When it comes to bullet journaling, you’ll find yourself drawing a lot of lines. When I first got started, my lines would sometimes travel or wobble at unexpected times. I remember wondering how I would ever learn to draw a perfectly neat straight line. With practice, I’ve gotten better, although my lines still aren’t perfectly neat. (I like to call them “artistic”.)
Here are a few tips that I’ve discovered along the way:
Use a ruler
The most straightforward way to get a straight line is to use a ruler. Sometimes a clear ruler can help because then you can see more of the page.
I use a ruler once in a while but most of the time I like to live dangerously and go without it. In case you’re like me, here are a few other tips that can help:
Keep an eye on the dotted grid
One of the benefits of having a dotted grid (or a graph) on your pages is that it helps with drawing straight lines. Use the dots as a guide as you draw.
Pull the pen towards you
This trick can be a total game-changer for some. Instead of drawing the line away from your body or across, pull the pen or pencil towards your body. This helps stabilize your arm. When you need to draw a horizontal line, swivel your notebook the other way.
Draw a double line
Sometimes the line will waver, no matter how careful you are. In that case, it’s time to embrace the wobble and make it look intentional. Draw a second line alongside the first one, just as wobbly. You can even let the two crisscross at points. It will look like that was what you meant to do all along.
The bottom line is that a crooked line here or there (or everywhere) isn’t going to make your bullet journal any less amazing. Just keep practicing!