The 13 Best Bullet Journal Notebooks (2024) – All You Need to Know
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My Favorite Journals
Video Description:
This is a free sample from my course, Paint The Page: Dive Into Watercolor Journaling With Confidence, on Foxsy.com. On Foxsy, you can access this course along with dozens of others on subjects such as watercoloring, creative journaling, hand lettering, drawing, and so much more.
The Best Bullet Journal Notebooks
This post will break down the bullet journal notebooks that will best fit your style, whether that is artistic, minimalist, or somewhere in between.
Whether you are a seasoned bullet journaler or just getting ready to start your first bullet journal, you have probably noticed that there are many different styles. Looking around Instagram, you will quickly see self-described minimalists along with bullet journals that look like art journals. How do you decide the best bullet journal notebook for you?
Well, the truth is, there is no one perfect notebook to use as your bullet journal. Which notebook is best for you is going to greatly depend on how you plan on using your bullet journal.
The biggest thing you’ll need to consider is how big you want your journal to be and if you want a blank journal or a journal with dotted paper.
Generally speaking, I tend to prefer an A5 dotted journal, but you can also use an A4 dotted notebook if you’d like to use something a bit larger. Most of the journals below are A5, but are also offered as an A4.
Before jumping into a rundown of all 13 notebooks on the list, here are my recommendations for anyone wanting to start a bullet journal:
- Best Bang for Your Buck: Northbooks Dot Grid Notebook
- Great Choice for Any Level: Leuchtturm1917
- Best Option for Hardcore Artists: Moleskine Watercolor Sketchbook
Where To Buy A Bullet Journal Near Me
Finding a great bullet journal used to be quite a challenge, but with the recent surge in popularity, it has become much easier to discover the best journals to jumpstart your journaling journey.
Amazon offers a wide range of options to choose from, but if you prefer shopping locally, Barnes & Noble is a great resource for those seeking minimalist setups. Similarly, stores like Walmart usually have a few decent options to choose from as well.
That being said, grabbing a new bullet journal is also the perfect opportunity to support your local craft stores and small businesses. These stores often have unique, high-quality options in stock, and you may even be able to get personalized guidance on additional supplies you’ll need to start your personal bullet journal.
The Best Minimalist Bullet Journal Notebooks
If you are new to bullet journaling, you might be a bit overwhelmed. That’s okay! There’s a lot to discover. First and foremost, I would suggest you read this guide to get your footing in the bullet journal method.
Once you have a feel for what a bullet journal can do, my best advice is to keep it simple! Just grab something that meets your basic needs and try not to stress about finding the perfect journal. If you think your bullet journal is going to be a bit rough, you might want to get something without a ton of bells and whistles. Or maybe you’re just a minimalist who doesn’t want to get all fancy with it. Either way, here are some options that are great for keeping it simple.
Scribbles That Matter
The Scribbles That Matter notebook has quickly become a favorite notebook in the bullet journal community. This cute bullet journal notebook has a simple design, with a vegan leather cover, and includes a few of the key components of any bullet journal. The Scribbles That Matter notebook comes with a preprinted key and built-in index page to help you quickly organize your bullet journal. This notebook has hearty 100 gsm paper that is strong enough to handle most pens with little trouble.
Available in fifteen different color combinations at an affordable price, Scribbles That Matter is a wonderful journal (and makes a great gift!).
- Create Your Dream Journal: Scribbles That Matters presents a journal that makes your bullet journaling dreams come true—without the nightmares of cheap paper or setup stress. You focus on writing...
- Design That Says ‘You’re Welcome’: Pre-printed key pages, index pages, pen test pages, numbered pages, and edge guides. All the boring stuff done for you, so you can dive straight into the fun...
- Paper So Smooth, It Might as Well Be Butter: Choose between 120gsm for your light artwork or 160gsm ultra-thick paper for when you’re feeling a bit more Picasso. Either way, there’s zero...
- Perfect Dot Grid Print: Our dot grid features perfectly shaded dots, 5mm apart, with STM-pioneered page center and edge guides. Ideal for bullet dot journaling, daily journaling, cute aesthetic...
