How To Create A Junk Journal For The New Year (2026 Guide)

Last Updated on November 9, 2025 by Wendy Sy

A junk journal is a creative, fun, and easy way to reflect on your memories while planning your new year goals. The start of 2026 is the perfect time to make one — but really, it can be done anytime in the comfort of your home.

In this day and age, it feels like everyone’s constantly jumping from screen to screen — from the phone to the laptop to the tablet, and so on. 

A junk journal sounds so antique, considering that most work and leisure can be done online now. 

While going digital has its perks, there’s something about creating keepsakes with tangible materials that’s so therapeutic. 

Two years ago, my boyfriend Dex and I created our first junk journal with memories from our dates. It’s so much fun having this as a creative outlet, and I love reflecting on our adventures with every page that we create together.

Choosing different papers, and gathering repurposed materials often deemed as “junk” (like old ticket stubs from a carousel ride, museum tickets, and Polaroid photos scattered around), gave these items a new life. 

Just like journal writing benefits, this activity can help you express yourself, unlock creativity, and more.

You’re in the right place if you’re looking for junk journal ideas. 

This post will cover everything from the point of junk journaling as well as junk journal supplies, how to create a one in a meaningful way to envision your 2026 goals, and have something tangible that you can treasure for years to come.

Get ready to tap into your artistic side!

In This Post:

• What Is A Junk Journal?
  
• What Is The Point of Junk Journaling?
  
• Junk Journal Supplies
  
• Do You Actually Write In A Junk Journal?
  
• What Is The Difference Between a Junk Journal And A Scrapbook?
  
• What Are The Rules For Junk Journal?
  
• How To Junk Journal
  
• What Kind Of Paper Is Used For Junk Journals?

What Is A Junk Journal?

A junk journal is a handmade notebook created with recycled materials such as papers (such as magazines, newspapers, and cardstock), fabric scraps, and personal memorabilia (think photos, old train tickets, receipts, buttons, and stamps).

As its name implies, the pages are filled with material that’s usually thrown away. Putting these items together gives it a home (it’s a much better — and neater — alternative than stuffing them into a junk drawer!).

You can make your junk journal uniquely yours with mementos like photographs, dried flower petals from a loved one, old magazines, or brochures from a trip…sky’s the limit.

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What Is The Point Of Junk Journaling?

The point of junk journaling can be something different for everyone. Here are some benefits of creating your own:

• Reflect and set 2026 new year goals: Create pages that serve as a visual reminder of all that you accomplished, and pages with your vision board to manifest your dream life.
  
  
• Hold your memories in one place:  I like to think of a junk journal as a mini time machine. Once you create one, you can flip through the pages and be transported back to the emotions you felt on your first date, or various mementos of that unforgettable trip you took to Paris.
  
  It can be a collection of your feelings, favorite places, and everyday musings. 
  
  
• Relax and unwind: If you’re feeling stressed and need to unwind and enjoy the present moment, or simply want to do something that doesn’t require a lot of effort, consider taking up junk journaling.
  
  Going through old materials, flipping through magazines, and creating something unique doesn’t use much brain power and has such a meditative quality. It feels so therapeutic. 
  
  Plus, you can enjoy the ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) experience, which is all about gentle sounds like tapping, writing, and ripping paper.
  
  
• Bond with loved ones: Creating a junk journal book can be a fun activity to do with family and friends. You can relive pieces of everyday life through found objects and strengthen your relationships that you’ll appreciate time after time.
  
• Create a personalized gift: The best gifts are thoughtful ones, and what could be more thoughtful than a gift specially made for someone?
  
  Fill the junk journal with things that visually say “This reminded me of you”. Plus, it’s usually a very inexpensive gift, monetary-wise — what you’ll invest in, instead, is the time to create one.

What Do You Put In A Junk Journal?

Junk Journal Supplies

ESSENTIALS:

• Journal
• Notebook paper
• Regular tape
• Glue or glue stick
• Scissors
• Pen
  

IDEAS FOR PERSONAL MEMENTOS

• Journal
• Plane and/or train tickets
• Movie stubs
• Museum tickets
• Sheet music
• Dried flower petals
• Personal notes 
• Bookmarks
• Wrapping paper 
• Postcards

NICE-TO-HAVES:

• Journal
• Printed paper
• Magazines
• Books
• Metallic markers
• Decorative envelopes
• Paper Cutter
• Acrylic paints
• Washi Tape
• Twine
• Stickers
• Ribbons
• Lace

There isn’t a need to buy supplies if you already have the essentials!

