What’s a Junk Journal and How to Get Re(Started) Journaling: Tips + Tricks to Make More Art
In our fast-paced world, finding moments to slow down, reflect, and express ourselves creatively is crucial for our mental well-being!
As an art therapist, mental health counselor, and artist, I've found that one of the most therapeutic and satisfying ways to achieve this is through junk journaling!
What the Heck is Junk Journaling?
Junk journaling is a creative and eclectic approach to traditional journaling and scrapbooking. Unlike traditional journaling, which is often rigid, orderly, expensive, and quite neat, junk journaling asks you to embrace imperfections and go with the flow. Junk journals can be filled with a mix of found objects, scraps of paper, ephemera, upcycled materials, and personal memories that come together to tell your own unique story!
The best part of junk journaling is that it is all about doing whatever will best serve you—there are no rules or specific formats to follow! You get to collage your memories, thoughts, emotions, and layer on unique textures and colors that evoke personal meaning for you. It’s cost-effective, meaning that you don’t need fancy scrapbooking materials, making it easy to get started!
Materials for Junk Journaling
One of the many joys of junk journaling is its versatility in materials. Here are some common items that you can start to gather to create your very own journal!
Journal: Some kind of structure is needed for your journal. Consider a soft-cover Moleskine or composition notebook, or get creative by binding your own book!
Ephemera: Tickets, receipts, postcards, stamps, stickers, photographs, and any other small items that hold sentimental value to you.
Textiles: Fabric scraps, lace, ribbons, and even pieces from old clothing can add texture and depth.
Found Objects: Natural elements like pressed leaves, flowers, or small trinkets and charms can add a whimsical touch.
Basic Art Supplies: Materials like scissors, mod podge, scotch tape, washi tape, glue sticks, markers, and pens are my go-tos.
Storage: Use Ziplock bags or small containers to organize and store your collected supplies.
Here’s some pages that I have made recently showcasing my own collaging materials and examples of junk journal pages!
As an art therapist, I’ve found that creating my own artwork significantly fuels my creativity when working with clients. Junk journaling has been a powerful tool in overcoming mental creative blocks, and I now use it regularly to encourage self-expression and enhance my own creative wellness. It’s amazing how this practice not only benefits me but also enriches the therapeutic experience for those I work with!
22 Creative Ways to Gather Ephemera (as known as art materials) for Junk Journaling- Starting TODAY!
Magazines: Cut out inspiring images, articles, words, or advertisements.
Maps: Incorporate old maps or map sections for a vintage touch.
Business Cards: Use interestingly designed business cards and flyers.
Calendars: Repurpose calendars for their beautiful images or quotes.
Fabric Scraps: Utilize leftover pieces or cuttings from old clothing.
Packaging Materials: Use labels, tags, bubble wrap, and cardboard for added texture.
Postcards from Travels: Preserve memories by including postcards from your journeys.
Receipts: Save receipts from restaurants, concerts, or events.
Collect Interesting Junk Mail: Use colorful envelopes, postcards, or flyers that catch your eye.
Library Book Sales: Explore under $5 book sales for old novels, textbooks, and magazines.
Comic Books: Incorporate panels or speech bubbles for whimsical touches.
Old Greeting Cards: Reuse cards for their messages and designs.
Thrift Store Finds: Hunt for old postcards, magazines, and unique trinkets.
Upcycled Artwork: Repurpose unfinished or older artwork for new creations.
Digital Ephemera: Screen grab or pin quotes, themes, or aesthetics for manual inclusion.
Flea Markets: Find free business cards, flyers, posters, and information pages.
Photographs: Use vintage photos to evoke nostalgia or tell stories.
Tea Bags: Stain pages or add texture with used tea bags.
Doctor’s Offices: Inquire about old magazines they might be willing to part with.
Brochures: Collect local brochures during road trips for maps and images.
Restaurant Menus: Take menus for interesting typography and design elements.
Holiday Cards: Save aesthetically pleasing snail mail or gift wrapping paper.
By incorporating these diverse materials into your junk journal, you not only create a visual diary but also engage in a therapeutic process that fosters creativity and self-expression. Whether you're new to journaling or looking to enhance your mental health journey, junk journaling offers a meaningful and fulfilling way to connect with yourself and your surroundings.
6 More Reasons About Why You Should Journal: Whether It’s Junk Journaling, Art Journaling, or Traditional Journaling:
How Junk Journaling Has Helped Me
Release of Emotions Junk journaling provides a safe space for self-expression without judgment. You can explore and process complex emotions, thoughts, and experiences through collage, color, and texture. This process allows for a cathartic release of feelings that may be difficult to articulate verbally.
Reduction of Stress: Engaging in creative activities like journaling can significantly reduce stress levels. The tactile experience of cutting, pasting, and arranging materials can be meditative and calming. It helps to shift focus away from daily worries and promotes mindfulness by immersing yourself in the present moment!
Reflections: Journaling inherently encourages reflection on past events and experiences. Junk journaling takes this a step further by visually capturing memories and moments. Whether it's through old photos, ticket stubs, or handwritten notes, each element added to your journal becomes a tangible reminder of where you've been and how far you've come.
Resilience: Building a junk journal encourages resilience through creative problem-solving. You learn to adapt and make the best use of materials at hand, turning potential "mistakes" into opportunities for artistic expression. This resilience extends beyond journaling and can positively impact how you approach challenges in life!
Recognition: As you fill your journal with personal stories, achievements, and memories, you cultivate a sense of recognition and appreciation for your journey. Each page becomes a tangible reminder of your growth, strengths, and the unique path you've traveled.
Rootedness: Junk journaling requires you to be grounded and present, both in creating the pages and collecting the materials. Starting a junk journal helps you shift your focus and opens up wonderful possibilities for collecting unique items. It encourages me to constantly be on the lookout for ways to reuse, recycle, and capture little moments of life!
Junk journaling offers more than just a creative hobby. Journaling can be a pathway to enhanced mental and emotional well-being. By embracing reflection, relaxation, resilience, recognition, creativity, connection, and therapy, you can embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and personal growth. Start today and let your journal become a canvas for your thoughts, memories, and dreams. Go on, get crafting!
Are you curious about how art therapy can help you heal and grow? Whether you’re navigating childhood traumas, seeking to reconnect with your playful spirit, or addressing lingering fears and insecurities, art therapy offers a unique approach to self-discovery and healing. Through creative expression, you’ll explore complex emotions and memories in a non-verbal and deeply therapeutic way. Together, we’ll uncover the strengths and resilience within you as we integrate your past experiences into a more empowered present.
Let’s get started, today!
Want even more free resources?
Check out more blog posts here or head on over to my full free resources page!
I love sharing free resources that I find and creating my own worksheets for clients and supervision students to use in their journey of wellness!
Let’s walk this path together toward a more vibrant and fulfilling life—for you and your inner child!
Wanting more support with your mental health journey? Please reach out to Labyrinth Art and Wellness located in Baltimore County, Maryland.
Kristy Leone, LCPC, LCPAT, ATR-BC specializes in helping overthinkers by day and nocturnals by night. You don't have to face challenges alone - help is here for you when you need it!
Head on over to my Art Therapy and my Walk-and-Talk Therapy webpage!
Ready to learn more about how to begin art therapy? Fill out my contact form here!