The Official Bullet Journal
The Leuchtturm1917 is by far one of the most popular bullet journal notebooks, so it only makes sense that they teamed up with Ryder Carroll to create an official bullet journal notebook. The biggest difference between the official version and the standard 1917 (discussed below) is the preprinted pages. The official hardcover notebook includes a preprinted index and key and is designed to help you create a traditional bullet journal setup.
This notebook is excellent if you intend to keep a minimalist bullet journal.
- BULLET JOURNAL: Leuchtturm1917 brings to you a journal with all the quality of a Leuchtturm journal formatted with the Bullet journal method, Track the past, order the present, design the future
- OPENS FLAT: This thread-bound notebook opens flat so you can write and draw at all angles without compromising the integrity of the spine
- FINE DETAILS: Secure your content with the elastic enclosure band and inner gusseted pocket. 3 page markers are included for easy access to specific pages
- QUALITY SINCE 1917: Experience and consistency are important requirements for quality. Quality gives ideas a solid foundation on which they can develop. We are convinced that small details can make a...
Rhodiarama Notebook
The Rhodiarama lacks the preprinted elements of the previous notebooks. However, it makes up for this by providing a dot grid with plenty of room to customize. It’s worth noting that this notebook only contains 160 pages, compared to the 200+ pages in a Scribbles That Matter notebook. But it makes up for this by having some high quality paper, which is perfect for richer inks like what you’d find in a fountain pen.
The Rhodiarama notebook provides a wide variety of colors, but do note that all versions include their trademark orange accent. You can see the Rhodiarama in action here.
This notebook from Rhodia is a solid choice for someone that wants a blank canvas with sturdy paper.
- PREMIUM PAPER - 90g smooth ivory sheets, acid-free, pH neutral. French Milled. Inks won't bleed or feather.
- EXPERTLY CONSTRUCTED - Italian faux leather hardcover, glued spine, rounded corners.
- HIGHLY FUNCTIONAL - Includes inner pocket, ribbon page marker and elastic closure to keep papers secure.
- THREE SIZES: 4 x 5.5" has 72 sheets (144 pages); 6 x 8.25" (A5) and 7.5 x 9.75" has 80 sheets (160 pages).
Northbooks Notebook (The Best Bang for Your Buck)
This notebook with dots instead of straight lines is one of the most inexpensive options on this list, making it the best notebook on a budget, but that doesn’t mean that it lacks quality. This notebook has 90 gsm paper that will keep ghosting to a minimum. Like the Rhodiarama, the softcover Northbooks dot grid notebook lacks any preprinted bullet journal pages. One drawback of this notebook is that it is only available in black and grey.
The Northbooks notebook is a fantastic and affordable option for your first bullet journal notebook.
- SIMPLE AND SOPHISTICATED: Our A5 dot-grid journal has been outlined with the perfect grid and a sophisticated, minimalist style design that’s elegant and pleasing to the eye. The dotted bullet...
- 144 PAGES OF PREMIUM PAPER: The dot journal comes with 144 pages/72 sheets of high-quality USA sourced 60 lb/90 GSM, 30% recycled cream paper that’s resistant to feathering, ghosting, and bleeding....
- STURDY, FLEXIBLE SOFTCOVER: The sewn binding on this softcover journal notebook gives it a feel of a finely bound book. The outer cover uses 30% post-consumer recycled paper. The weight of the cover...
- ECO-FRIENDLY AND SUSTAINABLY SOURCED: Make an impact by planting a tree to support reforestation. When you purchase, Northbooks plants a tree in the rainforest through our partnership with Eden...
Lemome Classic Notebook
This hardback journal provides 120 gsm paper that will be able to take most types of pens without any risk of bleeding or ghosting. Lemome’s classic notebook includes a built-in pen holder and is available in lined, graph, or dot grid paper. The notebook is fantastic as either a bullet journal notebook or a dedicated morning pages journal.
This notebook from Lemone is ideal for anyone who wants to use juicy pens such as fountain pens.
