!
First things first, your monthly cover page is like the opening act to your monthly spread, so make sure it sets the tone and theme for the rest of the pages.
It’s a chance to showcase your creativity and personalize your journal.
So, grab your favorite colored pens, fun stickers, and decorative washi tapes, and let’s get started!
Here are some tips to help you create a visually appealing and unique monthly cover page:
- Incorporate different materials: Use washi tapes, stickers, colored pens, or even watercolors to create a visually appealing page.
To make your cover page pop, you can experiment with different textures, patterns, and colors.
- Get creative with fonts and hand-lettering: You don’t have to be a calligraphy expert to make your cover page look amazing.
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Experiment with bullet journal fonts and hand-lettering styles to create a unique look. You can even practice your handwriting and create your own style.
- Theme it up: Incorporate the month’s theme or season into your cover page.
For example, for December, you can create a holiday-themed page with green and red colors, snowflakes, and a Christmas tree.
For April, you can use pastel colors and flowers to create a spring theme. The possibilities are endless!
- Personalize it: Add a personal touch to your cover page by including a picture of yourself, a favorite quote, or a meaningful symbol.
It’s a great way to make your journal reflect your personality and style.
Now, let me give you an example. I used different shades of blue washi tapes for my June cover page to create a beachy theme.
I then added a handwritten font, “June,” in the center of the page and some seashells and palm trees around it.
To complete the beach theme, I added a quote that says “Life’s a beach, enjoy the waves” in a fun font.
Voila! A simple yet visually appealing cover page.
Remember, creating a monthly cover page doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming.
It’s an opportunity to showcase your creativity and give your bullet journal a personal touch. So, grab your pens and let your imagination run wild!
2. Add a Monthly Calendar that will help you track your appointment and events
Now, get ready to flex your organizational skills with the Monthly Calendar!
This spread is the heartbeat of your monthly bullet journal, allowing you to visualize your schedule for the month.
There are various formats for monthly calendars, and you can choose one that best fits your preferences and style.
One popular option is the traditional calendar grid, where each box represents a day of the month.
This format is excellent for keeping track of appointments, events, and other essential dates.
On the other hand, the list-style calendar works great for individuals with lots of daily tasks and to-do lists.
To create a monthly calendar, all you need is a pen, a marker, and a ruler.
(However, adding washi tapes or stickers can add an extra touch of pizzazz to your calendar!)
Design-wise, you can experiment with different layouts and styles to find one that works best for you.
Here are some other tips to make your monthly calendar more fun and functional:
- Color-code your events and appointments. Use different colors to denote work-related, personal, and health-related events.
- Use fun stickers or creative doodles to highlight special days such as birthdays, holidays, or vacations.
- Incorporate motivational quotes or affirmations to help you stay motivated and focused throughout the month.
Don’t forget, your bullet journal is all about customizing it to fit your needs and style.
So, get creative, experiment with different formats, and have fun planning your month!
3. Incorporate A Mood tracker to check your daily moods and emotions
Now, let’s talk about the Mood Tracker!
A mood tracker is an exciting way to keep track of your daily moods or emotions.
It’s like having a personal diary, but instead of writing down your thoughts and feelings, you’re tracking them visually!
Here are some tips on how to create a mood tracker that works for you:
- Keep it simple and consistent: When creating your mood tracker, choose a few emotions you want to track and record them every day.
You can use different colors or you can draw on your bullet journal any idea that will represent your different moods or emotions.
Keeping it simple and consistent will help you identify patterns and triggers that affect your mood and manage them better.
- Choose a design that works for you: You can choose from different designs when creating a mood tracker.
You can use a traditional mood tracker, where you list your emotions and color in a box or section of a graph to represent your mood.
Or you can use a visual mood tracker to draw or stamp an image that represents your mood. Choose a design that you find visually appealing and easy to use.
- Add a notes section: Adding a notes section to your mood tracker is a great way to write down the reason behind your mood or any significant events that happened during the day.
This can help you identify patterns and triggers that affect your mood and develop strategies to manage them better.
Creating a mood tracker is an exciting way to become more self-aware and develop strategies to manage your emotions.
You can experiment with different formats and styles to find one that works best for you.
Always remember to keep it simple and consistent, choose a design that works for you, and add a notes section to track your triggers and patterns.
4. Expense Tracker to record your monthly expenses
Next, let’s talk about everyone’s favorite topic, finances! (Just kidding)
But tracking your expenses can be a game-changer when it comes to managing your money.
And that’s where the Expense Tracker comes in!
An expense tracker is a tool that helps you record your monthly expenses and stay on top of your finances.
Whether you’re trying to save money every month, pay off debt, or just want to have a better handle on your spending, an expense tracker can be a great way to achieve your financial goals.
