BestReviews
Many bullet journals are designed with page numbers and index pages so writers can refer to specific information without flipping through the entire journal.
Thousands of apps can help you get organized and stay on top of goals, but for many, a low-tech system is better— and more effective. Bullet journals are diaries that lend themselves to dynamic use through creative design. And yes, you fill them out the old-fashioned way: writing, doodling and coloring.
Bullet journals are more than colorful diaries, though. They have dot grids instead of lines so you can customize them to suit your needs, whether it’s meal planning, managing your class schedule or maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If you’re looking for a new way to stay on top of tasks and goals, it’s worth a try, especially if you’d like to get your creative juices flowing this year.
What is bullet journaling?
Bullet journaling, sometimes called “BuJo,” is an advanced method of journaling that often involves task managing, planning, scheduling, goal setting and self-reflection. The journals feature simple dot grids instead of lines so users can design their own colorful layouts, ranging from calendars to checklists and everything in between.
In its simplest form, bullet journaling is an engaging, colorful way to stay organized. The BuJo community often describes BuJo as equally therapeutic and productive, not to mention it’s a way to practice mindfulness and self-care.
Top 5 reasons to use a bullet journal this year
1. Managing schedules
Many people keep bullet journals to manage schedules, including academic, personal and professional calendars. Daily and weekly to-do checklists are especially popular, and they’re often accompanied by grocery lists, exam dates, appointments or birthdays.
2. Goal tracking
It’s one thing to be mindful of your goals, but it’s a different story to see them laid out on paper in colorful ink. Bullet journals can help track short-and long-term goals through reflective progress entries, milestones and countdowns.
3. Food and fitness journaling
Some health-conscious individuals believe bullet journals are instrumental in meal planning, tracking macros, and weight training. After weeks or months of progress, it’s easy to look back and reflect on how you pushed through plateaus or challenges.
4. Wedding planning
Bullet journals are a creative way to organize essential information, such as expenses, guest lists, and seating arrangements for those who are hands-on with wedding planning. Once the wedding passes, the BuJo serves as a unique scrapbook filled with memories leading up to the big day.
5. Self-care
Besides productivity-driven uses, bullet journaling is a form of self-care. Not only does it allow writers to decompress and take digital breaks, but it also functions as a creative outlet. Bullet journaling is also ideal for those who prefer open-ended journaling with drawing and writing prompts.
Everything you need to start a bullet journal
“The Bullet Journal Method” by Ryder Carroll
If you’d like a crash course in bullet journaling, Carroll’s guide is an in-depth explanation of the practice and the meaningful thought process behind it.
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PAPERAGE Dotted Journal
This classic 5.7- by 8-inch dotted journal is a travel-friendly option with 160 thick, acid-free pages suitable for felt-tip and brush-tip pens.
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Gotcha Covered Softcover Believe Dot Grid Journal
For those who prefer more room to design larger layouts, this spiral 8.5- by 11-inch bullet journal is a top choice for its made-to-last design.
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Sharpie Fine Point Pen
These fine-point Sharpie pens are ideal for writing and drawing boxes, plus the ink dries quickly to prevent smears and transfers.
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Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pens
Decorate your bullet journal with 12 colorful pens that draw bold, fade-resistant lines that won’t bleed through paper.
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BIC Brite Liner Grip Pastel Highlighters
Popular for contrast designs, these pastel highlighters add a light pop of color to emphasize text or doodles.
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Sian Babish writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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5 reasons you should use a bullet journal this year
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Photo Credit: fizkes / Shutterstock
The share of adult children living with their parents is much higher than even 20 years ago due to factors such as lower marriage rates, rising housing costs, and more recently higher unemployment rates. According to the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the share of adults aged 25 and older living in their parents’ home was 7.3% in 2019. However, experts predict this number is likely to climb even higher as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2001, the share of adults 25 and older living with their parents was just 3.9%. After rising to 7.3% in 2016, the figure remained largely unchanged for several years. New data from the Pew Research Center, however, found that the pandemic resulted in a substantial increase in the share of young adults aged 18 to 29 years old living with their parents, from 47% in February 2020 to 52% just a few months later. While young adults are more likely than older adults to move back home, the pandemic will undoubtedly build upon the longer-term trend of more adults overall choosing to remain in their parents’ households.
