Weekly vs Daily Logs: How to Pick the Perfect Bullet Journal Layout

However, knowing which layout will support you best {based on your planning needs and unique schedule}, isn't always black and white. Consider these elements first so you can get a running start in the right direction!

1. You may want to try a weekly log if…

• You like setting up one layout a week, rather than a new one every day.
• You enjoy seeing everything you have to do at a glance.
• You prefer to focus on a “highlights” task list without getting into too much detail.
• You're used to planning in a weekly format because of other planners you've tried.

2. You may want to try a daily log if…

• You have a lot of tasks to keep track of, which require more detailed to-do lists.
• You enjoy extra space with which to doodle, journal, and be creative.
• You want to jot down notes to correspond with each day, rather than keeping these on a separate page.
• You prefer to take each day as it comes, without getting distracted by everything you have to do on the other days.

To quickly recap: The Weekly Log serves as the go-between that breaks down your monthly tasks into more manageable, weekly bites. The Daily Log is there for you to customize exactly how you want your day to happen as well as provide space to record what things happen throughout your day.

Which begs the question…what if you want both?

3. You may want to try both if…

You like the weekly bullet journal overview but also want more detailed records of each day.

This is exactly what I do.

Every Sunday evening, I sketch out my Weekly Log and add an overview of my biggest tasks and appointments—things I call my “big rocks.” These are priority items that need to get done first.

I also add space for my:

• Weekly Meal Plan
• Habit Tracker
• Home + Personal to-do list {things that can get done any day of the week}
• A peek at next week
• and a quote or seasonal doodle

Sometimes, my Weekly Log shifts to make room for what I track. I've added Workouts and Income Trackers in the past, and I'll probably add or subtract other things again in the future. That's what I love about bullet journaling—it's so versatile!

For my Daily Log, I'll set up the next day every evening before bed {one of my 10 daily habits}. I add in those most important tasks from my Weekly Log first, then fill in with a few other little tasks that have popped in my head since Sunday night.

But of course, this is my normal weekly planning routine. When I'm on vacation or have a lighter week, sometimes I'll just use a Weekly Log because I don't need a detailed look at each day.

It might seem like a waste of time to write tasks down on my Weekly Log AND my Daily Log, but I've manipulated my Weekly Log dozens of times and haven't been able to come up with a good solution that covers everything I need in a single two-page spread.

So I do both. And it works for me. 🙂

How to know what you really need

If you're still feeling a little paralyzed, pull out a piece of paper right now {or your bullet journal!} and make a list of all the things that are important to you to track as well as things you would like to track on a weekly and daily basis.

Then think about whether you can incorporate all those things into a two-page Weekly Log, or if it would be better to expand some of your list into a Daily Log as well.

Maybe you have a lot to track and think a Weekly/Daily combination is inevitable. Think again! It amazes how much other bullet journalists can pack into a Weekly Log. Take a peek at their Instagram accounts, if you need inspiration:

• @nerdy.teacher
• @my_blue_sky_design
• @plansthatblossom

The biggest appeal of bullet journaling is that no layout is set in stone. You can change everything about your journal until it functions exactly the way you need it to for your current season of life, so don't feel pressured to stick with one “log” over another.

Most of all, embrace the journey.

I don't know of any other planner that allows you to experiment with your set up one week and tweak it the next if it's not quite right yet. While it's easy to get frustrated when you don't get it perfect on the first {or second} try, remind yourself that this flexibility is what makes bullet journaling so incredible!

And I promise you will stumble on the perfect planning layout for you. It might take some time, but you'll get there…and you'll be glad you stuck with it.

To bullet journal weekly vs daily:

Do you use one or the other—or both??

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