If you think that journaling can be limited to the use of words and want to add some creativity and color, then junk journaling might be your new favorite hobby. Junk journaling is where self-expression meets creativity.
This post will walk you through how to start junk journaling. Good news — no fancy supplies needed!
Table of Contents
What Is Junk Journaling?
A junk journal is a handmade book often created using recycled papers, vintage ephemera, fabric scraps, stickers, and more. It’s a cross between a scrapbook, a diary, and an art journal — totally customizable and wildly creative.
What is ephemera?
Ephemera refers to paper items that were originally meant to be used temporarily but are now often kept for their aesthetic or nostalgic value — especially in crafts like junk journaling.
Examples of Ephemera:
Old postcards
Vintage tickets or stamps
Book pages
Receipts or invoices
Maps
Tags and labels
Newspaper clippings
Playing cards
Music sheets
Purpose of Ephemera
In junk journaling, ephemera adds charm, texture, and storytelling to your pages. You can use real vintage finds or printables (often included in digital junk journal kits) to achieve the look.
People use junk journals to:
Document memories
Express their creativity
Practice mindfulness
Store beautiful paper bits too special to toss
There are no rules — that’s the magic of it.
How Junk Journaling Can Be a Fun Way to De-Stress and Be Creative
In a world full of noise, pressure, and never-ending to-do lists, junk journaling offers a gentle pause — a space where you can play, reflect, and unwind without any rules or expectations.
Why Junk Journaling Helps You De-Stress
Low-pressure creativity – There’s no “right” way to do it. No grades, no comparison, just freedom.
Mindfulness through making – Cutting, gluing, and layering textures draws your attention into the present moment, naturally calming your nervous system.
Emotional release – You express and process emotions through art.
Digital detox – It’s a screen-free way to recharge and reconnect with your senses.
Why It Sparks Creativity
No blank canvas anxiety – You’re working with scraps, leftovers, and found papers. Mistakes don’t matter — they become part of the design.
Playfulness is encouraged – You can mix vintage book pages with washi tape, add a flower from your walk, or glue down a coffee-stained receipt.
Everything has potential – Junk journaling helps you see beauty in the ordinary, training your creative eye every day.
Junk journaling can be an activity at the end of a long day or the start of one. Just a few minutes can shift your mood and mindset.
Who Benefits Most from Junk Journaling?
The truth is — anyone can benefit from junk journaling. But it’s especially powerful for people who are:
Creatives Who Feel Blocked
If you love being creative but feel stuck, overwhelmed, or burnt out, junk journaling offers a low-pressure outlet. There’s no pressure to be perfect — just cut, glue, layer, and play.
Women Needing a Mental Reset
If you’re juggling caregiving, parenting, work, or simply life’s emotional weight, junk journaling can be a gentle way to release stress and reconnect with yourself.
People Who Love Stationery, Vintage Style, or Scrapbooking
If you already collect paper goodies, ephemera, stickers, or notebooks — junk journaling is a natural next step to actually use and enjoy your stash creatively.
What You Need to Start Junk Journaling
You don’t need a lot of supplies to begin. Start simple with what you already have, and build from there.
Basic Supplies:
Old book or blank notebook (to use as your journal base)
Scissors & glue stick
Scrap paper (magazines, newspapers, junk mail, receipts)
Pens or markers
Washi tape, stickers, or any other decorative items
💜 Want to skip the hunt and start fast?
Grab a ready-to-use junk journal kit from my Etsy shop — it includes printable pages, ephemera, and themed elements so you can start right away.
Choosing a Junk Journal Theme
Themes help focus your creativity and give your pages a cohesive look. Some popular beginner-friendly themes:
Click the image to check it out!
Vintage Garden 🌿 (try our Rustic Garden Pages, Dear Cottage and Faded Garden Journaling Kit)
Vintage Daydreams
Mystic Pages ( Once Upon a Page)
Mermaid or Ocean Magic 🧜♀️ (check out Enchanted Deep)
Witchy or Magical School Vibes 🔮 (you’ll love Mystic Hall)
As a creator of printable junk journal kits on Etsy, I design with beginners in mind — focusing on easy-to-use pages, flexible themes, and elements that spark creativity without overwhelm. Stay tuned because more themes are coming!
But honestly? You can make it up as you go. That’s part of the fun!
How to Create Your First Page
Here’s a simple step-by-step layout for your first junk journal page:
1. Choose a background – glue in a pretty page, paper bag, or watercolor wash.
2. Layer ephemera – add tickets, pages from old books, or printable elements.
3. Add a focal point – a photo, illustration, or phrase.
4. Write something – a thought, memory, quote, or list.
5. Decorate – use washi tape, doodles, stamps, or lace.
✨ Pro tip: Don’t aim for perfection. Junk journaling is about process, not polish.
Make It a Habit
Set aside 10–15 minutes a few times a week to journal. Keep a small basket of supplies nearby, and consider printing out a few junk journaling prompts to get inspired.
Recommended: Starter Junk Journal Kits
Not sure where to begin? I’ve created beginner-friendly digital kits you can print at home — complete with collage papers, themed elements, and decorative add-ons.Check out my Etsy Store for more printable junk journaling goodies!
🌸 Rustic Garden Pages – Cottagecore floral vibes
📜 Vintage Daydreams – Nostalgic old-day memories
🥀 Faded Garden – Timeworn cottage garden feel
🌊 Enchanted Deep – Mermaids and ocean mystery
🔮 Mystic Hall – A magical school of journaling enchantment
Final Thoughts on How to Start Junk Journaling
Junk journaling is a relaxing, personal, and deeply creative hobby that anyone can do — even if you don’t consider yourself artistic. You don’t need expensive supplies or formal training. Just start small, experiment freely, and let the process bring you joy.
It’s about embracing imperfection, telling your story, and creating something that feels meaningful to you. Whether you’re layering vintage papers, scribbling a thought, or gluing down a pressed flower, every page becomes a reflection of your unique journey.
There’s no wrong way to do it — only your way.
Love and Light,
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