Here are some tips for creating an expense tracker that works for you:
- Choose a design that suits your style and preferences
You can use a traditional expense tracker that lists your expenses and categorizes them or get creative with a visual expense tracker and draw or stamp an image representing your expenses. - Keep it simple and consistent. Choose a few categories that you want to track, and make sure to record your expenses every day.
You can use different colors or symbols to represent different categories and make it more fun! - Set a budget for each category and track your spending against the budget. This will help you identify areas where you need to cut back and save money.
Plus, it feels pretty satisfying to see how much you’ve saved! - Plan your expenses for the month and set financial goals for the future. Having a plan in place can help you stay on track and avoid overspending.
Creating an expense tracker doesn’t have to be boring or complicated. You can use different formats and styles to find one that works best for you.
Plus, it’s a great way to stay on top of your finances and feel more in control of your money.
5. Mind Dump to clear your mind and reduce stress
(I think everyone needs that)
Lastly, let’s talk about the mind dump section of your bullet journal!
This is where you can let your thoughts run wild and free. No structure, no organization, just pure mind-dump goodness.
Here are some tips on how to do your mind dump:
- To create a mind dump, all you need is a blank page in your bullet journal where you can jot down any idea or thoughts about everything that’s on your mind.
It doesn’t matter if you use a traditional mind dump or a visual one, as long as you let your creativity flow.
- When you’re creating your mind dump, forget about grammar, spelling, or any kind of order.
Just write down everything that’s on your mind, from your wildest ideas to your most mundane to-do lists. - If you want to give yourself a challenge, try setting a time limit for your mind dump session.
Give yourself 10-15 minutes to write down everything that’s on your mind. You’ll be surprised how much you can unload in such a short amount of time.
Remember, the beauty of the mind dump is that there are no rules. You can use whatever format or style suits you best.
And most importantly, it’s a fantastic way to clear your mind and reduce stress.
(So go ahead, grab your bullet journal, and let the mind-dumping begin!)
Bullet journaling is more than just a trend. It’s a powerful tool that can help you organize your life and improve your well-being.
By creating custom pages that suit your needs and preferences, you can manage your time, track your goals, and practice self-care all in one place.
In this article, we’ve covered different types of monthly spreads that you can create in your bullet journal,
Each of these pages serves a unique purpose and can help you become more organized, focused, and mindful.
But don’t forget that bullet journaling is for self-care and creativity.
You can add your own personal touch to your bullet journal pages with decorative elements like stickers, washi tape, and illustrations.
You can experiment with different layouts and designs to find one that suits your style and preferences.
So, grab your favorite supplies and start creating monthly spreads that will help you organize your life like a pro.
With a little bit of creativity and a whole lot of organization, you’ll be unstoppable!
Don’t let monthly tasks and responsibilities overwhelm you now! I have a solution for you.
I know keeping track of monthly tasks and responsibilities can be a challenge.
But my free bullet journal template is the perfect solution for you.
With its “monthly page” feature, you’ll be able to manage your tasks and track your progress toward achieving your goals, giving you more control over your schedule.
Say goodbye to stress and hello to a more fulfilling life by downloading our free template today.
Plus, the best part? It’s completely free!
Download this free bullet journal template now and watch as you become more confident and organized with just a little structure.
FAQ
What should a beginner bullet journal include?
A beginner bullet journal should include the basic elements that allow you to organize your thoughts, schedule, and to-do lists in one place.
You can start with a table of contents, a future log, a monthly spread, and a daily/weekly log. These elements help you keep track of your tasks, goals, and habits effectively.
What are the three most common symbols used in a bullet journal?
The three most common symbols used in a bullet journal are the bullet point (•), the task completed symbol (X), and the task migrated symbol (>), which means moving a task to a future date.
The bullet point represents a task to do, and you can add various symbols next to it to indicate its status, such as a circle for an event, a dash for a note, or a star for a priority task.
Should bullet journal be dotted or blank?
Whether a bullet journal should be dotted or blank depends on your preference and the type of layout you want to create.
Dotted journals have dot grids that guide you in creating straight lines and boxes, which is ideal for beginners who want to create precise layouts.
Blank journals offer more flexibility in terms of drawing and writing, and they allow you to experiment with different styles and layouts.
How long should a bullet journal last?
A bullet journal can last anywhere from a few months to a full year, depending on the journal’s size and the amount of content you include.
The key is to choose a journal that fits your needs and preferences.
Some people prefer smaller journals that last for a few months, while others opt for larger journals that can last a full year.
Should I bullet journal daily or weekly?
Whether you should bullet journal daily or weekly depends on your lifestyle and preferences.
Daily logging is ideal for people with busy schedules who want to keep track of tasks and events on a daily basis.
It allows you to break down larger tasks into smaller ones and track your progress each day.