Have you ever had one of those moments where life throws you a curveball so hard that you end up discovering something completely unexpected about yourself? That’s exactly what happened to a 30-year-old woman in Los Angeles who, after breaking her foot and later losing her dream job in entertainment, stumbled into a creative world she never knew existed.
She wasn’t an artist in the traditional sense—couldn’t draw, paint, or knit to save her life. Yet somehow, this simple act of collecting random bits of paper and ephemera and gluing them into a personal journal became her lifeline. And from there, it quietly grew into something much bigger: a real business built around community, creativity, and connection.
From Broken Foot to Creative Spark
It all started quite literally by accident. One summer day in 2024, while walking her dog, she took a nasty fall and ended up with a broken foot. The injury meant two long months stuck at home, unable to walk or work. Boredom set in quickly, and like many of us do when we’re forced to slow down, she started scrolling through social media.
That’s when she discovered junk journaling—a creative outlet that felt more like play than serious art. The idea was simple: take everyday items like receipts, movie tickets, coffee sleeves, postcards, stickers, and even old letters, then layer them into a book with no rules or expectations. It was messy, colorful, and wonderfully imperfect.
For someone who always felt she had zero artistic talent, this was liberating. There was no pressure to draw perfectly or follow instructions. It was just about collecting moments and making them feel special again. She started filling pages with souvenirs from trips, little notes from friends, and random things she found around the house. Before long, she realized she was actually enjoying the process—and that she wasn’t alone.
Why Junk Journaling Feels Like Magic Right Now
In a world that’s increasingly digital, there’s something deeply satisfying about working with your hands and creating something tangible. Junk journaling taps into that craving for offline creativity. It’s nostalgic, tactile, and completely personal. You can include anything that sparks a memory—concert stubs, dried flowers, handwritten notes, even a napkin from a great date.
Many people describe it as a form of mindfulness. When you’re focused on arranging and gluing, the outside world fades away. The chaos of social media, work emails, and endless notifications simply disappears. For her, it became a way to process emotions and preserve memories without needing to be “good” at art.
There’s so much overwhelming noise in the world right now. Junk journaling is a great way to quiet that noise.
That sentiment resonates with a lot of people. Post-pandemic, many of us are hungry for real, in-person connection and activities that don’t involve screens. Junk journaling offers both: a solo creative practice that can also become deeply social.
Turning a Hobby Into a Community
After a couple of months of personal journaling, she decided to see if others felt the same way. She started an Instagram account and announced a casual meetup at a local social club she already belonged to. To her surprise, the event filled up immediately—35 people showed up, all excited to share their pages, trade stickers, and talk about their favorite supplies.
Encouraged by that turnout, she hosted a second gathering in a park. This time, 60 people came. The energy was electric—people laughing, swapping ideas, and bonding over their shared love of collecting and creating. It was clear there was real demand for this kind of experience.
- Small, intimate groups of 20-30 people
- Hands-on crafting with provided supplies
- Time to share stories and connect with others
- A cozy, welcoming atmosphere
She named it Junk Journal Club and began hosting ticketed events once or twice a month. Tickets were priced between $35 and $50, and they almost always sold out within minutes of going live. She also created an online community on Discord, where members from around the world could share their work, ask for advice, and even participate in a pen-pal program sending each other care packages of ephemera.
Today, that online community has nearly 2,000 members from the U.S., Canada, Germany, Australia, and beyond. What began as a personal coping mechanism had quietly become a global movement.
The Layoff That Changed Everything
Fast forward to May 2025. She was working in the entertainment industry, helping adapt books and comics into TV shows and films—her absolute dream job. Then came the news: layoffs. It was devastating. She grieved the loss of a career she had worked so hard to build.
But in the midst of that heartbreak, she realized something important. She still had Junk Journal Club. No one could take that away from her. It was hers to shape, grow, and control. That realization gave her a sense of agency when everything else felt uncertain.
Instead of letting the layoff define her, she decided to lean into what she already loved. She began treating Junk Journal Club like a real business. She set goals: collaborate with brands, host more events, and eventually make it sustainable enough to support herself.
Building a Brand Through Collaboration
She started reaching out to companies that might be interested in partnering with a creative community. Her first big win came with a popular clothing rental service. They sponsored an entire event—covering supplies, venue, and even paying her to create promotional content for their social media.
That opened the door to more partnerships. She hosted events with artists, authors, and even a major film studio promoting a new movie. Each collaboration brought in new people, expanded her reach, and helped her refine what made her events special.
She was particularly excited about the potential for music-related events. Imagine fans creating journal pages inspired by their favorite artist’s lyrics, complete with ticket stubs, setlists, and custom stickers. Or pairing a junk journaling workshop with a brand’s influencer dinner. In a city like Los Angeles, where experiential marketing is everywhere, the possibilities felt endless.
Prioritizing Experience Over Profit (For Now)
One thing that’s refreshing about her approach is her focus on quality over quick cash. She doesn’t take a salary from the business yet. Every dollar from ticket sales goes back into making the events better—more supplies, better venues, custom goodie bags filled with stickers, washi tape, and other fun extras.
She admits there have been moments when she could have pocketed some money, but she always chooses to invest in the experience instead. “I haven’t reached the point where I’m willing to sacrifice those things,” she says. It’s a long-term mindset that resonates with anyone who’s ever built something meaningful from scratch.
I recognize that there is a way that I could have hosted all these events and paid myself a little bit of money, but it would have been at the sacrifice of less sticker sheets, or not getting a custom thing made for the event.
That commitment to excellence has paid off. Her events sell out fast, usually within an hour—sometimes in minutes. People keep coming back because they know they’ll leave with a full heart, new friends, and a beautifully messy journal page.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome as an Entrepreneur
Even with all the success, she still had moments of doubt. She had never tried to monetize a hobby before. Calling herself an “entrepreneur” felt strange at first. Was she really allowed to do that? Was this actually a business?
Over time, she gave herself permission to own it. “Eventually I was like, ‘I absolutely am allowed to call it that.’ It just took a while,” she reflects. That shift in mindset is something many creative people struggle with—moving from “this is just for fun” to “this is my livelihood.”
She’s still actively looking for full-time roles in marketing and brand management. But now, she sees her experience running Junk Journal Club as a major asset. Hosting events, building a community, collaborating with brands—these are real skills that translate directly to a professional career.
What the Future Holds
Looking ahead, she’s focused on steady, intentional growth. She wants to keep the events small and personal, even if that means turning away potential attendees. The cozy, connected vibe is what makes them special.
More brand partnerships are on the horizon. She’s also excited about expanding the online community and perhaps creating digital resources or kits for people who can’t attend in person. The appetite for hands-on, screen-free creativity shows no signs of slowing down.
Her story is a reminder that sometimes the things we stumble into during tough times can lead to the most meaningful opportunities. What started as a broken foot and a broken dream became a source of joy, connection, and purpose.
Maybe there’s a junk journal waiting in your own life—something you’ve dismissed as “just a hobby” that could actually become much more. All it takes is a little curiosity, some glue, and the willingness to see where it leads.
In the end, this isn’t just a story about junk journaling. It’s about resilience, creativity, and the power of community. It’s proof that even in the hardest moments, you can build something beautiful from the pieces you’ve got.
