Bullet Journal Key Ideas

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Jump to:

• Recommended resources
• What is purpose of a bullet journal key?
• Bullet journal symbols and signifiers
• What to use a bullet journal key for
• What’s the best way to create a bullet journaling key?
• Free customizable bullet journal key printable in pdf
• Conclusion

What is purpose of a bullet journal key?

A bullet journaling key can be used as a shorthand way for you to easily interpret items in your bullet journal at a glance. Bullet journal symbols, sometimes called bullet journal signifiers, are used for these main reasons:

1. To prioritize the urgency or significances of a task (eg. must do today)
2. To indicate the status of a task (eg. started, completed)
3. To classify/assign information (eg. things pertaining to a particular college class, family member, etc)

Here’s a spread that demonstrates all three ways of using a bullet journal key. This gorgeous pen set* has such vibrant colors. This is the bullet journal notebook* that conveniently has the color code key built in. (via @my_blue_sky_design)

Bullet journal symbols and signifiers

In the original bullet journal system created by founder Ryder Carroll, bullet journal symbols were used just for tasks. The basic signifiers were:

• . Task
• X Task completed
• > Task migrated
• - Task canceled

But bullet journalists have taken this basic idea and run with it to fit their needs. Here’s a more extensive bullet journal key, with a lot more planner symbols and bullet journal doodles. (via Jihi Elephant)

What to use a bullet journal key for

In addition to the task list, you can create a key for an array of other purposes. Here are some out-of-the-box bullet journal key ideas beyond a table of contents for your bujo pages.

Monthly spread

Keep track of what pages pertain to what monthly log in your bullet journal with stunning washi tape designs. I love seeing bullet journal washi tape ideas that put it to good use. (via @megantu_888)

Weather tracker

Hopefully, most days are sunny. (via Pin image)

Mood tracker

Your life in pixels is just one of the many bullet journal mood tracker layouts to try. (via @butfirstbujo)

Habit tracker

If you’ve got a whole list of habits to track in your bullet journal, a symbol may be easier to use than writing out the entire word in a grid. (via @the.petite.planner)

School or classes

Using a bullet journal for student life shouldn’t be too difficult to keep up with, merely by assigning a specific color for each of your classes. (via @b.izzi)

Food log

Color coding by food group and number of servings of a special diet can keep you organized and motivated to use your bullet journal for weight loss. (via @lifebywhitney)

Self-care and mental health

If you’re super into mental health in the bullet journal, like with a bujo sleep tracker or perhaps tracking moods in the bujo, then you may want to try a version like this. (via Pin image)

Productivity tracker

You can also divide your key into sections to make it easier to reference. I like how this one include tracking productivity in the bullet journal. (via Little Studious Flower)

Leisure and recreation

Or combine various trackers that are somewhat related onto a single spread and color code with glittery highlighters* to differentiate. In this recreational bullet journal layouts, you can mark works you’d like to read as a book vs watch as a tv shows vs see as a movie. (via Pin image)

Bullet journal supplies

You can also set up a simple bullet journal index to log the look of your favorite bullet journal supplies and tools. A great way to keep track of what writing utensils you prefer for different bullet journal writing styles. (via @tinyrayofsunshine)

What’s the best way to create a bullet journaling key?

Step 1: Figure out what bullet journal symbols and signifiers to use.

The most important thing to remember is to create a key that works for YOU. As you can see from above, there are many ways to a bullet journal key. But just as other bullet journalists have expanded on the original set of symbols, it is just as acceptable to stick to a few key that you will use.

If you’re not sure what works for you, then start off with fewer and add as you see the need. Remember, the key is to keep a simple bullet journal key.

This minimalist bullet journal key is basic, elegant, and, most importantly, functional. (via @abulletandsomelines)

Step 2: Figure out the most optimal place to put it.

Next, you’ll want to place the bullet journal key or legend somewhere easily accessible. Especially in the beginning when you’re getting used to the symbols, you want to be able to refer to it quickly. Some put the key in the front, some turn theirs into a flip-out key.

Use circle label stickers to fold across the edge of the page and match it up with your pull out key. Clever! (via @pageflutter)

Or simply have a fold out key for your bullet journal symbols and signifiers. I like how there is reference to the number of columns and rows you have to work with in the leuchtturm notebook*. (via @elzdoodles)

Step 3: Update it as needed.

A bullet journal is a dynamic system that should change as you do to fit your lifestyle. If you need to add more symbols, no problem. Use one and find that you no longer need it? Take it out. That’s the beauty of bullet journaling. You do what you want.

Remember, don’t confine yourself if you feel you need more symbols. But don’t overwhelm yourself to the point that it takes you wayyyy more time to figure out what your signifier meant than with al than it does to just read what you wrote.

Because then, that would defeat the purpose of your key.

Like this one, which should not be attempted unless you are an experienced bullet journalist. (via @lifebywhitney)

Free customizable bullet journal key printable in pdf

Fan of free bullet journal printables? If you’re looking for a bullet journal key pdf printable, you can customize one at 101 Planners. Try it, I thought it was pretty nifty.

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