In a world that moves fast and keeps us glued to our smart phone, you might crave ways to slow down and reconnect with yourself.
That’s why it’s a good thing that you are looking into scrapbooks, art journals and junk journaling. Junk Journaling is an amazing way to express yourself: your thoughts, your emotions, your desires, simply everything!
These creative practices are part diary, part art project, and part therapy session—all rolled into one. Creating a junk journal is not about being perfect, it’s about being real and I think that is why they are so widely popular.
There are so many cool things you can do, you can use ticket stubs, layer magazine cutouts, or doodle across coffee-stained pages. No matter what you do, junk journals are a tangible way to capture your inner world.
In today’s post we will explore why junk journals have become so popular, the benefits they bring, and seven creative ideas to get you started with your own junk journal.
What is a Scrapbook Journal vs Junk Journal?
A scrapbook journal is like a hybrid between an art journal and a scrapbook. Instead of only focusing on big milestones or polished photo layouts, scrapbook journals embrace everyday scraps—receipts, packaging, Polaroids, pressed flowers—and turn them into something meaningful.
Junk journaling is a sub-style that leans even more into imperfection. You take what others might see as “trash” (like old envelopes, torn book pages, or fabric scraps) and turn it into a personal, expressive art piece.
The magic lies in this: there are no rules in junk journaling and I think that’s why we love it so much.
The Benefits of Junk Journaling
I tried to think about why its beneficial to start junk journaling and this is what I came up with. I wrote down seven reasons why think everyone should have a journal and start making art.
Mindful Escape – Junk journaling slows you down and brings you into the present moment.
Stress Relief – Collaging and layering in your journal helps release anxiety without words.
Unfiltered Expression – When you are creating and adding layers to your art journal, there is absolutely no pressure for perfection—just play.
Creative Confidence – Every messy page that you create reminds you that you are an artist.
Personal Storytelling – Scraps tell your unique story in raw, authentic ways.
Affordable & Sustainable – When you create a junk journal, the main idea is to reuse materials you already have.
Emotional Healing – Creating a junk journal and adding pages day by day is a safe space to process your feelings visually.
In short: junk journaling isn’t just art—it’s self-care and its a perfect way to expressing yourself in a personal and creative way.
Other Posts you might like:
7 Creative Ideas for Junk Journaling
Now that you know why everyone loves creating junk journals, and we have discussed potential therapeutic effects of expressing yourself on paper, lets look at how you can get started.
I made some research on themes that I found coming back again and again, so here are 7 creative ideas for junk journaling, enjoy!
1. Memory Collage Pages
Collect everyday items like postcards, receipts, or Polaroids and collage them together with little notes. Each spread becomes a personal time capsule.
2. Affirmation Spreads
Fill a page with self-love affirmations using bold magazine words, washi tape, and hand-lettering. Instant visual pep talk.
@katkalopsia Affirmation: I AM powerful, beautiful, and unstoppable. ##journaltok##junkjournal##junkjournalideas##journalwithme #journalinspo##dailyaffirmations##junkjournaling ♬ original sound - 
3. Nature Pages
Press flowers, tape in autumn leaves, or sketch natural textures. A mindful way to bring the outdoors inside.
4. Mixed Media Layers
Layer your junk journal with lace, paper bags, fabric scraps, or even coffee stains. The messier, the better—it creates depth and texture.
Incase you’re on tiktok, I feel like Itsfionana is really good at creating depth!
5. Song Lyric & Quote Pages
Write or paste lyrics/quotes on your journal page that resonate. Decorate your junk journal with doodles or images that match the vibe. It’s really quite simple =)
6. Themed Prompts
Choose a theme like gratitude, wanderlust, or dreams. Collect scraps and words that match it for a focused spread. Gratitude is one of my favorite prompts to use because expressing gratitude is believed to raise your vibrational frequency.
I also came accross a 365 Day Gratitude project by Candy McSween, a creative lady that shares her journey with us on her page. You should check it out to be inspired!
7.Fabric Junk journal
I haven’t tried this yet but I think this is absolutely fabulous! If you have tiny pieces of cloth that you don’t know what to do with, use them in your junk journal and transform them into something beautiful.
I found this youtube video by Margarete Miller and love how she uses fabric in her Art journals, so inspiring to watch her!
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Conclusion
I hope my blog post helps you to see that Scrapbook and Junk journaling is not about being perfect, but they’re about embracing the messy, beautiful process of self-expression.
Every torn edge, coffee stain, or scribbled word tells a story that’s uniquely yours.
Along the way, you’ll discover that the scraps you collect are more than “junk”—they’re fragments of your life, pieced together into something meaningful.
I really hope I was able to inspire you, so make sure to pin your favorite image to your pinterest board, so that you will know where to find this blog post when you are ready to be creative!
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🌞Anike
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