The new “junk journaling” trend offers a fun and meaningful pastime for empty nesters, newly retired folks, or anyone wanting to blend nostalgia with self-expression and self-awareness.
If you are looking for a low-cost, creative pastime that blends nostalgia with self-expression, junk journaling could be your next favorite thing. Those who have reached retirement open a gift that many of us have not had in decades: time. Time to rediscover old passions, start new hobbies, and finally do something with that box of mementos tucked away in the closet.
You have likely heard of scrapbooking – those elaborate photo-heavy albums with intricate layouts, themed stickers, and professional-grade embellishments. Scrapbooks can be beautiful, but they often come with pressure to be perfect – and the price tag to match. I cannot tell you how many hundreds of dollars I have spent on scrapbooking supplies! This style of memory book, by contrast, is delightfully imperfect, deeply personal, and refreshingly budget-friendly.
What is junk journaling?
At its core, this hands-on practice is a collage-style journaling method that uses recycled or found materials, anything from ticket stubs and postcards to grocery lists, pressed flowers, or wrapping paper. It’s a form of artistic expression where no two journals look alike, and there are no rules except your own. (Sounds glorious, right?)
Typically, junk journaling hobbyists start with a base such as a small notebook, a handmade paper journal, or even an old hardcover book. From there, you can fill the pages with whatever inspires you: vintage photos, bits of fabric, handwritten notes, greeting cards, maps, dried herbs from your garden – you name it. The more unique, the better.
According to Exploding Topics, a newsletter that tracks emerging trends, this creative practice has surged in popularity, particularly among people looking to unplug from their devices and reconnect with hands-on creativity.
Why it’s perfect for this season of life
One of the greatest joys of junk journaling is that it invites you to slow down and savor your memories – those that stretch into your past or you’re making now.
Many older adults find themselves with drawers of keepsakes – travel souvenirs, love letters, newspaper clippings – and nowhere to display them. Your journal offers a meaningful way to bring those items out of storage and into your everyday life.
It’s also an opportunity to celebrate what’s happening now. Are you newly retired and traveling more? Journal each trip using ticket stubs, maps, and photos. Spending more time with your grandkids? Document your adventures together with crayon drawings, handmade cards they give you, or pictures from a trip to the park.
And if you have downsized already, this hobby requires very few tools. Plus, putting keepsakes together in a junk journal can help minimize clutter.
Good for the soul
Research also shows that mindful, imaginative hobbies can offer real mental health benefits. Professionals note that engaging in activities that require a gentle focus – enough to occupy your mind without overwhelming it – can ease anxiety, boost mood, and provide a sense of control.
This hobby is especially helpful for easing perfectionist tendencies (guilty as charged), because the goal is not to create a “finished product.” In fact, the charm of a junk journal often lies in its messiness: overlapping papers, creased pages, and scribbled notes. It’s a place where imperfections are welcome, which is something many of us find freeing, especially if we’ve spent years striving for order and polish in our daily lives.
Getting started with junk journaling
You don’t need to spend loads of money on scrapbooking materials like I did. In fact, part of the fun of junk journaling is using what you already have on hand.
Here are the basics:
- Your base: An old book, a thrifted notebook, or even loose papers bound with string.
- Your “junk”: Think beyond traditional craft supplies. Raid your junk drawer, revisit old letters, pull out magazine clippings, save receipts from a favorite lunch, or snip pieces of fabric from a worn-out shirt.
- Simple tools: Scissors, glue, tape, and a pen or two are all you really need. You can add stickers, ribbons, or stamps if you like, but they are certainly not required. In fact, nothing is required – use what you have!
- Create without rules: Don’t worry about the page order, color schemes, or grammar. Let each page organically reflect a feeling, a moment, or a memory.
You can also turn this hobby into a social activity. Invite a group of friends, family, or a child or grandchild to journal with you. It’s a great way to share stories, start conversations, and enjoy meaningful, screen-free time together.
A new way to tell your story
Junk journaling isn’t just about crafting or collecting things. It’s a deeply meaningful, reflective practice that invites creativity on your own terms. You can find more detailed instructions, like these from ArtJournalist.com, but don’t let yourself get caught up in a right or wrong way to create your memory book. Whether you journal once a week or a little each day, every page becomes a story only you can tell, in a way that is unique to you.
