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While it seems like there are endless ways to approach a weekly spread for your bullet journal, all the ideas actually fall into just a few categories. (We’ve sorted the ideas to help you focus in on the approach that works for you.)

Bullet Journal Weekly Spread | Focused Ideas to Plan Your Week

March 21, 2020 • Bullet Journaling

When things are chaotic, having your plans written down–like in a Bullet Journal weekly spread–can really help.

It takes the chaos out of your mind and gives it form. When you can see it, you can process it effectively. And having an “at-a-glance” capture of your week is a helpful resource. Trust me, your brain will thank you!

But where do you start with it?

Start looking up samples on Pinterest and Instagram, and the sheer volume can take you from inspiration to exasperation. (The very thing you wanted to avoid.)

While it seems like there are endless ways to approach a weekly spread for your bullet journal, all the ideas actually fall into just a few categories. (We’ve sorted the ideas to help you focus in on the approach that works for you.)

So, here’s the short list of ways to do it — so you can stop “planning to plan” and actually start planning!

Ways to set up a weekly spread for your bullet journal

Bullet Journal Weekly Spread Approach #1 – Lists

This approach is very simple to pull off, while still giving you the option to add an artistic flair. Here are some fantastic examples of this approach to bullet journal weekly spreads:

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So I ended up decorating my minimalistic spread. Oops. 😂 doodles inspired by @delijournals! • Be sure to check out my new YouTube video if you haven't already! • ‼️Use discount code 'MBERRY' for 10% off your entire purchase and free international shipping @kawaiipenshop and @kawaiipenshop

A post shared by 🍓 Mary Beth 🍓 (@maryberrystudio) on Sep 18, 2017 at 5:50am PDT

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We’re so close to the weekend!! My birthday is on Friday so I can’t wait 🥳 • QOTD: How is your week going? • • • #weeklyspread #bujoweekly #bulletjournalweeklyspread #bulletjournalweekly #bulletjournaling #monthlyspread #bulletjournal #bulletjournaling #bulletjournalinspiration #bulletjournalinspo #bulletjournaladdict #bulletjournalmonthly #bulletjournalmonthlylog #bujo #bujoinspiration #bujoinspo #bujoideas #bujomonthly #bujoaddicts #bulletjournallove #bujobeauties #vintagejournal #junkjournal #bulletjournalmarch #marchbujo #journalinspiration #discoverunder10k #discoverunder6k #archerandolive #weeklylayout #march2020

A post shared by rachel! 🌙 (@journalwithrae) on Mar 4, 2020 at 6:59am PST

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Sorry for the late posts guys. Here’s a “week at a glance” page inspo! 🌟 P.s : will be posting a few more February 2020 weekly pages💕 – – – – – – – – #bulletjournal #bujo #bujo_squad #blackoutbujo #calligraphylettering #calligraphy #weeklyspread #weeklyplanner #weekly #bulletjournalideas #bulletjournaljunkies #bulletjournalmalaysia #bulletjournalchallenge #bulletjournalcollection

A post shared by scribbled_byzoya (@zoya_scribbles) on Mar 3, 2020 at 9:41pm PST

Bullet Journal Weekly Spread Approach #2 – Boxes

Similar to the days of the week with lists approach, this one carves out real estate on the page for each day visually separating the information. We like this approach because it helps create focus on a single day’s tasks, while still providing an overview of the entire week.

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Neue #wochenübersicht ☺️die #todoliste ist nicht vorhanden. Bewusst nicht vorhanden. Freitag geht es in den #urlaub 😊 . . . #bujoideas #bulletjournal #bulletjournallove #bulletjournalgermany #bujogermany #bujoweekly #bulletjournalweekly #bulletjournalweeklyspread #bulletjournalcommunity #bulletjournalnewbie #bulletjournal2020 #kalender #märz #kalendermärz #märzkalender

A post shared by Nasty Wonderland (@nastywonderland) on Mar 4, 2020 at 12:00am PST

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How do you like using color in your bullet journal? Here's a simple way to bring more colors into your practical bullet journal from @teanbujo! 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 📷 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁: @𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗯𝘂𝗷𝗼 Last week’s spread! 🌸 I kept it quite simple and used more colored markers than regular black pen. Do you like to use colors in your bullet journal? Viime viikon simppeli aukeama! 🌸 Tein vaihteeksi laatikot värillisillä tusseilla enkä mustalla niin kuin yleensä. Tykkäätkö käyttää värejä bujoillessa vai onko mustavalkoinen enemmän sun juttu?

