Keeping your privates private - Dutch Doors in your Bullet journal

We’ve all seen Dutch Doors over the internet and we know you have been thinking about trying dutch doors in your bullet journal. Creating a bullet journal dutch door can help give you a ton more realestate to write in during your week!

Another clever way to use your bullet journal dutch door is to make a “fauxbonich” which is a fake hobonichi notebook, you can learn more in our post on what hobonichi is

You have a journal – and one of the biggest issues that come with it is keeping your “intimates” intimate. It could be anything from conception trackers, period trackers, all the way through to passwords, card expiry dates etc. Now – I want to be clear here – its ever a great idea having important passwords in a journal that could go missing. However – I KNOW I am naughty because I do pop them in there – so this post is to go through some clever ways on how not to make them overly public.

One great way to do this is through a dutch door. Now if you haven’t heard of a dutch door, don’t feel overwhelmed, simply put its a cut in your journal to make the pages smaller OR its where you fold a page to hid information. I have rounded up some great examples below. Now another example of this is to use an envelope and place your unmentionables in the envelope! Either on a wee card or on some dot paper to match your journal.

So having said that in the most simple way; lets get to some great examples!

Bullet journaling is all about customization and creativity, and Dutch doors are a fantastic addition that can level up your journaling game. In this blog post, we’ll explore what Dutch doors are and how they can help you organize your thoughts, tasks, and ideas more effectively. Plus, we’ll provide step-by-step instructions on how to create your own Dutch doors to make your bullet journal truly unique!

What are Dutch Doors in Bullet Journaling?

Dutch doors are a layout technique that involves cutting or folding a page in your bullet journal in a way that creates a unique “split-page” effect. The result is a partially open section that allows you to view different parts of your journal at once, enhancing the overall functionality and creativity of your spreads.

Why Use Dutch Doors in Your Bullet Journal?

Enhanced Organization: Dutch doors help you divide your page into different sections, making it easier to organize daily, weekly, or monthly tasks without flipping between pages.
Quick Reference: Keep important information visible while you navigate through other sections of your journal, making it a breeze to refer back to key dates or notes.
Creative Flexibility: Dutch doors offer an artistic touch, allowing you to incorporate beautiful designs and decorative elements to personalize your bullet journal.
Space Efficiency: Get more out of your pages by maximizing the available space, especially if you’re using a smaller notebook or have limited pages left.

Unleash your creativity and enhance your bullet journal’s visual allure by incorporating a captivating Dutch door design into your cover page. A Dutch door creates a unique and artistic entrance to your journal, immediately drawing you into a world of inspiration and organization.

Dutch Door Bullet Journal Cover Page: A Glimpse of Intrigue

Imagine flipping open your bullet journal to be greeted by a Dutch door cover page – a tantalizing glimpse into the vibrant contents that lie within. With a carefully crafted cutout, your cover page transforms into a captivating preview, offering a tantalizing sneak peek at the pages beyond. It’s a statement of individuality, setting the tone for a journaling journey that’s as dynamic as it is organized.

Seamlessly Integrating Dutch Door Elements

Integrating a Dutch door into your bullet journal cover page is an artful process that seamlessly combines aesthetics with practicality. Whether you opt for an elegant half-page cutout or a more intricate design, the Dutch door becomes a canvas for your artistic expression. Use it to showcase motivational quotes, intricate mandalas, or even a glimpse of your upcoming monthly spread.

The Dutch Door’s Dual Nature

Beyond its visual allure, the Dutch door cover page serves a dual purpose. As you open the journal, the cutout offers a dedicated space to jot down quick notes, inspiring ideas, or your current focus. This clever integration of functionality ensures that your journal is not just a static repository, but an interactive hub that adapts to your needs.

Embrace the Dutch door’s charm as you embark on your journaling journey. Let your creativity flow through every cutout and stroke, transforming your bullet journal cover page into an inviting gateway to your inner thoughts and aspirations. With each turn of the page, you’ll be reminded of the seamless fusion of artistry and organization that defines your unique bullet journaling experience.