- DURABLE HARDCOVER JOURNAL & PEN HOLDER -This grid paper notebook touched comfortably, cleanable, sturdy hard cover, protects your art for years. The elastic pen loop is always available for your pen...
- PERFECT CREATIVE FREEDOM: Artists and visual thinkers will love the flexibility to organize their thoughts and drawings how they please, without limitations with this grid paper notebook.
- PREMIUM THICK PAPER - Choose high quality recyclable ivory writing paper. Which is environmental, recyclable, pollution-free and has no fluorescer, can effectively protect your eyesight. The paper...
- LAY-FLAT 180° GRID NOTEBOOK - Let you reading more easy and note-taking efficiency. The tight band of journal keeps it securely closed. And firm binding ensures pages don't get peeled away from the...
AmazonBasics Classic Notebook
This simple notebook from Amazon provides a decent bullet journal notebook at an affordable price. You can choose from grid, lined, squared, or plain pages based on how you plan on using your bullet journal. This notebook has 240 pages and includes many of the staples of any good bullet journal, such as a thread-bound cover, built-in bookmark, and an expandable inner pocket. Unfortunately, it lacks numbered pages.
The Amazonbasics notebook is perfect for anyone with a minimalist style looking for a good starter-level notebook. This is also one of the best notepads for students!
- Hardcover notebook with line-ruled pages (front and back); ideal for notes, lists, journaling, and more
- 240 pages
- Archival quality; acid free
- Expandable inner pocket for storing loose items
Leuchtturm1917 B5 Notebook
Most people like to use A5-sized notebooks for their bullet journals, but that’s not the only option available! If you want a little more room to stretch your legs, the Leuchtturm1917 B5 notebook is a great choice.
This notebook has a soft cover, 80 gsm paper, 2 bookmarks, an expandable pocket built into the back cover, and an elastic closure band to hold it shut. Plus you can get this journal in ruled, dot grid, square grid, or blank to suit your needs. While this journal only has 123 pages, it has much more size on each page, giving you plenty of room for all your lists and spreads.
- The B6 COMPOSITION notebooks are lighter and more flexible with all the same great features as the Hardcover notebooks — perfect for midnight ramblings, daily entries, thoughtful reflection, careful...
- Thread-bound to open flat which helps make reading the contents easy and adds efficiency to note-taking
- Features 80g/m² acid-free paper with high ink compatibility to help prevent bleed through, an expandable gusseted pocket on the back cover, 2 ribbon page markers, and an elastic closure band
- Includes 123 numbered pages with 8 perforated detachable sheets, a blank table of contents for easy organization and notes, and also includes stickers for labeling and archiving
The Best Bullet Journal Notebooks for Artists
Just as some people prefer minimalist planners, other people like to use their best bullet journals as a creative playground. A bullet journal can become an artistic outlet, giving you space to make creative drawings, letter, and even paint!
If you are someone who wants to find more time for creativity, the bullet journal is an excellent way to kickstart those artistic habits. An artistic bullet journal could be just the thing you need to get in touch with your playful, creative side. But what notebooks would be best for this type of use?
Leuchtturm1917 (Great Choice for Any Level)
The Leuchtturm1917 is and has been for many years a favorite in the bullet journal community. It is a beautiful hardcover notebook, and the paper quality is unmatched. Although the Leuchtturm1917 only has 80 gsm paper, we have put this journal through hell and it held up beautifully. In fact, we put the Leuchtturm1917 through a harsh watercolor test and it performed beautifully. Additionally, we have used the Leuchtturm1917 extensively for hand lettering and have never had a problem with pens or markers bleeding or too much ghosting.
The Leuchtturm1917 is one of my go-to bullet journal notebooks, and I highly recommend it for any journaler. If you want to learn more about what this journal has to offer, then check out this complete Leuchtturm1917 review.
- The A5 MEDIUM notebooks are the perfect size with a wide range of colors making them ideal companions for all walks of life — this notebook series is perfect for midnight ramblings, daily entries,...
