There’s something so beautifully nostalgic about putting pen to paper.
As a mom, I find that documenting my life — the little moments, the seasons, the random notes and photos that don’t make it into an album — feels grounding and almost sacred.
Over the years, I’ve realized that junk journaling isn’t just a creative hobby. It’s a mindfulness practice. It’s a way to slow down and actually see your life as it’s unfolding, similar to bullet journaling.
In a world that constantly asks us to go faster, do more, and scroll endlessly, junk journaling has become one of my favorite ways to unplug and return to myself. When I sit down with a cup of tea, surrounded by paper scraps, ribbons, and dried flowers, I instantly drop into the present moment. I’m not worrying about my to-do list or what’s next — I’m simply playing, creating, and reconnecting with my feminine, intuitive energy.
This little ritual has taught me so much about slow living — that beauty really does live in the small details, that imperfection is part of the charm, and that making something with your hands can be deeply healing.
Whether I’m gluing down an old coffee sleeve from a special morning, a love note from my son, or a page torn from a favorite book, junk journaling reminds me to honor the simple, ordinary magic of daily life.
That’s how I fell in love with this craft — and why I think every woman should have a journal that’s perfectly imperfect and completely her own.
🌸 What Is a Junk Journal?
A junk journal is a handmade book created from a mix of new and recycled materials — think old book pages, envelopes, lace scraps, packaging, tickets, paper bags, and anything else that inspires you.
Unlike a traditional scrapbook (which is often neat, themed, and photo-driven), a junk journal is intuitively creative. It’s messy in the best way possible — filled with textures, layers, doodles, and found treasures.
Your junk journal can be whatever you want it to be:
A gratitude or manifestation journal
A memory keeper for your kids
A seasonal inspiration book
A creative outlet for when you need a little me-time
✂️ Junk Journal Supplies You’ll Need
The beauty of junk journaling is that there are no rules — you can literally use anything you already have at home. But here are a few essentials that will make the process extra fun:
Basic Supplies:
An unlined notebook, old book, or spiral art book
Scissors (or decorative craft scissors)
Glue stick or double-sided tape
Pens, markers, and stamps
Washi tape (always!)
Stickers and labels
Optional but dreamy:
Vintage paper scraps, postcards, or maps
Old photos, cards, or love notes
Fabric pieces, lace, or ribbon
Dried flowers or leaves
Ephemera (tags, tickets, receipts, menus, wrappers)
Wax seals, paper clips, buttons, or charms
Pro tip: I keep a pretty basket on my desk just for “junk” that might find its way into a journal — bits of ribbon, packaging from a candle, little notes from my son. It’s such a sweet ritual to pull from it when I’m journaling.
🪶 How to Make a Junk Journal: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Choose Your Base
You can start with a blank notebook, an old book you no longer read, or even bind your own pages using rings or ribbon. There’s no wrong way — choose what feels fun and easy to work with.
Step 2: Gather Your Materials
Go on a little scavenger hunt around your house — grab old mail, magazines, wrapping paper, or even product tags. Look for textures, colors, and words that speak to you.
Step 3: Create Your First Page
Start simple. Add a background layer using scrapbook paper, an old map, or a brown paper bag. Then glue or tape a few pieces on top — maybe a receipt from a special day, a Polaroid, or a pressed flower.
Step 4: Add Journaling + Texture
Write a note, a quote, or your thoughts of the day. Add layers with lace, washi tape, stickers, or stamps. Let it be imperfect — that’s what makes it soulful.
Step 5: Keep Building
Over time, your journal becomes this beautiful, thick, tactile time capsule — filled with your creativity and heart. You’ll find yourself flipping through it months later, smiling at how much life you’ve lived.
💡 15+ Junk Journal Page Ideas & Inspiration
01 | Favorite things page
Make a favorite things page ☕💖
Collect little treasures from your daily life — a napkin from your favorite coffee shop, the tag from a new shirt, a receipt from a fun day out. Layer them together with notes about why you love each one. It’s such a simple, beautiful way to capture everyday moments that make you happy. 🌷
02 | a fashion inspiration spread 👗✨
Design a fashion inspiration spread 👗✨
Cut out your favorite looks from magazines or print screenshots from Pinterest and style them together like your own personal mood board. Add fabric swatches, tags, or notes about pieces you’re loving right now. It’s such a fun way to express your evolving style and capture your current aesthetic. 💕
03 | Lyrics I love
Create a lyrics you love spread 🎶
Take screenshots of your favorite songs’ lyrics on Spotify and print them out to add into your junk journal. Layer them with torn book pages, washi tape, and pressed flowers for a page that captures the soundtrack of your life right now. 💌
04 | Stickers I adore 🍒
Create a stickers you adore page 🍒🌸
Fill a spread with all the cute stickers that make you smile — cherries, flowers, hearts, bows, stars. Mix and layer them over pastel paper or doodle little borders around them. It’s such a playful reminder that your journal doesn’t have to be serious — it can just be pure, creative joy. ✨
05 | Romanticize your coffee moments ☕💌
Take the little things from your favorite café visit — the coffee sleeve, sugar packet, receipt, or even the wrapper from your pastry — and turn them into a cozy collage. Add a photo, a pressed flower, or a note about what you were thinking that day. It’s the perfect reminder to savor the simple rituals that make life sweet. 🌷
06 | Make bucket list pages 🗺️🍂
Create themed bucket lists in your junk journal — like “Fall Adventures,” “Places to Visit,” or “Self-Care Goals.” Write them on pretty paper, add doodles or washi tape borders, and check things off as you go. It’s such a fun way to dream big while keeping your intentions beautifully visual. ✨
07 | Create a self-care moments page 🕯️🌸
Fill a spread with little images, stickers, or drawings of the things that make you feel cared for — a hot bath, journaling, flowers, your favorite tea, or time alone. Add tiny captions or notes about how each one helps you recharge. It’s a beautiful way to remind yourself what self-care really looks and feels like for you. 💖
08 | Make a monthly memories spread 📆💫
Print out a few favorite photos or screenshots from the month — little moments, not just the big ones — and collage them together with notes or doodles about what made this month special. Add receipts, dried flowers, or snippets from your planner to capture the energy of this season of your life. 🌷
09 | Make a pet love spread 🐾💖
Dedicate a page to your furry best friend — add photos of your pet, little paw-print stickers, and even a tag with their name. Write down funny memories, favorite cuddles, or the ways they’ve brought joy into your life. It’s such a heartwarming keepsake that will make you smile every time you flip through your journal. 🐶🐱✨
10 | Create a My Dream Space spread 🏡✨
Cut out photos of furniture, lighting, and accessories that capture your vision for your dream home. Mix in fabric swatches, paint samples, or textures you love. Let it feel like a mini interior design mood board — a place where you can manifest your next home or simply romanticize the one you’re in. 🌸
11 | Design an About Me page 🌷💌
Create a spread that celebrates you. Add a photo, your name in pretty lettering, and a few fun facts or things you’re loving right now. This page can evolve as you do — a snapshot of who you are in this season of life.
