Whether you are a seasoned crafter or just someone who just can’t seem to throw away gift tags from the presents your loved ones gave you, you’ve likely stumbled upon junk journaling. It’s messy, it’s meaningful, and it’s taking over the world of the creative junkies.
If you’ve been looking for a way to document memories without the pressure of “perfection,” you’ve found it. Let’s dive into how I started my junk journaling journey and how I’m enjoying it so far.
Welcome to the World of Junk Journaling
I have always been the sentimental type who keeps all the receipts from restaurants I enjoyed with my friends, plane tickets from trips with my family, and even my daily bus ticket going to school (in my defense, that’s my dream school!). Most of you might also have boxes full of these “memory scraps,” but no place to put them.
I am begging you to try junk journaling—the ultimate creative outlet for the sentimental soul. Unlike traditional diaries, these journals are a tactile playground where your life’s “junk” becomes art.
Junk Journal vs. Scrapbook
A junk journal is exactly what it sounds like: a book made primarily out of found and recycled materials. That makes this hobby fun and budget-friendly at the same time. While the term might sound unpolished, the result is often a beautiful, chunky, and highly personal keepsake.
Well, if you’re thinking “it’s just another scrapbook,” I swear it’s different!
- Scrapbooking: Usually focuses on organizing photos in a clean, thematic way. Typically, it’s associated with preserving memories, hence, needing materials safe for archival.
- Junk Journaling: It’s more about the process and the texture constructed with “non-traditional” items. Consider it a diary you wouldn’t pass to the next generations, so you don’t have to worry about including candy wrappers or food packaging that later on might attract bugs (if you ask me, this might even be advantageous if you’re journaling deep personal feelings on there).
Why Journaling is Taking Over Your Feed
Credits: Pinterest
Well, I can’t blame those who are calling it a scrapbook since junk journaling is taking us back to a time without social media yet. That’s why in the discourse of 2026 being the year of analog living, this is one of the favorite hobbies people are doing.
Seeing junk journal ideas online has turned a private hobby into a global community where creators share their layouts and inspire others to start their own tactile journeys. What influenced me to start my own? The “ASMR journaling” videos—the crisp sound of paper tearing, the click of a stamp, and the satisfying peel of a sticker.
The Benefits of Junk Journaling: Why You Should Try It
Why should you start? Because it’s one of the few hobbies where there are zero rules.
- Mental Health: It’s incredibly meditative. The act of gluing and arranging paper significantly lowers my stress.
- Sustainability: You’re literally upcycling trash! It’s an eco-friendly way to be creative.
- Low Pressure: You don’t need to be an artist. If you can tape a receipt onto a page, you’re doing it right.
- Memory Keeping: It captures the small, everyday moments that big photo albums often miss.
In Choosing Your ‘Journal’
Learning how to start junk journal projects is easier than you think. You don’t need a fancy, expensive leather-bound folio you’ve been seeing online.
While you can make your own own bundle of papers sewn together, beginners often find it easiest to use:
- An Old Hardcover Book: Reuse an old book from your shelf and tear out some pages to make room for your “bulk.”
- A Sketchbook: Drawing pads usually have thick pages that can handle liquids better may it be glue or watercolor.
- A5 Traveler’s Notebook: Perfect for those who want to journal on the go.
Must-Have Budget Junk Journal Supplies
If just want to try it out and is scared to start from scratch, you might wanna consider buying journal kits first that already has its own themes. But if you are experimental and aiming for a more personal spread, here are some materials you can consider:
Recycling to Make Something
Just like the typical journaling, you have to go out “there” to write about something. Just to be clear, these experiences may be a bit expensive but the things that you can get here for your journal are for free! Here are some of the things I love recycling:
- Memorabilia: These are what you collect from events you go to. May it be a wristband from your most recent fun run or concert, a fabric sample taken from your old high school uniform, or cut out photo strips from your galentine’s—I urge you to include it for an extra special touch.
Credits: Pinterest | Pinterest
- Paper Scraps: These are materials made out of paper that you can put as backgrounds or accents. You may try exploring getting pages from a magazine, receipts from the restaurant you tried with your parents, a plane ticket from your first solo trip, or even invitations from weddings or birthdays. Pro tip: try ripping it off by hand to give it a more personality.
Credits: Pinterest | Pinterest
Essential Journal Materials Under ₱250
Now, here are the things that you can’t miss. These are affordable junk journal favorites you can find on Shopee that I highly recommend:
- Cutting Materials: You can’t do it all by hand. Some materials are tougher where you might need a scissor. I recommend buying good-quality Deli scissors (₱70) or Tolsen precision knife (₱105) to make your experience enjoyable. Another tool that almost any junk journal-er has are stamp punchers (₱225) or square punchers (₱165) that allows you to cut through thicker papers with a bit of fun.
Credits: Pinterest | Pinterest
- Glue: This is a non-negotiable. For thicker kinds of paper that can handle liquids, you may still opt for the regular glue (₱15-₱100). But if you want a cleaner finish, explore using glue dots (₱6) or glue tapes (₱25).
Credits: Pinterest | Pinterest
- Stick Ons: This gives the whimsy that our journals need. Play along sticker sets (₱50-₱100) or washi tapes (₱10-₱70). You may even use sticky notes (₱10-₱20) if you’d like to write down specific memories for your spread.
Credits: Pinterest | Pinterest
- Pen: It’s so annoying if the ink of your pen bleeds and affects the other materials you put together. That’s why I choose mine wisely. My personal favorites? Deli Gel Pen (₱10) for ballpoint pens and Thunlit Classic Fountain Pen (₱199) if I’m feeling a bit more classy. No wonder why these have a lot of good reviews from my fellow heavy-handed writers.
Credits: Pinterest | Pinterest
- Scrap Organizer: If you are doing your spreads for later and want to organize your scraps, invest in clear envelopes (₱10-₱65) or clear stationary binder with pouches (₱111-₱205) depending on how much materials you have. Now you don’t have to dig through your boxes or drawers because you can see it from the outside.
Credits: Pinterest | Pinterest
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need to be “artistic” to junk journal?
Not at all! If you like the way a certain color or texture looks, that’s all the creative source you need. Incase you need more inspiration, make Pinterest your best friend.
Is junk journaling expensive?
It’s actually one of the cheapest hobbies out there because it relies on found or recycled objects. You only need to invest in a few basics like glue, scissors, and a good pen.
What if I make a mistake?
In junk journaling, there are no mistakes—only “layers.” Just glue something else on top of it!
Turn Your Journal To a Ritual
Junk journaling is more than just a hobby. It allows you to slow down, inspires you to be more grateful, and guides you to have more meaningful experiences. What’s not to love about it, right?
Start your own junk journaling journey using our latest Shopee VIP subscription that allows you to save while checking out. Enjoy savings over ₱2,000 monthly through discounts and vouchers.
