A Comprehensive Guide to Starting Your Commonplace Book
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Chapter 1: Understanding the Commonplace Book
In my journey as a reader, I've come to realize that I tend to forget most of what I read after just one encounter. Even with meticulous note-taking, my memory often fails me, causing me to lose track of valuable insights. It’s only upon revisiting my notes that the material starts to resurface. As Schopenhauer wisely noted, "repetition is the mother of study," yet I once naively believed I could remember everything effortlessly.
To truly retain what I read and easily access it when needed, whether for writing or personal growth, I sought a practical system. I envisioned a compact notebook to help me navigate challenging situations, find quotes for my writing, and solidify essential information in my long-term memory.
Over the years, I developed a habit of active reading. I began highlighting key passages, writing notes in the margins, and using sticky notes to mark important sections. These notes would contain quotes, concepts, themes for future projects, and book recommendations. After finishing a book, I allowed the ideas to simmer for a week before transferring my notes into my journaling app, DayOne. Each entry was tagged with relevant keywords, such as creativity, philosophy, writing, or life advice. This tagging system made it easy to locate specific quotes and their sources quickly. However, I soon felt the need for a more tactile approach, as I remember better when I physically write things down. I'm not fond of e-readers; I much prefer the tangible experience of flipping through the pages of a physical book. I desire to engage with the text actively, studying it and applying its lessons to my life. While it requires more effort, the benefits are well worth it.
In my quest for a more analog solution, I discovered the concept of the commonplace book. This age-old method, known as "Loci communes" or "common places," has been used for centuries to record thoughts, quotes, and wisdom. Renowned figures such as Virginia Woolf, Mark Twain, and Marcus Aurelius kept their versions of these books. Despite the variety of styles, the fundamental goal remains the same: to capture, organize, and easily reference essential knowledge.
Artist and creativity coach Julie Fei-Fan Balzer articulates that the primary aim of a commonplace book is “to create a resource that supports your intellectual growth, inspires creativity, and enhances your overall learning journey.” While I appreciate this definition, I believe the purpose of maintaining a commonplace book is ultimately personal. To truly utilize it consistently, you must identify your own motivation—an intention strong enough to encourage regular use. You can include various materials: conversations, business ideas, quotes from movies, song lyrics, or even doodles. The beauty of a commonplace book lies in its flexibility; there are no strict rules. Collect whatever resonates with you—recipes, wisdom from family, or sketches of your pet. It's about preserving what matters to you and what you wish to reflect upon.
This video, "How to Keep a Commonplace Book (And Why You Should)," provides insights into the significance of maintaining a commonplace book and practical tips for getting started.
Section 1.1: How to Capture and Organize Information
At first glance, gathering quotes and ideas seems straightforward: open your notebook, jot down a quote and its source. However, once you accumulate hundreds of entries, how do you efficiently retrieve them? I encountered philosopher John Locke's treatise on organizing a commonplace book, but I found it overly complicated for my needs.
I needed a simple and user-friendly method. If organizing became too cumbersome, I knew I wouldn't stick with it. So, I turned to YouTube to explore contemporary approaches to organizing a commonplace book.
After watching several videos and reading articles, I crafted my own uncomplicated system, one that evokes a sense of nostalgia. Here’s a step-by-step guide you can either replicate or adapt to your style.
Step 1: Selecting Your Notebook
Some commonplacers recommend choosing a notebook no larger than a passport to ensure portability for jotting down thoughts on the go. I personally selected one that boasts an antique aesthetic and lovely paper.
It's essential to choose a notebook that feels special, distinct from your typical journal or planner. Investing in a notebook you genuinely love can enhance your experience. Mine cost $27.99 on Amazon, and I’ve cherished it ever since. Initially, I hesitated to write in it, fearing I might ruin the pristine pages. However, once I reassured myself that I could always buy a new one if needed, I decided to dive in.
Step 2: Creating an Index for Quick Reference
Recording quotes is one thing; organizing them for easy access is another. To maintain the classic theme, I utilized Latin terms to categorize my entries into major themes. This serves as my makeshift table of contents, albeit scattered throughout the pages. I labeled the following categories in the back of my notebook while leaving extra pages blank for future additions:
- Vita [life]
- Creativitas [creativity]
- Scripturam [writing]
- Lectio [reading]
- Philosophia [philosophy]
- Amare [love]
- Mors [death]
I also purchased tiny, colorful stickers to accompany each theme, allowing me to quickly locate specific quotes by color. While I could make it more complex, simplicity was key to ensuring I would actually use it.
I organized my content by theme and page number. As I added new entries, I included the relevant page numbers next to each theme in the index. For example, if I wanted to reference wisdom on creativity, I would consult the "Creativitas" section in my index and check the corresponding page numbers.
In the left margin of each page, I noted the following details:
- Theme name
- Author's name
- Book title
- Additional pages for context (if applicable)
I've seen beautifully illustrated commonplace books, so feel free to make yours personal. Your first attempt might not be flawless; you may find that your organizational style evolves over time. That’s perfectly fine. If you approach this as a lifelong practice, you’ll likely have multiple commonplace books throughout your life. The key is to start and enjoy the process.
The ability to distill and capture significant information from the vast sea of daily knowledge is a valuable skill. Since adopting commonplacing, I've observed a marked improvement in my ability to recall what I've read. When writing, relevant ideas and quotes now come to mind effortlessly. The effectiveness of commonplacing lies in its personalized nature—you can tailor the practice to suit your individual needs. This method has endured for good reason. Happy commonplacing!
The video "How To Start a Commonplace Book You'll LOVE USING! Using my MOLESKINE EXPANDED" offers practical tips for creating a commonplace book you will enjoy utilizing.