My Bullet Journal Must-Haves

Hello, gorgeousness! Today's blog post is all about my bullet journal must-haves, which I've been asked about so much. I thought it'd be fun to share what I use and chat about some of my favorites!

These items are pretty much essentials for me and beginner-friendly since I'm still learning too. Disclaimer: you don't need everything on this list. These are just my personal picks that I've loved and used for a while. Honestly, all you really need to start bullet journaling is a pen and a journal.

But anyway, here are my bullet journal must-haves:

The journal

I'm using a basic A5 dotted journal from Shopee that cost less than RM30 — so happy with it! The quality is amazing, and it hardly bleeds. Look for ivory paper with 120 gsm and up if you're shopping around. It's a bit tricky to find on Shopee, but worth it.

The pens

I get asked a lot, "What are the best pens for journaling?"

Honestly, everyone has their own favorites. There's no one-size-fits-all. Just use what you like and what feels comfy. I have jars full of artist pens that I adore. I don't buy pens just because of hype; I go for the ones that are reliable, comfy, and easy to use. 

1. Fineliners

I use these the most in my journal for various things. I can’t imagine journaling without them.

The Artline Pigment Ink is a fave of mine. I have it in 0.1mm, 0.2mm, 0.3mm, and 0.4mm. They're perfect for drawing lines, illustrations, and headings. They're smooth, don't bleed, and dry quickly.

I also have the Pentel Pointliner in different thicknesses, especially 0.05mm. It's great for super thin lines, like tiny calendars. It's awesome for a minimalist look but takes a bit longer to dry.

And then there's a gel ink pen in 0.38mm that I use daily for writing logs and notes. It's smooth, doesn't bleed, and is super affordable. You can find it at any local dollar store or supermarket that has stationery aisles.

2. Tombow dual brush pens

I'm just really into calligraphy and brush lettering, so these Tombow brush pens are a must for me. They're an investment (because it's totally not cheap for just one brush pen) but so worth it. They last a long time and come in individual colors or packs, so you can find every shade you need.

3. Zebra Mildliners brush pens

These were some of my first brush pens. They're great for calligraphy, but the tip gets a bit blunt over time. Still, they're a good, cheaper option.

4. Zebra Mildliners highlighters

I love these dual-ended highlighters with a chisel tip and a fine tip. They're suitable for coloring and highlighting. I got them in muted colors that aren't too bright. I bought them in packs, so I'm not sure if they're sold individually.

Other supplies

Generally, my bullet journal setup is pretty simple. I mostly carry my gel pen and brush pens for the month, but here are a few extra supplies I use for setting up spreads:

• Clear ruler - I usually draw straight lines freehand, but I use a ruler for super clean lines. I need it to be clear so I can see exactly where I'm drawing.

• Paper adhesive - For pasting things into my journal, I love the Tombow Pit Air glue tape. It's neat and easy to use compared to glue sticks.

• Correction tape - It irks me seeing mistakes in my journal, so correction tape has become a must-have. I got a cheap one from a dollar store that comes with a refill and works perfectly.

• Soft rubber eraser - I use Faber Castell Dust-Free erasers in pastel colors. They're cute and don't break apart, which is just amazing.

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Do you keep a journal? What are your must-haves?