10 Creative Junk Journal Spread Ideas for When You're Feeling Stuck

Sometimes I’m so in the mood to journal but hit a wall — either I’m low on energy, totally uninspired, or I just don’t have the right materials in front of me. When that happens, I often find myself scrolling through Pinterest or TikTok, hoping for a spark of creativity.

This post is for those moments. Below is a list of some of my favourite junk journal spread ideas — using a mix of printed materials, random bits of “junk,” and everyday supplies you probably already have at home. These pages are a fun blend of aesthetic scrapbooking and spontaneous creativity, and they always help me get back into the journaling groove.

⭐ Horoscope Spread

I’ve never been deep into astrology, but I still find it fun to explore aspects of my zodiac sign — the traits, common struggles, and quirky coincidences. In my spread, I included a mini zodiac fact sheet, a section on struggles and personality traits, some angel number connections, and other celestial-inspired details. It’s a playful way to reflect on yourself, even if you're only astrology-curious!

🍋 Favourite Recipes

When I recently found a delicious homemade lemonade recipe I couldn’t stop making, I had to journal it! Recipe spreads are great for capturing the joy of cooking or baking — especially if you include handwritten notes, food-themed stickers, or a photo of the finished product. I even keep a section for recipes I want to try, like a mini food bucket list!

🍭 Dopamine Menu

This trend made waves on TikTok — and for good reason. A dopamine menu is a creative way to list things that bring you joy, ranging from low-effort comforts (like a cozy cup of tea) to higher-effort happiness boosters (like a weekend getaway or creative project). I loved making this because it helped me reconnect with the small things that spark joy in my day-to-day life.

🗞 Junk Dump

Think of this as a no-rules, anything-goes collage. Whenever I have leftover scraps that don’t quite fit in other spreads — ticket stubs, tags, cutouts, random ephemera — I gather them all for a big, beautiful “junk dump.” It’s the perfect spread for experimenting, layering, and letting go of perfectionism.

🧾 Receipt Dump

Receipts have a funny way of collecting in the bottom of my purse — from coffee runs, grocery trips, or random errands. Instead of tossing them, I turn them into a spread! Try gluing them in with cute stickers, layering them with washi tape, or tearing them up to make a textured collage. It's a surprisingly fun way to document everyday life.

💕 Current Favourites

I love flipping back through these spreads to see how my interests change over time. I include things like my favourite TV shows, movies, hobbies, songs, and snacks — anything I'm loving right now. Don’t forget to add the date so you can time-travel through your journal later on.

🗓 Weekly Roundup

Each week, I jot down a sentence or two about what happened each day — little joys, wins, or special memories. It’s a simple way to practice gratitude and reflect. Bonus: If you have a photo printer, add mini photos for each day to make it even more special. (Click here for the one I use!)

🌞 Seasonal Bucket Lists

I’m currently working on my summer bucket list, which includes goals like visiting the farmers market and writing more blog content. These spreads are fun to revisit throughout the year — I’ve made them for fall, winter, Christmas, and even back-to-school season. Add doodles or themed decorations to match the vibe of each season!

🎨 Washi Tape Spread

Washi tape deserves its own spotlight! Whether you're displaying your favourite patterns or experimenting with layouts, there are so many creative ways to use washi. Try drawing frames and borders, creating stripe effects, or mimicking brushstrokes. I like grouping tapes with similar colours or themes to make visually satisfying mini-collages.

📝 Wishlist

This can be anything: a wishlist for clothes, home decor, plants, books, or even big dreams. I personally have multiple plant wishlists scattered across my journals (no regrets). Add images, magazine cutouts, or product photos for an extra aesthetic touch. It’s a fun way to manifest your wants — or just keep track of that ever-growing “want” list.

Next time you’re feeling creatively blocked, try one of these spreads to get back into the journaling flow. Whether you’re using scraps from around your house or a fancy sticker pack, it’s all about finding joy in the process.