7 Things You Should NEVER Put in Your Junk Journal – If you’re new to junk journaling, it can feel like anything goes — and honestly, that’s part of the fun. But if you’ve ever looked at your pages and thought, “Why does this look messy instead of aesthetic?” you’re not alone.
A lot of beginners accidentally include things that actually make their junk journals harder to style, cluttered, or visually confusing.
In this guide, you’ll learn 7 things you should never put in your junk journal (or at least avoid using too much of) so your pages look more intentional, aesthetic, and satisfying to flip through.
7 Things You Should NEVER Put in Your Junk Journal
1. Too Many Random Elements
One of the biggest beginner mistakes is overloading a page with too many unrelated items.
While junk journaling is meant to be “messy creative,” there still needs to be visual balance. If everything competes for attention — tickets, stickers, paper scraps, photos, notes — your page can lose its focal point.
👉 Instead: choose a loose theme (vintage, nature, travel) and stick to it.
2. Oversized or Bulky Items
Thick objects like buttons, charms, or layered cardboard can make your journal difficult to close and uneven to flip through.
They also interrupt the flow of flat collage-style pages.
👉 Instead: use flatter embellishments like paper layers, washi tape, or printed ephemera.
3. Messy or Hard-to-Read Writing
Handwriting adds personality — but if your notes are rushed or illegible, they can distract from your page design.
Junk journaling often becomes more meaningful when words are part of the aesthetic.
👉 Instead: slow down, use simple handwriting styles, or lightly plan placement before writing.
4. Overly Blank Pages (Without Intent)
Blank space can look beautiful — but accidental emptiness often just feels unfinished.
Many beginners leave large areas empty without intention, which can make pages feel incomplete.
👉 Instead: use minimal layering or light texture (stamps, stains, or faint prints).
5. Clashing Colour Schemes
Mixing too many bold or unrelated colours can make your journal feel chaotic instead of aesthetic.
For example, neon stickers with vintage sepia paper rarely blend well unless intentionally styled.
👉 Instead: stick to 2–3 main tones per spread (e.g., beige, brown, soft green).
6. Cheap Plastic-Looking Stickers (in excess)
Stickers can be fun, but overusing glossy, bright plastic-style stickers can break the vintage or handmade feel many junk journals aim for.
👉 Instead: mix stickers with paper-based ephemera or print your own vintage-style sheets.
7. Irrelevant “Filler” Items
Not everything needs to go into your journal just because you have it. Random scraps with no connection to your page theme can make spreads feel disconnected.
👉 Instead: ask yourself: Does this support the mood or story of the page?
If not, save it for another spread.
Final Thoughts
Junk journaling isn’t about perfection — but it is about intention. Avoiding these 7 common mistakes will instantly make your pages feel more cohesive, aesthetic, and satisfying.
Once you stop overfilling and start curating your pages, your junk journal naturally becomes more beautiful and expressive.
Remember: it’s not about using everything — it’s about choosing what belongs.
Also see a beginners guide to journaling
