Bullet Journal Future Log Spread Ideas

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Jump to:

• Recommended resources
• Ryder Carroll’s set up
• Horizontal future log ideas
• Vertical future log ideas
• Eddy Hope Method (calendex) version
• Alastair Method
• Other unique bullet journal future log ideas
• Tips to using the bullet journal future log effectively
• Conclusion

Ryder Carroll’s set up

Ryder’s minimalist bullet journal set up is basically a two-page spread, each side divided into three sections, leaving spaces for 6 months of logging.

Horizontal future log ideas

Two-page spread

Here’s a variation of that spread with some color. (via The Wearability Project)

Mini calendar

This version includes a mini monthly calendar, and a divider with some personality. (via @maryj13)

Color coding

If colors are great visual aids for you, you can use it on the mini months to help you see what’s ahead at a glance. (via @maryj13)

Alternating mini monthlies

To switch things up a bit, try alternating your bullet journal monthlies from the left to the right. (via Pin image)

Vertical future log ideas

Mini month

If you’d rather set up in columns, here’s one with the mini month at top. A nice plant bullet journal doodle theme makes this page more interesting. (via @maplebujo)

Mini months and days of week

This set up combines the mini month view at top with a running column of the days of the month and corresponding day of the week to make it doubly easy to know exactly when your events and tasks are scheduled. (via Page Flutter)

12-month layout with washi tape

This futuristic, minimalist future log is easy to set up with washi tape*. Love that bullet journal font for the header. (via Pin image)

Divided section

It may be more helpful for you to divide your months into sections to know what type or event or task you have scheduled. This spread has individual sections for events, appointments, tasks, and birthdays. (via @spaceandquiet)

Eddy Hope Method (calendex) version

You can find the original calendex set up by Eddy Hope on the Bullet Journal website.

Color coding

Here’s a variation in action with some color. Write the months at the top, days of the month running down the side, and sectioned off based on the end/start of a week. Use color coding or symbols to indicate the type of event or task.

You can write the task or event in greater detail on the corresponding page, or wherever you’ve logged it in your bullet journal. (via @nerdy.flamingo)

Mini month

Here’s another alternative, placing a month-at-a-glance at the top. (via @sewhotmommi)

Alastair Method

Alastair’s method is a brilliant take on the future log that combines Ryder’s rapid logging and monthly set up. It’s such a simple way to easily know what time of year something is scheduled for without having to worry as a running list.

Horizontal version

Here’s one take on this method. (via @raehaus)

Mini month

And here’s one with a mini monthly at the top if having a calendar helps. (via Pin image)

Other unique bullet journal future log ideas

And the creativity doesn't stop. Here are more spreads to show you what you can do with the future log layout.

Mix of vertical and horizontal layouts for each month

This is a nice variation of horizontal and vertical sections for each month. Certainly kicks the monotony. (via @bujosis)

12 month squares

If you prefer a year at a glance on its own spread, this future log would be the perfect accompaniment. So easy to see the corresponding month. (via @black.tea.books)

12 month squares with post-its

A similar layout, but using post-its*.

A great compromise in case the square itself is not enough space since you can stack the post-its. (via @soniarondon_)

Stacked post-its

Speaking of stacking post-its, this style is a real space-saver. Just flip to the right month if you need to add something, and take away the months as they pass so you’re not sifting through past info. (via Pin image)

Mind map

If you’d rather not go with traditional squares or rectangles. (via Pin image)

Circles

Bullet journalists have used the circular shape, made with a ruler like this*, for many other spreads, like habit trackers as well as mood trackers, so why not try it for the future log? (via @the.petite.planner)

Someday page

You may also have tasks or events that you don’t necessarily have scheduled, except for sometime in the future. Instead of trying to stick it on some random month, create a separate page specifically for these kinds of things that you want to get to eventually. (via Space and Quiet)

Tips to using the bullet journal future log effectively

1. Figure out what features of a future log are necessary for you.

Do you need to know the day of the week a date falls under or does another spread, like the yearly overview accomplish that for you already? Does highlighting help you or cause more work?

2. Determine the layout that works for you.

If you do need reference to the day of the week, is a mini calendar better, or a calendex view? Is it easier for you to see the entire year versus 4 or 6 months?

Input information based on priority or amount of flexibility.

Put in set dates that can’t be negotiated first, then fill in with events or tasks that have more flexibility. Some examples of first things to put in a future log:

• Birthday, anniversaries, special occasions
• School schedule, exams and papers
• Work projects, blackout dates, huge deadlines
• Kids’ extracurricular activities (eg. sports meets)

Other items that may be priorities that have more flexibility in planning:

• Self-care
• Family time
• Vacation, days off

You may also have future to-do’s without a specific timeline but that you want to get around to sometime. Maybe you want to set a general timeframe (deep clean fridge in spring, go on a camping trip in the summer). Figure out where to log these kinds of events or tasks.

3. Visit your future log throughout the year.

Review your future log monthly, or adjust that time frame depending on your lifestyle.

4. Test and tweak.

You won’t know what works or doesn’t work for you unless you try it out. Maybe you think using different colored pens to write out tasks or events works for you, but then you come to realize that just adding colored signifiers next to the line items are more effective.

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