What is a junk journal?
A junk journal is a handmade book that is made from stuff that you would normally throw away. The nice thing about crafting and recycling is that you help the earth and yourself at the same time! But in this creative world there are no rules, whether you use waste, or scrapbook paper, printer paper, or maybe all of them. Everything is possible because you are the creator! I really like to collect all kinds of things that I want to make something new out of them. You can also collect things that you don't like so much to make something unique that you do like.
A Junk Journal is a diary and is meant for exploring, writing and sketching. It is a place to log events or to note down small moments of happiness in a life. It can be a diary, a birth book, a memorial book, a planner, an art journal or a place of inspiration. Thoughts and ideas can be expressed and recorded. And favorite quotes can be kept and sacred papers stored. To entertain your senses give the book different textures, such as fabric, ribbon, lace, or perhaps a sweater from a loved one, a necklace with a beautiful story. You can make tuck spaces and pockets in the pages as little hiding places to give your notes and ideas a place. And if you want to make more space for writing and journaling you can use journaling cards, tags, school paper, stationery and mini notebooks, and handy flip-out pages!
First I started writing diaries. Just with the notebooks that come from a factory. Until I discovered the inspiring world of traditional bookbinding, scrapbooking and junk journaling. The magical world where everything comes together: making books, writing, drawing, painting, moodboards and collages, collecting stamps, writing poems you name it! Nothing is too crazy.
The best part is losing time when you are working with your hands. Whether you are making a book or a card, a tag for your journal or a drawing. With all the endless possibilities and ideas it can be difficult to get started. I often start with an intention and a feeling, and then combine color and shape. Sometimes it starts with a thought and then I make a list of things I want to incorporate or a sketch to get a picture of the project. I always remind myself to have an open mindset when I make something, to let go of control of how the end result ''should'' look and to have fun. With the vision in mind I craft towards the end result. There are no mistakes in how you make your creations. Unless you want to look critically at your old work to improve things.
Writing down the things you experience is a way of self-reflection and makes it more fun to let go of things that make your heart heavy. In addition, capturing beautiful moments is so nice to look back on. A new realization that helps you to grow and become better as a person. It is your journal, where you can be yourself! This also helps if you have difficulty talking and communicating with the outside world, and especially to find your voice, develop the connection with yourself and strengthen your voice. This will help you to make decisions in life and to build a reliable relationship with yourself. This way you create healthy boundaries and deeper relationships with your loved ones and the people you meet in life. Your own made books make life even more fun!
Journaling is a wonderful way to document your life and there are no limits to how you do this. You can use pictures and write poems. But also write down what you are grateful for and what you would like to achieve in your life. This makes it truly special for you. Be free in your creativity because you are the creator in your own world.
Did you make a lot of drawings and paintings as a child? And kept them all in a box or bag? You can process this in your own made art journal. This is a nice first introduction to the world of junk journaling and crafting at home with paper and glue.
A junk journal is like a painting, it takes you to a world that tells a story, a place you've been or dreamed of, and perhaps the story of yourself, who you were, who you are now and who you're going to become.