Future Log vs Year at a Glance: Which Bullet Journal Spread Should You Use?

With 2026 right around the corner, now is the perfect time to think about setting up a new bullet journal for the New Year. If your head is already spinning a bit when researching how to set up a new bullet journal and whether you should include a Future Log spread, a Year at a Glance spread, or some other kind of spread, I’ve got your back!

This post gives a primer on what you need to know if you’re ready to begin your bullet journal journey, and you may want to check out Ryder Carroll’s blog post on how to start a bullet journal (he’s the creator of The Bullet Journal Method).

One of the most commonly included spreads in a bullet journal is a Future Log, so in this post, we’ll do a deep dive into how to set up a Future Log, a Year at a Glance, how to combine them, and which one would be a better fit for you.

What Is a Bullet Journal Future Log Spread?

A Future Log spread is used as a tool to help you plan for your future and as a space to place future tasks, since a bullet journal is made as you go and doesn’t have a dedicated space for the future in the daily pages.

How to Set Up a Future Log Spread in Your Bullet Journal

There are different ways to set up a Future Log spread in your bullet journal, depending on your needs.

None of the methods below accounts for a header or a title, so make sure to leave some extra space for a header or a title if you want to include one. To get headers and titles that completely match your style, check out this blog post on customizing headers for your bullet journal.

[include link to freebie about customizing headers]

Method 1

The simplest way is how a Future Log is presented in the Bullet Journal blog linked above. To set up a Future Log for one year in this style:

1. Draw lines to separate your page into horizontal thirds. Since you need enough for 12 months, do this on 4 pages or 2 full 2-page spreads.
2. Starting with the first section, write January. Write subsequent months in subsequent sections.

This version gives you ample space to write down events and appointments.

Method 2

1. Draw a horizontal line to separate your page into two halves. Do this over 2 pages or 1 full 2-page spread.
2. Draw vertical lines to separate your page into vertical thirds. Do this on both pages. You’ll end up with 12 spaces.
3. Starting with the first section, write January. Write subsequent months in subsequent sections.

This version gives you less space than the previous version, but there’s still enough space to write events and appointments.

Method 3

1. Draw vertical lines to separate your pages vertically into 6 narrow sections. Leave enough space on one or both sides to number. Do this over 2 pages or 1 full 2-page spread.
2. Number 1 through 31 where you left space. Tip! Use these vertical number stickers to make sure you don’t go into autopilot and skip some numbers (speaking from experience here).
3. Starting with the first section, write Jan for January. Write subsequent months in subsequent sections.
4. (optional) Highlight weekend days to make them stand out.

This version gives little space, but it is perfect if you want an overview. You can make small notes on a day, use tiny sticker icons to mark important days, or write page numbers to reference full entries.

What Is a Year at a Glance Spread in a Bullet Journal?

A Year at a Glance spread is a bullet journal spread that allows you to have an overview of the entire year on one page. Think of it as an entire calendar shrunk down to a single page.

How to Set Up a Year at a Glance Spread in Your Bullet Journal

A Year at a Glance spread is straightforward (if tedious) to set up. These steps don’t include leaving space for a title or a title if you want to include one. To get headers and titles that completely match your style, check out this blog post on customizing headers for your bullet journal.

Here’s how you set up a Year at a Glance spread in your bullet journal:

1. Draw 2 vertical lines to separate your page into vertical thirds.
2. Draw 3 horizontal lines to separate your page into horizontal fourths.
3. Starting with the first sections, write January. Underneath the month name, write out a mini calendar.
4. Repeat the process for the rest of the months.

If you want to skip this tedious setup, be sure to check out these 2026 mini calendar stickers, available in Monday-starts and Sunday-starts.

Combining a Future Log and a Year at a Glance

There’s a (not so) secret third option if a Future Log or a Year at a Glance spread on its own sounds like it’s still missing something, and that’s to combine both into one spread.

By combining the space to write future events from the Future Log and the mini calendars from the Year at a Glance, you’re able to have a hybrid spread that allows you to see the entire year overview and plan your future events without wondering what day an event falls on.

How to Set Up a Combined Future Log & Year at a Glance Spread in Your Bullet Journal

Combining these two spreads into one spread is great because you get the best of both worlds. These steps don’t include leaving space for a title or a title if you want to include one. To get headers and titles that completely match your style, check out this blog post on customizing headers for your bullet journal.

Method 1

1. Draw lines to separate your page into horizontal thirds. Since you need enough for 12 months, do this on 4 pages or 2 full 2-page spreads.
2. Starting with the first section, write January. Underneath the month name, write out a mini calendar.
3. Repeat the process for the rest of the months.

Method 2

1. Draw a horizontal line to separate your page into two halves. Do this over 2 pages or 1 full 2-page spread.
2. Draw vertical lines to separate your page into vertical thirds. Do this on both pages. You’ll end up with 12 spaces.
3. Starting with the first section, write January. Underneath the month name, write out a mini calendar.
4. Repeat the process for the rest of the months.

Future Log vs Year at a Glance: Which Bullet Journal Spread is Best for You?

With the options presented here, you might wonder whether you should choose a Future Log, a Year at a Glance, or a combination of the two.

A Future Log spread typically doesn’t include a mini calendar for each month, so if you find that you don’t use a calendar much or you don’t care about knowing what day a particular date is, then a Future Log spread for your bullet journal is a great choice.

A Year at a Glance spread is usually a one-page spread with mini calendars only, so if you don’t need to write out plans or events in advance, then having a Year at a Glance spread in your bullet journal would be best.

My favorite version is a combination, because it allows me to have an overview of the entire year at one glance while also giving space to write down any plans and events as they come up. A Future Log spread like Method 3 in the Future Log Set Up section is too rigid; there’s limited room for any one day. What if you have multiple events going on in one day? That’s where a combination of the two spreads is great, because you can write out all your events and still be able to see what day they’re happening on.

You can also skip setting up any of these spreads if you prefer a ready-to-use bullet journal-inspired planner!

FAQ

What is the difference between a Future Log and a Year at a Glance spread in a bullet journal?

A Future Log is for writing down future events and appointments, while a Year at a Glance uses mini calendars to shows you an overview of the year.

Do I need both a Future Log spread and a Year at a Glance in my bullet journal?

You don’t have to use both! You can use one or the other, or you can combine them both so you have space for future planning and you’ll be able to have a yearly overview.

How many pages should a bullet journal Future Log spread take?

It depends on how far in advance you want to plan out and how many months you want in your view. Typically people set up a Future Log spread in 2-4 pages.

Can I use stickers for my Future Log or Year at a Glance setup?

Yes! Use vertical number strips or mini calendar stickers to make setup faster and more consistent.

Plan for Your Future in Your Bullet Journal

An important part of the Bullet Journal Method is to be able to plan for your future, which is why the Future Log spread is a core spread of bullet journaling. Everyone’s brain works a little differently, though, so having a choice in how you set up a space to plan for your future events is essential.

Pick a future planning spread that speaks to you, because the best planning method is the method that works.

Whether you set up a Future Log spread, a Year at a Glance spread, or a combination of the two in your bullet journal, I would love to see what you come up with! You can leave a comment below or find me as TabletAndQuill on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.

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