Recently bullet journaling has become a trend. But it's more than just a trendy thing you see people doing on social media for likes and subscriptions. Boulet journaling is a wonderful way to stay organised and be a lot more productive. It can help you keep up and don't forget about your daily, weekly and monthly tasks, it will keep you focused on your short and long-term goals and you'll get more creative. But to start this new journey in your life, you'll need a few essential supplies to get you going.

Ballpoint Pens

The pen is probably the basic, most important thing you need when starting a bullet journal. You'll be doing a lot of writing and doodling so you need the right tool to do it. These pens have a round ball nib and use thick oil-based ink. You should always buy ballpoint pens from a reliable seller. This way you won’t get smudges or breaks in ink. Their ink distribution is on point and it won’t disappoint you no matter what you write.

These pens come in two varieties, fine writing pens and disposable, plastic ones also referred to as biros. Most people use the biros because they reduce the ink problems that might appear. The fine writing ones are more elegant and easier to use. These pens come with different price tags. The more expensive ones usually have a metal casing and the cheaper ones are made of plastic.

Keep in mind that the more you invest in the pen, the longer it’ll last. Some of them are even refillable. Choosing a pen won’t be a big problem, there are just a few things to consider. In terms of colour, you have a variety of options. If you want to keep things cheerful while writing in your bullet journal, go for bright colours and fun patterns. If you want something serious go for black, white or some other neutral.

The material matters as well. Smooth metal can feel better than thin, patterned plastic. The shape of the barrel matters as well. If you have smaller hands, you won’t be comfortable holding a large barrel and your writing won’t be as good.

The width of the nib is also something to consider. They can vary from slim 0.2mm ones to broad 1.6mm nibs. Choose the one you’re most comfortable with. You might have to try a few pens before you find the right one. But once you do, it’ll be worth it.

Journal

The notebook or journal you choose will be the base of your writing. This is where you’ll write down your most important dates, memories, tasks, organise and keep track of your life. That's why you should make sure the journal is made of high-quality paper and has strong cover pages to keep it together.

Notebooks vary in price, so start by setting a budget. This will narrow down your options. Next, choose the type of ruling inside. It can be lined, squared and dot-grid. Dot grids are among the favourites. People love them because they give them artistic freedom. You can draw tables and doodles, and write in straight lines, without the annoying lines all over the page.

Another thing to consider is the number of pages. If you’re a beginner it’s better to have more. You might be writing a lot, so you better be prepared. But if you don’t want a bulky notebook, you can go for a thinner one and then start a new one once the old one is out of pages.

Last but not least, is the paper size. If you plan on carrying the journal with you all the time, pick a smaller notebook, an A5 for example. It'll fit in your backpack, purse or even your pocket. If you’ll do your journaling only at home, you can go for an A4 or an A3 version. They give you more room to be creative.

Washi Tape

This is a bullet journal supply that’s very fun to use. You can use it for so many different purposes. You can add colour to a page, make outlines, tape some pictures or quotes and even cover some mistakes you can’t erase. If you’re very organised you can use washi tape to colour code the pages.

Buy ballpoint pens in several colours and match them with the washi tape to get a cohesive look. When it comes to colours and patterns, this essential comes in a plethora of choices. From the basic colours to neon and neutrals, from simple geometrical patterns to fine landscapes and everything in between.

Markers

Markers can make your bullet journal pages look amazing. You can use them in so many ways. To mark and classify your to-do list, check the completed tasks, write down important notes and keep track of important events and dates in the future. To make things easier to find, it’s nice if you have everything colour-coordinated.

There are plenty of marker types to choose from. They all have their pros and cons and can work for different tasks. If you like lettering and calligraphy you can buy brush markers. They have a flexible tip and are great for writing. Invest in fine point markers if you want an extremely precise writing tool. They’re similar to ballpoints and work wonderfully for taking notes and creating diagrams.

Additionally, there are markers with dual tips that feature a brush tip and a fine point tip. If you want something fun to play with, buy watercolour markers. They'll give you the watercolour effect without the wet mess of actual watercolours.

Stickers

Stickers can be an excellent complement to your bullet journaling. Using them will make the pages prettier and aesthetically pleasing. You won’t have to doodle, draw or colour, simply place the stickers. Get stickers that match the themes in your journal, flowers, rainbows, smiley faces for emotions, nature-inspired stickers and much more.

Post-It Notes

This is one of those journal accessories that are perfect for adding short-term notes and tasks to your agenda. People often use them for things they don’t want to have permanently in their journals. The main thing is to get notes with the right adhesiveness so they don’t get lost.