{"id":312708,"date":"2026-01-17T11:00:05","date_gmt":"2026-01-17T16:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/girlslife.com\/?p=312708"},"modified":"2026-01-15T11:34:06","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T16:34:06","slug":"the-beginners-guide-to-junk-journaling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/make-it-cute\/312708\/the-beginners-guide-to-junk-journaling\/","title":{"rendered":"The beginner&#8217;s guide to junk journaling"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-312709\" src=\"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-16-at-10.33.41-AM.png\" alt=\"A scrapbook page decorated with stickers of fruit, animals, a thermometer, a camera, a bow, buttons, tickets, a barcode, and various colorful images, alongside yarn, scissors, and craft supplies.\" width=\"800\" height=\"1048\" srcset=\"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-16-at-10.33.41-AM.png 536w, https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-16-at-10.33.41-AM-229x300.png 229w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The start of the new year inevitably comes with a flux of new hobbies\u2014and you\u2019re about to become obsessed with this one. If you\u2019re looking to channel your emotions, document your life or simply develop a top-tier crafty hobby, look no further than junk journaling.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>What is junk journaling?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-312711 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-16-at-10.40.45-AM.png\" alt=\"A colorful scrapbook spread decorated with stickers, stars, bows, and cut-out letters spelling Swap Met Danielle. One hand is visible holding the left page, which features handwritten notes and a strawberry sticker.\" width=\"774\" height=\"828\" srcset=\"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-16-at-10.40.45-AM.png 774w, https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-16-at-10.40.45-AM-280x300.png 280w, https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-16-at-10.40.45-AM-768x822.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 774px) 100vw, 774px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No doubt a few junk journaling clips have snuck their way onto your FYP, but just in case you\u2019re late to the party, here\u2019s the deal. Junk journaling is basically diary keeping\u2019s funky older sister. Rather than only writing your thoughts (though that\u2019s totally welcome\u2014and encouraged!), it\u2019s a messier collection of both physical and written content. A good junk journal is jam-packed with stickers, badges, magazine clippings (ahem), bows and any other trinkets that can be glued, stapled, taped or attached in some way. It\u2019s about layering, expressing yourself and making something visually stunning that reflects your current life experiences.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And the best part? It doesn\u2019t have to be pretty or aesthetic! To junk journal is to let out all your emotions, no matter how messy or ugly they seem. Each emotion released takes its physical form in your journal and will give you a low-pressure, creative outlet to look forward to at the end of your day.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>What you&#8217;ll need<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-312710\" src=\"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/katkalopsia_1739900096_3570863282614864379_71498080371.jpg\" alt=\"A person with decorated nails opens a box filled with pink shredded paper, stickers, a \u201cTiny Book of Big Ideas\u201d notebook, a thank you note, and various stationery and craft items on a wooden table.\" width=\"800\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/katkalopsia_1739900096_3570863282614864379_71498080371.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/katkalopsia_1739900096_3570863282614864379_71498080371-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/katkalopsia_1739900096_3570863282614864379_71498080371-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/katkalopsia_1739900096_3570863282614864379_71498080371-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/katkalopsia_1739900096_3570863282614864379_71498080371-1229x1536.jpg 1229w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you become a junk journalist, you\u2019ll need to stock up on inventory. Look at Pinterest and Insta for your starter inspo, then make a quick trip to your local craft store (or dig around your old art bin) to snag these essentials\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>A journal.<\/strong> This is a given, but picking the right one is more important than you might realize. Most prefer a blank pager when it comes to scrapbooking, but if you like to leave some space for doodling or writing, bullets or lines might be the way to go. Also, consider sizing. Do you like compact, cluttered pages or larger, neater spreads?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Writing + drawing supplies.<\/strong> Make sure to collect a nice array of styles. Sharpies and markers are great for outlines and headers, while gel pens are amazing for doodles and notes in the margins.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Adhesives + stickers.<\/strong> With all the parts you\u2019ll be attaching and cutting, you\u2019re gonna need something to hold your art together. Elmer\u2019s Glue is always a classic, but cute washi tape, mini staples and stickers are always good substitutes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Collage materials.<\/strong> This collection will become sacred as your junk journalism grows. Scrapbook paper, stickers, wrappers, cardstock, ribbons, lace and any memento you can lay your hands on all fair game.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Junk, duh!<\/strong> The bread and butter of a junk journal. Start collecting little knick-knacks from your daily life, like receipts, ticket stubs, old school papers, candy wrappers, you name it. The beauty of a junk journal is that there are no rules\u2014and, tbh, the more random your items, the cooler your journal will look.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Starting your junk journal<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-312712\" src=\"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-16-at-10.42.39-AM.png\" alt=\"An open journal with colorful, playful stickers including cartoon animals, fruits, stars, bunnies, flowers, and text like Sticker Dump. A hand holds the journal above a cluttered desk.\" width=\"700\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-16-at-10.42.39-AM.png 684w, https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Screenshot-2025-12-16-at-10.42.39-AM-300x286.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It might seem daunting to fill a whole journal, especially when faced with the amazing inspo online, but starting is actually the most exciting part! An intro page is always a good idea, since it sets the tone of your journal. If you\u2019re stuck for inspo, try to decide on a theme. Whether you\u2019re going for a lacy coquette aesthetic, a beachy blue vibe or bursts of color everywhere, it\u2019ll be easier to make things cohesive if you\u2019ve got a vibe in mind.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That said, if you want your journal to reflect your mood, don\u2019t base it on one vibe alone. Weekly and monthly recaps can showcase your current obsessions and life status, media reviews are fun to gather your current fave TV shows, movies and music, and vision boards will get you inspired.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However you go about junk journaling, use it as a way to express yourself, no matter what you\u2019re feeling or loving atm. Now, start getting crafty!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Check out our Insta <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/girlslifemag\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@girlslifemag<\/a> for more crafty inspo!<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>More DIYs incoming&#8230;<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>\ud83c\udf80 <a href=\"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/make-it-cute\/310293\/beaded-bows-are-the-cutest-holiday-diy\/\">Beaded Bows Are The Cutest Holiday DIY<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>\ud83c\udf80 <a href=\"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/make-it-cute\/310167\/air-dry-clay-is-about-to-be-your-new-crafty-obsession\/\">Air-Dry Clay Is About To Be Your New Crafty Obsession<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>\ud83c\udf80 <a href=\"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/make-it-cute\/306182\/diy-your-school-wardrobe\/\">DIY Your School Wardrobe<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Top image: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/martinamartian\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">@martinamartian<\/span><\/a><br \/>\nSlider image: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/katkalopsia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">@katkalopsia<\/span><\/a><br \/>\nBody images: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/tamarasjournaling\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">@tamarasjournaling<\/span><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/katkalopsia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">@katkalopsia<\/span><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/juliasjunkjournal\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">@juliasjunkjournal<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The start of the new year inevitably comes with a flux of new hobbies\u2014and you\u2019re about to become obsessed with this one. If you\u2019re looking to channel your emotions, document your life or simply develop a top-tier crafty hobby, look no further than junk journaling. What is junk journaling? No doubt a few junk journaling [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1864,"featured_media":312710,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[289,304],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-312708","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-make-it-cute","category-diys"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/312708","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1864"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=312708"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/312708\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/312710"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=312708"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=312708"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/girlslife.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=312708"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}