Unlocking Creativity and Wisdom: The Art of Keeping a Commonplace Book.

A commonplace book is a gathering place for thoughts, quotes, and unique gems from your everyday life to boost creativity.  

In a world surrounded by a never-ending sea of content from television and the online world, a commonplace book can act as a perfect filter to help you sift through this never-ending flow and save the special morsels from your day that intrigue and inspire you.   

Whether it's a quote from an online post, a line from a cherished film, or an idea that sparks your imagination, they can all find a home in your commonplace book. Over time, this book will transform into a treasure trove brimming with inspiration and ideas.   

Frances’s travel-sized commonplace book.

What is a commonplace book?

 A good description would be a focused journal that stores quotes from others instead of your own thoughts—a place to jot down anything you think is inspiring or will be helpful in the future—a passage from a book, a recipe, a line from a song, or a quote you want to keep stores quotes from others instead of your own thoughts – a place to jot down anything you think is inspiring or will be helpful in the future. A passage from a book, a recipe, a line from a song or a quote you want to be kept safe and not forgotten.   

Discovering the Tradition: A Dive into the History of Commonplace Books. 

The act of keeping a commonplace book isn't something new but is, in fact, a century-old tradition. There are many famous commonplace book users, including the renowned American author and humourist Mark Twain, the English writer and influential modernist Virginia Wolfe, and Ralph Waldo Emerson, the American essayist, lecturer, and poet.  

The reasons for keeping a commonplace book were generally related to personal and intellectual development. People used commonplace books as a tool for recording and reflecting on information, insights, and experiences. They served as a means of organising thoughts, fostering creativity, and preserving valuable knowledge for future reference.  

The Role of Commonplace Books in the modern world.  

Today, in our accelerated age, commonplace booking has renewed relevance, giving a moment of quiet to reflect and collect snippets that have caught your eye during the whirlwind of the day. The act of noting down passages, quotes, and anything that catches your attention can also help you become a more active observer, focusing your attention on things of purpose that are worth viewing later.   

What is the difference between a commonplace book and a journal?  

A journal is a place to collect your thoughts and ideas, whereas a commonplace book is a place to collect quotes and thoughts that can inspire your ideas.   

7 Reasons to Consider Keeping a Commonplace Book:  

1. Thoughtful Organisation: It allows you to embrace the gentle art of organising and consolidating information, ideas, and insights into one harmonious space for effortless future reference.  

2. Memory Nurturing: The act of delicately jotting down information supports memory retention, gently reinforcing what you've learned or found intriguing and making the learning process more enjoyable.  

3. Nurturing Creativity: Provides a serene space for capturing creative thoughts, delicately brainstorming ideas, and exploring the gentle connections between seemingly unrelated concepts.  

4. Personal Reflection: This tool Acts as a tender reflective one, allowing you to embark on a journey of personal development, embrace the lessons learned, and observe the gentle evolution of perspectives over time.  

5. Inspiration Haven: A commonplace book is a nurturing wellspring of inspiration, delicately holding quotes, anecdotes, and ideas that can gently fuel your creativity and motivation.  

6. Gentle Problem-Solving: Extends a caring hand in problem-solving by allowing you to document challenges, potential solutions, and lessons learned from past experiences.  

7. Personalised Learning Experience: Creating a commonplace book can facilitate a gentle and personalised learning experience, allowing you to curate content that aligns with your interests, passions, and areas of expertise.  

In essence, keeping a commonplace book in the contemporary context gently serves as a valuable and nurturing tool for personal development, creativity, and the management of knowledge.  

Take time with your commonplace book

Getting Started: How to Create Your Own Commonplace Book. 

The beauty of looking back through your commonplace book can be a quiet moment of reflection away from the never-ending barrage of content. A moment of quiet to help you stay focused and away from online distractions as you find inspiration for new ideas.      

What is the best notebook to use for your commonplace book?  