That’s a major perk of junk journaling: it can be free or super inexpensive.

If you want to fancy it up with more materials, here are some cute options:

Shop The Story: Paper Craft Supplies

Do You Actually Write In A Junk Journal?

Whether or not to write in your junk journal pages is completely up to your preference.

The beauty of this project is that there’s no right way to do it.

Lots of people add their own words or favorite quotes on the pages to add a more personal feel, capturing memories and feelings. But you can also focus solely on the photos and decor since junk journals are visual books. 

What Is The Difference Between A Junk Journal And A Scrapbook?

Junk journals are typically smaller and are made of materials you already have at home. It’s usually low-cost, more personal, and looks vintage-like. 

When I think of junk journaling, I imagine torn papers on papers layered together, papers folded into envelopes that store personal notes, lace glued to the pages for some extra flair, and a piece of twine holding it together. 

Scrapbooks, on the other hand, are usually more formal and larger. I still have a scrapbook I made years ago during a pre-college program at FIT where I did a project on clothing store windows. It’s a square-shaped book with photos neatly placed together. The inside pages are filled with fancy paper that I bought as part of a scrapbook kit.

What Are The Rules For Junk Journal?

The beauty of junk journals is that there are no rules!

Making your own hand-crafted journal feels so free since there’s no wrong way to the creative process. Think of it as a stream-of-consciousness writing session but with found objects on paper. 

Like any creative project, the more you get into the flow and not overthink, the better it’ll turn out.

Shop The Story: Junk Journal Supplies

How To Junk Journal

Step 1: Think about the purpose. One of the first things is to ask yourself if this junk journal a personal keepsake or is it a gift?

You can also create one with a theme with a specific idea such as a travel journal focused on new year goals, a trip, birthday, anniversary, etc. Another idea is tailoring it to a color palette to match your aesthetic.

Step 2: Gather materials. Look around your home for essentials and personal items on the list above that you can use in a creative way. Although not needed, you can also buy new supplies for extra style.

Step 3: Set the tone. I like my atmosphere to be relaxing when doing any creative project. Some ways to set that tone are to light a candle, make a cup of tea, put on a soothing playlist, and relax in a comfy chair to start making a beautiful journal.

Step 4: Put everything together! This is the fun part. Again, there are no rules so you can be as creative as you want!

Shop The Story: Creative Journaling Essentials

What Kind Of Paper Is Used For Junk Journals?

The kind of paper used in junk journals all depends on the style you’re going for. First off, you can use paper to create the journal itself and bind it DIY-style or use an old journal as the base (what I like to do).

Maybe you’re into the idea of a composition book or maybe you like the journals with binder rings. Either works!

As for individual pages, can use everything from computer paper to construction paper, squares of cardstock, or fancy printed paper. Etsy has a lot of vintage paper that would work well for junk journaling.

Junk Journal Pockets And Tucks

To create more interest, you can rip pieces of newspaper and add them throughout. The torn edges give it a rustic feel with a visually interesting design to layer between photographs and stickers.

Another idea is to create envelopes using various papers and store handwritten notes inside.

Using papers of different sizes, colors, and textures adds more interest and character to junk journals. 

Shop The Story: DIY Journaling Tools

Overall Thoughts On Junk Journals In 2026

If you take away anything from this post, remember this: junk journaling isn’t meant to be perfect.

To me, the fact that “junk” is in the name relieves the pressure to make each page precise.

I find that imperfections, like faded and ripped papers, various-sized handwritten notes, and stickers, give it more visual interest and personality.

Once you make your first junk journal, you’ll see how it can serve as a fun form of self-expression.

If the theme of yours is reflection and 2026 new year goals, make sure to look at the pages throughout the year to keep your intentions fresh. Having this as a visual reminder and help make your dreams feel closer.

Overall, this DIY activity is a great opportunity to collect little items that are filled with sentimental value.

Make it yours, make it meaningful, and don’t forget to make it fun 🙂

Sit back, relax, and enjoy your junk journaling journey!

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