Before we get started, I would like to preface this blog post with a very important statement:
You absolutely and categorically do not need a tonne of journaling supplies to start a journal! All you actually need is some form of notebook and a pen or pencil.
The “more is more” approach is heavily promoted within the planning/journaling community and this can be hugely overwhelming for those that are new to journaling. I feel very strongly that the ability to buy supplies shouldn’t be a barrier to starting what can be a hugely beneficial hobby, both in terms of productivity and mental health.
Having said all of that, I LOVE stationery as much as the next person (probably more – that’s why I started a stationery shop), so if you feel like you want to grow your collection, here are 12 practical items that I wouldn’t be without when setting up my journal spreads.
Essential Supplies Wishlist – With Links
1. Oops a Daisy Journal (Obvs)
Now, I may be biased, but when we went about creating our journals we put in it everything that I look for when I was personally shopping for a new journal!
- 5mm dot-grid – The most popular style in the journaling community and co-ordinates with all of our stencils.
- Centre and side centre page marks – To make lay out easier.
- Lay-flat binding – Makes creating layouts easier as your journal lays completely flat on your desk.
- Ultra white pages – Looks bright and crisp as a backing for your journal spreads.
- 160gsm paper – No ghosting for water based pens (you will find alcohol markers ghost through even the thickest of paper weights).
- Pocket at the back – For storing stickers and stencils on the go.
2. Pigma Micron 04 Pen
This is my go to, day-to-day journaling pen. I have tried a lot of fineliners and this is the one I keep going back to.
Minimum smudging and the perfect thickness for use with our journal stencils.
3. Pencil
Essential for sketching out layouts before putting pen to paper. I have recently purchased a Lamy mechanical pencil, but really any will do!
4. Coloured Pens
I love Sakura Koi Brush pens for adding colour to the page and also for highlighting completed tasks on my to-do list.
I find these go on smoothly and are easy to colour with even for a serious beginner artist (like me!)
5. Eraser
Fun fact… I used to collect novelty erasers when I was a child! My current go-to eraser is the Snopake eraser included within our “Pocket Full of Sunshine” quarterly sub box.
6. Corrector Tape
I would not be without my Tippex correction tape – I use it within almost every journal set up!
7. Glue Roller
Essential for sticking scrapbook paper into my journal, so much less messy than liquid glue! I use the Glue Dot Roller from Oops a Daisy.
8. Beginners Stencil Collection
This set of 4 stencils is perfect for getting you started with using stencils in your journal.
It includes our Super Easy Daily, Weekly and Monthly stencils, Cheri Font stencil and a 2024 habit tracker printable.
9. Grid Guide
The Oops a Daisy Grid Guide makes setting up your journal spreads really easy… No counting dots necessary!
We have created an entire resource of ways to use this tool in your journal…
10. Calendar Tabs
I personally don’t use an index within my journal, so these calendar tab stickers are essential for quick navigation!
We have two designs available:
11. Sticky Notepad
I use an A6 sticky notepad alongside my journal, this is where I jot down my “messy” ideas and thoughts that I need to work out further before adding to my actual journal. My favourite brand for this is the Snopake Lined Pad.
12. Vertical Numbers & Days Washi Tape
The secret weapon to quick monthly spreads and habit trackers – Our vertical numbers and days Washi tape perfectly aligns with the 5mm dot grid.
Find out more:
Start with the basics
You will notice that all of the items above are all focussed on making your journal set-up quick and easy. Decorative items are a whole other category, and the possibilities are endless (and will very much depend on your personal tastes). If you are new to journaling I would always recommend getting the basics down first before getting too overwhelmed with how you will decorate your pages. Perhaps start with a colourful Washi tape and some stickers while you develop your journaling style!
What are your thoughts?
Have I included all of your essential journaling supplies on my list? Is there anything missing?
Drop me a comment below x
Join us to set up your next journal!
Check out “Journal With Oops a Daisy” a four week programme to support you through journal set-up and beyond!
The programme is totally free to join with a small donation* to our chosen charity: St Clare Hospice, Hastingwood via our Just Giving page.
*No minimum, give what you can afford. Access to the resources is granted for 3 months after sign up.
I’m new to bujo and I agree with the overwhelming part, even though I’m a card maker and have, what seems like an almost endless supply of paper crafting bits and pieces. I’m starting my first bujo for 2024 in the hope I can keep it going all year as I tend to give up with the diary type ones. I really like your stencils and will be using a lot of them, a lot, also on my can’t do without list is your Christmas planner download.
Good luck with your first BuJo! Hope you love it as much as we do 🙂 xx
I have just started a reading journal. I have used the A-Z bookshelves as an index. I think it was intended as a tracker but I thought if I used them as needed as mini-indexes throughout the journal so I can fill it in chronologically. I thought edging them in a matching washi tape would help too.
When I started journaling I went all out, bought watercolors, chalks, gel pens and so on but frankly today I use these basics more, obviously I have a ridiculous pen collection, but also a huge washi, stickers and stencil collection 😂
I would suggest a pencil case or a storage bag of some sort. The amount of times I found someone checking out my supplies in the early days….and ended up running for their lives🤣….xxx