I have a lot of journals, the last count of about 125, which is not surprising since I have been journaling for a long time.  I did not want to get rid of them, but my new house does not have room for three totes of notebooks. I decided to research to see what other folks who journal do with their old journals, so if you have a stack of old journals gathering dust on your bookshelf. Instead of letting them languish in obscurity, why not breathe new life into them with some creative repurposing? This post will explore inventive ways to use those forgotten notebooks and rediscover their value.

1. Art Journaling: Turn your old journals into vibrant canvases for artistic expression. Use them as sketchbooks, collage materials, or mixed-media platforms. Experiment with different techniques, such as watercolor, acrylic painting, or even doodling. Transform each page into a visual masterpiece that reflects your creativity and imagination.
2. Writing Prompts: Extract writing snippets from your old journals and use them as prompts for new stories, poems, or essays. Take a sentence or a paragraph and let it spark your imagination. You might be surprised by how a single line can inspire an entire piece of writing.
3. Gratitude Journal: Revisit your old journals and compile a gratitude journal from the positive moments and reflections you have recorded. Create themed pages dedicated to various aspects of your life, such as relationships, accomplishments, or personal growth. Cultivating an attitude of gratitude can bring joy and fulfillment to your everyday life.
4. Vision Board: Cut out meaningful images, quotes, and phrases from your old journals and use them to create a vision board. Arrange these elements on a board or canvas to visualize your dreams, goals, and aspirations. Display the board in a prominent place where you can see it daily as a source of motivation and inspiration.
5. Memory Book: Transform your old journals into a scrapbook or memory book filled with photographs, ticket stubs, postcards, and other memorabilia from significant events and experiences in your life. Add handwritten notes and captions to accompany each memento, creating a personalized keepsake that preserves cherished memories for years.
6. DIY Stationery: Repurpose the pages of your old journals into unique stationery for writing letters, making greeting cards, or crafting handmade gifts. Cut the pages into assorted sizes and shapes, decorate them with stamps, stickers, or washi tape, and voila – you have one-of-a-kind stationery that adds a personal touch to your correspondence.
7. Mindfulness Journal: Use your old journals for mindfulness and self-reflection. Dedicate time daily to write down your thoughts, feelings, and observations without judgment. Use prompts to guide your reflections and cultivate a deeper understanding of yourself and your inner world.

Do not let your old journals gather dust—unleash their potential and transform them into something new and meaningful. Whether you are exploring your creative side, preserving memories, or practicing mindfulness, endless possibilities await you within the pages of those forgotten notebooks. Dig them out, dust them off, and embark on a journey of renewal and rediscovery. Your old journals may surprise you with the treasures they hold. Please share your new creations; we would love to see what you create.

With Peace & Love,

Renee