I flipped desperately through the pages of my worn-out journal, looking for the missing piece of my creation. Flashy patterns and designs caught my attention, but they just weren’t right. At last, I found it.
Carefully, I ripped out a smudged ad for The New Yorker and arranged it on the page. Unused scraps and glue covered my desk, but none of that mattered now. I could finally go to bed knowing that this page was perfect.
Originating over 600 years ago, scrapbooking, or junk-journaling, began as a commonplace way to collect little notes from various sources. Over time, the notes evolved into basically anything. From napkins to coffee stains, as long as it fits on a page, stick it on! If it doesn’t, tear it up and leave the uneven edges; that’s part of scrapbooking.
Clutter and overwhelming items are greatly encouraged. There’s no “right way” to do it, but a spread of mess is what scrapbooking’s all about.
Everyone’s familiar with the dreaded pop-up message on their phone: storage is full. Being forced to delete photos, funny videos, or a shot of the best sandwich you’ve ever eaten, just because there’s not enough room.
Not to be dramatic—but you’re throwing away memories. In addition to little things you may have laying around, scrapbooking is a cluttered page of real, tangible moments in your life.
Some people are familiar with this effortless craft through photo albums filled with kindergarten art or baby photos. They’re usually made by parents who want reminders of our childhood, so why are teens picking up this hobby?
It’s easy and cheap, to put it simply. With the root of junk-journaling being to save memories (such as receipts, tickets, or any sort of reminder of an important event), there’s little to no extra materials needed.
Other crafts such as journaling and drawing also fall in the same category, but collecting junk is less complicated. Special markers or an “easy 5-minute tutorial” aren’t needed to try out scrapbooking. Sketches and designs are an essential part of the chaos aspect, but not required. Self-expression shouldn’t require years of experience.
There’s some things you can’t throw away (I mean, how do you think hoarding begins?). We attach sentimental value to objects, no matter how random they may seem. Part of us wants to be able to reminisce about big or small events. A piece of paper might be worthless to some, but to others, it’s worth the time to arrange and glue it down on a page.
As I turned back the pages to magazines and stickers I saved months ago, I read every detail. Though most items in my notebook came from something else, these scraps show everything about me. From food I ate to colors I thought paired nicely together, my journal of junk is one of the most valuable things I own. Though there was no theme, today’s collection of scraps seemingly blended together. Crumpled corners and all, I stand by my masterpiece.