A post shared by function > form (@practical.bujo) on Mar 14, 2020 at 12:34pm PDT

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Another March weekly, this time with the hexagons behind my daily boxes. I like the visual impact, though it did take awhile to draw all those lines. And the quote for this week is a reminder to myself. This study period is a marathon, and I have to trust that I am learning. • • #bulletjournal #bulletjournalinspiration #bulletjournalspread #bujo #bujoideas #bujoinspirarion #bujolayout #bujosetup #littlefoxfeature #bujosmallsaturday

A post shared by Megan💜 (@bujojourney18) on Mar 14, 2020 at 10:52am PDT

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I recently binge watched Snow White With The Red Hair again and now I'm sad because I want season 3 😅😩 . . . #bulletjournal #bulletjournalinspo #bulletjournalspread #bujo #bujoweeklyspread #bujoideas #bujoinspiration #stationery #stationeryaddict #stationeryshop #stationerylove #planneraddict #planner #plannercommunity #journaling #journal #journalinspiration #journalspread #journaladdict #bulletjournaladdict

A post shared by @ petal_bujo on Mar 14, 2020 at 9:19am PDT

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First weekly spread of March! 🦋✨ . . . #bulletjournalspread #weeklyspread #bujoemotions #bujobeauty #bulletjournalideas #bulletjournaling #bulletjournal #bujoinspiration #week10 #march #mars #bulletjournalweekly #bulletjournalsverige #butterfly #butterflies #bujoideas #bujosweden #bujoweekly #bujoweeklyspread

A post shared by Bullet Journal (@bulletupnorth) on Mar 14, 2020 at 7:50am PDT

Bullet Journal Weekly Spread Approach #3 – Dashboard

Sometimes it isn’t enough just to see task lists and appointments. Sometimes you need a dashboard that shows you everything you want to know about your life in a week.

This at-a-glance look is more than just your schedule or tasks. It might also include features like habit trackers or meal planning.

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My digital trackers are awesome but recently I'm finding analog more satisfying. #bujo #visjournaling

A post shared by Cathy Hutchison (@cathy.hutchison) on Apr 28, 2017 at 6:35am PDT

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i’m honestly here for bullet journaling 🖋 isn’t this so satisfying? how many of you keep a detailed agenda or honestly, any sort of agenda at all? #journaling #bulletjournaling #agenda #monthlyplanner #weeklyplanner #teacherplanner #teachersofinstagram #teacherlife #teacher #teach

A post shared by Jazmine Otavo (@jazmineotavo) on Mar 3, 2020 at 7:39pm PST

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Full spread before the pen! . . . . #beforethepen #weeklydashboard #thehappyplanner #plannervibes #happyplannergirls #happyplanner #planner #happyplanning #happyplannerstickers #happyplannerlove #dashboardplanner #dashboardplannerspread #classicdashboard #classichappyplanner #classichappyplannerspread #happyplannerdashboard #dashboardlayout #supermomhappyplanner #supermomclassic #squadgoals #squadgoalsstickerbook #happyplannersquadgoals #planwithme #weeklyspread #weeklayout #plannerspread #plannerjunkie #winterbucketlist #happyplannerlove #lovemyhappyplanner #iamahappyplanner

A post shared by Crafts by Shirley (@craftsbyshirley) on Dec 9, 2019 at 11:22am PST

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So now that I have a bigger journal, I have more space on my weekly spreads! I decided to include a habit tracker and a space to write my successes and improvements. The right box is still for events and day specific tasks. I hope this works out! Happy Monday everyone ☕️💕 • • • #nuunabulletjournal #bulletjournal #nuuna #nuunanotebook #nuunabybrandbook #weeklyspread #weeklydashboard #habittracker #bujoweekly #bujo #bujoideas

