I’ve been keeping a commonplace book without knowing it. I am a serial note taker. I jot down notes several times a day that probably make no sense to anyone but myself. It might be a small grocery list, a note to not forget to do something, or just a cool quote I run across while reading. Apparently this is known as a commonplace book and I was doing something cool (at least to me) before I knew how cool it was!
What Is a Commonplace Book?
According to Wikipedia:
Commonplace books (or commonplaces) are a way to compile knowledge, usually by writing information into books. Such books are essentially scrapbooks filled with items of every kind: recipes, quotes, letters, poems, tables of weights and measures, proverbs, prayers, legal formulas. Commonplaces are used by readers, writers, students, and scholars as an aid for remembering useful concepts or facts they have learned. Each commonplace book is unique to its creator’s particular interests. They became significant in Early Modern Europe.
That’s it. Just a way of taking random (or organized, however you wish) notes and keeping them in a journal or notebook. Super simple, but it sounds so….scholarly and “writey”.
Further Reading:
So how did I even know this was “thing”? I wish, wish, wish I could find the blog I was reading that is in my blog feed reader this past week that introduced me to the idea, but I’m having trouble finding it. I will! But in any case, the very idea sent me on a Google search about commonplace books and how people keep theirs. There are so many great pictures and further readings, but this is my little list of links about the commonplace book that I found were very helpful:
The Benefits of Keeping a “Commonplace Book”– The Accidental Creative
Everyone Should Keep a Commonplace Book: Great Tips From People Who Do– Thought Catalog
Commonplace Books and Journaling– This Aint the Lyceum
Why Keep a Commonplace Book?
You might wonder why one would even keep a commonplace book when most smartphones have note taking apps to make accessing things a little faster and easier. I’ll admit, I often use the notes feature on my iPhone, but there’s just something about writing things down that sticks with me better. If I go to the grocery store, I’d rather have a written list than fumble with my phone. It’s the same with books. I use my Kindle almost daily, but I much prefer to have an actual book in my hands. I just have this obsession with writing things down and sometimes I like to refer back to amazing quotes I run across in a book, without actually marking up the book. You can also keep a version electronically, like in Evernote. There is no right or wrong way. It’s uniquely yours!
I like the idea of short notes as opposed to keeping a diary. Diaries can often be very cringey to look back on and it can take a while to get all of your thoughts out on paper. This allow for a sort of “brain dump” to happen, which helps me clear my head of things I don’t want to forget so I can move along with my day.
Where to Buy Commonplace Books
Honestly, I prefer a spiral bound journal or small notebook to keep all of my “mish-mash” of notes, and I normally pick these up at a dollar store. However, if the idea of a commonplace book inspires you and you want something a little nicer, check out these affordable options:
Commonplace Book: Blank Ideas Journal : Mixed Paper Notebook For Recording Quotes, Notes, Brainstorming, Doodles and EverythingDusky Meadow Journal (Diary, Notebook) (Journals)Happy Leaves Hard Bound Journal
Do you keep a commonplace book? If so, I’d love to hear what yours is like!
Found your site through a Google search for Commonplace Books. ((waves))
Like you, I’ve realized that I’ve been “common-placing” for years without knowing it… and it’s all over the place (in various apps, in notebooks, in saved folders on social media, etc.)
I’ve recently decided to try and keep it all in a physical journal. We shall see how that goes!
Have you read Tiago Forte’s “Building a Second Brain”, yet? He talks about Commonplace Books and such, too!
Hey fellow “common-placer”! So glad you dropped in! I have not read that book, but I will certainly check it out. Thanks for stopping by!