> At a Glance
> – Over 1 million TikTok videos tagged #junkjournal showcase turning trash into memory books
> – Reddit’s r/JunkJournals has grown to 12,000 members since 2018
> – All you need is a notebook and everyday “junk” like receipts or ticket stubs
> – Why it matters: This zero-cost hobby cuts waste while creating keepsakes
Old receipts, food wrappers, and train tickets are getting a second life as crafters embrace “junk journaling”-a TikTok-fueled trend that transforms everyday trash into artistic memory books.
What Junk Journaling Actually Is
Think of it as scrapbooking without shopping: creators glue daily ephemera into notebooks, building themed pages or diary-style spreads. The only rule is there are no rules.
Common items that get saved:
- Receipts
- Maps
- Packaging
- Stickers
- Business cards
TikTok creator livebrave2 calls it “a beautiful combination of scrapbooking, memory collecting, and repurposing junk.” The hobby strips away perfectionism and focuses on the joy of creating.
How the Trend Exploded
While the r/JunkJournals subreddit launched in 2018, the practice exploded on TikTok in 2024. The #junkjournal tag now counts 804,000 posts, and #junkjournaling adds another 220,000.
Users film themselves junk journaling everything from grocery hauls to vacation memories. The appeal? Watching journals grow thicker as life accumulates inside them.
Starting Your Own Junk Journal
Supplies needed:
- Any notebook
- Glue or tape
- Scissors
- Pens or markers
Advanced add-ons:
- Washi tape
- Magazines
- Stickers
The key mindset shift: start noticing “junk” you’d normally toss. Restaurant menus, hotel key cards, and postage stamps all become page-worthy.
TikTok user junky j turns Erewhon and Taco Bell packaging into spreads. bella.grace016 saves gift-shop bags and postcards from trips.
Key Takeaways
- Junk journaling costs nothing and reduces household waste
- The trend thrives on TikTok because viewers love watching journals expand
- Anyone can start today with items already in their recycling bin
- The hobby rewards curiosity-everyday errands become treasure hunts
As more creators share their filled-up books online, expect to see more people rescuing “trash” and giving it a permanent home on the page.
