How to Create a Memory-Keeping Journal Spread: Step-by-Step Inspiration for Your Journal

If you’ve ever wanted to preserve a fun phase of life or document a favorite hobby in a creative way, a memory-keeping journal spread is a beautiful way to do it.

In this post, I’m sharing how I put together a recent creative journal spread—from the layout and journaling to the use of photos, lettering, and stickers. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned journaler, this process is a great way to turn everyday moments into lasting, visual memories.

🖋️ Start with the Story

I always begin with the story I want to tell. This could be a fun day, a new hobby, a season in life, or even just a moment that made me smile.

Once I know the theme, I jot down a few lines that help me capture the memory. I don’t worry about writing too much—it could be as simple as what happened, how I felt, or what made it special.

Sometimes I include little prompts like:

“Things I’m loving right now”
“Highlights from the week”
“My favorite things about [season/activity]”

These prompts make it easier to reflect and give your journaling more depth.

📸 Add Photos (Optional but Fun!)

I love including mini photos in my spreads—they instantly bring the memory to life. I use the Polaroid Mint printer, which prints directly from my phone. The best part? Each photo has a peel-off sticker backing, so I can stick them right onto the page without needing glue or tape.

If you don’t use printed photos, you could also add illustrations, ticket stubs, doodles, or even color swatches that match the theme.

🎨 Design the Spread: Layout, Lettering & Embellishments

Once I have my words and visuals, I start building the layout. I often include:

Hand lettering for titles or phrases that set the tone
Washi tape to add color and frame sections of the page
Stickers or printables that match the theme or mood
A word cloud—a cluster of themed words related to the spread (like “relax, create, bloom, grow” for a gardening page or “energy, joy, motion” for something active)
Doodles—simple sketches or illustrations that compliment your theme and help fill in empty spaces

The goal isn’t perfection—it’s about capturing the feeling of the memory while playing with materials and textures.

🧠 My Thought Process

When creating a creative journal spread, I don’t follow a strict formula. I let the memory guide the style. Some pages are more image-heavy, while others are mostly writing. Some are colorful and bold, while others are calm and minimal.

What matters most is that the page feels personal and reflects the moment I’m documenting.

🌿 What I’m Journaling Next...

Lately, I’ve been trying my hand at gardening, and I think that’s going to be the theme of my next spread. It’s a new learning curve, full of tiny wins, and definitely something I want to remember.

Would you like a tutorial on how I built a page like that from start to finish? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to share more!

✨ Final Thoughts

Memory-keeping through journaling is such a simple yet powerful way to stay creative, stay present, and hold onto life’s little moments. Whether you’re documenting a new hobby, a weekend trip, or a personal milestone, your journal can become a space that’s meaningful, reflective, and uniquely yours.

If this inspires you, share your journal spreads with me or tag me on Instagram @thepaisleycorner—I’d love to see what you’re creating!