What Are Junk Journals?
If you’ve ever stumbled across the term “junk journal” and thought, What on earth is that?, you’re in for a treat! Junk journals are an exciting way to combine creativity, sustainability, and a love of all things eclectic. Whether you’re an artist, a writer, or someone who just loves to tinker, junk journals offer endless possibilities for self-expression. Let’s explore what they are, why they’re so popular, and how you can start your own—whether you’re making it from scratch or filling a pre-made journal with delightful “junk.”
What Exactly Is a Junk Journal?
A junk journal is a handmade or repurposed journal filled with all sorts of bits and pieces—think old book pages, scraps of fabric, vintage postcards, magazine clippings, ticket stubs, and more. The key idea? Transform “junk” into something beautiful and personal.
You can either:
Create the journal itself from upcycled materials, binding them together into a unique book.
Start with a pre-made journal and fill it with an eclectic mix of found and repurposed items.
Junk journals are less about perfection and more about creativity, making them a stress-free way to explore art, journaling, and storytelling.
Why People Love Junk Journals
1. Sustainability and Upcycling
In a world of mass production, junk journals celebrate the joy of reusing and repurposing. By turning what would otherwise be discarded into something meaningful, junk journals help reduce waste and encourage sustainable creativity.
2. No Rules, No Pressure
Unlike pristine, store-bought journals that might feel intimidating to mess up, junk journals thrive on imperfection. They’re messy, layered, and wonderfully chaotic—perfect for letting go of the pressure to “do it right.”
3. A Playground for Creativity
Junk journals are all about mixing mediums and breaking boundaries. You can combine painting, collaging, writing, stamping, and even sewing. It’s the ultimate playground for trying out new techniques and letting your imagination run wild.
4. A Place for Memories
Junk journals make great memory-keepers. That movie ticket, a handwritten note, or a pressed flower from your favorite hike—all those little mementos you can’t bear to throw away have a home in your journal.
5. A Unique Aesthetic
There’s something magical about flipping through a junk journal. Each page is a layered story, full of textures, colors, and surprises. No two are alike, which makes them feel deeply personal and one-of-a-kind.
How to Make (or Use) a Junk Journal
Option 1: Make a Junk Journal from Scratch
Gather Materials: Old book pages, cardboard for covers, envelopes, wrapping paper, scrapbook paper, fabric scraps, or anything else you have lying around.
Bind It: Use a simple sewing technique, binder rings, or even staples to assemble your pages. Don’t worry about them being uniform—variety is part of the charm!
Decorate: Add embellishments like washi tape, stickers, or hand-drawn doodles to make it uniquely yours.
Option 2: Fill a Pre-Made Journal with “Junk”
If DIY isn’t your style (yet), you can start with a pre-made journal, like a spiral-bound or signature journal, and fill it with:
Collaged pages using magazine clippings or ephemera.
Handwritten notes, doodles, or mini sketches.
Layers of fabric or ribbon for texture.
Random bits you’ve saved: receipts, maps, stamps, postcards, etc.
The goal is to embrace the randomness and let the process unfold naturally.
Why Junk Journals Are for Everyone
Whether you’re a seasoned artist or someone who claims they don’t have a creative bone in their body, junk journals are for you. They’re not about perfect layouts or polished designs—they’re about self-expression, experimentation, and the joy of making something unique.
Plus, they’re a great way to reconnect with the physical act of creating in a digital world. Flipping through a junk journal is a tactile, immersive experience that no app or screen can replicate.
Final Thoughts
Junk journals are more than just a fun art project—they’re a mindset. They invite us to see beauty in the everyday, value what we might otherwise throw away, and embrace imperfection. Whether you’re building one from scratch or filling a pre-made journal with scraps and stories, a junk journal is a little slice of magic that’s entirely your own.
Have you tried making a junk journal? What’s your favorite thing to add to yours? Share your ideas in the comments—we’d love to hear your junk-to-treasure journey!