Want To Start Junk Journaling? Read This First

If you’ve ever wondered how to start junk journaling but felt completely overwhelmed, you’re in the right place. This post will walk you through the most common beginner fears and help you feel confident, clear, and excited to begin.

Who Is Junk Journaling For? (Hint: Probably You)

You want to start junk journaling. You’ve seen it all over Pinterest or TikTok. You’ve saved receipts, magazine clippings, maybe even an old notebook. But somehow, actually starting still feels… hard.

Too many styles. Too many supplies. Too many tutorials that make it look easy but never explain the beginning part – your part.

So you stall. You scroll. You collect more “stuff.” And that first page? It stays blank.

Friend, if that sounds familiar, this post is for you.

Because I don’t want you to sit on the sidelines of something you want to try just because it looks complicated. It’s not. You don’t need permission. You don’t need perfection. You just need a little clarity and a nudge in the right direction.

That’s what you’ll find here. You got this!

When You Doubt Yourself or Feel Behind

“I’m not creative / artistic / talented.”

Let me tell you something important — you don’t have to be “artistic” to be creative.

So many beginners think junk journaling is only for people who can paint, draw, or letter like a pro. But here’s the truth: junk journaling is about playing with paper, not proving anything. You’re not making this for an art gallery – you’re making it for you.

There are no rules here. You don’t need a color theory book. You don’t need perfect handwriting. And you definitely don’t need to be “good at art.”

If you can tear paper and glue things down, guess what? You’re already a junk journaler.

The beauty is in the imperfection. In the smudges. In the crooked stickers. In the pages that feel a little messy but deeply yours. That is creativity – not the kind that’s graded, but the kind that’s freeing.

Still unsure? Try one page. One tag. One piece of ephemera. You might be surprised at just how creative you already are.

“I’m afraid I’ll mess it up or do it wrong.”

This fear is so real – and so normal.

You want to start junk journaling, but there’s that voice in your head whispering, What if I ruin it? What if it looks bad? What if I waste supplies?

Here’s the thing no one tells you: messing up is part of the magic.

Junk journaling isn’t about perfection – it’s about exploration. It’s a safe, no-rules space where every crooked tag, glue glob, or wonky stitch becomes part of your story. Some of the most beloved journal pages came from “mistakes” that turned into something beautiful.

There is no “wrong” way to junk journal.

You can skip pages, redo spreads, glue over something you don’t love, or just call it done and start fresh. That’s the freedom of this craft – you’re the maker and the rule-breaker.

So if you’re afraid of messing up, start with scraps. Start with a recycled envelope. Start with play, not pressure. The page isn’t judging you – and neither am I.

You can’t mess this up. You can only make it more yours.

 “I compare myself to others and feel like mine won’t look good.”

Ah, comparison. The fastest way to steal joy – especially in creative spaces.

If you’ve ever looked at someone else’s flip-through on YouTube or Pinterest and thought, “Mine will never look that good,” I want you to know something: the people you’re comparing yourself to? They started out feeling that way too.

You’re seeing someone’s Chapter 20 while you’re still on Page 1. Of course, it feels lopsided. Of course, your beginner pages won’t look like their hundredth journal. But that doesn’t mean yours are any less valid – or any less beautiful.

Junk journaling is personal. What makes your journal special isn’t the “wow” factor – it’s the why. It’s the scraps you saved. The words you wrote. The colors you picked because they made you feel something.

Let your journal be yours – not a copy of someone else’s.

And if it helps? You don’t have to show anyone. Some of the most powerful creative growth happens in quiet, unseen pages. You are allowed to make just for the joy of making.

You don’t need your journal to be “good.” You just need it to be honest.

“I’m too old to start something new.”

You’re never too old to create something beautiful.

One of the most wonderful things about junk journaling is that it has no expiration date. It doesn’t matter if you’re 25 or 75 – this craft meets you exactly where you are, in the season you’re in.

In fact, some of the most passionate junk journalers I know discovered the hobby later in life – after retirement, after raising children, after decades of not making anything “just for fun.” And you know what they say?

