You might want to think twice before throwing away trash. Savvy crafters and scrapbookers use everyday items that would normally end up in the trash, such as receipts, fabric scraps, and packaging materials, to create “junk journals.”
This practice can be a way to relieve stress and document travel, experiences, or anything else someone would like to remember using discarded or found materials.
Read on to learn more about this trend and how to start your own junk journal. And, if you can, breathe new life into things you think are “junk.”
What is junk journaling?
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Junk journaling is exactly what it sounds like. People collect “junk” such as food wrappers, receipts, train and movie tickets, maps, stickers, and other small items they come across and collect throughout the day.
Journalists can create pages with specific themes based on the junk they collect or use it as a diary for the day. It is often seen as a mixture of journaling and scrapbooking, as it encourages people to record their lived experiences using everyday items.
However, like all art, junk journaling is open to interpretation and varies from person to person. As there are no clear rules set, formats and processes are subject to change and adaptation.
How did junk journaling begin?
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It’s unclear exactly when Junk Journals started, but the JunkJournals Reddit community was founded in 2018. The community has 12,000 members and people share their journal photos and various tips and tricks.
But in 2024, junk journaling took off on TikTok as users encouraged others to “junk journal together.” TikTok’s #junkjournal currently has over 804,000 posts, and #junkjournaling has nearly 220,00 posts.
One TikTok user, livebrave2, who frequently shares his spreads on TikTok, shared in a recent video, “This type of journaling is a beautiful combination of scrapbooking, collecting memories, and reusing junk like business cards and wrapping paper to give it new life.”
“I know many of us are perfectionists, but this hobby of junk journaling takes all that away and allows us to enjoy the process of creation rather than the finished end product,” a user shared.
“This is a life-changing hobby, so I encourage people to start it.”
How do I start junk journaling?
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As this trend shows, all you need to get started is some “junk” and a journal.
Other useful supplies include glue and tape, scissors, magazines, washi tape, stickers, and colorful pens for writing and drawing.
Once you start, it’s important to pay attention to paper-based items such as ticket stubs, menus, brochures, posters, newspapers, invitations, receipts, greeting cards, and all other items that are often overlooked on a daily basis.
There are several helpful Pinterest guides and TikTok videos that offer a variety of page ideas, including monthly layouts, goals, book and movie trackers, travel summaries, and a page to collect all your stickers. The possibilities are endless, and once you get started, you’ll want to keep adding to your journal.
For many users of TikTok, the most exciting part is watching their diary expand and grow with all the content they’ve crammed into it.
Who is participating in the junk journaling trend?
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Many creators on TikTok have accounts dedicated to junk journaling, where they share tips and inspiration for layouts. TikTok user Junkie j has been documenting his junk journaling of everything from Erewhon transports to Taco Bell orders.
TikToker bella.grace016 also uses a junk journal to document her travels using gift shop bags, postcards, and even hotel keycards.
More and more creators are sharing their junk diaries and inspiring others to take up creative hobbies that add an element of excitement to the mundane parts of life. Because journalers are always looking for the next “junk” article.
