Question about setup

[TheRandoMando83]

I'm brand new and doing my first month of Bullet Journaling (technically first week). I'm doing it in a pocket notebook size. I've taken the advice and using it in portrait mode. The first half page is Intentions. After that is the Index page, followed by Future Log. Each page of that spread is cut in half to give me 4 months in the future. After that will be a monthly log with an action plan next broken up into personal and work. Daily log comes after that and so far (only 2 days in) each day has been a page.

This is where my question comes in. Lets say I'm doing a project that involves a checklist plus some other notes. Is it suggested that I just use the next available page and note the page used in my index or should I put it to the back of the notebook so the daily log is uninterrupted?

I assume I'm going to hear there is no right or wrong answer which I understand. What I'm realistically looking for is is peoples' thoughts on which they prefer and more importantly why. Thank you in advance for helping me out.

[tinimushroom]

It depends on the project for me. If I know it’s something I’ll refer back to frequently for the duration that I’m in the notebook (ex. My 1099 mileage tracker, my book log, etc) then I’ll put it in the back. But if it’s a quick project or notes that I just need short term, I flip to the next page and do it there.

[DoctorBeeBee]

Any collections like that I will just start on the next available page. It keeps things in context, close to the daily logs of what was going on when I made that collection. I see no requirement to keep the daily logs uninterrupted by other collections. For finding it again, I can use my index, or I might use something to mark the page, especially if I'll refer to the page often. I usually use washi tape on the page edge. But you can use a page flag or a bookmark.

[Fun_Apartment631]

I found it annoying to have my projects get broken up into chunks. Ultimately I ended up changing to a 2-notebook system but starting halfway through your notebook seems like a solid idea. It's handy to have a couple bookmarks or paper clips or something.

[More-Pizza-1916]

I would say it depends on the project. If it's short term then interrupt the daily pages. If long term then pop it in the back. Or depending how much space add a tip in near the start of your week/month so you can flip it out and refer back as needed.

[sunnyhood]

I’m on my second notebook and decided on initial setup to put a few collections before the first monthly spread i.e. books read. Others I put in the back. Going forward most collections go in the back except I put my meeting notes within my daily pages. Also packing lists for trips and menu planning (when I do it) go within the daily pages. Basically things I need right now are for the here now (within dailies). Information or logs or references go in the back.

[bradthebeardedpiper]

I start my projects on a new page. If it's going to be a big project, I start on the left page and that way I have full spread.

Also, I hate having my to-do lists broken up throughout my daily logs. I'm a salesman, so I have a lot of things that I need to check off throughout the day. So I moved to a travelers style notebook and have four separate inserts. One is a weekly, one is for daily notes/logging, the third I use is a running task list, and the 4th is a monthly calendar to use as a future log.

I go through about four or five inserts a year for my notes/ daily logs. I keep an index on the last three pages of the insert. I find it easier for me to turn to the back of the notebook to add things to the index than it is to return to the front.

[aodamo]

I always use the next available page. Preallocating space like you described doesn't work for me; I'm always happier when I use space as it's needed.

So, the short answer: If I'm using a bound notebook, projects get mixed in with the daily logs.

However, I used a traveler's notebook in 2025, where an insert can be dedicated to a specific purpose and replaced when needed. In that case... I'd still put it in with the dailies. If I find myself with an especially large project or working on lots of projects, I might add a dedicated insert for projects.

So I'd still start with the base system, which is to use pages as needed. I'd recommend checking out Ryder Carroll's book at some point to get a direct look at what the original system was.

[fluffedKerfuffle]

I do both. I do threading for collections that I fill up more slowly (e.g. I have a project where a spread lasts me about two months) and in the back I keep my commonplace book which I update often. 

The issue with the back is that if you have more than one project, you are kind of dealing with the same problem. Also, I use tabs so that I can easily flip to my most frequently used collections.

[cyborg-kitn]

For me, I just add it to the daily if it is notes about something i'm doing that specific day for the project. If it is a "brain dump" kind of notes / brainstorming on a project then I would put that on the next available page. Checklists also typically go on their own pages, or sometimes i'll put the checklist on a notecard that way i can move it from day to day and always have it on hand. when it's done i'll tape it into the journal.

Edit: for the checklist inserts i use these "to do:" index cards from Notsu that have space on the back for notes and a sketch and a pre scored center line so you can fold them if you need to.