How Junk Journaling Became My Self-Care Superpower (And Can Be Yours Too)
✂️💌 🧠 From a junk journal maker who turned her craft into a calling.
When I started junk journaling, I was simply looking for a creative outlet — a way to unwind and play with paper, textures, and color while writing in my journal. What I didn’t expect was how deeply it would support my mental and emotional well-being. Over time, this hobby became so much more than crafting. It became my ritual, my safe space, and a key part of how I manage stress, anxiety, and those occasional gray days.
Now, as someone who runs a shop full of handmade journals, DigiKits, paper supplies, and creative resources, I see how this craft touches others in the same way. My customers aren’t just buying materials — they’re building something meaningful that fulfills the need for daily self-care.
Why Junk Journaling Helps Your Mental Health
1. It’s a creative release that calms the mind.
There's something incredibly grounding about working with your hands. Tearing paper, collaging, inking the edges of an old book page — it's tactile, immersive, and meditative. When I’m working on a journal page, I’m present. I’m not thinking about to-do lists or spiraling thoughts. I’m simply in the moment. That kind of focus has helped me reset on days when my anxiety feels high or I need a break from the noise of life.
2. It’s a no-pressure way to express yourself.
Unlike other creative pursuits that can feel rigid or intimidating, junk journaling is wonderfully forgiving. You can glue things upside down, layer until it’s messy, or leave space blank — and it’s still beautiful. I think that’s why so many people fall in love with it. You don’t need to be “perfect” to benefit from this practice. You just need the willingness to show up and explore.
3. It’s a nurturing practice that gives you back to yourself.
In a world where we're pulled in a hundred directions, junk journaling creates a gentle pause. For me, it’s like having a conversation with myself. Sometimes I add quotes that inspire me. Other times, I tuck in an old receipt or piece of mail that represents a memory. These little rituals remind me to check in, slow down, and honor where I’m at.
4. It transforms scraps into stories — and healing.
One of the things I love most about junk journaling is the use of ephemera — old papers, tickets, postcards, packaging, even junk mail. There’s magic in taking something meant to be tossed and turning it into art. It’s symbolic of how we can take our past, even the rough or broken parts, and turn them into something beautiful. There’s real healing in that.
How I Help Others Start Their Own Creative Healing
That’s why I’ve filled my Shopify store with tools to help you start (or deepen) your own junk journaling journey. From handmade journals and printable DigiKits to paper bundles and eBooks full of inspiration — everything I offer is designed to spark creativity, reduce overwhelm, and support your self-care.
If you’re feeling burnt out, anxious, or just stuck creatively, I truly believe junk journaling can help. Not because it’s trendy — but because it works. It works for me every day, and it’s worked for countless customers and community members I’ve connected with along the way.
Ready to Start?
Whether you’re collecting paper scraps or creating an elaborate mixed media masterpiece, there’s a place for you in this world of creative expression. And I’d be honored to help you get started.
🧡 From one journal-loving soul to another — you’ve got this. Your pages are waiting.