What is Junk Journaling? A Beginner’s Guide
If you’re drawn to mindful practices such as Guided Meditation for Beginners: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide to Reduce Stress & Boost Positivity or Gratitude Journals for Beginners: Step-by-Step Guide to Start Today, you’ll love how junk journaling helps you slow down, stay present, and channel creativity in a tangible way.
Introduction: Why Junk Journaling Is So Popular
In recent years, junk journaling has exploded in popularity among crafters, writers, and mindfulness seekers alike. Social media platforms like Pinterest, YouTube, and TikTok are full of stunning junk journal flip-throughs, DIY tutorials, and creative inspiration.
Just like How Mindfulness Improves Emotional Health: Boost Emotional Balance & Reduce Stress, junk journaling is about freedom and balance—it’s a way to break away from perfectionism and embrace creativity in its raw, authentic form.
What is Junk Journaling?
At its core, junk journaling is the practice of creating a journal made from a mix of new and “junk” materials. Unlike traditional notebooks, junk journals are often handmade and pieced together with different textures, layers, and found objects.
Think of it as a combination of:
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Scrapbooking – preserving memories and keepsakes
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Art journaling – experimenting with creativity and mixed media
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Diary writing – recording thoughts, feelings, and daily life
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Upcycling – giving new life to items that might otherwise be thrown away
If you’ve read How Journaling Improves Positive Thinking & Builds a Happier Mindset, you’ll notice that junk journaling works similarly—it allows you to express yourself while boosting emotional clarity.
Why Is It Called a “Junk” Journal?
The word “junk” might sound unappealing at first, but in this context, it’s part of the charm. Junk journals often use recycled or discarded materials such as:
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Old envelopes
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Used postage stamps
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Packaging labels
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Magazine clippings
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Wrapping paper
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Brown paper bags
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Fabric scraps
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Maps and tickets
These everyday items, when combined creatively, form something entirely new—a personal and artistic keepsake. In a way, it’s like practicing Gratitude Affirmations to Transform Your Day: Boost Positivity, Happiness & Mindfulness, turning simple, everyday things into something powerful and meaningful.
Benefits of Junk Journaling
Junk journaling isn’t just a craft; it’s an experience that offers numerous benefits:
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Stress Relief & Mindfulness
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The process of cutting, gluing, and layering helps calm the mind.
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Similar to Guided Meditation for Anxiety Relief: Calm Your Mind & Reduce Stress Naturally, it keeps you present in the moment.
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Boosts Creativity
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There are no rules—every page is unique.
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Encourages experimentation with colors, textures, and layouts.
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Sustainable Crafting
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Gives a second life to old materials instead of throwing them away.
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Memory Keeping
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A junk journal becomes a time capsule of your experiences.
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Tickets, photos, and handwritten notes preserve special memories.
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Self-Expression
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Perfect for writers, artists, or anyone who wants to capture thoughts and emotions.
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Essential Tools for Junk Journaling
The beauty of junk journaling is that you don’t need a professional craft room to get started. Most supplies can be found around your house. Here are the basics:
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Journal base (notebook, old book, handmade journal)
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Papers & ephemera (envelopes, receipts, maps, cards)
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Adhesives (glue stick, tape, Mod Podge)
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Cutting tools (scissors, craft knife)
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Writing tools (pens, markers, colored pencils)
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Decorations (washi tape, stickers, lace, dried flowers)
If you’ve ever explored Daily Rituals for Mental Clarity and Positivity, you’ll appreciate how using these tools can become a calming ritual in itself.
How to Start a Junk Journal (Step-by-Step)
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Choose Your Base – start with a blank notebook or repurpose an old book.
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Gather Materials – collect papers, fabrics, and embellishments.
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Prepare Pages – mix textures and layer them.
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Bind or Secure Pages – stitch, staple, or use binder rings.
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Start Creating – add pockets, tuck spots, layers.
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Add Journaling – write thoughts, affirmations, or reflections.
If you’ve tried Gratitude Journals for Beginners: Step-by-Step Guide to Start Today, you’ll notice the reflection process feels very similar.
Popular Junk Journaling Styles
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Vintage Junk Journals – lace, sepia tones, antique look
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Bohemian Journals – bold colors, textures
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Themed Journals – travel, gratitude, mindfulness themes
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Minimalist Journals – simple layouts
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Mixed Media Journals – paint, stamping, collage
If you’re inspired by Positive Thinking Habits That Reduce Stress & Boost Well-Being, themed journals can be a great way to build a positivity-focused daily practice.
Ideas for What to Put in a Junk Journal
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Daily gratitude lists (see 10 Benefits of Keeping a Gratitude Journal Every Day)
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Affirmations (inspired by Gratitude Affirmations for Better Sleep)
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Travel memories (tickets, postcards, maps)
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Collages and doodles
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Recipes, dreams, personal letters
Junk Journaling as a Mindful Practice
One of the reasons junk journaling has become so popular is its connection to mindfulness. The slow, tactile process of selecting, cutting, and arranging materials helps reduce anxiety and encourages focus.
Just like How to Start Your First 5-Minute Guided Meditation: A Beginner’s Step-by-Step Guide, it creates a calming environment where you can reset your thoughts and emotions.
Why Junk Journaling is Perfect for Beginners
Junk journaling has no steep learning curve. Beginners love it because:
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There’s no pressure for perfection.
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You can start with recycled materials.
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It adapts to your style.
It’s beginner-friendly—just like Guided Meditation for Beginners: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide.
Junk Journaling in the Digital Age
While junk journaling is about paper and creativity, its rise has been fueled by digital inspiration. Millions are sharing their journals online, inspiring others to start.
This is similar to how people are embracing 7 Simple Ways to Rewire Your Brain for Positivity—finding offline practices to balance digital life.
Final Thoughts: Your Junk Journaling Journey
So, what is junk journaling? It’s a creative, sustainable, and deeply personal way to express yourself while preserving memories. Beginners are often surprised by how quickly they fall in love with the process—it’s fun, mindful, and endlessly customizable.
Whether you want to practice Gratitude Affirmations to Transform Your Day, explore How a Gratitude Journal Can Transform Your Daily Life, or simply enjoy a relaxing hobby, junk journaling is the perfect outlet.
Call to Action
Ready to begin your junk journaling journey? Gather a few scraps of paper, an old notebook, and some glue—and you’re set! For inspiration, check out our related guides on How Journaling Improves Positive Thinking, Guided Meditation for Anxiety Relief, and 10 Benefits of Keeping a Gratitude Journal.