Bullet Journaling in 2025: Return to Simplicity and Productivity
The bullet journaling community is maturing in 2025, with many people moving away from Instagram-perfect spreads and back toward the original intention: simplicity and productivity, with a side of creativity.
The Original Bullet Journal Method
Created by Ryder Carroll, the bullet journal is a customizable organization system. At its core: rapid logging, migration, and reflection.
Core Components
- Index: Table of contents
- Future Log: Yearly overview
- Monthly Log: Calendar + task list
- Daily Log: Rapid logging of tasks, events, notes
- Collections: Dedicated pages for specific topics
Rapid Logging Symbols
• Task (incomplete)
× Task (complete)
> Task (migrated)
○ Event
— Note
Why Simplicity Wins
Elaborate spreads take time to create, create pressure to maintain, and distract from the system's purpose: intentional productivity.
Simple Bullet Journal Setup
Week 1: Create index, future log, current month log
Daily: 5 minutes morning planning, 5 minutes evening reflection
Monthly: 15 minutes migration and new month setup
Collections Worth Creating
- Habit tracker (1 page/month)
- Gratitude log
- Book/media list
- Goal tracker
- Meeting notes