- Thread-bound to open flat which helps make reading the contents easy and adds efficiency to note-taking
- Features 80g/m² acid-free paper with high ink compatibility to help prevent bleed through, an expandable gusseted pocket on the back cover, 2 page markers / bookmarks and an elastic closure band
- Includes 251 numbered pages or our signature 80gsm with 8 perforated detachable sheets, a blank table of contents for easy organization and notes, also includes stickers for labeling and archiving
Moleskine Classic Notebook
Moleskine’s classic notebook was also on the receiving end of the intense watercolor test. Though the Moleskine did not fare quite as well as similar items, it still performed better than expected. The Moleskine notebook’s lightweight paper is not ideal for watercoloring but is a solid option for using ink for drawing and sketching. Make sure to read our complete review of the Moleskine.
Overall the Moleskine is a fantastic, regular notebook for anyone wanting to add a bit of art to their bullet journal.
- CLASSIC MOLESKINE NOTEBOOK: Moleskine classic notebooks are perfect notebooks for writing journals, a daily diary, or note taking in college classes or meetings. Moleskine notebooks are beloved by...
- DURABLE COVER & ELASTIC CLOSURE: Hold writing projects & notes in your Moleskine notebook with an elastic closure band & inner storage folders. Leather-like classic Moleskine cover & thick, ivory...
- GIFT QUALITY NOTEBOOKS: Moleskine planners, journals and notebooks come in hardcover or softcover and colors like black, red, blue, green and brown. The binding and cover have a durable finish,...
- DELUXE QUALITY PAGES: Moleskine's thick, ivory paper pages in a hardcover Moleskine notebook, softcover Moleskine notebook, cahier or volant journal, or Moleskine planner are perfectly textured for...
Rhodia A5 Webnotebook
The Rhodia Webnotebook has everything you need to create your next bullet journal including an elastic strap, ribbon bookmark, and an expandable back pocket. Additionally, it comes equipped with 90 gsm ivory-colored vellum to prevent bleeding while also providing the pages with an incredibly satisfying feel.
The beautiful notebook from Rhodia is a great bullet journal notebook for anyone looking to dabble in art but is not planning on doing full-blown watercolor spreads.
- Size of web notebook - A5/140 x 210 mm
- The paper within the web notebook is 90 g Ivory Brushed Vellum
- The web notebook has a leatherette cover with an elasticated strap
- The web notebook has 96 sheets
Moleskine Watercolor Sketchbook (Best Option for Hardcore Artists)
Alright, so I admit that a watercolor sketchbook hardly qualifies as a “notebook.” Nonetheless, I felt like I had to include it. It can be helpful to think outside the box with the blank pages on how to meet and personalize your artistic and hobbyist needs.
The Moleskine watercolor sketchbook served as the centerpiece of the Month in Color series. As a result, I can say with absolute certainty that this high-quality sketchbook can handle anything you want to throw at it. The sketchbook uses heavy-duty, durable 200 gsm paper that will not bat an eye as you throw layer upon layer of watercolor on it. Don’t believe me? Just check out this video.
- MOLESKINE ART COLLECTION: From sketchbooks and sketchpads to watercolor notebooks with heavy paper, to music notebooks with plain and pentagram pages, to storyboard layout notebooks, Moleskine's art...
- DURABLE COVER & ELASTIC CLOSURE: Hold writing projects & notes in your Moleskine notebook with an elastic closure band & inner storage folders. Leather-like classic Moleskine cover & thick, ivory...
- GIFT QUALITY NOTEBOOKS: Moleskine planners, journals and notebooks come in hardcover or softcover and colors like black, red, blue, green and brown. The binding and cover have a durable finish,...
- DELUXE QUALITY PAGES: Moleskine's thick, ivory paper pages in a hardcover Moleskine notebook, softcover Moleskine notebook, cahier or volant journal, or Moleskine planner are perfectly textured for...
The Best Bullet Journal Notebooks for Organization Nerds
Perhaps you don’t fit neatly into “artist” or “minimalist”. You can be someone who absolutely adores intense structures and organizational systems to keep everything neatly in its place. Here are a few good bullet journal notebooks that might be perfect for you!
