What Is Junk Journaling? All About the Trending Hobby You’re About to See Everywhere
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There are endless ways to catalogue memories, from the grainy home videos of the ‘80s to the tech-forward Instagram feeds of the current day. And, while photos and videos are a great way to (literally) cement snapshots in time, few things give space for personal reflection and storytelling quite like journaling. That said, not everyone is a confident wordsmith, and many people can feel pressure to perform when writing in a journal, making the process more anxiety-inducing than enjoyable. The answer? Junk journaling.
If you haven’t heard of it yet, junk journaling is a more tactile way of journaling. It incorporates pieces of memories (like receipts, concert tickets, wrappers, and other paper memorabilia) and makes them the star of the show. It’s a creative answer to memory keeping with found objects. And right now, junk journals are exploding in popularity thanks to their playful, easy-going approach to reflection and bottling time (hint: they also make a great gift!). Below, we’re detailing everything to know about the trend, including what a junk journal actually is, the junk journal supplies you’ll need, full junk journal kits you can buy, and more.
So, what is junk journaling?
Think of junk journaling as the younger, more free-spirited cousin to scrapbooking. While it can include photographs (this is your journal—you can do anything you want!), it more typically relies on paper ephemera to catalogue experiences and important life moments in a paper journal. The scraps can be attached to the pages in any manner the journaler sees fit: glue, fun washi tape, funky stickers, and more.
The term “junk” is used ironically here, especially considering the act of saving these scraps of paper for a journal implies they’re far more valuable than trash. Junk journals give importance to things that might otherwise get thrown away—think ticket stubs from your favorite concerts, receipts from a memorable brunch with friends, a pressed flower from a day in the park, or a brochure from an epic vacation. The result is a sometimes-messy, always-personal collage that acts as an conduit for reflection and nostalgia.
How do I start a junk journal?
Since junk journaling is all about embracing imperfection, know this: There is no “right” way to start a junk journal. You don’t have to wait until you have the perfect trip on the calendar or are going through some exciting life change; junk journaling is all about finding beauty in the mundane, everyday moments that make up life.
That said, you will need a couple key things to start: a journal and your “junk.” Begin by collecting paper scraps that represent special moments in your life, or just daily memories you’d like to hang onto. Depending on how much time you want to dedicate, adding your paper memories can become a nightly task (sort of like you’d do an “entry” each night in a traditional journal) or something you undertake a few times a month, collaging your “junk” from a mixture of days and occasions into a few pages of memories mashed together.
What are some junk journal ideas?
Junk journaling is beloved for its “choose your own adventure” style, so feel free to be as creative or as simple as you’d like when it comes to your journaling. You can save your junk journal for big trips and create a notebook for each, or do a different journal for each year or season of your life (this works especially well if you’re going through a big transition, like getting married or entering parenthood). Some people even choose to combine junk journaling with more traditional aspects of writing, filling their pages with quotes, lyrics, and meaningful words alongside the more tactile pieces.
Where can I find junk journal supplies?
Many junk journal supplies can be found at your local craft or office supply store. But the best part about this method is that it doesn’t require much to be successful. Here are some great supplies to get you started.
Alyssa Longobucco
Alyssa is a freelance writer, editor, and stylist with a background in interior, food, and lifestyle content. The recent recipient of an interior design certification, she has over a decade of experience in the digital and magazine industry helping readers digest design trends and providing actionable expert advice for creating a home and life they love.
