Before we start: Please note that the following post is not sponsored by any of the brands mentioned below, and that I haven't been paid to talk about my favourite bullet journaling tools. This is just me sharing what I use. Enjoy!

 

When I first discovered bullet journaling, I remember feeling equal parts excited and overwhelmed. There are so many gorgeous tools, notebooks, and accessories out there that it’s easy to fall into “decision paralysis” and feel like you’re doing it wrong if you don’t have the perfect supplies.

But here’s the truth: you don’t need a huge collection of fancy stationery to make bullet journaling work for you. Over the years, I’ve found a handful of tools that do the job beautifully, without the stress or clutter. If you’re just starting out (or simply want to simplify your setup), here are my go-to favourites.

What I Use

1. The Notebook

Your notebook is the heart of your bullet journal. You can technically use any notebook, but I’ve found that plain or dotted paper works best - lined pages feel a bit too rigid, and grid paper can be overwhelming to the eye.

My sweet spot is A5 size (210 × 148 mm), with paper thick enough to prevent ink bleeding.

Some notebooks I’ve loved:

• Agenzio by Paperchase - the one I’m currently using (sadly discontinued after the chain closed down).
• Leuchtturm 1917 - a classic, and a favourite I’ve returned to many times.

👉 The most important thing is finding a notebook you enjoy using. You may need to experiment with a few before you land on the perfect fit.

2. The Pens

I keep things really simple here too - I mainly rotate between four types of pens:

• Thick (Tombow N15)
  Perfect for headers, titles, banners, and bold decorative elements.
• Medium (PaperMate Flair Medium)
  Great for subheadings, underlining, or adding emphasis with a bold effect.
• Extra Thin (gel pens like Pilot G-Tec, Muji, or Kenji)
  Ideal for tiny notes, drawing small icons, or writing out quotes neatly.
• Generic ballpoint pen
  This is what I do most of my day-to-day writing with - nothing fancy, just reliable.

3. A Touch of Colour

I’m a very visual person, so I like to use colour as a way of coding and organising information. It’s not just about decoration for me: it’s about making pages easier to scan at a glance (though it definitely makes journaling more fun too!).

Here’s what I reach for:

• Highlighters - I love mild, softer colours that don’t overwhelm the page. My favourites at the moment are the Stabilo BOSS pastel highlighters.
• Colourful pens - I've experimented with A LOT of different kinds of colourful pens, and the PaperMate Flair Medium - Assorted Colours set is my go-to for clean, vibrant colours and ease of writing.  

What I Don’t Use (and Why)

Some journalers go all-in with washi tape, stickers, and scrapbooking accessories. And if that sparks joy for you, absolutely go for it!

But for me, those extras actually add stress.

Instead of inspiring me, they make me feel overwhelmed and indecisive. That’s why I stick to my minimalist setup.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’re new to bullet journaling and wondering where to begin, check out my post: Bullet Journaling for Beginners: 10 Easy Tips to Get You Started.

And if you’d love a little help setting up your first spread, I created a free starter kit just for you: The Whimsy Weekly Bullet Journal Starter Kit. It includes a ready-to-use weekly layout and some decorative elements to make your journal both beautiful and functional.

👉 Click here to grab your free kit!

✨ And that’s it! These are the only tools I use in my bullet journal. Simple, functional, and easy to stick with, no overwhelm required.