What Do You Do With a Junk Journal?

If you’ve ever made a junk journal, you might be wondering: what do you actually do with it?

It’s such a beautiful book filled with pockets, tags, and pages. But now what? Do you write in it? Do you put photos in it? Or do you just put it on the shelf?

The truth is, there’s no one right way to use it. A junk journal is whatever you want it to be. It can hold your memories, your art, your thoughts, or even your daily plans. It’s your space to create without rules.

Junk journals look beautiful on a bookshelf.

Ideas for Your Junk Journal

Here's a few ways that people like to use their journals:

Use it for Memory Keeping

A junk journal is a perfect place to store little pieces of your life. You can tuck in ticket stubs from a concert, a postcard from a trip, or a photo that makes you smile. Add a note about the day, or write a few sentences about why that memory matters to you. Over time, you’ll have a handmade book that tells your story in a way no store-bought journal ever could.

Use it For Art and Collage

Some people use their junk journals like an art book. They paint, glue, and layer papers and textures. You can fill a page with color, old book pages, or bits of lace. Try stamping, doodling, or adding paint splatters. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Think of it as a playground for creativity.

Use it For Writing and Reflection

You can use your junk journal as a space to write freely. It could be a daily journal, a gratitude list, or a place to write about things that inspire you. Some pages might hold quotes, affirmations, or stories from your day. The mix of art and words can make journaling feel more personal and meaningful.

Junk journals are great for memory keeping, inspiration and collecting memorabilia.

Use it for Lists and Collections

If you love lists, a junk journal is a fun place to keep them. Make a page for your favorite books, songs, movies, or recipes. Collect ideas for your next project, or write down things you want to learn. You can even dedicate a page to random thoughts or dreams.

Use it as an Inspiration Book or Vision Journal

A junk journal can also be a space to dream. Paste in pictures, magazine clippings, or quotes that reflect the kind of life you want to create. It’s like a vision board in book form. Flipping through it can remind you of what inspires you and help you stay focused on your goals.

Give it as a Handmade Gift

Junk journals also make thoughtful gifts. You can create one around a theme. For example, travel, friendship, or self-care. You can leave space for the person to add their own touches. Some people even do junk journal swaps, where they trade books or pages with others in the community.

Use it for Practical Ideas

Not every junk journal has to be about art or memories. You can make one for recipes, gardening notes, or craft ideas. You could even turn it into a planner or goal tracker, with a creative twist.

Junk journals are a fun way to express yourself and explore your creativity.

Getting Started

If you’re new to junk journaling, start small. Use what you already have. Try adding old envelopes, magazine pages, and bits of paper. Include a few personal touches like photos or words you love. There’s no wrong way to begin. The most important thing is to start creating and have fun with it.

Your Creative Space

A junk journal is more than just a craft project. It’s a space to express yourself, explore your creativity, and hold onto what matters most. Whether you fill it with art, memories, or lists, it becomes something truly personal. Your junk journal can be a reflection of your world, one page at a time.

Free Printables

If you’d like some free printables to use in your junk journal, join my free member area. You’ll get access to printable papers, tags, stickers, and other creative downloads to help you start filling your pages. It’s a fun way to explore new ideas and keep your creativity flowing.

Join here:

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