End of Year Reflections with My First Junk Journal

Posted by Loretta Mui on January 03, 2025

As the year winds down, I feel the need to slow down and reflect. Journaling has become an important practice for me. There’s something about putting my thoughts and feelings into words that helps me pause, process, and find clarity. Over time, this end-of-year reflection has become a bit of a tradition for me. But this year, I decided to try something new: Junk Journaling! A client recently introduced me to this creative practice, and I was curious to give it a try.

What is Junk Journaling?

I don’t know if there is an official definition out there, but for me, Junk Journaling is using a mix of found materials to document all sorts of things: thoughts, memories, inspiration, and more. Junk journals use creativity and self-expression with repurposed items, from old receipts to postcards, ticket stubs, and even textile scraps. The items you can incorporate into your Junk Journal are endless!

Getting Started (easier than expected!)

What I love about Junk Journaling is that there are no rules. While each journal is unique, the one thing they all have in common is the use of found materials. I loved gathering all sorts of bits and pieces I’d collected throughout the year. Looking over the mash up of items gave me a playful starting point to putting together the Junk Journal.

For the journal itself, I chose a notebook that had a few blank pages left. But really, anything will work, a composition book, or a sketchbook. If you plan on using paint or heavy craft glue, a sketchbook with thicker pages might be better.

I also had some origami paper left over from another project, which I was excited to incorporate. Washi tape, regular tape, and craft glue helped with assembling everything.

Self-expression & Reflection

Something unexpected I appreciated about Junk Journaling was how freeing it felt. If you’ve ever been nervous or hesitant about starting a creative project, this practice might be worth exploring. I kept reminding myself that each page didn’t have to be a work of art, that I was just having fun with collaging, doodling, adding notes and letting the process unfold naturally. Freeing myself of the pressure to “finish” anything and just express whatever I was feeling in the moment was great for experimentation.

As I looked through the items I’d gathered, I began noticing connections between them. They represented various emotions, memories and themes from the past year. I had so much fun creating themed pages, which allowed me to reflect on how certain ideas or events had played a role in my life. It was like looking at the past through a new lens.

Preserving & Organizing Memories

One thing I particularly enjoyed about Junk Journaling was how calming it was to organize and preserve memories. Going through my collected notes, lists, and little mementos, I was able to step back and see how much I’d experienced. It was eye-opening to see everything laid out in front of me and then put together in a meaningful, tangible way.

My Overall Experience

It was a lovely way to spend time with all the little bits and pieces of my life from this past year. I got to know myself a little bit better, while having fun with some art along the way. I can see so many possibilities for the Junk Journalling practice, and I am already planning my next one!