A post shared by Lilian • bullet journal ✨ (@lilian.letters) on Oct 7, 2019 at 12:02am PDT

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Keeping with my dashboard layout, just swapped the sides. Really like this layout, its concise and I can keep up with it! Also loving the subtle hint of color, since I've been so black and white. Who said color cant be minimal?! . . #weeklyspread #weeklydashboard #bulletjournal #bulletjournaljunkie #bulletjournallove #bujo #bujomama #dotgrid #chameleon #chameleonpens #chameleonfineliners #showmeyourplanner #planwithme #planneraddict #plannerspreads #minimal #plannercommunity #thelittleprince

A post shared by susan gately (@bujo_suzie) on Feb 10, 2020 at 4:27am PST

Bullet Journal Weekly Spread Approach #4 – Dutch door spreads

We’re a big fan of Helen Colebrook at Journal with Purpose, who uses Dutch doors in her weekly spreads.

If the primary purpose of your bullet journal is weekly planning, the Dutch door technique is a brilliant way to expand the “real estate” for your weekly spread. It takes a bit of time to set up, because the method requires cutting some of the pages, but the results are both practical and beautiful. 

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If you don’t like seeing pages being cut up, then look away now! 😂 This is my Dutch Door spread for this week. I hope you enjoy it 🤗💕 Music by @elisha.zep … #bulletjournal #bujo #video #journal #journaling #dutchdoor #crafttutorial #travelersnotebook #creative #craft #planner #planneraddict #lettering #doodle #rhodia #journalwithpurpose

A post shared by Helen, Journal with Purpose (@journalwithpurpose) on Mar 3, 2020 at 7:12am PST

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Happy 1st February! 🤗 I’m so excited to be starting a new month ☺️ My full Plan With Me video for Feb is available to watch on YouTube. Link in bio 👆 Music by @elisha.zep 💕 … #planwithme #bulletjournal #bujo #february #planner #planneraddict #stationery #stationeryaddict #doodle #drawing #sketching #creativejournal #journal #flowers

A post shared by Helen, Journal with Purpose (@journalwithpurpose) on Feb 1, 2020 at 6:05am PST

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Happy Friday!! 🥳 My daughter comes home for Christmas on Sunday and I’m very excited 😁 I hope you have a lovely weekend ahead 🤗 These are my bullet journal pages from last week 💕 … #bulletjournal #bujo #planner #planneraddict #journal #journaling #creativejournal #travelersnotebook #doodle #journalwithpurpose

A post shared by Helen, Journal with Purpose (@journalwithpurpose) on Dec 13, 2019 at 7:32am PST

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A quick Dutch Door setup in my bullet journal 🤗 Full length video available on my YouTube Channel 🎥 I hope you enjoy it 💕 Music by @elisha.zep … #bulletjournal #dutchdoor #bujo #journal #creativejournal #journaling #doodles #planneraddict #planner #video #journalwithpurpose

A post shared by Helen, Journal with Purpose (@journalwithpurpose) on Dec 3, 2019 at 7:47am PST

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Happy Friday!! 😁 This is my most recent weekly spread 🤗 But more importantly, I’ve found one of my old painted pebbles! Guess what that’s got me in the mood for this weekend? 😂 I hope you have a great one, even if it doesn’t involve painting rocks 🙊🤣💙 … #bulletjournal #bujo #bujoweeklyspread #journaling #planner #planneraddict #creativejournal #doodles #rockpainting #pebblepainting #travelersnotebook

A post shared by Helen, Journal with Purpose (@journalwithpurpose) on Nov 8, 2019 at 7:27am PST