Here are a few ideas to include:
🌸 Favorite quote or mantra
☕ Your current morning ritual
💖 Things that make you happiest
🎶 Favorite songs or artists
✈️ Dream travel destinations
🕯️ What self-care means to you
💋 A list of your favorite little luxuries
It’s such a special way to anchor your journal with your essence — your energy, your story, your sparkle. ✨
12 | Start a tea tag collection page 🍵🌸
Save the tea tags from your favorite blends and glue them into your journal — write a little note beside each one about the moment you enjoyed it. Maybe it was a slow morning, a cozy afternoon, or a quiet night before bed. Add dried flowers, washi tape, or watercolor splashes to give it that calm, tea-stained charm. It’s such a soothing way to document your slow living rituals. ☕✨
13 | Create a travel memories spread ✈️🌍
@alexrchive
Gather little treasures from your trip — tickets, receipts, postcards, photos, and even the napkin from that café you loved. Layer them together with maps, stickers, and handwritten notes about your favorite moments. Add a few reflections about what the trip taught you or how it made you feel. It’s the perfect way to relive the magic of your travels every time you flip through your journal. 💕
14 | Make a vision board spread 💫🌸
Print or cut out images that represent everything you want to manifest — the home, the career, the love, the lifestyle. Add words, affirmations, and colors that capture the feeling of your dream life. Let this page become a sacred visual reminder of what you’re calling in every time you open your journal. ✨
15 | Set monthly intentions 🌙🕯️
Dedicate a page each month to your goals, affirmations, and the energy you want to embody. Write down what you’re calling in, how you want to feel, and small actions that align with your intentions. Add stickers, washi tape, or quotes that match your vibe for the month. It’s such a grounding ritual for mindful, intentional living. ✨
🌸 Tips for Beautiful Junk Journals
Mix textures: Combine fabric, paper, and lace for a layered look.
Use a color palette: Pick 3–4 tones per spread to keep it cohesive.
Add hidden pockets: Slip in notes, quotes, or photos.
Play with layers: Stack torn paper edges or overlapping frames.
Embrace imperfection: The charm is in the messy details!
🌷 Junk Journaling vs. Scrapbooking: What’s the Difference?
While they overlap, junk journaling is more artistic and expressive, while scrapbooking is more organized and theme-based.
Scrapbooking: Focuses on neat layouts, photo albums, and cohesive designs.
Junk journaling: Embraces imperfection, layering, and randomness.
Think of junk journaling as scrapbooking’s free-spirited sister — she doesn’t follow the rules, but she always looks effortlessly creative.
💬 Junk Journaling FAQs
1. What is the main purpose of a junk journal?
A junk journal is a creative space to document life, express emotions, and preserve memories — using both meaningful and random materials.
2. What do people put in junk journals?
Everything from receipts and photos to dried flowers and poetry. There are no limits — that’s the fun part!
3. Is junk journaling the same as scrapbooking?
No — junk journaling is more spontaneous and artistic, while scrapbooking is more organized and structured.
4. Can you use a regular notebook?
Absolutely! Any notebook, planner, or old book can become your junk journal.
5. What’s the best glue for junk journaling?
A simple glue stick or double-sided tape works great. For heavier pieces, use craft glue or Mod Podge.
6. How do you make a junk journal look cohesive?
Stick to a color palette or theme per page, and repeat certain textures or motifs (like lace or florals).
7. How often should I work on it?
As often as you want! Some people journal daily, while others add to it weekly as a creative ritual.
🕊️ The Art of Slow Memory-Keeping
In a world that moves so fast — junk journaling feels like a pause button.
It’s about savoring your life in real time, one beautiful, imperfect page at a time.
As a mom, I love that years from now, my son will be able to flip through my journals and see not just photos, but pieces of my heart — the pressed flower from our walk, the coffee sleeve from our morning date, the recipe we made together.
And that’s the magic of junk journaling.
It’s not about perfection. It’s about preserving your presence. 🌿
You may also like:
🌸 Girls Guide to morning pages
🌸 The self care journaling ritual
🌸 How to start a gratitude journal
🌸 Why you should start a bullet journal
Please feel free to email me at ashlina@thedecorista.com if you have any questions! I’m always happy to help with decorating, life advice or even picking out a specific perfume! Have an amazing day!!
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