Wellness
Its perfectly chaotic.
Writing in a journal sounds amazing in theory.
There are so manybenefits of journal writing, too, like less stress and a sense of gratitude.
But sitting down to actually put pen to paper is surprisingly difficult.
A junk journal is essentially a modern-day scrapbook, but one that has no rules or sense of organization.
It demands introspection, she says, which you might not be in the mood for.
Its also a struggle for perfectionists who might feel like they have to write perfectly about worthwhile subjects.
Heres what to know.
Better Than Regular Journaling?
Its more free-form and creative, and for many people, its also more relaxing.
Theres no wrong way to do it, which makes it less intimidating, says Thompson.
You dont have to worry about your handwriting or your ink smearing.
And its also less time-consuming than traditional journaling and can be tailored to fit your mood, she says.
The act of collecting items for your journal can be a grounding part of the experience, too.
Its like ascavenger huntthat trains you to notice the small, meaningful details around you, says Thompson.
Plus, the tactile nature of cutting, gluing, and arranging items can be deeply calming and centering.
Its a wonderful way to revisit positive memories, reinforcing a sense of gratitude and nostalgia, she adds.
For those who find writing difficult, it offers an alternative way to process and document emotions or experiences.
Junk Journal Ideas
Wondering what to put in your notebook?
Creator@livebrave2fillsher junk journalswith business cards, food wrappers, and even the stickers from her fruit.
In any case, the best approach is to not be too precious about it.
Creator@harper__amandasays you dont even need a fancy newjournal to get started.
A regular composition book will work just fine.
Source:
Sarah Thompson, LPC, licensed professional counselor, founder ofSJT Therapy