Bullet Journal Weekly Spread Approach #5 – Morph a pre-printed planner

So technically, Bullet Journaling is usually done on blank (or dotted) pages, but there are a lot of Bullet Journalists out there taking a hybrid approach in their planning techniques and morphing a pre-printed planner to include Bullet Journal techniques.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9RU2-jj3VH/
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A year ago I discovered the planner community. I had been trying to use a planner for years and never stuck with it. I still don’t use it every day and I’ve switched from a recollections to a bujo, but I’ve enjoyed being a part of this community. Looking forward to continuing this journey. What has your planned journey looked like?~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~ #plannercommunity #bujo #recollectionsplanner #supportsmallbusiness #bujostickers #washitape #planningahead #fakeplanner

A post shared by Sierra Lamb (@perceptively_type_a) on Jun 26, 2019 at 9:25am PDT

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Weekly review🤓💕 #plannergirl #plannercommunity #mulberryagenda #planneraddict #planner #plannersupplies #personalplanner #a6rings #plannerpeace #a6planner #filofax #canonphotography #canon50mm #canon77d #dslr #functionalplanner #functionalplanning #minimalplanner #dailyplanner #penaddict #functionalplanning #clothandpaper #clothandpapertrail #hobonichi #hobonichia6

A post shared by Planner page 🖤 (@cozyplanner) on Mar 14, 2020 at 10:45am PDT

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Looking at last week makes me nostalgic for when life was simple and toilet paper was accessible 🤣🧻 🌈 #erincondrenlifeplanner #eclp #erincondren #planner #plannerlove #plannerstickers #plannerkate #plannercommunity

A post shared by Megan (@planningbyaccident) on Mar 14, 2020 at 2:54pm PDT

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Next week set up and raring to go in my Kikki K 👌🏼 such a pretty fresh week. And I can’t wait for it. 💜✨

A post shared by 🤷🏻‍♀️planner Obsessed (@planneroverdose) on Mar 14, 2020 at 2:46pm PDT

Bullet Journal Weekly Spread Approach #6 – Go vertical

It’s fairly intuitive to lay out your journal like a book, but sometimes you just need a little more space. If this is true for you, try turning your journal ninety degrees and using a landscape layout.

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Experimenting with vertical weekly spread layouts in my passport sized travelers journal. The size isn’t optimal for horizontal, but turn it vertical, and voila!! . . . #yourvisualjournal #sketchnotes #journaling #creativejournaling #bulletjournal #bujo #journal #journaling #bujoinspiration #bujolove #bujoinspire #bulletjournaljunkies #showmeyourplanner #dotgrid #minimalistbujo

A post shared by Cathy Hutchison (@cathy.hutchison) on Mar 21, 2020 at 4:45am PDT

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Changes made in my daily in prepare for moving it to my Hobonichi in 2017. Yes, I'm migrating my monthly planner and dailies to Hobonichi A6, there will be no more parallel time ladder as I foreseen because of the available space and my schedule. I will only plan my day in my mind and keep my time ladder for the actual activities I have done. It's very important for me to track my work time to calculate the time cost I used for each of my artwork. So, am I going to abandon bullet journal? NO WAY I'm going to do that. I will use the bujo methodology in my Hobonichi; in the same time, I keep a bujo as my master planner, where I plan my Monthly Focus, Goal & Project Trackers and other collections like logging, listing & ideas. Pretty excited with the new change. Stay warm everybody!!

A post shared by Lavennz Ooi (@penpapersoul) on Dec 18, 2016 at 8:15am PST

How to know what to include in your Bullet Journal  Weekly Spread

Everyone’s life is different. Seriously, even your own life is different from season to season. 

With that in mind, here are four questions to help you figure out which elements you need to include in your weekly spread to focus it on your life right now: 

  1. What do I often forget to do? 
  2. On Sunday night, what do I need to know about the upcoming week? 
  3. What would relieve stress if I could see it at a glance? 
  4. What would be helpful to reflect on or review once the week is done? 

A Bullet Journal can be the place your mind trusts to hold information,(which keeps it from pinging you endlessly with random reminders). Design your layout to make it easy for your brain to chill, knowing you’ve got this. 

How to create a weekly spread to make space for what you are missing

The world we live in has a habit of rearranging our priorities with urgent distractions.  A bullet journal can help you design your life in a way that creates space for what matters most to you. 

