My Bullet (J)ournal Essentials

I use my bullet journal for work, and as such, I’ve tried to keep my system very simple. I also travel for work, so my supplies can’t take up too much space. Here’s what I’m using now.

Planner Notebook and Paper Supplies

… TUL Letter Size Discbound Notebook. (black). It’s sturdy, has pockets for business cards on the inside and a stitched pen-holder on the side. I previously had the ARC Leatherbound Discbound which is very similar – but I gifted it to a friend.

… Printable Monthly Calendars. There are printable all over the world wide web. The one I’m using this year is from Botanical Paperworks. On this I primarily put travel dates – I have planned travel for the year and need to remember to schedule them for the same time next year. I also put notes on prospective travel, and expiration / renewal deadlines for some documents that I need to keep track of yearly.

… Pocket Folder Inserts. I bought a pocket folder (letter size) – cut it in 2, and use them in my planner to put post-it notes on, and to hold any papers that come my way during the day.

… Post-It Notes. I have quite an assortment – a bigger set that I use these to take notes and a smaller one I use to jot down quick thoughts or phone numbers.

… TUL Letter Size To Do List Format Pages. The paper is thick so there’s no bleed through when writing, and the To-Do style has a shaded column on the right where things can be checked off when complete – no need for me to draw columns like I was doing last year.

Bullet Journal Accessories

Sharpie Fine Pens are my fave, but I also use Staedtler pens. I use 3 colors – black, blue, red and green.

Bic Highlighters. For highlighting travel dates on my calendar.

Office by Martha Stewart Ruler. Martha Stewart has a Discbound Collection that’s interchangeable with Tul (by Office Depot) and ARC (by Staples) systems. That line tends to be brighter and more colorful and the quality is just as good.

… Leather “Pencil” Case. I bought the Staedtler pens because they came in a plastic carrying case and used them for a long time – before switching back to my Sharpies. Because of that, I needed a carrying case and was delighted when I found my hand-made (in Jamaica) leather pencil case that I had gotten as a graduation gift. It’s personalized with my name too.