Want to see how to make some simple dutch doors?

In this video we walk you through creating dutch doors in your happy planner! Simple and effective!

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Dutch Doors:

Gather Your Supplies:
- Bullet journal notebook
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Eraser
- Craft knife or scissors (if cutting)
- Washi tape or decorative stickers (optional)
Plan Your Layout: Decide where you want the Dutch door to be placed. It could be on a weekly spread, a monthly overview, or even a collection page. Mark the areas you’ll cut or fold with a light pencil.
Cutting Method: For the cutting method, carefully use a craft knife or scissors to cut along the marked lines. Make sure to have a steady hand and be cautious to avoid cutting through other pages.
Folding Method: If you prefer the folding method, place a ruler along the marked lines and gently fold the page back and forth a few times until it’s easy to maneuver.
Decorate and Customize: Add decorative washi tape or stickers along the edges of the Dutch door to give it a polished look. You can also doodle or write inspiring quotes to make it uniquely yours.
Utilize the Dutch Door: Now that your Dutch door is ready, start using it creatively! Use the “split” section for quick daily tasks, habit trackers, or meal planning, while the main section can contain your weekly or monthly events and notes.

Dutch doors are a fantastic way to add functionality and artistic flair to your bullet journal. With their ability to enhance organization, create quick references, and maximize space, Dutch doors have become a popular technique in the bullet journaling community. So, grab your supplies and unleash your creativity by experimenting with Dutch doors in your bullet journal to create spreads that are both visually stunning and highly functional!

Reasons to use a dutch door in your bullet journal

Dutch doors in bullet journaling offer various functions that can make your journal more versatile and organized. Here’s a list of functions and benefits:

Task Separation: Dutch doors allow you to divide your page into distinct sections for different tasks, such as separating your weekly to-do list from your daily schedule.
Time Blocking: Use Dutch doors to create time-blocked sections, enabling you to allocate specific time slots for different activities throughout the day.
Quick Reference: Keep important information visible and easily accessible by using the open section as a quick reference point while flipping through other pages.
Weekly and Monthly Overviews: With Dutch doors, you can have a weekly overview on the top section and a more detailed daily breakdown below, giving you a comprehensive view of your week at a glance.
Habit Tracking: Utilize the open section for habit trackers, where you can monitor your progress on various habits and easily mark them off each day.
Meal Planning: Create meal planning sections within the Dutch door to jot down your meal ideas, grocery lists, and favorite recipes.
Collections and Notes: Keep your collections, such as book lists, travel plans, or gratitude logs, organized in the open section while having ample space for additional notes.
Monthly Challenges: Dutch doors can accommodate monthly challenges, such as fitness goals, art challenges, or mindfulness practices, allowing you to focus on your objectives.
Sticky Note Holder: The open section acts as a clever space to stick small sticky notes or index cards, perfect for temporary lists or reminders.
Weather Tracker: Design the top section as a weather tracker, noting daily weather patterns and temperature changes for your location.
Budgeting: Divide your budgeting section into income and expenses, and easily compare your planned budget with your actual spending.
Gratitude Journaling: Dedicate the open section to gratitude journaling, where you can list daily moments of gratitude and positivity.
Goal Tracking: Track your short-term and long-term goals, using the open section as a visual reminder of your progress and accomplishments.
Daily Affirmations: Write positive affirmations in the open section, serving as uplifting reminders to boost your confidence and mindset.
Monthly Review: Reserve the top section for monthly reflections and review, allowing you to assess your achievements and set new goals for the upcoming month.

Remember, the beauty of Dutch doors lies in their versatility, and you can get as creative as you want with their functions. Tailor them to suit your specific needs, and watch as they add both functionality and aesthetics to your bullet journal spreads! 📓🖌️✨