If you’re in your “anything but scrolling online” era, your craft-girly/DIY era, or just need something to do with your hands, I implore you to dive in and discover my newest, greatest, and most beloved hobby: Junk Journaling.
What is Junk Journaling?
Junk journaling is a blend of creativity, collaging, recycling, scrapbooking, and journaling. Think of it like scrapbooking–without the giant albums, pre-made templates, or the pressure to create elaborate pages. Instead of buying a kit like your mom and auntie did in 1999, you can start with any old notebook you have lying around. The magic happens when you incorporate recycled materials—your “junk”—to decorate the pages. Whether your approach is minimal or extravagant, every journal becomes a unique reflection of your creativity.
What Counts as Junk?
ANYTHING. You’d be surprised how many little things you accumulate daily that would typically be tossed aside. Here are some of my favorite “junk” items that have made their way into my journal:
- Business cards
- Free stickers
- Sticky notes
- Thank you cards
- Food wrappers
- Bookmarks
- Flyers
- Hotel keys
- Product packaging
- Receipts
- Invitations
- Wrapping paper
- Coasters
- Magazines
- Junk mail
And the list goes on…
The Mindful Benefits
With so much time spent online for work and entertainment, I was craving a way to disconnect and create something just for me. I love reading, but I needed an activity that engaged my hands and mind in a different way. Junk journaling became that perfect outlet.
The beauty of this hobby is that you can do it while watching a show, in complete silence, or while listening to an audiobook. It can be a solitary escape or a shared creative experience with friends. Most importantly, it offers a mental reset, helping to reduce doom-scrolling and bring a sense of mindfulness to your day. It’s a grounding activity that I can’t help but share with others!
Bonding Through Journaling
One of my favorite parts of Junk Journaling has been sharing it with others. My daughter loves to journal with me, and I’ve introduced my best friends, their kids, my cousins, and many others to the hobby! It’s an easy and accessible activity that doesn’t require a ton of supplies to enjoy. (Although, if you’re like me, you might find yourself collecting papers, stickers, markers, and printers!)
Whether you’re crafting solo or making it a fun bonding experience, Junk Journaling is an activity that sparks creativity and connection.
No Rules, Just Creativity
If you trace back the roots of Junk Journaling, it began quite literally—people repurposing “junk mail” to sew together homemade journals and decorating them with scraps and handwritten entries. While some might classify this under scrapbooking or art journaling, the essence of Junk Journaling is that there are no rules.
There’s no right or wrong way to do it. Your journal is yours, and you can make it as structured or free-flowing as you want. Change up your style daily, mix mediums, or stick to a theme—it’s completely up to you!
Join Me & Get Started!
“Get Started with Junk Journaling” at Maven Space on Mar. 20th. Registration coming soon!
Follow Along for More Inspiration – I share my Junk Journaling journey on TikTok, as do so many others! Come join the fun, get creative, and let’s turn everyday “junk” into something beautiful!
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