Junk journaling is one of the most creative and personal ways to document your life. Whether you’re adding scrapbook elements to enhance your journal spreads or repurposing everyday scraps that would have otherwise ended up in the trash, this type of journaling offers endless possibilities for self-expression.

What Is Junk Journaling?

At its core, junk journaling is all about collecting and arranging bits and pieces of your life into a visual and interactive journal. Instead of only writing down your thoughts, you incorporate tangible elements—scraps, memorabilia, and found objects—to create a layered, artistic, and memory-filled experience.

The best part? There’s no wrong way to do it! Every junk journal is unique, and it evolves based on what you choose to collect and how you choose to arrange it.

Things to Collect for Your Junk Journal

There are countless items you can add to your junk journal! Here are some fun and creative ideas to get you started:

On-the-Go Finds:

• Business cards from places you visit

• Receipts from coffee shops, bookstores, or fun outings

• Clothing tags from a favorite new outfit

• Logos from packaging (a cool paper bag design, a chocolate wrapper, or a tea label)

• Event tickets (concerts, movies, exhibits)

• Stickers from fruit or other products

From Your Personal Collection:

• Birthday cards or postcards from loved ones

• Handwritten notes or letters

• Doodles or sketches from a napkin or scrap paper

• Maps from trips or even a local park guide

• Pressed flowers or leaves from a walk outdoors

• Newspaper or magazine clippings with interesting words, colors, or images

Unexpected Materials to Play With:

• Wrapping paper or tissue paper from gifts

• Scrap fabric, lace, or ribbon from sewing projects

• Old book pages (especially from books falling apart)

• Paint swatches from a hardware store

• Washi tape, stickers, or decorative paper scraps

Making Junk Journaling a Fun & Creative Experience

Junk journaling is more than just gluing scraps into a notebook. It’s about arranging, layering, and designing your spreads in a way that tells a story. Here are a few ways to make the process even more enjoyable:

• Experiment with Layouts – Overlap elements, use pockets or envelopes to tuck away smaller keepsakes, or create fold-out pages for hidden surprises.

• Add Personal Touches – Write little notes about the items you include. Where did you find it? What memory does it hold?

• Use Mixed Media – Incorporate paints, stamps, stencils, and different textures to make your pages visually interesting.

• Include Photos – Print mini snapshots of your day, a beautiful view, or something that made you smile.

Choosing the Right Journal

Your journal choice plays a big role in how your junk journal will turn out. Consider these tips:

• Softcover vs. Hardcover: A softcover journal is often more flexible and expands better as you add layers, whereas a hardcover might be sturdier but harder to close as it fills up.

• Small vs. Large Pages: Some people love a big canvas to work with, while others (like me!) prefer smaller spreads that feel more compact and cozy.

• The Amount of Pages: Sometimes less is more when it comes to junk journaling. A journal with fewer pages is less likely to have its spine fall apart as it fills up.

The More You Create, the More Ideas Will Flow

Once you start junk journaling, you’ll notice everyday life becomes an endless source of inspiration. You might find yourself picking up little scraps here and there—things that hold memories you wouldn’t have thought twice about before. A simple receipt from a memorable dinner, a flower petal from a nature walk, or a scrap of colorful tissue paper from a birthday gift can all add so much depth to your journal.

So grab a notebook, start collecting, and let your creativity run wild. Junk journaling isn’t just about saving scraps—it’s about preserving little pieces of your life in a way that’s artistic, meaningful, and uniquely yours.

What are some fun and unexpected items you’ve added to your junk journal? I’d love to hear about your creative finds! Share your thoughts in the comments, or tag me on Instagram using #journalwithmata to show off your unique pages!