“I wish I’d started sooner. But I’m so glad I started at all.”

You bring wisdom to the page. Life experience. Memories worth keeping. Stories worth telling.

There is no rule that says creativity is only for the young. This is your moment. Your time. Your blank page.

So, no, you’re not too old. If anything, you’re in the perfect place to begin.

“I’m a minimalist – this looks too messy or cluttered for me.”

Junk journaling doesn’t have to be chaotic or cluttered. It can be simple, intentional, and clean – just like you prefer.

The beauty of this craft is that it adapts to you. Some journalers love layers and lace. Others stick to soft neutrals, clean lines, and just a few favorite pieces. And guess what? Both are equally valid.

You can make a minimalist junk journal with white space, tone-on-tone textures, and soft, calming layouts. You can focus on just one or two pages at a time. You can tuck meaning into the quietest details – a dried leaf, a handwritten word, a snippet of cloth from something you loved.

This isn’t about adding more to your life. It’s about adding meaning – in your own style, at your own pace.

So yes, minimalists belong here too.

Feeling Lost or Overwhelmed? Start Here

“There’s too much information – I don’t know where to begin.”

Oh friend, you’re not alone in this.

You start researching junk journaling and suddenly you’re knee-deep in videos, blog posts, Pinterest boards, printable kits, and a hundred ideas you don’t know how to organize. It’s exciting – and completely overwhelming.

So let’s take a deep breath together. You don’t have to learn everything before you start. You just need a place to begin.

Choose one thing that looks fun. One tag. One page. One printable. You don’t need to build the whole journal today. Just let yourself play – even if it’s with paper scraps and a glue stick.

The best part? You’re not doing this alone. That’s exactly why I created Crafter Journal – to be your cozy corner of the internet where things feel simple, gentle, and step-by-step. Not pressure-packed.

You don’t have to figure it all out before you start. You just have to start – and let clarity meet you along the way.

“There are so many styles and supplies – I can’t choose.”

Totally understandable – when everything looks beautiful, it’s hard to know where to start.

Should you go vintage or grungy? Fairycore or floral? Do you need stamps, or lace, or twenty different kinds of paper? It’s easy to feel frozen in front of too many possibilities.

Here’s the truth: you don’t have to choose a style forever. You just have to choose what speaks to you right now.

Start small. Pick one color palette, one printable kit, or one old magazine you’ve been saving. Your style will reveal itself as you create. And guess what? It can evolve. It should evolve. That’s part of the joy.

There’s no wrong aesthetic. No “right way” to journal. The only wrong move is never getting started because you were waiting to figure it all out.

Let yourself play first. The style will come later – and it’ll be yours.

“It seems too complicated / too advanced for a beginner.”

If you’ve ever watched a flip-through and thought, “I could never make something like that,” I want you to know this: every journaler – even the ones with the gorgeous stitched spines and layered pockets – started with glue, paper, and a little bit of courage.

Junk journaling can look complex, but at its heart, it’s simple.

It’s cutting and gluing. It’s saving something that would’ve been tossed. It’s turning an old receipt into a memory, a paper scrap into a page you love. You don’t need a sewing machine or 50 types of washi tape. You don’t need to be an expert in mixed media or digital design.

You just need to be curious. And willing to try.

The rest? You’ll learn by doing – one page at a time, one small “aha” moment after another.

“What even is a junk journal, really?”

It’s okay to ask. In fact, it’s one of the most common questions I get – and the confusion is totally understandable.

Some people describe junk journals as scrapbooks. Others call them art books. You’ve probably seen journals made with lace, envelopes, packaging, or even old receipts. So what is a junk journal, exactly?

The short answer: it’s a handmade book filled with paper and personality – usually crafted from found, recycled, or printable materials.

But the real answer? It’s whatever you want it to be.

You can write in it, glue in it, draw, reflect, collect, decorate, or simply admire. It can be messy or minimalist, themed or spontaneous. There are no rules – only invitations to create.

