How to Start Junk Journaling: A Beautiful Way to Tell Your Story

Have you ever held onto a train ticket, a postcard, or even a candy wrapper—not because you needed it, but because it reminded you of a moment you didn’t want to forget? That instinct is at the heart of junk journaling: a creative, deeply personal way to preserve memories, explore self-expression, and turn everyday scraps into something beautiful.

Whether you're a lifelong crafter or someone who just loves the idea of storytelling through paper, junk journaling is a gentle invitation to slow down, savor the present, and create without pressure. The best part? There are no rules. Your journal can be messy, neat, colorful, monochrome, stuffed with layers, or minimal and serene. It’s all yours.

If you’re curious about how to begin, here’s a cozy guide to help you take your first steps into the world of junk journaling.

✂️ What Is a Junk Journal?

A junk journal is a handmade book often filled with recycled, vintage, or everyday materials—think old book pages, envelopes, packaging, scrap fabric, ephemera, and more. People use them to:

• Record daily thoughts or dreams

• Collage, sketch, or scrapbook

• Save memorabilia like letters, receipts, or photos

• Explore creativity or mindfulness

They’re called “junk” journals not because they’re full of trash—but because they celebrate the beauty in things we might otherwise throw away.

🧺 Supplies to Get You Started + Links to My Favourite Products 

You don’t need to spend much to begin. Start with what you have!

Basic Supplies:

• An old notebook, sketchbook, or even folded papers tied together

• Scissors and glue (or a glue stick/tape runner)

• Pens, markers, or paints

• Ephemera: receipts, tickets, wrappers, packaging, magazine cutouts

Nice-to-Haves (Optional):

• Washi tape or stickers (Click this link for my favourite starter pack!) 

• Rubber stamps and ink pads

• Scrapbook paper or decorative paper

• Lace, fabric scraps, dried flowers

• Vintage book pages or sheet music

🧠 What to Put in Your Junk Journal

Here are a few simple and meaningful ideas:

• A page about your morning routine

• A gratitude list with doodles

• Collage with your favorite color of the week

• Snippets of song lyrics or poems

• Pressed flowers from your walk

• A visual diary of your week using receipts, photos, and scraps

Let your journal be a reflection of you—there’s no need to make it perfect.

💡 Tips for Staying Inspired

• Don’t overthink it. Glue something down. Write a sentence. Start with a corner of a page.

• Keep a little “junk” collection. A shoebox or envelope where you toss receipts, wrappers, or packaging that catches your eye.

• Follow other junk journalers. Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube are full of creators sharing flip-throughs and tutorials.

• Let your emotions guide you. Your journal doesn’t have to look “aesthetic” to be beautiful or healing.

🕯️ A Gentle Reminder

Your junk journal is a safe space—a world of your own making. It doesn’t have to be shared or finished. Some days you might feel inspired to make page after page, and other days just a corner with a sticker and a few words might be enough. Every page is part of your story, and it’s all worth preserving.