How the Scrap-a-Day Journaling Trend Turns Everyday 'Junk' into Art

Across social media, a growing community of creators are transforming the smallest paper scraps into something surprisingly beautiful. Welcome to the world of junk journaling, and, more specifically, the rising "scrap-a-day" trend—a daily ritual that prioritizes both creativity and sustainability. 

The result? Artfully collaged notebook pages filled with old receipts, postage stamps, candy wrappers, and wine labels. “Your journal becomes a time capsule,” says Christina Argonish, a full-time artisan and owner of Sister Trade City. “A little archive of moments from your day.”

Below, learn how to start your own “scrap-a-day” journal.

The Scrap-a-Day Trend, Explained

At its heart, junk journaling is the art of transforming everyday paper ephemera into a handmade, mixed-media journal. Think of it as a cross between scrapbooking, journaling, and collage. Pages might feature layered ticket stubs, snippets of fabric, or bits of brochures. 

The "scrap-a-day" version of the trend makes it a low-lift daily ritual: Each day, creators add one small scrap or piece of ephemera to their journal for a visual diary that grows with you. It’s an approachable way to infuse creativity into even the busiest routines. 

“You don’t have to finish a whole page,” says Argonish. “Just add one element that speaks to your day—a leaf you picked up on a walk, a receipt from a coffee date.” Over time, those little scraps tell a bigger story.

A Mindful, Creative Ritual

For many, the appeal of the scrap-a-day trend lies in its routine. It’s less about productivity and more about creativity. The process also has a meditative quality. The act of selecting paper textures, layering colors, and arranging shapes can be grounding, and the practice also offers a few minutes to unwind, reflect, and make something by hand.

Additionally, "scrap-a-day" journaling feels refreshingly sustainable. Rather than buying stacks of new craft supplies, the premise hinges on using what’s already around you—magazines, packaging, old books, thrifted paper goods, and recycled textiles. Part of what makes junk journaling so appealing is its focus on using what would otherwise be discarded. The "junk," as it turns out, isn’t really junk at all—you can find wonder in what might otherwise be thrown away.

Don't Miss

Here's How to Bullet Journal (And Make It a Habit), According to an Expert

Move Over Scrapbooking: Junk Journaling Is About to Be Your Newest Creative Hobby

How to Start Your Own Scrap-a-Day Journal

You don't need fancy supplies or a formal plan to begin. One of the most inviting aspects of this trend is its accessibility—everything you need is likely already within reach.

1. Choose your base: A blank notebook or sketchbook make excellent foundations. A hardcover iteration will also allow you to glue in additional pages made from envelopes, brown paper, or cardstock.
2. Gather your scraps: Start saving paper items from your everyday life. Think: packaging, ticket stubs, postcards, receipts, tags, labels, and wrappers. Store them in a small box or envelope to draw from each day. Your collection will grow quickly as you start seeing beauty in items you used to overlook.
3. Add one element a day: Focus on small, consistent acts of creativity and allow pages to evolve organically. Some people choose to draw a large grid and fill in one square a day with their chosen scrap. Affix with adhesive.
4. Embrace imperfection: Wrinkles, uneven edges, and smudged ink are all part of the charm.
5. Reflect and revisit: As your journal grows, flip back through its pages from time to time. It'll become a beautiful record of time, a preservation of both memory and material.