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: fizkes / Shutterstock
The share of adult children living with their parents is much higher than even 20 years ago due to factors such as lower marriage rates, rising housing costs, and more recently higher unemployment rates. According to the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the share of adults aged 25 and older living in their parents’ home was 7.3% in 2019. However, experts predict this number is likely to climb even higher as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2001, the share of adults 25 and older living with their parents was just 3.9%. After rising to 7.3% in 2016, the figure remained largely unchanged for several years. New data from the Pew Research Center, however, found that the pandemic resulted in a substantial increase in the share of young adults aged 18 to 29 years old living with their parents, from 47% in February 2020 to 52% just a few months later. While young adults are more likely than older adults to move back home, the pandemic will undoubtedly build upon the longer-term trend of more adults overall choosing to remain in their parents’ households.
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5 reasons you should use a bullet journal this year
Not only does the share of adults living with their parents vary by age, but also factors such as race, gender, and location. At 5.8%, non-Hispanic White adults are the least likely racial group to live with their parents—a share that has grown by just a single percentage point over the last 10 years. In comparison, at 11.3%, American Indian or Alaska Native adults are one of the most likely groups to live with their parents. This share has grown by 2.6 percentage points over the same time period, enough to rival the share of Black adults living with their parents, which stands at 11.4%.
Men are more likely than women to live with their parents (8.6% of men compared to 6.1% of women), and this difference has widened over the last decade. Similarly, adults living in metropolitan areas are more likely to live in their parents’ home (7.6%) than those located outside of metropolitan areas (6.0%), and this gap has also widened in recent years alongside rising housing costs in major urban areas.
Not only does the share of adults living with their parents vary by age, but also factors such as race, gender, and location. At 5.8%, non-Hispanic White adults are the least likely racial group to live with their parents—a share that has grown by just a single percentage point over the last 10 years. In comparison, at 11.3%, American Indian or Alaska Native adults are one of the most likely groups to live with their parents. This share has grown by 2.6 percentage points over the same time period, enough to rival the share of Black adults living with their parents, which stands at 11.4%.
Men are more likely than women to live with their parents (8.6% of men compared to 6.1% of women), and this difference has widened over the last decade. Similarly, adults living in metropolitan areas are more likely to live in their parents’ home (7.6%) than those located outside of metropolitan areas (6.0%), and this gap has also widened in recent years alongside rising housing costs in major urban areas.
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5 reasons you should use a bullet journal this year
On a geographic level, both economic and cultural differences all impact how likely adults are to remain living with their parents. For example, states in the Midwest that are more affordable and have above-average marriage rates tend to have fewer adults still living with their parents. Examples include North Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa. In contrast, states with lower marriage rates that are either highly expensive—such as Hawaii, Rhode Island, and California—or have more limited job opportunities—such as Louisiana and Mississippi—generally report larger numbers of adults still living in their parents’ home.
On a geographic level, both economic and cultural differences all impact how likely adults are to remain living with their parents. For example, states in the Midwest that are more affordable and have above-average marriage rates tend to have fewer adults still living with their parents. Examples include North Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa. In contrast, states with lower marriage rates that are either highly expensive—such as Hawaii, Rhode Island, and California—or have more limited job opportunities—such as Louisiana and Mississippi—generally report larger numbers of adults still living in their parents’ home.
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5 reasons you should use a bullet journal this year
To determine the U.S. metropolitan areas with the most adults still living at home, researchers at Namechk.com analyzed the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The researchers ranked metros according to the percentage of adults aged 25 and older still living at home with their parents. Researchers also calculated the percentage of adults ever married, the total number of adults living with their parents, and the 10-year percentage point change in the share of adults living with their parents. To improve relevance, only metropolitan areas with at least 100,000 people were included in the analysis.