The Filofax Refillable Organizer
If you want maximum control, then you want a Filofax organizer. Featuring a six-ring binder mechanism, this system allows you to add, remove, and rearrange the pages in your bullet journal. You can add dividers, tabs, cover pages, and other extras to make sure you have everything exactly to your liking.
In addition to the ability to reorganize your pages, these organizers also often come with an array of pockets, pen loops, buttons, clasps, and zippers to give you plenty of chances to organize all your planning supplies. You just have to find the right organizer for you!
This option is definitely more expensive, but the upside is that it gives you ultimate flexibility and you can keep using it long after you would have replaced a bound journal.
- Filofax Malden A5 Size Leather Organizer 2020 Diary Agenda Bundle with a DiLoro Ballpoint Pen (L: 4"/130mm D: ⅜" / 8mm)
- Ring Mech: 30mm / 1-1/8 in | Closure: Strap | SKU: 026027-20-DLP
- Right Hand Details: one leather pen loop, one notepad pocket | Left Hand Details: four card pockets, two vertical slip pockets, one leather pen loop, one vertical zipped pocket
- Contents: cotton cream week on two pages diary, ruler/page marker, to do, contacts, indices, notepaper. Please note contents may vary to those listed or shown in product images. Please note contents...
Traveler’s Notebook
Another option for the organization-obsessed is a traveler’s notebook! This is similar to Filofax in that you can refill, replace, and move around sections of your system. However, a traveler’s notebook is different because instead of a binder system inside, it allows you to insert multiple inexpensive filler journals right into the binding.
There is no one source or brand that creates traveler’s notebooks, meaning that there are tons of options available to you. You can get one with pockets inside the cover, pen loops, an elastic band for closures, and so much more. And often, traveler’s notebooks are leatherbound and feel rather old-world. This is a great option if you’re wanting to create a fun aesthetic bullet journal. You’ll definitely feel like an adventurer when you use this type of notebook!
- ✔DURABLE GENUINE LEATHER TRAVEL NOTEBOOK - Made from Classy & Durable Top Layer Genuine Leather with a real leather scent, naturally tanned with special oil. Each leather travel notebook is uniquely...
- ✔PREMIUM THICK PAPER - 100gsm archival-quality pages made from acid-free paper which resists damage from light and air. The leather travel notebook is designed to avoid ink bleeding through and...
- ✔REFILLABLE DESIGN LEATHER TRAVEL NOTEBOOK - Has 3 different refills insert inside (Lined, Blank and Kraft paper) to meet your daily usage, each insert have 64 pages (Counting Both Sides), when one...
- ✔PERFECT SIZE FOR MANY USES - Pocket Size 5.2 x 4", it is perfect to slipping into a pocket, backpack or purse to travel anywhere with you. Great to use as a travel journal, bullet journal, Bible...
My Bullet Journal Notebook Recommendations
- Best Bang for Your Buck: Northbooks Dot Grid Notebook
- Great Choice for Any Level: Leuchtturm1917
- Best Option for Hardcore Artists: Moleskine Watercolor Sketchbook
Don’t Overthink It
Picking the right notebook to start bullet journaling can be daunting, but the important thing is not to overthink it. If you find a bullet journal notebook that you think is a good fit, then it probably is. There is no guarantee that it will be the perfect fit for you, but the experience will help you determine what you need from your journal in the future. If you’re pumped and ready to dive into bullet journaling headfirst, then make sure to check out our favorite bullet journal supplies here.
Thanks so much for this fantastic breakdown! I spent yeeeeears as a blank page journal purist, but recently came around to the idea of dot journal pages. As a perfectionist, the dots have made me feel a lot better by guiding me so that I don’t write out crooked lists, lol, but it still leaves lots of room for creative expression and doodles!
Hi! What is best for use w/ sharpie markers? The ultra fine point. And Watercolor markers. Thanks!
