Bullet journaling has become a popular method of journaling, planning, and organizing one’s life. It’s a flexible system that can be adapted to fit individual needs and preferences. However, with its rise in popularity, bullet journaling has also developed its own terminology that can be overwhelming for newcomers. Some individuals even create templates to sell on Etsy. In this article, we’ll explain the most common bullet journal terminology, including symbols, keys, collections, spreads, trackers, and signifiers.
Symbols
Symbols are a key component of bullet journaling. They are used to represent different types of tasks and events. The most common symbols used in bullet journaling are:
• Bullet (•): Used to represent tasks
• X: Used to represent completed tasks
• O: Used to represent events
• -: Used to represent notes
Keys
Keys are used to assign meaning to symbols. They help users quickly identify the type of task or event represented by each symbol. The most common key used in bullet journaling is the original bullet journal key, which includes:
• Task (•): Uncompleted task
• X: Completed task
• >: Task migrated to a future date
• <: Task scheduled for an earlier date
• O: Event
• -: Note
However, bullet journaling is a flexible system, and users are encouraged to develop their own keys that work for them.
Collections
Collections are groups of related information. They can be used for anything from daily to-do lists to long-term goals. Some common collections in bullet journaling include:
• Daily logs: A list of tasks, events, and notes for a single day
• Monthly logs: An overview of tasks, events, and notes for a single month
• Future logs: A list of tasks, events, and notes scheduled for future months
• Gratitude logs: A collection of things one is grateful for
• Brain dumps: A collection of ideas or thoughts to be organized later
Spreads
Spreads are layouts used to organize information. They can be used for collections or as standalone pages. Some common spreads in bullet journaling include:
• Weekly spreads: A layout for planning tasks, events, and notes for a single week
• Habit trackers: A spread used to track daily or weekly habits
• Mood trackers: A spread used to track moods over time
• Meal planners: A spread used to plan meals for the week or month
• Budget trackers: A spread used to track expenses and income
Trackers
Trackers are spreads used to track progress towards a specific goal or habit. Some common trackers in bullet journaling include:
• Habit trackers: A spread used to track daily or weekly habits
• Mood trackers: A spread used to track moods over time
• Weight loss trackers: A spread used to track weight loss progress
• Savings trackers: A spread used to track savings goals
Signifiers
Signifiers are symbols used to add additional meaning to a task or event. They can be used to indicate importance, priority, or progress. Some common signifiers in bullet journaling include:
• !: Important task
• *: Priority task
• <: Task scheduled for an earlier date
• >: Task migrated to a future date
• =: Task completed but requires further action
In conclusion, bullet journaling has its own language, but it’s a flexible system that can be adapted to fit individual needs and preferences. Understanding the common terminology, including symbols, keys, collections, spreads, trackers, and signifiers, is essential to creating an effective bullet journal. So, start exploring the world of bullet journaling and make
