Bullet Journal Guide 2026: How To Start And Best Notebooks To Buy
A chill guide to starting your BuJo life and the most chic planners to buy in Singapore rn.
Are you one of those who step into a stationery shop and can’t seem to leave, as if all the colourful washi tapes have taped you down? Or perhaps you have that one friend who buys too many aesthetic notebooks and never gets down to using them because “they are too pretty”. If so, you’ve caught a glimpse of the world of bullet journal, also known as BuJo.
Not just a planner trend, bullet journal is a whole vibe – the intersection of mindfulness, productivity, and creativity, all wrapped up in one beautifully dotted notebook. With the focus on soft life nowadays, it’s no wonder that bullet journal continues to be such a hit after its initial wave in the mid-2010s.
Whether you’re looking to get your life together, track your goals, or just have an excuse to buy cute stationery (cough), here’s everything you need to know about bullet journals, plus our top BuJo picks that you can find in Singapore.
What even is a bullet journal?
The bullet journal method, created by Ryder Carroll, is basically a DIY planner-meets-diary system. It’s built around rapid logging – short bullet points that record your tasks, events, and thoughts – and migration, which means regularly reviewing and moving what’s important.
In short, you get a dot-grid notebook and decide what each page is for. It’s all up to your creativity, the things you want to track or plan, and maybe the depth of your pocket, since you may need a lot of pens, tapes and stickers to make it truly aesthetic – or you can do a monochrome version, which is beautiful in its own way, too.
Why bullet journaling hits different
Bullet journaling provides a sweet balance between productivity and self-care, which explains why so many of us are obsessed with it. There’s something satisfying about having total freedom to build a planner that fits your life. With a bullet journal, you can choose to turn it into messy brain-dumps, aesthetic spreads with pastel highlighters, or minimal lists and tiny doodles. It flexes to whatever season you’re in.
There’s also the analogue magic. Writing things down forces your mind to slow down, which feels grounding in a world where we often spiral into the abyss of doomscrolling. A bullet journal becomes a kind of mindfulness practice without the pressure. People use it to reflect, track habits, plan goals, or just document daily life.
Of course, it’s not all aesthetic cottagecore bliss. Setting up spreads can take time, and if you get sucked into Instagram-perfect BuJo accounts, you might feel like your notebook isn’t “good enough”. Some days, it’s tempting to ditch it entirely and just rely on Google Calendar. And yes, stationery can become an expensive addiction.
But even with the occasional chaos, people keep coming back to bullet journalling because it offers what digital life rarely does: intention, reflection, and a little pocket of calm creativity. If you’re the type who likes slow mornings, creative breaks, or chill journalling in cafes, the BuJo life might just be your next hobby.
How to do bullet journaling
Bullet journaling sounds complicated, but it’s a flexible way to organise your life using a notebook. You start with a few core pages like a yearly overview, a monthly spread, and a weekly or daily to-do list, and then add whatever else you need along the way. Some people track habits and moods, others plan budgets, workouts, assignments, or just use it as a daily brain dump or a diary.
Instead of strict templates, you use simple bullet points and symbols to mark tasks, events, and notes. If something doesn’t get done, you can shift it forward – no pressure, no wasted pages. The best part is that you can keep it minimal with plain pen and paper, or decorate with markers, stickers, and doodles if that inspires you. There’s no “right” way to do bullet journaling. The whole point is to build a system that fits your life, not force your life into a system.
Start small, keep it casual, and let it evolve as you go. Think of it less like making a perfect planner and more like creating a space to think, plan, and chill with your thoughts.
How to choose your perfect bullet journal
Before you throw money at the first cute notebook you see on Shopee, here’s what to look out for.
1. Size and portability
A5 (about 21 x 15 cm) is the sweet spot. It’s big enough to plan, small enough to toss in your tote.
2. Paper type
Dot-grid all the way. It’s versatile for lists, drawings, or tables. Lined or blank can work, but dots are the BuJo standard.
3. Paper quality
If you’re a highlighter or brush pen girly, go for thicker paper – 100 grams per square metre (gsm) or more – so it won’t bleed through.
4. Binding and extras
Hardcover notebooks last longer. Lay-flat binding helps when drawing spreads. Bonus points for elastic straps, pockets, or ribbon bookmarks.
5. Pre-numbered pages and index
Depending on what you’re documenting, it will be super convenient if the notebooks already include this.
6. Style and aesthetic
Minimalist? Artsy? Cottagecore? Choose one that matches your vibe. It’ll motivate you to keep using it.
7. Price
Plenty of great bullet journals exist under $50…which leads us to the next section.
Best bullet journals to buy now
1. Leuchtturm1917 Hardcover A5 Medium Notebook - Dotted
Why it slaps: The OG premium BuJo. Thick paper, numbered pages, built-in index, and tons of colour options. A solid investment if you’re serious about journaling.
2. BUKE Dot Grid Notebook - Bamboo Paper
Eco bonus: Made with bamboo paper, so it’s good for the planet and your aesthetic.
3. BUKE Dot Grid Notebook - Black Paper
Rainbows and unicorns: Up your BuJo game – nothing looks better on black than with metallic inks or glitter gels.
4. One Step at a Time A5 Dotted Notebook
Why it’s cute: Local brand, chic covers, and great build quality. It’s the kind of notebook you’ll proudly flex in cafes.
Get it from $20 on The Paper Bunny
5. Midori MD Notebook Journal A5, Dot Grid
Vibe check: Clean, minimalist Japanese design. Super smooth paper that’s a dream for gel pens. Perfect for low-key journalers who prefer simplicity. The only downside is probably its soft cover.
6. A5 Dotted Notebook Cloth Hardcover
Budget pick: Great if you’re new to bullet journaling and don’t want to commit big. Low-cost and easy to start anytime.
Brb, off to doodle on my bullet journal
In a world where every second is tracked by apps and notifications, bullet journals give you something rare: intentional downtime. So grab a dot-grid, your favourite pen, and start scribbling. Don’t aim for perfection; aim for reflection. By the end of 2026, your BuJo might just become your favourite time capsule of the year.
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