If you don’t know what to do with old journals but you’d like to find unique ways to keep them, we have 9 creative ideas for you!
Journals and diaries can be sentimental items – they may be full of past ideas, hopes, and dreams. This means that it can be hard to part with them sometimes.
These old diaries and journals can bring back unforgettable memories and make you proud of how far you’ve come. Someone with a regular journaling practice may have tons of old notebooks around. And sometimes it can be hard to keep them all.
Unless you need to eliminate them, you can try out fun crafts that will allow you to keep your old notebooks. There’s no need to get rid of them when you can repurpose them!
For most, these notebooks can be nostalgic items – they will provide a deep look into your past and they may contain your most treasured thoughts. You can utilize these past experiences for crafting purposes or new journals and they will have a deep meaning.
If it’s upcycling them, using them to create home decor, or giving them away as a gift, there are so many fun and creative ways to bring them back to life!
9 Creative Ideas When You Can’t decide What To Do With Old Journals
Before jumping into these ideas, we’d like to note that some of these ideas may be best suited for journals and others for diaries. Because a diary is a recap of your day and life, it may be more private and you may not want to try out some of these ideas.
When it comes to recycling journals, you may also align with some of these ideas more. Journals may be filled with prompts or ideas – they are not always a daily record of your life. Therefore, you may be able to use an old journal for more crafts.
All in all, these will contain personal information and your inner thoughts. Try out creative ideas that work best for you and don’t be pressured to try those that don’t.
Turn them into greeting cards for family members
Not all of your journal or diary entries will be appropriate for this but if you’ve journaled about a fun memory of a day with a family member, this is so fun!
Greeting cards can be expensive to buy, but they don’t have to be when you make them!
Take pages from your old journals and cut them into card shapes and sizes. You can then add a message or drawing of your own, and voila – you have a unique greeting card ready to send to a friend! You could even jazz it up by adding photographs or ribbon.
This will be so meaningful for the giver and receiver!
Re-purpose the pages into art projects or decorations
With a little bit of creativity, you can turn your old journals into artwork or décor!
Take cut-out words and phrases, finding both meaningful and whimsical quotes. Then, attach them to canvas pieces for wall art, cards, and gift tags. You can also craft 3D origami paper figures for the perfect thoughtful decoration.
We love using old journal entries for scrapbooks and paper flowers. If you want to create a scrapbook that is filled with your favorite memories, it will be easy to cut out an entry and paste it near a photo of your favorite memory.
If you want to get into some other crafts, you can make a paper mache item or a paper chain.
Use your journal entries to make personalized gifts
Maybe you wrote about the role model in your life or you wrote a diary entry about a fun experience with a family member, friend, or significant other. You can easily incorporate these into gifts.
For example, you can easily frame a photo of your favorite memory and add the journal entry on the back. Or maybe you get a custom blanket made that’s a personalized note in your old handwriting.
If you wrote about a period of time with one of your good friends, you can also make a photo book with the journal entries attached.
Similar to greeting cards, these are meaningful gifts that the receiver can cherish with you. Sometimes the best gifts are not the most expensive, but the most meaningful!
Draw, paint, or sketch over old entries
This is a really creative and fun idea! If a journal entry inspires you, you can draw or paint over it. It’s a wonderful way to express yourself and it may spark your creativity in ways that you never imagined.
Bullet journals are usually filled with doodles and sketches so if you’re into bullet journaling, this may be for you!
If you have a few entries with drawings or paintings that you love, you can always remove them from the journal and frame them. These turn into beautiful home decor pieces that are one of a kind.
Use the journals as new journal prompts
Once you read a journal entry, reflect on it in a new journal.
This is a great personal development exercise and a good way to reflect on your life. If you went through a hard time and came out of the situation as a better person, write about it! If you look back and laugh at a memory, write about it!
Reflection is a very powerful tool and it can help create self-awareness and self-love.
Create a memory jar with your favorite entries
Memory jars are really unique because they can cheer you up instantly and take you back to a specific moment in time. If there’s an entry that makes you incredibly happy, cut it out and put it in a memory jar.
Ideally, after you’ve read through your entire journal, you’ll have several entries that you love. Once you identify them, cut them out and put them in a jar.
If you need a pick me up or you miss your friends and family, the memory jar is a great way to improve your mood.
Make a time capsule
If you want to keep your journals and diaries but don’t want to try any of the ideas above, create a time capsule!
A time capsule can transport you to a specific period of time in your life.
Remember that when creating a time capsule, you’ll want to keep it in a dry place (maybe even a storage unit). Additionally, you might want to consider vacuum sealing your items and ensuring that the storage box is secure.
This idea is a great diary project because you’ll have daily or weekly recaps of this time in your life. Some individuals create time capsules focused on pivotal times in their lives – middle school, high school, college, and more.
Others will just create a capsule for a significant moment or memory.
Burn or shred them as an emotional release
If you documented a dark place in your life in your journal, releasing those thoughts, feelings, and emotions can be powerful. In the journey to achieve contentment and inner peace, this can be a profound moment in your life.
If you are not in a safe place to burn your journal, we suggest shredding the paper which can also help an emotional release.
It’s important to reflect upon experiences that made us who we are. Sometimes that includes tough experiences. When we release them, we can heal and become whole.
Transcribe your journal entries
There are so many social media sites that allow you to post your thoughts and past journal entries.
If you want to get rid of the physical item but want to keep the memories, putting them on external hard drives or a website will allow you to save space and memories.
When you have your journal entries typed up, you can also print and frame them as well. This is great for anyone who might be moving to a smaller home or for anyone who might be worried that their journals are becoming weathered.
What about new journals?
We’ve covered what to do with old journals and we’d also like to cover what to do with new journals. It’s because new journals quickly turn into old journals when you fill them with wonderful memories.
Below you’ll find a list of things to do with blank journals:
- bullet journal
- family tree journal with family records and important information
- poetry journal
- a one line a day journal
- gratitude journal
- brain dump journal
- Create daily prompts
When you’re trying to decide what to do with old journals, feel free to be as creative as you’d like! Sometimes before you decide what you want to do with old journals, it’s important that you figure out what to do with new ones!
This can be a life long journal project if you want it to be!
Final Thoughts
When it comes to figuring out what to do with old journals, there’s an idea for everyone. You’re guaranteed to have a good time with some of these creative ideas.
Remember, old journals do not always belong in a recycling bin! These notebooks are usually filled with the most sentimental stuff – memories, dreams, wins, and so much more!
While we may sometimes look back and laugh at our younger self, there are so many good things that can come from reading old journals. You’ll feel proud of yourself and can reflect on how amazing life is.
It’s always a good idea to be in a good mental space when you read old journals as well. Sometimes they may bring up strong emotions from the past.
Let us know if you’ve tried any of these ideas – we’d love to hear from you in the comments!