👉 Want the full breakdown? Read What Is a Junk Journal here

“I don’t know what I’d use one for.”

That’s such a common question – and it makes total sense.

You’re intrigued by the craft, but then you wonder, What would I actually do with this? Maybe you’re not a big writer. Maybe you don’t want to create a scrapbook. Maybe you’re afraid it’ll just sit on a shelf.

The truth is, junk journals can be anything you need them to be.

A place to document memories. A space for quiet reflection. A visual diary. A collection of keepsakes. A way to use up paper scraps. A daily creative practice that doesn’t require perfection or pressure.

You don’t need a grand plan. You just need a starting point – and permission to follow your curiosity.

👉 Need ideas? Here’s what junk journals can be used for

Worried About Time or Follow-Through?

“I don’t have time – it looks like it takes forever.”

You don’t need hours of free time to enjoy junk journaling.

Some people imagine you have to spend an entire weekend making an elaborate journal cover or stitching pages late into the night. But the truth? You can start with ten minutes, one tag, or even a single page.

Junk journaling is a craft that welcomes you as you are, not just when you have “enough time.” It’s a hobby that waits for you patiently – and one that doesn’t require a big block in your calendar to be meaningful.

You can glue a few scraps during your coffee break. Jot a note on a journaling card. Cut out some ephemera while watching TV.

👉 Short on time? Try my quick and easy mini projects

There’s no timer. No rush. Just little moments of joy that add up to something beautiful.

“What if I start and never finish it?”

Then it will still be worth it.

We put so much pressure on ourselves to “finish” things – as if an incomplete journal means failure. But what if it didn’t? What if every page you do create is already a win?

Junk journaling isn’t about completion. It’s about expression. It’s about showing up when you can, gluing something down, and letting it count.

You don’t have to finish every project. You don’t even have to finish every page.

You just have to begin – and let the journey be enough.

“I have all this stuff but no clue what to do with it.”

First of all – you’re not behind. You’re ready.

If you’ve been saving receipts, ticket stubs, papers, fabric scraps, or “this might be useful someday” pieces – congratulations, you already think like a junk journaler. Now it’s just about giving yourself permission to use it.

You don’t need a master plan. Just pick one item – one scrap, one memory, one favorite bit of paper – and start with that. Glue it onto a page. Write a note beside it. Add a tab. That’s it. You’ve started.

Junk journaling doesn’t demand organization. It doesn’t require perfect layouts. It simply invites you to turn “stuff” into stories.

So go ahead. Open that drawer, grab a handful, and make something beautifully, wonderfully yours.

No Budget? No Problem

“I don’t have the right tools or supplies.”

Let me let you in on a little secret: you can start junk journaling with what’s already in your kitchen drawer.

You don’t need fancy punches, a sewing machine, or a $200 craft haul. All you truly need is some paper, scissors, glue, and curiosity. That’s it.

Junk journaling was born out of using what you have – old envelopes, cereal boxes, receipts, magazines, notebook pages. It’s about making something beautiful from the bits and pieces that life gives you.

If you have access to a printer, that’s a bonus. But even if you don’t, you can still begin. You’re not unprepared – you’re resourceful.

👉 Curious about supplies? Check out this page for a simple list of my favorites – no pressure, just options if you’re ready.

You have everything you need to get started. And if you ever want to grow your stash, freebies and printables are waiting for you too – no pressure, no perfection required.

“I can’t afford to buy anything new.”

You don’t have to spend a dime to get started – really.

One of the most beautiful things about junk journaling is that it’s built on reusing, repurposing, and reinventing. Your “junk” is the treasure. Old receipts, packaging, catalogs, napkins, flyers – it all counts.

You can print free kits, cut up scrap mail, tear pages from a magazine, or repurpose an old notebook. You don’t need a shopping list – just a spark of inspiration and a glue stick.

And if you do want a little boost, I offer a full Free Resource Library with printable kits, tags, papers, and ideas – just for email subscribers.

👉 Join the Free Resource Library here

You don’t have to buy anything to start this journey. You just have to start.

