Creating a Future Log in your Journal

How do you keep your life on track? Rose Kurmann (@littlemissrose) shows you how to create a future log in your bullet journal in this tutorial.

Usually when you start a bullet journal, one of the first things you create is a Future Log. A future log is like an overview for the year ahead. This is where you will note down any important dates, tasks, appointments or meetings which occur further in the future than the coming month.

Here I’ll show you how to create a simple future log in your bullet journal.

Supplies used:

Kelly Creates “Harmony” dotted journal
Kelly Creates Deluxe Lettering Kit
Kelly Creates Black Fineliners set
Kelly Creates Jewel Brush pens
Kelly Creates Black Practice Pad
Kelly Creates Floral Stamp Set
adhesive and stamp block

First, I map out my pages using a pencil from the Kelly Creates Deluxe Lettering Kit. For the future log, I’m going to draw 12 months over 4 pages in my journal, so 3 months per page.

My boxes for each month are 12 squares high by 26 squares wide and I’ve left a space the length of one square in between the boxes.

Next, tear 1.5cm strips from the Kelly Creates Blank Black Practice Pad. You will want a straight edge on one side of the strip and a jagged edge on the other side.

Using a glue stick or other adhesive, stick the strips of black paper down the left-hand side of both pages. Make sure to have the straight edge of the black paper along the edge of the page. The rough/jagged edges of the black paper will create interest.

Once you have done that and the adhesive has dried, add the month names to each box. I’ve chosen to use the Bronze Kelly Creates Jewel Pen for this. The jewel pens are lovely metallic brush pens which show up beautifully on both black and white paper. To make full use of how these pens look on both types of paper, make sure to add your lettering so that the top half is on the black paper and the bottom half is on the white paper (as shown).

Next add the monthly calendars into each box. I have written these using a Kelly Creates fine liner in size 01. You can also use the Kelly Creates Journal Stamp set. Tip: Make sure you check with a calendar when you’re doing this to avoid any mistakes!

You can choose to leave your future log like this, but if you want something a little but extra, then try adding some more detail by using some Kelly Creates stamps.

Here I’ve used a leaf stamp from the Kelly Creates Floral stamp set. To ink the stamp I simply brushed on some ink using the same Bronze Kelly Creates Jewel brush pen that I wrote the month names earlier. This has created lovely fine shimmering leaves to my pages. Now you’re set for a great year ahead!