Journaling is a fun tool for unwinding after a stressful week. With many options, journaling provides endless opportunities. There’s, of course, the traditional “dear diary” type of journaling, which expresses feelings with words on paper. You could also take a more untraditional approach: junk journaling. Junk journaling is as simple as layering old receipts that represent your thoughts or even saving movie tickets that capture your unique experiences to create a scene on your page, making junk journaling a great pastime for all skill levels.

Junk journaling yields many benefits, both for yourself and for the environment. First, junk journaling is entirely rule-free, with complete freedom over every action. For example, in the photo gallery above, I mismatched many different types of stamps to create a bigger picture. Creating with no set boundaries is incredibly freeing from the pressure of everyday life. Furthermore, junk journaling also provides mindfulness and a creative outlet, which can encourage journalers to spend less time online. Along with being beneficial to yourself, junk journaling is amazing for the environment. The main component of junk journaling is using recycled materials from your everyday life or finding older objects to make a new life out of. I enjoy using recycled stamps that my neighbor donated from his old stamp collection. 

To start, you’ll need a journal. Currently, I’m using a purple notebook from Amazon, but I have heard positive things about Moleskin. Another great alternative is finding a second-hand journal, as it can be cheap and more sustainable. Even so, no matter what journal you choose to start with, customization is key to a personalized journaling experience. Starting by personalizing the front and back cover is crucial, as it sets the vibe of your journal. For the rest of your journal, finding some fun stickers and stamps can add a new level of creativity and fun. My favorite places to scour for new additions to my journal are thrift and antique stores; therefore, I’ve found nearly all of my ink stamps at local stores. Moving on, it’s important not to become caught in one singular aesthetic. Many of my earlier pages, though still unique, tend to fall into the same pseudo-forest theme. When beginning, it’s easy to feel that you have to stick to one theme or aesthetic, which can lead to fewer authentic pages. Moreover, inspiration for your pages can be found in many places. For instance, trips I’ve enjoyed, or even the mood I’m in when journaling, can change the aesthetic of my pages. Additionally, I’ve found inspiration from social media outlets like Pinterest and TikTok. Overall, junk journaling is a perfect outlet for me as a student to relieve stress, and I hope that you will also try it. Remember: there are no rules to junk journaling, so let loose and experience complete creative freedom.