Sharpie fine point markers are great for everyday use! And watercolor markers are lovely, I have several different brands. I can’t say what journal will be best because the way you use these materials will determine what works for you, but my best advice is to look for a journal with thicker pages. Perhaps the Rhodia journals would be a good place to start! No matter which journal you go with, remember to do a test page in the back so you can see how the markers and pens react with the paper AND with each other — the Sharpie might bleed if used with watercolors, so it’s best to check!
Hi Shelby,
Have you tried the Rhoda Goalbook? It has great features like a pre-printed index, numbered pages, back pocket, ribbon place holders, and a pen loop, etc., and it has that beautiful Claire Fontaine paper like the other Rhodias. You can get it in a softcovers and they’ve also come out with a hardcover version. Definitely worth a look!
Lauren
I use a dotted a5 notebook from poundland my friend once got me in a set of 3. Been working pretty well. Scared to try watercolour since my watercolour is the same brand they use in schools but eh I’ll see how it works when I do a September monthly I guess
My first step into watercolor journaling was with the same cheap school paint set, it works fine! Just do a test page in the back to see how the paper responds and you’ll figure out pretty quickly whether it works for you or not. Good luck!
Thank you so much for all the great info, suggestions, and encouragement. I’m just getting started on my bullet journal journey, and I’m working on a pretty small budget. For those of us in Canada, with access to Dollarama stores, I found a Studio brand bullet journal notebook, 160 pages and roughly 5×7 inches, for $3.50. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s a bullet journal and it’s perfect if you’re not sure if this is going to work for you and you don’t want to spend a ton on a notebook!
Thanks for that budget suggestion for our Canadian friends, Barb! I hope you enjoy your new bullet journal ? have fun with it!
Great article on analog version of Bullet Journal! When will you do one on Digital options? One that is designed to replace your paper journal completely is Bullet-Journal v2 for iPad and iPhone. Would be cool to see an article about the digital options! 🙂
Thank you! I don’t know when I’ll make a post on an entirely digital bullet journal, but it’s definitely a good idea to add to my list!
Also there are a couple of really popular ones that you missed, Tumbetri Meri a 160 gsm notebook and Nunna which is not 160 bit close at 120 both are pretty popular.
I haven’t had a chance to try those yet, but I’ll keep an eye out the next time I need a journal! Thanks for the recommendations!
I am using my first Tumbetri Meri for this year! I absolutely love it! All the things I want and none of the things I don’t – you definitely need to check them out!
You guys should try Northbooks! Almost all of their journals are US made and eco-friendly, except for one. Absolutely love their minimalist design!
I tried some of Northbooks’s paperback journals probably five years ago, but I should definitely explore them a bit more! I bet they have some excellent products I haven’t tried yet. Thanks for the suggestion, Kate!
I just got an A5 Clairefontaine “My Essential” notebook! Great fountain pen friendly paper. It has an index and is paginated. Look forward to using it to Bullet Journal!!!
Tom
It sounds like you’ve got a great journal Tom! Enjoy 🙂
Have you guys tried Archer and Olive’s dot grid?? Amazing paper quality for someone wanting to do a lot of art in their journal! I have one to start off in the new year ?
I’ve not tried that one Melissa. Thanks for letting us know about it.
STM best bullet journal hands down. I’ve tried the A5 but now am absolutely in love with the B6 size. Perfect for me love the paper, the hardy cover but most of all the fantastic customer service!
It’s so great when we find one that we love! I’m happy to hear you’re loving Scribbles That Matter, Bonnie.
Agreed! And now I’m just so sad that it’s been discontinued, because I can’t find anything like it anywhere else! 🥲
I have a different experience than another commenter with the $5 Fabriano journal — I love it. As she noted, I can write a *lot* of page numbers to save $15, but either mine was better bound, or I got lucky.
PROS: The cover is a lovely leatherette that holds up well. There are a LOT of pages, and the binding is elastic enough to allow you to tip in additional pages if you want to add something. (I forgot to add a dream, so I tipped it in. That method is what I would recommend if anyone does encounter problems with loose pages, as well. Run a thin — I mean THIN, almost invisible — line of glue on the very edge of your paper and slot it right back into place. Old library book repair practice 🙂 ) This journal also stands up to being banged about in a bag with lots of other books, papers, and junk. It will take a lot of ink doodling.