Is there something important to you that you never seem to have time for? 

What if you could use your weekly spread to support you in making space for it? 

For example:

  • Want more room for creativity? Create a blank space in your weekly spread to doodle or sketch something each week. Or maybe just embellish the borders to add an artistic touch every week. 
  • Want a bigger focus on gratitude? Add a space at the end of each day to note what you are grateful for.
  • Want to be more consistent with an activity (like reading, or running, or drinking more water)? Track that in your spread! 

There is something powerful about writing down what we want. 

It helps us make it happen. 

Helpful tools to create your own weekly spread design

You can design your spread with just a pen and a journal, but there are tools that can help you make it more fun. 

Washi Tape

Once you have the basics of your spread laid out, washi tape is a great way to add a splash of color and creativity. (Read more on ways to use washi tape here!) 

Pick up this collection of Washi tape on Amazon.

or use this fun roll of Days of the Week washi.

Stamps

One way to keep your spreads consistent from week to week is to use a stamp for the months and days of the week.

Purchase these Spellbinders STP-008 Clear Acrylic Stamps on Amazon. Don’t forget that for acrylic stamps you will need stamp blocks. (And don’t forget the ink!)

Stickers

Stickers are just as much fun now as they were when we were kids, and can be a simple option for decorating your weekly bullet journal spreads.

Get this set from Paper House Productions on Amazon.

Brush Pens

A set of brush pens can help take your weekly spread to the next level; they’re useful for creating headers, quotes, and callout boxes.

Buy this set of Tombow Dual Brush Pens are our favorite! Get them from Amazon.

Magnetic Ruler

This magnetic ruler by Nakabayashi is such a fantastic journaling accessory. It folds over a page like a bookmark and helps you create a large straight edge when laying out pages.

Find the Nakabayashi Magnetic Bookmark at JetPens.

This post is full of inspiration on Bullet Journal Weekly Spreads. See what others have done, and get the know-how to design your own.

Using a bullet journal weekly spread in the real world

It’s one thing to look at gorgeous Pinterest and Instagram, examples, but quite another to use your Bullet Journal weekly spread in the real world.

In short, it’s going to get messy. 

Get over it. 

But if you just can’t, here are a few strategies to save a weekly spread that has gone pear-shaped:

  • Use a white label sticker to cover over a misstep and write on top of it. 
  • Cover a piece of errant information with washi tape. (Either enjoy the pattern or use a solid color and write on top of it.)
  • Cut a portion of the page off Dutch door style (see above: Approach #4).
  • Use a label maker, correction tape, or liquid paper to cover a line.

Keep in mind that your bullet journal is a workhorse, and not a show pony. This is personal to you. Put it to work! 

Ready to choose an approach and test drive it? 

The best way to create a spread that works is to test drive an approach, then see if you stick with it. Sticking with an approach is the ultimate test of whether or not it is supporting you in a real way. If it’s useful, then you’ll rely on it daily. If it’s a chore to keep up, then something about it isn’t aligned to what you need.

At which point, you scrap what you started with and test drive a different approach. 

You can do this! And in just a few weeks, you’ll have the layout that works exactly right for you right now. 

About Cathy Hutchison

Cathy Hutchison helps people get more joy, meaning, and freedom in a world of demands through the practice of visual journaling.

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Comments

  1. Rosemary

    March 24, 2020 at 10:27 AM

    So many great ideas! I like the small passport sized sideways on use of the pages best because it’s small and neat and practical. Hope the social distancing isn’t too proving too onerous. And yes, you definitely need to keep posting!

    Reply

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Some links on this site are affiliate links where the author receives a small (really small) commission for any purchases. Links on this site are for products I believe in. Funds are used to support journal supplies, a Toyota Yaris, & four crazy sweet Aussies who bark for treats every time I come in the door. (To be fair, I have a pattern of giving in to them.) I write about all kinds of journaling, and if Bullet Journaling is your thing, I’m here to support you. But if you want to go deep, go to the original source–Ryder Carroll, who created the system, and started it all at bulletjournal.com. I use the system daily which is why I started writing about it here.
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