The bullet journal index is like the brain of the bullet journal, knowing where everything is stored and helping you to retrieve necessary info when you need it. But like everything else in the bujo system, the way you use it works differently for each individual. Here are different bullet journal index ideas to help you find the method that works for you.
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Recommended resources in this post:
- Best highlighters for some serious color coding action
- Washi tape perfect for some bullet journal index hacks
- Comprehensive bullet journaling roadmap with printable bujo pages
Or check out the BEST recommended bullet journal buys by your favorite bullet journalists.
Bullet journal index 1. Traditional index with embellishment
Use the original bullet journal index system of logging your collections and page numbers as a running list, but add a little personality with doodles or embellishments. Even simple dividing lines helps clearly differentiate the page numbers from the title of the pages. (via @bullet_bec)
Bullet journal index idea 2. Collection title first, page numbers second
A simple variation on that is to put the title of the bullet journal collections first, and then the page numbers on the right. (via Pin source)
Bullet journal index example 3. Running list in two columns
If you’re one to fill your bujo quickly, you can save yourself some space by doubling up on the number of collections you list in two columns on each page. (via @abulletandsomelines)
Bujo index 4. Divided by events/tasks list and collections
Separate the index into two columns. One for your daily/weekly/monthly planning and a second for other collections that aren’t time specific, like master grocery list or tv series. (via The Organized Brain)
Bujo index idea 5. Collections only
Minimalist bullet journal fans would probably enjoy this little hack: instead of logging your monthly logs, weekly spreads, and daily pages in the index, why not reserve it just for the collections? If you start from the front for their events and tasks, and then the back for the collections, then that would help your bullet journal organization/navigation tremendously. (via @journautical)
Bujo index example 6. Bold sections
If you organize your pages by theme, then you can bold the main topic and list the corresponding spreads underneath for easy reference. (via @laettering)
Bullet journal index 7. Grid for recurring pages
Take it up a notch by creating a grid to log the spreads that are repeated in your bujo. For example, if each month you have a monthly log and weekly spreads, you can create a 5 x 12 grid to log the page numbers so each month is on one row. (via @shinystitches)
Bullet journal index idea 8. Color code with pens
You can use colored pens to color code your pages in the index. (via @frugalbujo)
Bullet journal index example 9. Highlight similar page categories
Or if you’re more of a fan of highlighting for color coding, you can use it to label like spreads together. (via @planwithshanners)
Bujo index 10. Add a notes section
You don’t necessarily have to highlight across the entire line. You could do a spread like this, with columns for the title, page number, color coding, and extra notes if you needed to jot down anything. (via @the.petite.planner)
Bujo index idea 11. Highlight page edges
Color coding your pages allows you to mark your page edges with the same color so you can easily flip to those pages. Assign each colors into their individual section of the page edge to make it even simpler to navigate to those pages. (via Boho Berry)
Bujo index example 12. Color code with key on bottom
Depending on the number of colors you use, it might help to have a key located at the bottom. As you can see, to the side of the highlighting are strips of washi tape, which you can use to mark those particular pages. (via @creative.lenae)
Bullet journal index 13. Columns for type of collection
Alternatively, you can create columns for each category of bullet journal pages. The header of each is marked with the washi tape design that will be marked on the page edges. (via @megantu_888)
Bullet journal index idea 14. Washi tape entire page edge
You could use the washi tape as tabs, or for a more colorful approach, use it along the entire long-edge binding. (via Mom Run Craft)
Bullet journal index example 15. Write collection title in page corner
Or forgo the entire index page and opt for putting the title of the collection in the top corner like so. (via @decadethirty)
Bujo index 16. Page corner bookmarks
The advantage of using a bookmark is earmarking your go-to pages. Because they’re not attached to any certain page, you can move it around for when another page becomes more important.
And in case you’re wondering if it’s hard to make, it’s not! Check the tutorial, which has great step-by-step pictures for these origami creations. (via Productive and Pretty)
You can also check out my planner washi tape ideas for how to make cute paper clip flags.
Bujo index idea 17. Index your pages from another bujo
Bullet journal migration can be tedious and time-consuming, so for pages that you don’t really want to have to recreate in a new bujo, use the index to mark where it is located in an older bujo (or just which of your other bullet journals it’s located in, if you have several). (via @lafilleaucarnet)
And that’s a wrap on the bullet journal index I hope that you found some of these bullet journal index ideas and examples useful and that it helps you keep tabs on the most important parts of your bujo.
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