CONS: The pages are not as heavy as in a good journal (and I used to bind my own, so…) so if you are into a lot of color or use anything other than Tombow Fudenosuke pens and Pitt fineline pens, and do line drawings, then this is not the journal for you because you will get bleedthrough.
Basically: If your bujo is very minimalist, and you stay with line drawings and/or coloured pencil or VERY light pen washes, then you can use this journal. It is great for a journal that is closer to the original pen and ink version than to a heavily lettered version. If you are into lettering with anything other than a Fudenosuke pen, or you do lots of watercolour washes, or you use Tombows, or basically plan for a much more artistic, sketchy bujo, this is NOT the journal for you. For my needs, I would buy it again. Since I am not concerned with perfect grids, if I ever start really sketching again, I will make my own Coptic-bound paper journal with blank paper. 🙂
It’s great to hear it worked really well for you Andrea! I love that we have options, because really there couldn’t ever be one journal that would work for every single person.
I’ll share a mistake I made so others don’t have to make it 😉 Don’t skimp on the notebook just to save a few dollars.
I’m new to bullet journaling, and after reading many blog posts for recommendations, reviews, and ideas, I knew the most-recommended notebook was the Leuchtturm1917. But the $20 price tag gave me sticker shock, so I went to Blick, the art supply store, looking for a cheaper alternative. I found one by Fabriano for $5, and felt very smart. It didn’t have the pre-printed page numbers, but I can write a lot of page numbers for a $15 saving.
Fortunately, I didn’t use it for my “real” BuJo right away — I used it to sketch out ideas for different spreads, make notes, etc. I say “fortunately” because, when I got to the 3rd sheet (page 5&6), the 1st sheet started to detach from the binding. When I got to the 4th sheet, the 1st one fell out entirely, and the 2nd sheet started to detach. And so on. The beginning of this Fabriano notebook now consists of 4 detached sheets, and the 5th is well on its way. At that point I ordered a Leuchtturm1917 for my “real” BuJo, and I’ve loved it ever since.
The moral of the story: A penny saved may be a penny earned, but not if it’s penny-wise and pound-foolish.
Thanks for sharing your experience Jenny! The Leuchtturm1917 really is worth the price as are some of the other “nicer” bullet journaling notebooks. The pages are thicker than the cheaper options and the notebook in general just holds up better.
Thank you for this fantastic site!
Have you tried this one?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FCH8FSW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_YyrTBbYA0757G
Thanks bunches Laura! I have not tried that one.
I’m several months into my first bullet journal–a Mead 5-squares/inch composition book I got for a dollar during the back to school sales. I’m actually really happy to have started with this because it’s allowed me to experiment and find my way without feeling overly pressured for it to look perfect. I find I actually prefer the extra width enough to be hunting for a B5 notebook when I’m ready to move on. The paper is definitely thinner, but I haven’t had problems with Flair, Ink Joy, or G2 pens. Too often I’ve bought a beautiful notebook to start a new endeavor only to fizzle in a few weeks, in part because I make the project too big and complex at the outset. This time it’s sticking–possibly because bullet journals are intrinsically awesome, but quite possibly because I’ve allowed it to grow organically with flexibility and without expectations.
I totally agree that bullet journals are intrinsically awesome Siri! How wonderful that you’ve been able to learn through journaling in your composition book – it’s a great place to start and actually one that you could continue to use if you chose to.
Shelby- you are an enabler- I just put the Lemome’s hardcover classic notebook in my Amazon cart… I swooned when I saw the lined pages were wide ruled. I love to write with my fountain pens on wide rule – also my journaling. So I will just have to have this.
That is so funny Charlene! I bet you will be glad for the enabling once it arrives.
Scribbles That Matter has 201 numbered pages + index + key and a pen test page, not 185 🙂
Whoops! Good catch, I fixed it 🙂