Here are the metros with the most adults still living at home.
To determine the U.S. metropolitan areas with the most adults still living at home, researchers at Namechk.com analyzed the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The researchers ranked metros according to the percentage of adults aged 25 and older still living at home with their parents. Researchers also calculated the percentage of adults ever married, the total number of adults living with their parents, and the 10-year percentage point change in the share of adults living with their parents. To improve relevance, only metropolitan areas with at least 100,000 people were included in the analysis.
Here are the metros with the most adults still living at home.
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5 reasons you should use a bullet journal this year
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5 reasons you should use a bullet journal this year
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Concrete Jungle Media / Shutterstock
- Percentage of adults living with parents: 8.0%
- Percentage of adults ever married: 75.3%
- Total adults living with parents: 235,436
- 10-year percentage point change in adults living with parents: -0.1
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Concrete Jungle Media / Shutterstock
- Percentage of adults living with parents: 8.0%
- Percentage of adults ever married: 75.3%
- Total adults living with parents: 235,436
- 10-year percentage point change in adults living with parents: -0.1
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5 reasons you should use a bullet journal this year
Shutterstock
- Percentage of adults living with parents: 8.1%
- Percentage of adults ever married: 76.3%
- Total adults living with parents: 71,640
- 10-year percentage point change in adults living with parents: +2.6
Shutterstock
- Percentage of adults living with parents: 8.1%
- Percentage of adults ever married: 76.3%
- Total adults living with parents: 71,640
- 10-year percentage point change in adults living with parents: +2.6
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5 reasons you should use a bullet journal this year
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Bonnie Fink / Shutterstock
- Percentage of adults living with parents: 8.1%
- Percentage of adults ever married: 78.8%
- Total adults living with parents: 185,113
- 10-year percentage point change in adults living with parents: +2.5
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Bonnie Fink / Shutterstock
- Percentage of adults living with parents: 8.1%
- Percentage of adults ever married: 78.8%
- Total adults living with parents: 185,113
- 10-year percentage point change in adults living with parents: +2.5
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5 reasons you should use a bullet journal this year
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Jonathan Siegel / Shutterstock
- Percentage of adults living with parents: 8.2%
- Percentage of adults ever married: 75.0%
- Total adults living with parents: 519,812
- 10-year percentage point change in adults living with parents: +0.8
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Jonathan Siegel / Shutterstock
- Percentage of adults living with parents: 8.2%
- Percentage of adults ever married: 75.0%
- Total adults living with parents: 519,812
- 10-year percentage point change in adults living with parents: +0.8
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5 reasons you should use a bullet journal this year
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock
- Percentage of adults living with parents: 8.6%
- Percentage of adults ever married: 74.0%
- Total adults living with parents: 358,476
- 10-year percentage point change in adults living with parents: +1.4
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock
- Percentage of adults living with parents: 8.6%
- Percentage of adults ever married: 74.0%
- Total adults living with parents: 358,476
- 10-year percentage point change in adults living with parents: +1.4
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5 reasons you should use a bullet journal this year
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Victor Moussa / Shutterstock
- Percentage of adults living with parents: 8.7%
- Percentage of adults ever married: 73.4%
- Total adults living with parents: 1,190,844
- 10-year percentage point change in adults living with parents: +0.5
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Victor Moussa / Shutterstock
- Percentage of adults living with parents: 8.7%
- Percentage of adults ever married: 73.4%
- Total adults living with parents: 1,190,844
- 10-year percentage point change in adults living with parents: +0.5
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5 reasons you should use a bullet journal this year
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Richard Cavalleri / Shutterstock
- Percentage of adults living with parents: 8.8%
- Percentage of adults ever married: 75.1%
- Total adults living with parents: 99,947
- 10-year percentage point change in adults living with parents: +2.0
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Richard Cavalleri / Shutterstock
- Percentage of adults living with parents: 8.8%
- Percentage of adults ever married: 75.1%
