Bullet Journaling in ClickUp: Step-by-Step Guide
Using ClickUp as a digital bullet journal lets you capture tasks, notes, and goals in one organized system that is easier to search, update, and automate than a paper notebook.
This how-to guide walks you through building a flexible bullet journal workspace based on the approach explained in the original ClickUp bullet journaling article.
Why Use ClickUp for Bullet Journaling
Traditional bullet journals rely on a notebook, a legend of symbols, and an index. ClickUp gives you the same structure with added power:
- Fast search and filters instead of flipping pages
- Recurring tasks instead of rewriting habits every month
- Reusable templates for daily logs, weekly spreads, and collections
- Custom views for calendar, board, and list layouts
Below is a practical system you can implement immediately.
Set Up Your Bullet Journal Space in ClickUp
Begin by creating a dedicated area that mirrors your notebook hierarchy.
Create a Bullet Journal Space in ClickUp
- Open ClickUp and go to your workspace sidebar.
- Click + Space and name it Bullet Journal (or any name you prefer).
- Choose a color and icon that make the space easy to spot.
- Enable features you’ll use often: Docs, Notepad, Calendar, and Dashboards.
This Space acts like the cover of your journal, keeping all lists and logs together.
Add Core Lists for Your Bullet Journal in ClickUp
Within the new Space, create a few core lists that represent the main sections of a classic bullet journal:
- Future Log – long-term events and goals
- Monthly Log – monthly overview and tasks
- Daily Log – rapid logs of tasks, events, and notes
- Collections – themed pages like reading lists, project ideas, and trackers
Each list functions like a section of your notebook, but can be filtered and sorted in ClickUp.
Build Your Bullet Journal Legend in ClickUp
The legend is how you quickly understand the status and type of each entry. In ClickUp, you can recreate the classic bullet journal legend using statuses, tags, and custom fields.
Recreate Bullet Symbols with ClickUp Statuses
Bullet journals use symbols such as:
- • for tasks
- O for events
- – for notes
- > for migrated items
- < for scheduled items
Set up custom statuses in ClickUp that mirror these ideas. For example:
- To Do – any new task or idea
- In Progress – currently being worked on
- Completed – finished tasks
- Migrated – moved to a new list or date
- Scheduled – assigned to a future date
Statuses give you a visual equivalent of symbols without needing to memorize a legend.
Use Tags and Custom Fields in ClickUp
Tags and fields let you keep the minimalist feel of a bullet journal while capturing more context:
- Create tags such as #task, #event, and #note.
- Add a custom field like Entry Type with options Task, Event, Note.
- Optionally add fields for Priority, Area of Life, or Time Estimate.
This structure allows you to filter and sort your entries the way you would mentally scan a page in a paper journal.
Create a Future Log in ClickUp
The future log is where you store anything that belongs beyond the current month.
Build a Future Log List in ClickUp
- Open your Bullet Journal Space in ClickUp.
- Create a list named Future Log.
- Add the Calendar view for long-term scheduling.
Use this list to capture:
- Upcoming trips and major events
- Projects planned for later in the year
- Deadlines that are months away
When a new month starts, migrate relevant items from the Future Log into your Monthly Log list.
Design a Monthly Log in ClickUp
The monthly log gives you a snapshot of the month plus a list of tasks you want to tackle.
Set Up Monthly Views in ClickUp
- Create a list called Monthly Log.
- Add three views in ClickUp:
- Calendar view for events and appointments
- List view for tasks and notes
- Board view grouped by status or priority
- Create tasks for your key goals, deadlines, and important reminders.
Each new month, you can create a folder or sublist named for that month to keep items organized chronologically.
Run Your Daily Log in ClickUp
The daily log is where bullet journaling in ClickUp really shines. You can capture rapid entries without worrying about page space.
Create Daily Entries in ClickUp
- In your Daily Log list, create a task for each day (for example, “2026-01-10 Daily Log”).
- Inside the task description, add sections for:
- Tasks
- Events
- Notes
- Log entries as bullet points, just like on paper.
Alternatively, create a separate task for each item (one task per note or to‑do) and group them by date using a date field or the due date.
Use ClickUp Templates for Daily Logs
To avoid rebuilding your layout each day:
- Set up a well-structured daily log task in ClickUp, with headings for tasks, events, and notes.
- Save it as a task template.
- Use the template every morning to create a new daily page in seconds.
This keeps your daily system consistent while reducing setup time.
Organize Collections in ClickUp
Collections are themed pages for reference and brainstorming.
Set Up Collection Lists in ClickUp
In your Bullet Journal Space, use the Collections list to store:
- Reading lists and watchlists
- Project ideas and mind maps
- Habit trackers and goal breakdowns
- Gratitude logs or reflection pages
Each collection can be a single task with a detailed description, or you can create multiple tasks under one list and group them with tags.
Track Habits and Goals with ClickUp
Bullet journals often include habit trackers and goal spreads. ClickUp makes these interactive.
Build Habit Trackers in ClickUp
- Create a task called Habit Tracker – [Month] in your Collections list.
- Use a checklist or table in the task description with habits as rows and days as columns.
- Optionally, create recurring tasks in ClickUp for critical habits so they appear on your Calendar and in your daily views.
You can also use custom fields (like a dropdown for habit status) and Dashboards to visualize progress.
Set and Review Goals in ClickUp
To keep goals aligned with your bullet journal:
- Create a Goals collection task and break objectives into subtasks.
- Link goal subtasks to relevant daily and monthly log items in ClickUp.
- Use the built-in Goals feature for higher level tracking if your plan becomes more complex.
Regular reviews become easier because you can filter by status, date, or tag.
Best Practices for Bullet Journaling with ClickUp
To keep your digital journal simple and effective, follow these habits.
Keep ClickUp Views Minimal
Avoid creating too many lists and views. Focus on:
- One Space for your bullet journal
- A small set of core lists: Future, Monthly, Daily, Collections
- Two or three main views per list
This preserves the minimalist spirit of a traditional bullet journal while using ClickUp’s flexibility.
Review and Migrate Regularly in ClickUp
Migrate items just like you would in a paper journal:
- At the end of each day, move incomplete tasks to tomorrow or back to the Monthly Log.
- At the start of the month, review the previous month and your Future Log list.
- Update statuses to Migrated or Scheduled in ClickUp instead of rewriting.
These rituals keep your system tidy and trustworthy.
Next Steps: Expand Your ClickUp Bullet Journal
Once your basic structure is in place, you can extend your setup with automations, dashboards, and integrations to tailor ClickUp to your personal productivity style.
If you want expert help designing advanced workflows, automation, and AI-driven organization around ClickUp, consider consulting specialists such as Consultevo for more strategic implementation support.
Start with the simple space, lists, and views described above, then refine as you go. With a clear legend, consistent logs, and focused collections, ClickUp can become a powerful, searchable, and reusable version of your favorite bullet journal.
Need Help With ClickUp?
If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your ClickUp workspace, work with ConsultEvo — trusted ClickUp Solution Partners.
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