“Is this going to be an expensive hobby?”

It doesn’t have to be – not even close.

While some crafters choose to invest in tools and supplies over time, junk journaling is one of the most affordable creative hobbies you can start. Why? Because it was born from using what you already have – envelopes, boxes, receipts, scraps, stickers, mail, and more.

You can absolutely create beautiful journals on a $0 budget. Or you can add in freebies and printables when you’re ready to expand your stash.

👉 Want to try it without spending anything? Join the Free Resource Library – it’s packed with printable kits, tags, backgrounds, and beginner support.

Junk journaling isn’t about what you buy. It’s about what you make – and that’s where the real value lives.

Not a Tech Person? I’ve Got You

“I’m not tech-savvy – printing and resizing feels overwhelming.”

Totally understandable – tech hurdles can feel like creativity blockers.

You download a printable and suddenly it’s like, “Wait… how do I open this? What size do I print it? Why did it come out blurry?” If that’s where you’re stuck, I want you to know this: you’re not alone, and you’re not behind.

Junk journaling is meant to be beginner-friendly. And that includes your tech comfort level.

👉 That’s why I’ve created step-by-step guides for the tech side of things, too:

• How to Download Digital Files From Etsy
• How to Open and Use Printables
• How to Print Junk Journal Printables at Home

You don’t have to be a tech wizard. You just need a guide – and that’s what I’m here for.

“I’m not sure how to use printables or digital kits.”

That’s okay – most beginners aren’t sure at first!

Digital kits and printables might sound technical, but really, they’re just files you print out and play with. They’re like instant craft supplies – tags, pages, pockets, embellishments – all ready to cut, glue, and turn into something beautiful.

You can use them to build full journals or just accent your pages with a little flair. You don’t need to know Photoshop or buy any special software.

👉 Not sure how to open or use the files? This post will walk you through it – step-by-step, with screenshots and no overwhelm.

You’re allowed to be new at this. And I promise, it’s easier than it looks.

“I can’t find tutorials that are actually helpful or easy to follow.”

That is so common – and so frustrating.

You search for help, only to find sped-up videos with no explanations, complicated instructions, or creators who assume you already know everything. It’s easy to feel left out before you’ve even begun.

That’s exactly why I created Crafter Journal – to be a beginner-friendly space where you feel seen, supported, and inspired. My tutorials are designed to walk with you step-by-step, in plain language, with lots of encouragement and room to explore.

👉 Want to get started?

• Browse beginner-friendly tutorials
• Explore intermediate-level projects
• Try more advanced ideas
• Watch video tutorials on my YouTube channel

You won’t find pressure here. Just cozy guidance and a gentle “you’ve got this” behind every project.

Junk Journaling Is for You

If you’ve made it this far, let me say this clearly: junk journaling is for you. Whether you’re a complete beginner, a lifelong crafter, a busy parent, a quiet creative, or someone who just wants a space to explore – you belong here.

You don’t need fancy tools. You don’t need to be artistic. You don’t need to follow anyone’s rules but your own.

You just need a little curiosity… and a little encouragement.

Junk journaling is for you because:

• You want to create something meaningful – not just “perfect.”
• You love paper, stories, textures, or just the feeling of making something with your hands.
• You’re ready to let go of perfection and just have fun.
• You want a creative hobby that fits your life, not the other way around.
• You need a soft place to land – and a joyful place to begin.

Have questions? Feeling unsure about something else? Leave a comment below – I’m always happy to help.

You’re exactly where you’re meant to be, and I’m so happy you’re here!

Next Steps

If you're ready to learn more, these posts will help you go deeper and grow your confidence:

• What Is a Junk Journal?
• What Is the Purpose of a Junk Journal?
• Junk Journal Styles: 23 Themes to Inspire You
• 21 Types of Junk Journals and Folios
• Junk Journal Glossary: Common Terms for Beginners

💌 And if you haven’t yet, grab your free beginner guide and printable kit here - it’s the perfect way to get started.

Happy crafting,
Cyna xx