4 Beautiful Bullet Journal Tips for People Who Can’t Draw

Some come by artistic talent naturally, and some of us struggle drawing stick figures. It’s a fact of life, but it shouldn’t prevent you from having a beautiful bullet journal! Luckily, there are plenty of bullet journal hacks out there that can help. Here are a few of my favorite ways to liven up my spreads that don’t require any sort of artistic talent!

Use Stencils

Straight lines and simple shapes can turn a bland journal into a minimalist beauty in no time! I picked up a set of multi-shape stencils from my local dollar store and never looked back! With a little imagination, you can turn basic shapes into so many things. Trackers, weekly spreads, calendars and more require little more than a straight edge and a few templates.

Below is an example of what you can do with one stencil and my next favorite item on the list…

Lots of Washi Tape

It’s way too easy to get addicted to these colorful little rolls of masking tape. I may or may not have two full boxes, but there’s a reason that they are so beloved for journaling. They are crazy versatile! You can cut washi tape to any shape or size, and use it to fill up blank space on a page. Use it to create dividers, headers, or even cut it into cute flowers or leaves. The possibilities are literally endless.

Washi tape is relatively inexpensive and comes in a seemingly endless variety of sizes and designs. Some of my favorite rolls of washi tape are thicker, like the crystals I used above. This roll is about 3 cm wide, and you can cut the individual crystals out of it to make beautiful, translucent stickers on any spread. I list some of my favorite places to buy washi (And other cheap supplies) here.

Make A Collage

This is also one of my favorite ways to save memories in my bullet journal. I’ve been traveling a lot this year, which means that I’ve ended up with a ton of ticket stubs, photos, and other bits and bobs picked up along the way. These all make great additions to your journal and can be a great way to fill up empty space.

I also tend to hoard pretty scraps of paper that I stumble across. I recently had a subscription box that came packaged with beautiful wrapping paper. It’s a little weird but I definitely saved it for later use in the folder in the back of my Leuchtturm 1917. Sometimes I go through my “scrap folder” to find inspiration for new spreads.

Stickers for Days

I swear stickers were my first love, ever since I was a child. Now they’re a key element in creating beautiful bullet journal spreads every week! My favorite stickers are those from independent Etsy sellers (there are a LOT). I also buy a lot of stickers off of sites like AliExpress and Amazon to name a few. You can also get sticker subscriptions from services like Pipsticks if you’re looking to get some fresh new stickers delivered each month.

Stickers really help if you’re struggling to think of a theme for a spread. With literally millions of options at your disposal, they can be a quick-fix for inspiration. Some Etsy sellers have even begun to create stickers that can be used as trackers, calendars, or other useful spread elements. 

Create your Beautiful Bullet Journal

There are so many great items that you probably have just lying around the house that can really make for beautiful bullet journal spreads. No drawing required! Experiment with what you’ve got on hand and you can create something truly unique!