- Total adults living with parents: 99,947
- 10-year percentage point change in adults living with parents: +2.0
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5 reasons you should use a bullet journal this year
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Dancestrokes / Shutterstock
- Percentage of adults living with parents: 8.9%
- Percentage of adults ever married: 77.4%
- Total adults living with parents: 200,476
- 10-year percentage point change in adults living with parents: +2.5
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Dancestrokes / Shutterstock
- Percentage of adults living with parents: 8.9%
- Percentage of adults ever married: 77.4%
- Total adults living with parents: 200,476
- 10-year percentage point change in adults living with parents: +2.5
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5 reasons you should use a bullet journal this year
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock
- Percentage of adults living with parents: 9.4%
- Percentage of adults ever married: 76.8%
- Total adults living with parents: 162,684
- 10-year percentage point change in adults living with parents: +2.1
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock
- Percentage of adults living with parents: 9.4%
- Percentage of adults ever married: 76.8%
- Total adults living with parents: 162,684
- 10-year percentage point change in adults living with parents: +2.1
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5 reasons you should use a bullet journal this year
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock
- Percentage of adults living with parents: 10.2%
- Percentage of adults ever married: 76.0%
- Total adults living with parents: 442,468
- 10-year percentage point change in adults living with parents: +2.3
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock
- Percentage of adults living with parents: 10.2%
- Percentage of adults ever married: 76.0%
- Total adults living with parents: 442,468
- 10-year percentage point change in adults living with parents: +2.3
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5 reasons you should use a bullet journal this year
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: SeanPavone / Shutterstock
- Percentage of adults living with parents: 10.2%
- Percentage of adults ever married: 72.9%
- Total adults living with parents: 83,624
- 10-year percentage point change in adults living with parents: +3.1
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: SeanPavone / Shutterstock
- Percentage of adults living with parents: 10.2%
- Percentage of adults ever married: 72.9%
- Total adults living with parents: 83,624
- 10-year percentage point change in adults living with parents: +3.1
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5 reasons you should use a bullet journal this year
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Chones / Shutterstock
- Percentage of adults living with parents: 10.6%
- Percentage of adults ever married: 71.1%
- Total adults living with parents: 958,302
- 10-year percentage point change in adults living with parents: +2.6
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Chones / Shutterstock
- Percentage of adults living with parents: 10.6%
- Percentage of adults ever married: 71.1%
- Total adults living with parents: 958,302
- 10-year percentage point change in adults living with parents: +2.6
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5 reasons you should use a bullet journal this year
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock
- Percentage of adults living with parents: 10.8%
- Percentage of adults ever married: 72.7%
- Total adults living with parents: 94,618
- 10-year percentage point change in adults living with parents: +2.3
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock
- Percentage of adults living with parents: 10.8%
- Percentage of adults ever married: 72.7%
- Total adults living with parents: 94,618
- 10-year percentage point change in adults living with parents: +2.3
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5 reasons you should use a bullet journal this year
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: f11photo / Shutterstock
- Percentage of adults living with parents: 11.1%
- Percentage of adults ever married: 77.3%
- Total adults living with parents: 176,838
- 10-year percentage point change in adults living with parents: +2.6
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: f11photo / Shutterstock
- Percentage of adults living with parents: 11.1%
- Percentage of adults ever married: 77.3%
- Total adults living with parents: 176,838
- 10-year percentage point change in adults living with parents: +2.6
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5 reasons you should use a bullet journal this year
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Jon Bilous / Shutterstock
- Percentage of adults living with parents: 11.6%
- Percentage of adults ever married: 78.1%
- Total adults living with parents: 343,401
- 10-year percentage point change in adults living with parents: +4.3
Shutterstock
Photo Credit: Jon Bilous / Shutterstock
- Percentage of adults living with parents: 11.6%
- Percentage of adults ever married: 78.1%
- Total adults living with parents: 343,401
- 10-year percentage point change in adults living with parents: +4.3
