I don’t know if you are into the whole “Bullet Journal” craze (if not, I highly recommend it!) I won’t go into detail about them, but I will show you my three favorite pages in mine: the maps!
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Travel Maps
If you haven’t seen these beautiful maps on Pinterest already, you probably have seen cool scratch-off maps for your room (they’re also pretty cute!) These maps are pretty, artsy, and a nice little reminder (and inspiration) to travel around the world.
People from my university get curious about my bullet journal (since I use it for everything) and I always receive comments on these three pages — I absolutely LOVE them.
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Anyway, I didn’t get the idea myself. I was inspired by bullet journal pictures on Pinterest (have a look for more inspiration!)
Since I haven’t been to too many states, but I’ve traveled to a good amount of countries, I decided to not only make a U.S. map but to also add two more maps: The Americas and Europe.
Map of the Americas
Isn’t it cute?!
Map of Europe
I also squeezed a teeny tiny bit of Africa in there!
Hopefully, soon I can add a map of Asia to my journal as well!
Bullet Journaling Tools
You can use whichever tools you prefer, but just in case you are wondering, I use the following for my bullet journal:
How to Make the Maps
Well if these pictures have you ready to go, pen in hand, let me tell you how to make them:
- Find a nice outlined map on google of whichever continent, country, city, etc. I recommend the following:
- The U.S.
- The Americas
- Europe
- Africa
- Asia
- Australia, Oceania
- If you like to print out maps with country names on them just look through this site
- Print out the map(s) you want to use
- Lay a sheet of graphite paper on a set of blank pages in your bullet journal
- Lay the printed map on top of the graphite paper, and secure both to the bujo (bullet journal) if you’d like (optional but recommended)
- Start tracing the map outline with a graphite pencil (and some pressure, to transfer the lines over). Here is a quick video on how to use graphite transfer paper
- Detach the printout and graphite paper
- Retrace the drawn lines with pen
If you have don’t have any graphite paper and have some time on your hands, there is still a way for you to draw the maps. Be sure to have the maps printed already and just follow the steps below:
**NOTE: it takes some time, and might hurt your hand — but it’s totally worth it!
- Flip the print-out over and trace the lines of the map onto the back of the page with pencil (make sure the lines are dark)
- Place the map on top of whatever surface you want it on (in this case, a bullet journal). Fit it so it is placed exactly where you would like the map to be drawn with the traced side facing down
- Secure the paper onto the journal or surface with tape (optional but recommended)
- Trace the map again, this time pushing hard to transfer the pencil from the first trace onto the bullet journal
- When done tracing, remove the print-out and voilà!
- If needed, re-trace the lines on the bullet journal itself to make them more solid… or even better… with a pen!
You are now ready to color in and see your travel progress!
I hope this post has inspired you to keep track of your travels or to even start a bullet journal! You can even have a cool digital version of your travels like the one I have here — it all depends on your preferences.
Have another cool travel-tracker idea? Comment them down below or send me pictures of your travel maps. I’m absolutely obsessed with them. Happy travels!
Let me know if you’d like to see a step-by-step video or picture tutorial of the process.
This month’s SCRIBEdelivery box has the coolest bujo I have ever seen. It needs a worthy project and I have finally decided to track books in it. I didn’t want to just do a shelf or a list, though, so I am doing maps of where the books take place. I CANNOT draw, so this tutorial is perfect! Thank you so much! I have a feeling graphite paper and I will be best friends.
Author
This just brought a smile to my face. I’m very happy you found the post useful. Maybe I’ll check out the SCRIBE delivery box!
Love it! No map for the Canadians though!
Author
Hi Gwen. Thanks for commenting! Sorry if that site doesn’t have a Canada-specific map. I’m sure you can find one on google images — just be sure to look for an outlined one 🙂
This would be great for Postcrossing too, to keep track of which countries you sent postcards/got postcards from.
Author
Ooo I’ve never thought about that. Lovely idea Nacala! Thanks 🙂
For an easier way to get the map on there, at most craft stores you can purchase, very inexpensively, graphite paper. 🙂
Author
Thank you very much for the info! I will definitely try this out for my 2018 bullet journal ?
Graphite paper is only way to go. It’s reusable to a degree, too.
Author
Definitely. I’m hoping to do an updated version with graphite paper soon!
This is such a good idea! I am definitely adding this to my bullet journal!x
What a cool idea! I would love to start doing something like this!
Author
I hope you do! Let me know when you do 🙂
I’ve recently fallen in love with bullet journaling and I LOVE this! I haven’t been out of the U.S. but I can definitely track where I’ve already been here (I’m a California girl, too!) One day, I’d LOVE to travel the world, so I’ll put a map (or two) in my journal and treat it as a vision board. 🙂
This was great because I love learning about new, creative ways to use my bujo!
Author
Woo! California love! YES, definitely put in a map (or two) it will be great inspiration for your next trip! I hope you can travel internationally soon — even though the U.S. itself is HUGE so there’s a lot to see as well 🙂
I want to put a map in my bujo so badly, but I’m so uncoordinated even in tracing something, haha!
http://www.desidoes.com
Author
Haha, it can be a bit difficult yes. Another way is to print out a map and paste it to your bujo. Let me know if you decide to put a map in! 🙂
Hi, Nicole! I just found your blog and LOVE it! I am an American from PA but moved to Copenhagen a year ago. I LOVE living abroad! I have visited beautiful Spain 2 times since moving. Your blog is so cute and helpful. Love your bullet journal idea! Good luck with blogging 🙂
Madison from breakfastatmadisons.com
Author
Hi Madison! Thank you so much for the kind words! I’m glad there are other people who feel the same way about living abroad. It’s so much fun — and a MUST for everyone! Let me know when you visit Spain again, would be nice to meet fellow bloggers! 🙂
Love this! You have been to so many cool places! I really like looking at bullet journal pages and I would love to start one myself but I just do not have the patience to put so much work and effort in it. Yours looks so beautiful! 🙂
Author
Thank you! I completely get the patience part. It takes a long time and it’s super easy to mess up. Let me know if you ever do end up making one! 🙂
Congrats Nicole!! This looks wonderful!! I’m so proud of you!! Muah!!
Author
Thank you so much Preeti!! This means the world to me! <3
Oh my goodness, I just LOVE bullet journals! I love how you can make it your own -and some people are so creative! I suck at drawing and coming up with cool ideas, but I was interested in starting a bullet journal at some point before I just threw it out the window because I thought I would be awful at it.
This makes me want to try again!!
x Jordan
Author
I understand the feeling! Seeing all the cool pages people come up with makes you super inspired but intimidated at the same time. Don’t give up yet! Give it a try and let me know how it goes 🙂