Embarking on the journey of keeping a commonplace book is a creative endeavour deserving a companion as special as the process itself. In the enchanting world of commonplace books, choosing your notebook becomes an essential element that should invite the joy of writing and inspire regular use. Consider a lightweight, portable notebook if you intend to accompany it through your daily life, allowing creativity to flow freely in various settings. On the other hand, if your commonplace book is destined for evening reflections, a larger and more luxurious notebook may be a better option.   

I love the selection of beautifully crafted eco-friendly notebooks from Dingbats; their attention to detail fits perfectly with a commonplace book.

Lined or plain paper? If you plan to use your commonplace book predominantly for writing, a lined notebook will help this creative process; however, if you plan on using lots of illustrations, designs, and sketches, a plain notebook will give you the freedom to make the most of your creative flow.   

Selecting meaningful entries.  

Embracing the tradition of keeping a commonplace book has been a transformative journey for many, significantly enhancing their productivity and creativity. The act of meticulously curating thoughts, quotes, and insights in a dedicated space has become a cornerstone of many a daily routine. 

A commonplace book filled with gems can be a true inspiration. However, finding these gems can feel overwhelming to begin with - here are some ideas to get you started.  

Finding material for your commonplace book.   

• Anecdotes, sayings and short stories.   

• A recipe.

• Lines from a film or television program.  

• A few lines from a magazine article. 

• A favourite poem or passage from a loved book.   

• A passage from a book you are currently reading.       

• Quotes which awaken and inspire you from social media.  

• An extract from a social media post which may spark an idea in the future.   

• Snippets from podcasts, blogs, TED talks, and videos.  

• Pictures or designs from magazines or screenshots on your phone.   

• A list of places to visit, films to watch, books to read or even food to eat.   

Tips to start a commonplace book.  

 This intentional curation streamlines the thought process and fuels creativity by providing a rich repository of ideas to draw upon. When faced with challenges or seeking inspiration, you may find yourself turning to the pages of your commonplace book—a treasure trove of wisdom and innovative thinking.

It becomes an invaluable tool, fostering a heightened sense of clarity and purpose and, most importantly, a continuous wellspring of creativity that propels you forward in your personal and professional pursuits.  

1. Begin with Small Delights: Start your commonplace book journey with realistic expectations. Allow the pages to gradually fill as you refine your ear to capture the subtle ideas worth saving.  

2. Integrate into Your Routines: Nestle your commonplace book in your daily life. Whether it rests on your bedside table for evening reflections or accompanies you in your bag for thoughts during the commute, weave it gently into your routines.  

3. Embrace Daily Rituals: Cultivate the art of commonplace booking as part of your daily rhythm. Rather than waiting for inspiration, take a few gentle moments with your morning coffee or just before bed to let your pen dance on the pages.  

4. Capture Mobile Inspirations: Tenderly take screenshots of quotes when browsing on your phone. Dedicate a few quiet minutes each day to transcribe these cherished quotes into your book.  

5. Express Your Passions Creatively: A commonplace book need not be confined to quotes; let it gently echo your unique interests. If you find joy in gardening videos, use your book to cultivate ideas and insights from these green havens.  

6. Infuse Pleasure into the Process: Turn commonplace booking into a gentle pleasure. Take your book to the park, feel the grass beneath you, and write amidst nature. Or create a cosy ambience with candles and your favourite tea as companions during your nightly musings.  

7. Celebrate the Personal and Messy: Embrace the personal and messy nature of your commonplace book. Don't fret over the neatness of your handwriting or the appearance of the pages; let your book be the private haven where your thoughts can roam freely.  

8. Forgive Missed Weeks: Life unfolds gently, as does your commonplace book journey. If you skip a few weeks, forgive yourself with kindness. Return to the pages, rekindle the habit, and avoid dwelling on missed opportunities.  

9. Reflect on Past Entries: Gently revisit your past entries regularly. Witness the value your commonplace book has brought to your life, drawing inspiration from your own reflections to propel you forward.  

