2021 Bullet Journal Set Up: Spread Ideas

It is hard to believe that 2020 is almost over and here I am, setting up a new bullet journal. When the isolation period started I thought “well, there goes my bullet journal!”. I believed it would not be the same without places to go to, appointments to attend to... but boy, was I wrong!

My Bullet Journal pretty much saved me. I quickly realized my life staying at home needed a lot of organization and discipline and while the productivity side of the method was helping with that, the creative side was keeping me sane. Being able to write on the ”Mental Inventory”, or draw my memories on my ”Favorites Log” gave a lot more sense to my days and so... I might have become addicted to it all! Which, is a good addiction, the kind that makes me better.

Having been just one year trying the method has given me some insight on what style I prefer, which layouts I should keep and which I should leave out. And one important lesson I learned the hard way: use two journals for one year. As I am writing, my current journal has jammed weeks and added pages, I was just stressing over it all, so now, I’m using two notebooks (besides, I have journals for up to four years, but that’s another topic on a different kind of addiction).

My first one is the Tsuki Gentle Giant by Notebook Therapy (my favorite brand right now), it’s a deep blue velvet cover journal with 160 GSM paper and the perfect light gray grid (you can watch my review on my youtube channel). And guess what?! Notebook Therapy reached out to me to offer me a discount code for those who follow me on Instagram, are subscribed to my YouTube channel or are reading this blog! So use NALA10 for a discount on your checkout :)

Anyways, there is nothing like opening a brand new bullet journal, getting to that first blank page and writing my name (which I usually mess up because I am too nervous/excited, but oh well). And then flipping the page to add a meaningful quote that I feel will define 2021...

If 2020 taught me something it is that life is unpredictable and beyond and that there are qualities that I need to further develop in order to face whatever 2021 has in store, good or bad. I found this quote to be really powerful and the lighthouse fits perfectly, I must always be on the lookout!

On with the set up, a ”Year at a Glance” is just a calendar which is always handy, and then comes the “Index”. Last year I was not sure I would end up using it but I added one and I am thankful that I did. This makes life easier when it comes to looking for past notes, recipes, events, etc. So this index is a definite must, as well as the ”Future Log”, which this time around I will feature just the first six months.

A Bullet Journal is almost useless without a ”Goals” spread. Last year many of my goals crumbled because of the pandemic so this year I am going for 21 that are realistic and achievable under the current circumstances, that way I won’t be frustrated by the end of the year. Along those goals I pasted ”My Happy Place“, things that make me happy and keep me motivated. Have you noticed a nautical theme going on? Yes, the whale on the blue cover of my notebook inspired me, so it is all blue, the color of the ocean that gives me immense peace... ever so fitting right now.

My beloved “Year Wheel” is making a come back, it’s just such a whimsical thing to have! It concentrates the best of the year in one single circle. For an in depth explanation watch my YouTube video on it! You might want to try this one out :)

And now for Collections. The “Playlist” stays, this is where I add the songs I discovered throughout the year or that are just in tune with me. I added a “Check Out” list which is good for anything I wold want to see/try/buy... from books to movies, stationery items or bakeries, it will all go here.

Drumroll please.......... my most favorite spread so far is my “Routines” spread. I was fixated on including a map-like spread and the morning and night routines were the perfect project. There is something about it that pulls me to just stare at it, and hopefully, get things done the way I am supposed to, so that I can start and finish my days in an organized, productive way... ahhhh, that Teddy Bear!! <3

Last collections! The essential “Go Bag” spread. I live in a hurricane prone area, so being prepared is a must. With this list I have a better idea of what I have in my backpack, what I need to buy or replace. It is especially helpful with medicines and food because I can keep track of expiration dates. And the “Waiting For” spread is pretty much self explanatory. The pandemic has me ordering everything in, so with this I don’t lose track of what I still need to get delivered or of how the returns are going.

That life saver is my second favorite thing in this set up. Using gouache and color pencils has become a new obsession for me, so I will definitely be using them a lot throughout this year.

And that is it for my basic spreads, in the back I have my pen test, grid spacing guide, video ideas list and some calendars for my social media that I will be setting up every month. So I guess that goes with the upcoming monthly set up... can’t believe it will be January in 20 more days. Oh well. I hope you had fun with this post or that it inspired you somehow. If you would like to watch me set it all up here’s my complete set up video to cheer you up!

I hope you enjoy! have a crazy beautiful day!

Nala 👩🏼‍🎨