Junk Journaling

You're telling me not everyone is on journal/trinket Tok? That is news to me. Just kidding but seriously about 85% of what I see on my for you page are the cutest little girlies journaling their lives and their travels, safe to say I'm obsessed. junk journaling has become super popular within the past year, but let's start with what exactly is a junk journal.

I started my junk journal in early May this year and still update it almost weekly. Basically a junk journal is exactly what it sounds like. Collect the trash you accumulate through everyday life whether that be receipts, packaging, napkins, tickets, etc. and then make is a pretty little spread in your journal with the collection. I do it mostly with trips, big events, game days, nights out. It is such a fun way of physical memory keeping. It's more than just printing out your iPhone photos you took throughout the weekend and keeping them in a box you may or may not look at in 5 years or just keeping your memories purely digital because who knows what could happen in the cloud. It is a fun way to memory keep while also using your creative muscles. As you can see I have included one of my very own spreads at the top of this post so there is some inspo for those of you who want to start your own junk journal. 

Some of my favorite places to get scrapbooking/journaling supplies are Joann's, Michaels, Etsy, and Martina's Tiny Store. There are also so many local stationery/gift stores all over the country that I am obsessed with and if you DM me a city I can send you probably 3-5 local businesses that will also have super cute things for journaling. As far as actual journals go I feel a smaller hardback works for me, I got my current journal at Michale's but it is a knockoff version of a Leuchtturm which is the most popular brand in the journaling community on TikTok. 

Junk journaling isn’t just about creating pretty pages, it’s also a way to capture moments that represent you and your life. An example of that is my page after I voted in my first election last week, my first gameday of my senior year, etc. Each page becomes a small story that reflects your experiences, emotions, and growth over time. By adding everyday items—like receipts from a favorite café, a bus ticket from a spontaneous trip, or even a simple doodle—you’re turning simple everyday moments into lasting memories.

Through this process, your junk journal becomes a personal timeline, a reflection of the places you’ve been, people you’ve met, and the little joys you’ve encountered that you may have forgotten otherwise. Revisiting these pages later can bring back vivid memories, reminding you of times that might otherwise fade. This blend of art and memory-making turns what others see as “junk” into a uniquely personal and meaningful collection. One that grows with you and offers a beautiful way to look back on life’s fleeting moments.