Some of the free printables offered here at Universal Journal can be combined to suit different needs. Let's look at combining the calendar with the Notemarks  (the note bookmarks) printable. The Notemarks sheets are meant to be printed front and back, creating a dot grid bookmark ideal for notes of all sorts. Whether single column, folded, or doubled folded, these notemarks serve as a base for the calendar printable as well. For those who want floating notes that you can use on a monthly basis, this combo makes a quick way to create this sort of tool for yourself. First, gather the calendar printable and cut out the pertinent month, and print out one of the notemark pages (front and back). Next, since most people would use a thin book mark the notemark page will need to be folded. First, fold in half by the long edge. Fold the notemark again lengthwise. Alternatively you could cut the notemark page in half along the first fold, then fold the half page in half once more. You can...

I found this short video on a DIY paper phone case. It's sturdy enough to hold something as heavy as a smart phone (or multiple writing implements) but also light enough to include as part of your everyday journal carry. This origami item could be modified to suit any number of things. Want to try some Origami? Click this origami paper affiliate link and you can help me out a little and get involved in a fantastic creative outlet.

Possibly the most popular and sought after bullet journal layout is the monthly spread. My own minimalist recommendation includes 2 trackers with a door feature. But perhaps you'd like to see some other ideas as well. If you're looking for monthly spread ideas for your bullet journal, Michaela from Between the steps offers a video of ten layouts. Several of these go beyond the scope of "ultra-streamlined" but you never know what might work for your journal. And you probably won't know what works for you unless you experiment and try some things . Let Michaela get you started. Also check out the latest  streamlined monthly spread . What ideas do you like for your journal? Comment here and be sure to subscribe!

Got a plain old notebook? There are plenty of options out there and you may not find one with all the features you like. But journalers are already familiar with customizing their journals and we tend to like that. Here's a super easy DIY option for a pocket. Not everyone needs a pocket in their journal. If you want a pocket but don't have one, here is a very simple method using one Legal or A4 size sheet of paper and double-sided tape. (Affiliate links included.) The Universal Journals are printed by Lulu.com Any print on demand service will be limited compared to a traditional printer. As capable as Lulu.com is (with quick turn around, worldwide availability, lots of product options for customers, and more), there are lots of things journalers might want in their  Universal Journal  that Lulu just can't do. At least not at this time. But this also makes for ideal customization. Make it your own. Got any other ideas for adding a pocket to a book? Comment h...

This month's spread combines some features mentioned here before. The ultra-streamlined monthly spread with habit tracker is combined with the small Calendar printout , and this month a new feature is introduced: the Dutch door. The Dutch door has some variants which include cutting out a portion of the page. In this ultra-streamlined style, the door need not be cut. It serves as an extension of the page spread. Making the door This Dutch door is as simple as it gets: fold one page in half along the vertical center, into the binding. With the door, the spread now uses three pages instead of two. But in page turning and numbering it still acts like only two. Using the door This particular photo shows the Dutch door featured in a monthly module. It can extend both pages of the spread independently. On one side the door extends the calendar from the left page, hosting the habit tracker on the right. But from the right page, the door extends anything else. Perhaps ...

If your notebook doesn't have a built in band, here are some DIY videos demonstrating two different methods to remedy that - building in a band. On YouTube, Sea Lemon offers a simple and quick way to add a rubber band around your journal. This particular method works best for a book with a thin, easy to puncture cover. It involves a hole-punch and a rubber band . (affiliate links) Also from Sea Lemon, for those who might want to try a more hard-core method of adding a band around your journal, here is a method for a hard cover book . It involves dismantling part of the back cover, cutting an elastic band , attaching it into the cover, and repairing the cover alteration from the first step. This method uses the following tools: (more affiliate links) Pencil Straight edge Cutting mat Bone folder Awl Xacto knife Utility knife Scissors Glue gun Do you have some other ideas for adding or techniques for using a band to a notebook? How do you keep track of yo...

Latest update: 2022 Calendar now available. In the Ultra-Streamlined style of journaling there are techniques and decisions to make. The goal of this style is to invest as little time and effort as possible into maintaining your journal. But what if you really need a feature that would take a long time to set up? This is one area for easy compromise. If you need a traditional monthly calendar layout, you can include it in your journal without having to manually write it all out. Instead just print, cut, and paste. For your printing pleasure, Universal Journal presents the free annual collection of month printouts. We offer two sets of these printouts (based on the free downloads made available by Bourja Ahmed  at Dreamstime). One set includes two sheets, with 8 months on one and 4 months on the second sheet. These are small cutouts that can be pasted in a corner the page, or anywhere out of the way of your content. These work well as a monthly overview.  Download ...

If your notebook doesn't have a pen loop built in, or if the loop it has doesn't fit your writing implement, you can remedy this problem yourself. Here is a very easy solution by PersonalizeMyPlanner on Youtube. If you want to try this idea, this one uses scissors ,  elastic , glue , and a binder clip . (affiliate links)   Alternatively, you can use duct tape instead of elastic and glue, as shown by Everyday Awesome TV . Got any other ideas for a DIY pen loop? Comment here.

If you're new to bullet journaling, keep this word in mind: customization. Regardless of the notebook of choice, journalers tend to customize. Over at the YouTube channel Mariana's Study Corner , there's a great video titled 10 Bullet Journal Hacks. These are quick, easy, and useful hacks to help you get more use out of your journal. Some of these modify the notebook itself, and some are functional ideas for using the bullet journal system. I don't use all of them but you never know what might work for you. If you've got 8 minutes, check it out here. Supplies Mariana used in this video (affiliate links): Washi Tape Dot Stickers Sticky Notes Card Stock Got any other bullet journal hack ideas? Comment here. And please subscribe!