That is until I stumbled upon the latest self-care trend sweeping social media: junk journaling.
Junk journaling might sound like an oxymoron, but thats what sets it apart.
Think of it as the less structured, more laidback cousin of traditional journaling and scrapbooking.
Noma Nazish / Verywell Mind
Part of the fun is that there are no rules.
Ahead, find out how the process went for me and whether or not the hype rang true.
it’s possible for you to see a couple pages from my journal at the top of this article.
Pretty cool, right?
I laid out all the stuff needed, but the moment I sat down, I felt stuck.
That is until I reminded myself there are no rules.
So theres no pressure to get it right.
I put all the expert tips aside and just got to it.
I picked up the scraps and got gluing without worrying if the final result would look pretty enough.
But did I enjoy the process?
It took me a while to get unstuck from thoughts of getting it right.
Once I did, I was able to let loose and have funwhich was the whole point.
I didnt have to force myself to get started.
The past four weeks felt like a mini treasure hunt.
It actually brought a spark of joy to even the most routine tasks.
I also noticed creating spreads kept me so engaged that I spent way less timedoomscrolling.
And the best part?
The sense of accomplishment that came from holding something tangible I created from scratch.
It was a nicemood booster.
It Helps Cultivate Gratitude And Joy
Junk journaling invites you to find meaning in seemingly insignificant items.
Should You Try Junk Journaling?
It’s particularly helpful for those who struggle withperfectionismas it promotes free and non-judgmental creative exploration, she adds.
Alternatives to Junk Journaling
If junk journaling is not quite your thing, no worries!
Several alternative activities offer comparable mental health benefits.
Takeaway
Will I keep junk journaling after this month-long experiment?
Am I suggesting everyone should start junk journaling, though?
Self-care is like Cinderellas shoe, one size doesnt fit all.
Like the experts said, choose what resonates with you the most.
2018;33(12):e88.
