Autumn Vibes: How to Design a Cozy Junk Journal Planner for Fall

As the leaves begin to turn and the air grows crisp, there's a natural pull to slow down, reflect, and organize our thoughts for the season ahead. Fall is a time of transition—making it the perfect opportunity to get creative with your planning. What better way to capture the cozy, nostalgic vibes of autumn than by designing your own junk journal planner?

Junk journaling is a creative, personalized way to organize your life and reflect on your day-to-day. It’s a beautiful mix of journaling, scrapbooking, and planning, using “junk” or found materials like old papers, postcards, leaves, fabric scraps, and more. In this post, I’ll walk you through how to create your own cozy fall junk journal planner to help you stay organized while indulging in the rich, comforting energy of autumn.

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

Creating a junk journal planner allows you to repurpose what you already have, keeping it budget-friendly and eco-conscious. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

• Notebook or binder: Choose a notebook, blank journal, or binder to serve as the base of your planner. A vintage-style notebook adds to the autumn charm.

• Scraps and ephemera: Look for items with an autumn theme—think leaf cutouts, dried flowers, patterned papers in warm colors, and vintage postcards. These can come from old magazines, scrapbook paper, or even fabric remnants.

• Washi tape, stickers, and stamps: Decorative elements that fit the fall aesthetic will help tie your pages together. Look for tapes and stickers in earthy tones, pumpkin motifs, and cozy elements like plaid.

• Pens, markers, and paints: Use fall-themed colors like burnt orange, mustard yellow, deep reds, and browns. These will bring your pages to life.

• Glue and scissors: Basic tools to cut and paste your materials where you want them.

@thechicsparrow B6 Creme Brûlée notebook cover

@poppystitch Journal Charm pumpkin and marigolds

@rongrong_devoe_illustration Autumn Charm sticker book

@magnolia magazine cut-outs 

@gwen_frostic notecards

@leuchtturm1917usa pen loops 

@everydayexplorers Daily Details stamps

@archerandolive B6 Foliage notebook

@archerandolive falling leaves washi tape

@zebrapen_usa for neutral pack of markers 

DISCOUNTS & CODES:

Shop  @archerandolive and @thechicsparrow and grab 10% off with my code WRITINGMINDSET I get a small commission that goes towards journaling supplies when you shop with my code! 

Step 2: Plan Your Layout

Start by deciding how you want your fall planner to function. Will it track your daily to-do lists, goals, meal planning, or maybe creative ideas for the season? Here are some sections you can include:

• Monthly overview: Create a two-page spread for October and November with space for major events, deadlines, or seasonal activities.

• Weekly spreads: Dedicate a page for each week to break down tasks, appointments, or journaling prompts.

• To-do lists: Keep a running list of fall tasks like raking leaves, cozy recipes to try, or upcoming holiday prep.

• Seasonal bucket list: Include a space for fall activities you don’t want to miss—visiting a pumpkin patch, hiking in the fall foliage, or making apple cider.

Once you have an idea of what you’ll include, sketch out the design on paper. Remember, your junk journal planner doesn’t need to be perfectly polished—it's all about creative freedom!

Changes I Made from My Last Journal:

• Move from an A5 to a B6 (Smaller notebook)

• Using inserts for additional pages (3 notebooks total)

• Monthlies and weeklies for only two full months (I change notebooks too often)

• Horizontal weekly spread (Tasks on one side, to-dos on the other side)

Parts of my daily journal that work for me:

• Vision board made in @Canva (I made this one a double-side pull out!)

• Level 10 Life (10 parts of my life I want to focus on for goal setting)

• Future Log (The next 3 months in my notebook that are not included in daily planning. Example: I have calendar setups for September, October, November, December, and January, so my future log has February, March, and April)

• 24 in 24 (Bucket list of things I want to do or try)

• Monthlies and weeklies (Daily planning calendars)

• Moments of joy/Monthly reflections

• Back of the journal saved for everyday notes (I also plan to use inserts for morning brain dumps to save room in my main B6 notebook)

Step 3: Layer in Texture and Color

Now comes the fun part—adding layers to your pages to reflect the textures and colors of fall. Here are a few ideas to bring those autumn vibes:

• Layered paper and fabric: Tear scrapbook paper or fabric scraps into various shapes and sizes, layering them on your pages to add dimension. Use plaid fabric or kraft paper to evoke coziness.

• Pressed leaves and flowers: Collect leaves or flowers from your backyard, press them in a book, and glue them onto your pages to bring nature inside.

• Ephemera and vintage touches: Incorporate vintage stamps, old tickets, or newspaper clippings with an autumn theme. These little touches add personality and warmth.

• Washi Tape: Different kinds of washi tape add different layers and go with the junk journal theme

Step 4: Add Personal Touches

Your junk journal planner is a reflection of you, so don’t forget to personalize it with your own memories and details. Here are some ways to add that personal touch:

• Quotes and affirmations: Write out cozy fall quotes or personal affirmations to keep you motivated throughout the season.

• Photos and mementos: Include snapshots from your favorite fall activities, such as a picture of your family at a bonfire or your kids playing in the leaves. Attach little mementos like event tickets or handwritten notes.

• Seasonal journaling prompts: Add a section for journaling prompts that inspire reflection, such as "What do I love most about fall?" or "How can I embrace rest this season?"

• Vision Board: You can see my pull-out vision board below. I like to carry my vision board around with me, so I make it a 4x6 card that can be moved from one notebook to another.

Step 5: Keep It Flexible and Fun

One of the best parts about junk journaling is that there are no rules! If you miss a week, no problem. If you want to switch up your layout halfway through, go for it. The goal is to create something that sparks joy and helps you stay organized without pressure. Let the process of creating your autumn planner be as enjoyable as using it.

Embrace the Fall Season

Your fall junk journal planner is not only a tool for staying organized, but also a celebration of the season. As you layer your pages with fall’s rich colors, textures, and patterns, take a moment to appreciate the slow, cozy rhythm that autumn brings. Use this creative process to unwind, reflect, and find peace in the beauty of the changing season.

Have you tried making your own junk journal planner? I’d love to hear how you bring autumn vibes into your planning! Share your creations or tips in the comments below, and let’s inspire each other to embrace fall with creativity and intention.

Stay cozy and keep creating! Until next time, happy journaling!