By Cherry 2026
Have you ever seen those aesthetic journaling videos all over TikTok and Pinterest and thought, I want that? It looks so dreamy and effortless. And honestly, it is a relatively affordable hobby that makes life feel a little more whimsical, so it’s hard not to want to start.
When I first got into scrapbooking and junk journaling, I had no idea what I was doing. Even though it’s supposed to be a pressure-free hobby, I still want to make my pages look as pretty as the ones I saw online.
I knew this hobby was meant to be personal, something just for me. But at the same time, I still wanted my journal to look nice. Not for other people, just for myself. And at the end of the day, it wouldn’t really be a hobby if you couldn’t enjoy it your own way.
So, as someone who also started from nothing, here are a few basics that will help you start and not quit halfway through your first journal.
1. Beginner Junk Journaling Kits
When I first started, I didn’t buy a kit at all. I just used whatever I had, tape, scissors, and a random notebook. It worked, but it was honestly a bit frustrating.
If I could go back, I would keep it simple and start with just a few essentials:
- An empty notebook
• Scissors
• Glue tape
• A glue stick
• A pen
That is really all you need.
But if you want things to feel easier and less messy from the beginning, a beginner junk journaling kit can help a lot. It saves you from figuring everything out piece by piece. I’ll link a few beginner-friendly kits here so you can see what usually comes inside.
One thing I always recommend is getting a good glue tape. I use it more than anything else. A durable one will hold your pages better and save you from constantly buying cheap ones that run out too fast, which I definitely did at the start. I’ll leave a couple of reliable ones here since not all of them stick well.
2. The Book
This sounds obvious, but the book you choose actually matters more than you think.
Some people like refillable or loose-leaf notebooks so they don’t have to buy a new one every time they finish. Others prefer a proper bound notebook because it feels complete and more personal.
Then there’s the type of paper:
- Blank is best for collage and layering
- Dotted works well if you want a mix of writing and decorating
- Lined is better if you enjoy writing more
When I first started, I used lined notebooks and didn’t really enjoy them for scrapbooking. But if you like writing, it might actually be perfect for you.
My pages are usually filled with glued scraps, tickets, random paper, and little bits of things I find. Some people focus more on writing their thoughts. Both are completely fine.
If you’re not sure, dotted paper is usually the safest option.
There are also different styles like hardcover, leather style, or even cloth-covered journals. I’ll link a few options so you can see what might match your style without having to search too much.
3. Vintage Stickers
Stickers are not necessary, but they do make everything feel more fun.
They are usually affordable and come in packs or books. If you are just starting, I would recommend getting a sticker book that is organized by colour or theme. It makes things a lot easier when you are trying to match the mood of your page. I’ll add a few that are actually well organized because some sets can be a bit messy.
Whenever my page looks a bit empty, I just add a few stickers, and it instantly looks more put-together.
And even though this hobby isn’t that expensive, I did waste money on random sticker packs that I never used. If you want something that looks cohesive, a curated sticker book is a much better choice. I still use mine all the time, so I’ll link the kind I keep going back to.
One of the best reasons to start scrapbooking is that scrapbooking does not need expensive supplies or even artisitic talent to start, cause the most important thing is to have a good ammout of the basic tools to start, just so the start of the scrapbook journey can be enjoyable for you. Don’t worry too much, just have fun and experiment till your heart’s content, cause even if you make an ugly one today, you’ll see that nothing has to be perfect, it just has to be there, so we can see ourselves struggle a little bit. ,