But there’s another place for them: yourjunk journal.
Think ticket stubs, food labels, random stickersanything can be fodder for a junk journal.
Lets bring up the book on junk journaling including common materials to use and how to make your own.
Photo:Shifa Sarguru
What is a junk journal, and why keep one?
Flip through the page of a junk journal and youll find a variety of ephemera.
Photo:Elena Mozhvilo
So, why keep a junk journal?
Photo:Adventure 22byBill Smithis licensed underCC BY 4.0
Junk journals are beneficial for many reasons.
First and foremost, theyre a fun and accessible creative activity.
It doesnt have to be perfect.
Photo:Elena Mozhvilo
Another reason that junk journals are great is that they’re a sustainable practice.
Because you’re using materials typically thrown away, it saves them from entering a landfill.
These small items become part of a larger creative endeavor with an eco-friendly twist.
Photo:Pure Julia
A junk journal becomes an unconventional memory book.
It traces your everyday existence and highlights how creative it can be when presented in this context.
Just keep your eyes peeled for anything youd normally discardits now going into your junk journal!
Photo:Orange Smashbook 2012byMarlenn Arambulais licensed underCC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Look for things like newspapers, magazines, and old books.
Ephemera from everyday life can make up the bulk of what goes on your pages.
Consider postcards, tickets, maps, receipts, stickers, and clothing tags as all fair game.
Photo:Kristyna Squared.one
And don’t be afraid to think beyond that.
Paint or stamps are also a possibility.
Don’t be afraid to try something new and remember to just have fun with it.
Creativity is part of the fun.
What are your goals for this jot down of project?
Are you using it for memory keeping?
A less fussy alternative to conventional scrapbooking?
As you gather your materials, consider your why.
This will inform what you include in your book and influence how you design each spread.
Mixed media art and collage.Mix and match your materials to create artistic compositions and flex your creative muscles.
Each composition is an opportunity for another work of art.
Gratitude and reflection journals.One science-backed way to be happier is to keep agratitude journal.
Your junk journal could be used to record daily gratitude or reflect on your life.
Its a space to write based on prompts or tell a storyfact or fiction.
Manifesting.Think of the pages as a bunch of vision boards.
What do you want your future life to look like?
(This is a great use for the catalogs and magazines you get in the mail.)
Now, its time to put the idea into action.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the point of junk journals?
It’s an excellent way to tap into your artistic side and let your creativity flow.
What’s the difference between a junk journal and a scrapbook?
What do you write in your junk journal?
you’re free to write anything!
You don’t have to share it with anyone.
Use it as a way to record an event or express your feelings.
