24 examples of bullet journal annual theme ideas in 2024

Whenever I start planning for my annual themes, I love having a little collection of theme ideas for my bullet journal!

I started making this little collection of annual themes ideas I liked throughout the year! This made it really simple for me for to combine them at the start of the year to keep my themes cohesive! I really thought I was the only one, but it turned out there were tons of amazing bullet journalists who also did this exact same thing!

Watch the summarised version of this post!

What is a bullet journal theme?

A bullet journal theme is something you would use to curate or design the look and feel of your journal on a monthly or annual theme.

It is pretty simple to identify if you have a theme or not – if you regularly draw flowers or floral doodles, then this would mean you have a “floral theme”

If you are looking for the largest collection of bullet journal themes check out our alphabetical list!

How to overcome overwhelm when looking for annual theme ideaa for your bullet journal

When you’re starting out with your bullet journal, it can be really overwhelming finding a theme that suits your style and vibe. You might have headed onto pinterest and now are down a rabbit hole of amazing spreads that you don’t feel match your skill set yet, it can start feeling really overwhelming. Do not get sucked into that though! Your skills are perfect right now!

Why is having a bullet journal theme a good idea?

Sometimes when you have started creating a bullet journal you might want to start trying new styles and ways of doing different spreads and layouts. That is such a fun way to make things feel different in your notebook!

Some people do not love having the same theme throughout the year, so they like changing it up, and to do this they use a theme guide to help them plot out how they will change those themes. It could also be that you might want to have a larger theme like “Harry Potter” and then have smaller individual themes per month.

While you don’t see it often, many people have a certain style for their bullet journal which carries throughout the year. Some people do get very creative with their styles and it almost ends up being a theme.

How can having an annua theme in your bujo help keep you focused?

By taking out the guess work monthly by having a predetermined theme for your bujo then planning it out at the start of the year will help keep you on track and it mean that you wont need to be distracted by other things in your bujo. It means you can use your bullet journal more productively because it is one less thing for you need to focus on!

If you have a word of the year that you love then another awesome reason to theme your bullet journal is to keep you focused on your yearly visions and goals which align with your word of the year!

Having a bullet journal can also help with

Helps create a consistant look and feel between your spreads
It helps save your time by having predetermined themes ready to go
It helps push you to think about different themes and looks and feels for your journal. Push your boundaries
Help you to feel less “locked-into” a theme or style in your bullet journal
Limit your supplies and use of washi tape to the theme you have in mind

How to plan out your bullet journal annual themes!

Welcome to a creative journey of organizing and manifesting your ideas through the art of bullet journaling! Whether you’re a seasoned journal enthusiast or a beginner, embarking on a year of spreading ideas in your bullet journal can be an exciting and fulfilling endeavor. This guide will walk you through the steps to effectively plan and execute your creative aspirations, making the most of your bullet journal along the way.

Step 1: Set Your Intentions Before diving into the artistic realm of your bullet journal, take some time to reflect on your goals and intentions for the year. What ideas do you want to spread? Are you focusing on personal growth, creative projects, or professional aspirations? By clarifying your intentions, you’ll have a clear direction to guide your bullet journal entries throughout the year.

Step 2: Choose a Dedicated Section Designate a specific section in your bullet journal for your spread ideas. This could be the first few pages, a dedicated spread index, or even an entire journal dedicated solely to your creative endeavors. This separation will help you easily track and organize your ideas as they come to life.

Step 3: Brainstorm and Capture Start the process by brainstorming a list of ideas you want to spread throughout the year. These could include personal goals, book lists, travel plans, wellness routines, creative projects, and more. Jot down each idea in your dedicated section, leaving space for further development.

Step 4: Create a Monthly Overview Divide your bullet journal into monthly sections and begin each month with an overview spread. This spread can include a monthly calendar, key events, and a space to outline the spread ideas you want to focus on for that month. This will serve as a roadmap to ensure you’re consistently working toward your spreading goals.

Step 5: Develop Detailed Spreads For each spread idea, create detailed and visually appealing spreads. Use a combination of text, doodles, icons, and colors to bring your ideas to life. Consider using different layouts, such as mind maps, timelines, or lists, to effectively convey your concepts. This is where your creative expression shines.

Step 6: Track Progress and Reflect As you work on spreading your ideas throughout the year, make sure to track your progress. Create trackers or logs to monitor your achievements, milestones, and any adjustments you make to your original plans. Additionally, dedicate space for reflections on how each idea is evolving and impacting your life.

Step 7: Embrace Flexibility While planning is essential, it’s equally important to embrace flexibility. Life is unpredictable, and sometimes your plans might need adjustments. Your bullet journal should adapt to these changes and allow room for spontaneous ideas that might arise along the way.

Step 8: Engage with Your Community If you’re comfortable, consider sharing your bullet journal journey with others. Social media platforms and online communities are great places to connect with fellow journal enthusiasts, share your progress, and gain inspiration from others’ spreading ideas.

Step 9: Celebrate Your Achievements As the year progresses, don’t forget to celebrate your achievements and milestones. Whether you’ve completed a creative project, achieved a personal goal, or successfully spread an idea, take the time to acknowledge your efforts and growth.

Step 10: Reflect and Plan for the Future As the year comes to a close, take some time to reflect on your bullet journal journey. What did you learn? How did your ideas evolve? What would you do differently in the future? Use these reflections to inform your planning for the next year of spreading ideas in your bullet journal.

By following these steps, you’ll embark on a transformative journey of creativity, organization, and personal growth. Your bullet journal will serve as a powerful tool to not only spread your ideas but also cultivate a deeper connection with your aspirations and dreams. Happy journaling!

You can download the printable I created for you to help get you started!

Plan out your annual theme Download