Start Your Travel Junk Journal Before You Even Leave Home

A few days ago, I was out walking with a friend when she told me that she had booked a holiday and was very excited because that afternoon she was going to start a folder for it.

“Before every holiday, I start a folder, and it’s so exciting!” she said.

And I thought, what could be more exciting than starting a folder? Starting a travel junk journal, of course!

We often think of a travel journal as something we create while on holiday or when we get back home. But what about all the preparation, the planning and the anticipation? Surely these are part of the adventure, too?

That conversation got me thinking, especially as I am planning a trip to France to visit my parents. I am very lucky to own a campervan, which means that every journey to the south of France can become a little adventure in itself.

Even though my van allows me to be flexible, I still like to prepare. I think about where I want to go, who or what I want to see, where I might like to walk and what I need to take with me.

And that is where my travel journal begins.

Getting ready: the beginning of your travel journal

I like lists. They make me feel organised and help me remember all the little things that need to be done before leaving home.

I have a list of practical tasks, such as making bookings, arranging transport, cancelling deliveries, cleaning the house and making sure the garden will survive while I am away.

This particular list has been a game changer for me. I no longer have that familiar feeling that I am not quite ready to leave and need another two days to get everything done!

But I also make lists for the journey itself. What do I need to pack for myself and my dog? Where am I planning to stop? What would I like to visit? Are there several options, and why have I chosen one over another?

All these lists can become the first pages of your travel journal.

You could include a map of your destination, a rough itinerary, places you would like to visit, things you want to try or even a little wish list of experiences you hope to enjoy.

And don’t worry if your plans change. Sometimes the unexpected detours turn out to be the most memorable parts of a trip. Your original plans are still worth keeping, as they tell the story of how your adventure began.

On the road: recording your adventures

Once the journey begins, I like to write down what I have done and seen each day, especially the little details I might otherwise forget.

A stranger I spoke to, an interesting building, a funny moment, a beautiful view or something unexpected that happened along the way. These are often the things that bring back the strongest memories years later.

I also like to record what I ate or drank, the places I visited, the people I met and perhaps even a recipe I discovered.

And why stop at what you can see? Think about the smells, the sounds, the weather and the atmosphere of a place. The smell of fresh bread from a village bakery, church bells ringing in the distance or the sound of rain on the roof of your campervan can all become part of your story.

Of course, one thing to consider is how much space you have in your luggage.

I am lucky that I can take my junk journal and whatever supplies I might want to use. But if you are travelling with a rucksack, you will probably want to be a little more selective.

A small notebook can be the perfect solution. Use it to record what you are doing, visiting, seeing and eating, as well as the people you meet and the little moments you want to remember. You can then use your notes to create your travel journal when you get home, adding your photographs, postcards, tickets, leaflets and anything else you have collected.

And remember, you don’t have to document everything as it happens. Your journal should add to the pleasure of your holiday, not become another thing on your to-do list!

What to collect along the way

One of the things I love about junk journaling is that almost anything can become part of a page.

When travelling, keep an eye out for little treasures that might otherwise end up in the bin. Tickets, menus, postcards, clean food wrappers, coins, stamps, leaflets, maps and small souvenirs can all find a place in your journal.

You could also collect a business card from a lovely little restaurant, a paper bag from a local shop, a label from a bottle of something you enjoyed or even a napkin with a pretty design.

Of course, you don’t need to keep everything! Choose the things that have a story attached to them or that will help you remember a particular moment.

And don’t forget to take photographs. They don’t all have to be beautiful or perfectly composed. A picture of your campsite, a meal you enjoyed or your dog enjoying a walk can be just as meaningful as a photograph of a famous landmark.

Make it a shared adventure

A travel junk journal doesn’t have to be a solitary activity. It can be a lovely way to involve the people you are travelling with.

If you are travelling with children, you could ask them to write down, or simply tell you, their favourite moment of the day. You might be surprised by what they remember! Their little observations and drawings can become some of the most precious pages in your journal.

If you are travelling with a group of friends or family, why not invite everyone to contribute? They can write as much or as little as they like. A sentence, a funny observation or a favourite memory is enough.

You could even leave a few blank pages for everyone to add something when they have time.

This way, your journal becomes a collection of different perspectives and memories, and something you can all enjoy looking through together when you return.