10. Share the Joy: Find gentle accountability by sharing your commonplace book with a writing buddy or like-minded friend. Enjoy coffee meetings where you exchange favourite quotes and insights, turning your commonplace book into a delightful, shared experience.  

  Tips for Usage: Effectively Leveraging Your Commonplace Book.  

• Consistency is Key: Set aside dedicated time regularly to update and maintain your commonplace book.   

• Treat your commonplace book like a friend you catch up with regularly: Schedule a few minutes each day or a dedicated time each week to revisit and update it. This consistency keeps your entries current and turns the act of updating into a ritual, reinforcing the habit.  

• Embrace Creativity: Don't hesitate to add drawings, symbols, or any creative elements that enhance the visual appeal of your entries.  

Think of your commonplace book as a canvas rather than a conventional notebook. Let your creativity flow—doodle in the margins, use different colours for various themes, or incorporate symbols that resonate with the essence of each entry. Adding a touch of creativity transforms your commonplace book into an expressive reflection of your thoughts.  

Review and Reflect: Periodically revisit previous entries to reflect on personal growth and draw inspiration.  

Imagine your commonplace book as a time capsule of your thoughts. Set aside moments to revisit older entries, observing how your perspectives have evolved. Reflecting on your past entries provides insights into your personal growth and sparks fresh inspiration, seeing the progression of your ideas.  

Share and Connect: Consider sharing excerpts or insights from your commonplace book with friends, family, or a like-minded community.  

Turn your commonplace book into a conversation starter. Share interesting quotes, reflections, or ideas with friends during coffee meetings or family gatherings. You can also create a digital version to share on social media, fostering connections with a broader community. Sharing enriches the experience and may inspire others to start their own commonplace book journey.  

Creating Harmony in Your Commonplace Book.  

When you're putting together a commonplace book, it's not just about gathering ideas; it's about arranging them in a beautiful way. Think of it as creating a harmonious picture on the pages, ensuring the essential and personal stuff has its own space. 

Here are some simple tips, like gentle notes, to help you make a book that's easy to use—a place that captures your life's different parts and is simple to navigate. Imagine these tips as conductors in the music of your thoughts, bringing order to the creative chaos.  

• Defined Sections: Divide your book into parts for quotes, personal thoughts, creative ideas, and recommendations.  

• Special Places: Give each part its own space in your book, like creating unique corners for different kinds of thoughts.  

• Easy to Find: Use a simple system, like tags or page numbers, to make it easy to find what you wrote.  

• Changing and Growing: Let your book change as you add more. Keep it flexible and dynamic, reflecting how your thoughts change.  

• Look Again: Go back and improve your organisation as you add more entries. Adjust it to match how your thoughts and creativity are growing.  

• Alive with Thoughts: Think of your book like a living reflection of your mind—a neat place within all the creative mess.  

  Conclusion: Unveiling the Tapestry of Creativity and Wisdom  

In today's accelerated age, where distractions abound, the commonplace book emerges as a steadfast companion, offering a moment of quiet amid the chaos. It becomes a touchstone for the scattered fragments of the day, a canvas where thoughts can dance freely, unburdened by the demands of the digital deluge. 

As we navigate this timeless tradition in the modern world, we find solace in its ability to foster active observation and serve as a compass directing our attention to purposeful elements worth revisiting.  

A commonplace book, distinct from a personal journal, is a collaboration of voices—your own thoughts interwoven with the wisdom of others. It is a testament to the gentle art of organisation, a living reflection of the evolution of your perspectives over time. 

Through its nurturing embrace, it stimulates memory, fuels creativity, and offers a sanctuary for personal growth. It becomes not just a repository of knowledge but a companion on your journey toward greater clarity, inspiration, and understanding.  

So, as you embark on or continue your commonplace book journey, consider it not just as a notebook but as a cherished confidant. Let your commonplace book be a celebration of the extraordinary within the ordinary, a treasure trove that, with each thoughtful entry, weaves a richer tapestry of your unique journey.