How Long Does A Bullet Journal Last?
I have been using a bullet journal since 2015/16 so I have nearly 9 years of experience of evidence for how long a bullet journal lasts.
The short and simple answer is… it depends on how you use your bullet journal. In my experience, when I use a daily spread it lasts roughly 3 months and when I use a weekly spread it can last up to 6 months.
If you use your bullet journal often and pack it with pages and pages of collections and diary entries then you can expect your bullet journal to be used up a lot faster than if you used it sporadically.
In this article, I’m going to talk more about how long a bullet journal lasts and give you some tips about when you should start/end your bujo.
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What is a bullet journal?
A bullet journal is a great tool to help you stay organised and productive. It was created by Ryder Carroll in 2013 to help him manage his ADHD and keep on track of his tasks, ideas and goals.
The bullet journaling system is based around really simple symbols called ‘bullets’ that help you stay organised by categorising your tasks and notes.
I’ve been bullet journaling since 2015/16 and the main reason why I’ve stuck with it for so long is that it is ridiculously flexible.
You’re not stuck using one format.
You can adapt it to fit around your life without having to spend more money or time on a different setup.
Here are the basic symbols:
- • Task bullet: tasks
- X: completed tasks
- >: migrated tasks (tasks moved to another day)
- ○ Event bullet: events and appointments
- – Note bullet: ideas and information
Related Posts: The ultimate minimalist bullet journal for busy people

What factors influence how long a bullet journal lasts?
How long your bullet journal lasts depends on how you use it. For example, one person may use it in its simplest minimalist form whereas another person builds on the system by adding their personalised elements to it.
Here are some key factors that influence the bujo lifespan:
- Daily vs weekly spread: it’s pretty simple, If you create detailed daily spreads, your pages will fill up faster than if you just used weekly spreads. I like to use a daily spread because it gives me more flexibility on a day-to-day basis
- Minimalist vs artistic: minimalist designs will make your journal last longer whereas artistic layouts will probably shorten the lifespan of your bullet journal. For example, you might create a ‘new month’ spread with artistic designs tailored for the season. Both approaches are valid and one is not better than the other however, I’ve found a minimalist design to be the most practical
- Collections: collections are pages where you can keep your thoughts and lists in one place (e.g. lists of books you want to read, reflections etc…). They are typically kept at the back of your book. The more collections you add the quicker your bullet journal will fill up
- Trackers: these are incredibly popular with bullet journal users and anyone who is interested in improving their productivity. You can have habit trackers, mood trackers, energy trackers etc… Every tracker you add takes up more space.
Related Post: 101 Ways To Fill An Empty Notebook
How long do they last?
Based on my own experience, a typical A5 bullet journal lasts me around three months when I use it daily.
If I switch to a weekly spread, I can stretch it to about six months.
If you’re using your bullet journal for a specific project or task, like work or home maintenance, it might last a year or even longer.
But honestly, at that point, is it really bullet journaling?
The bullet journal is meant to be used regularly so if it becomes hyper-focused on one task it might feel like you’re losing some of the flexibility of the system. But that’s just my opinion.
Related Post: 81 Things To Write In A Journal When You’re Bored
What about different sizes?
The size of your bullet journal also impacts how long it lasts. Here’s what you can generally expect based on the size:
- Official Pocket Bullet Journal: Designed to last a month, but you get three in a pack
- A6: Typically lasts 1 to 3 months
- B6: Around 3 to 5 months
- A5: Lasts 3 to 6 months
- B5: 6 months to a year
- A4: Usually 6 months to a year or more
Of course, it depends on how often you use it and how you use it. If you’re someone who likes to add lots of trackers, collections, or daily spreads, it’s going to fill up much quicker
How many pages are there in a bullet journal?
The number of pages in a bullet journal depends on the brand and style. Most people use an A5 leuchtturm1917 dotted notebook for bullet journaling but moleskine is also quite popular.
A5 Dotted Notebooks:
- Leuchtturm1917 Hardcover A5: 251 pages, 80gsm.
- Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2: 206 pages, 120gsm.
- Leuchtturm1917 Softcover A5: 123 pages, 80gsm.
- Moleskine Softcover A5: 192 pages, 70gsm.
- Moleskine Hardcover A5: 240 pages, 70gsm.
- RETTACY A5 Dotted Notebook: 320 pages, 100gsm.
A6 Dotted Notebooks (Pocket-Sized):
- Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Pocket: 46 pages, 80gsm (pack of 3).
- Leuchtturm1917 Softcover A6: 123 pages, 80gsm.
- Leuchtturm1917 Hardcover A6: 187 pages, 80gsm.
- Moleskine Softcover A6: 192 pages, 70gsm.
- Moleskine Hardcover A6: 192 pages, 70gsm.
If you’re someone who likes to use daily spreads, collections and trackers, I recommend you use a notebook with more pages e.g. a Leuchtturm1917.

What should you do with old bullet journals?
Maybe I’m super biased when it comes to bullet journals…
I’ve never thrown away a single bullet journal in my life even the ones that documented a bad period in my life. My bullet journals are part of my story, they’re not just notebooks, they’re chapters of my life and mean so much to me.
There are a few different things you can do when you get to the end of your bullet journal:
- Keep them: put them in your archive (aka bookshelf or cupboard) and treat them as a record of your lived experience. Evidence that you existed in the world.
- Recycle them: if you don’t want them any more you can always recycle them to clear some space and so that the material can be repurposed
- Use them for scrapbooks: take pieces of your bullet journal and add them to your scrapbook, values vision board or create a collage out of it.
When should you start a new bullet journal?
Starting a new bullet journal is a highly personal decision, and there are no right or wrong answers. Your bullet journal is for YOU.
However, you might want to change your notebook for these reasons:
- Finished the Book: this should go without saying but once all the pages are filled, your book is finished
- New Chapter in Your Life: you can start a new bujo when you’re starting a new job, it’s a new year or after a big life event. For example, I started a new journal after the end of my relationship because I wanted a fresh start
- You DON’T Have to Finish Every Page: it’s okay to move on even if you haven’t filled every single page. Just do what feels right for you. If you want to start a new bullet journal, go ahead.
So, how long does your bullet journal last?
I’ve definitely hammered it in enough times during this blog post but you can make your bullet journal last as long as you want depending on how you use it.
I’ve recently switched to using a pocket-sized A6 bullet journal and I’m absolutely loving it. I plan on using it every day for everything!
My mini journal is a commonplace notebook so I don’t expect it to last longer than 2 months.
I still have an A5 bullet journal and I’ve been using it for 3 months and I’m only halfway through it.
So how do you plan on using your bullet journal? Are you hoping to make it last a long time or are you using it for creative expression?
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Related Posts:
- The ultimate minimalist bullet journal for busy people
- The Ultimate Guide To One-Line-A-Day Journaling
- 81 Things To Write In A Journal When You’re Bored
- 101 Ways To Fill An Empty Notebook
- 52 ESSENTIAL Journal Prompts For When You Feel Stuck In Life
- 35 Ridiculously Simple Morning Journal Prompts For Productivity