6 Made-Up Rules That Held Me Back from Using My Junk Journal(s)

Lauren Clark
Sep 1
3 min read

cover image 6 made up junk journal rules

When I first started journaling, I didn’t even realize how many rules I was making up for myself. Somewhere between scrolling through perfectly curated spreads, hoarding “special” supplies, and trying to find my own creative voice, I set up a bunch of invisible barriers. These so-called “rules” felt like they were helping me stay organized, but in reality, they were holding me back.

It wasn’t until I started watching more creators in the junk journal community that I realized -these rules were completely made up. Nobody told me I had to follow them. They weren’t real. And once I let them go, my journaling practice became freer, more playful, and way more fun.

If you’ve ever stared at a blank page, too intimidated to start, or found yourself saving your prettiest papers for some “perfect project” that never happens, maybe you’ve made up a few rules of your own. Today, I’m sharing six that held me back with hopes that they might inspire you to break your own rules!

made up junk journal rules about finishing a journal

Finish a journal before starting another one

I’m not sure I’ve ever finished a journal from start to finish. I love making my own junk journals, so sometimes I'm in the mood to make a journal rather than use an existing one. And then when I make the new journal, I want to make a spread in it! Even though I already have 10 other unfinished journals on my shelf. And that's ok!

you don't need to finish a journal page before starting the next

Finish the page before starting the next

Sometimes I just add background papers to pages and other times I just add layers to existing pages. Then when I'm more inspired to create a spread, I already have some beautiful starting points. And that's ok!

you can use whatever you want in a junk journal

Only use junk in a junk journal

I used to have a super junky journal that I would use only for junk or materials that I didn't love. But then I'd spot one of my special papers that would complement the colors so well and actually struggle in my brain about wasting it in my junky journal! Now I use whatever inspires me in whatever journal I'm working in. And that's ok!

you don't need to go in chronological order in your journal

Keep everything in chronological order

This rule was really hard to "break" and I still struggle with it. But I realized I was just creating piles of papers and memories that were never getting used. Now I just use what I'm inspired to use - and that's ok.

your journal doesn't need a point or theme

Every page needs a point or a theme

I love seeing spreads that document trips or fun days, but also - I'm not really doing that much stuff to always be out in the world collecting tickets and pamphlets and cute maps! I tend to be a homebody these days and have collected a lot of beautiful papers that I now just use how they inspire me - sometimes they tell a little story in my head, but those stories are abstract and told in colors and shapes that look nice together. And that's ok!

Each journal should have the same style throughout

I used to use separate journals for each kind of journaling - one for true junk, one for scrapbooking and photos using junk collected from trips, one for writing... this definitely has to do with why I've never finished a journal! I'd start a new one every time I had a new idea or vision instead of just using the same journal for all things. I love an organized journal eco-system, but it's not something that works well for me - and that's ok!