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<\/a>First, because I am a word nerd, let\u2019s begin with some definitions.\ud83e\udd13\ud83d\udcd6<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nCommonplace:<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Commonplace books (or commonplaces) are a way to compile knowledge, usually by writing information into books.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is a personalized and effective tool for furthering your own education.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The word Commonplace has been around since before the Revolutionary War. It has been used as an educational tool for centuries.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
An earlier definition is the Latin word \u201c<\/em>Florilegium<\/em><\/a>\u201d or early Greek translation \u201cAnthologion\u201d. These translate literally as a bouquet from the word \u201cgather + flower\u201d and the word \u201canthology\u201d. Which is a collection of literary extracts and gathered ideas for study from a variety of places for the purpose of learning and growth.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nSo, how do I make this work in a practical way?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Specific Guidelines I follow:<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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- Always include the reference<\/strong>
I write down where every quote comes from so I can find it again or use it later. Extra context for my future self is always worth it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n- Keep everything chronological<\/strong>
I turn to the next blank page and keep going. This prevents overthinking and lets patterns in my reading naturally show up over time. My notes end up looking a bit like a collected hodge-podge but that\u2019s fine with me!\n\n
- Others keep entries that are organized under subject headings leaving space for each book they are reading.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Messy is better than unfinished<\/strong>
Neatness is optional. I\u2019d rather write imperfectly for 15 minutes than wait for ideal conditions that never come.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nI believe that there is not one \u201cright way\u201d to Commonplacing.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I have found that examples shared by others in a descriptive way helps me apply a practice with a new perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, in that context, here a two recent Commonplacing stories from my life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Reading Dear Writer by Maggie Smith<\/strong><\/a> was so healing and wonderful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- This book became my home base1<\/a> for creative recovery and writing skills in September.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- I read pieces of her poetry books.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- I went online to read poems referenced.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Felt inspired to grab Mary Oliver\u2018s book<\/a> off my shelf for some evening reading.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- I spent some time journaling & working on the writing exercises<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Ended up Commonplacing all of my tabs from my library book so that I could keep the wisdom with me after the due date. It took all of my self-control to not underline that book!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
September came to me full of overwhelm and decision fatigue. I wasn\u2019t sure what direction to go towards with my writing and marketing my book<\/a> on social media was slowly draining the life out of me. Add to that the second month of the school year and I was feeling meh. \ud83e\udee5<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am not a poet, but I applied Smith\u2019s creative exercises to my non-fiction writing work and it was awesome. One of those projects was this impromptu post<\/a> that deeply resonated and gave me a fresh direction for my content. It also got me back into my Commonplacing habit2<\/a> after putting it on the shelf for the summer months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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It was just supposed to be a simple audiobook read that gave me some simple inspiration for my writing life. I wasn\u2019t planning on it stopping me in my tracks. I have read a lot of books about writing and I\u2019ve been a bit disappointed lately. This book was just what I needed to give me fresh energy in my writing life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nfrom my November Personal Curriculum plan:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Power of Writing It Down by Allison Fallon<\/em><\/strong><\/a> \ud83c\udfa7<\/em><\/strong>\u2014 another a quick audiobook to read while doing household chores and also to reinforce my journaling habits. I will probably be tempted to read several of her other books if I enjoy this one, we will see\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
I loved it.<\/strong> I had so many book highlights in my Libby app\ud83c\udfa7 that I decided to get the paperback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I spent 2 evenings before the due date going through my audio bookmarks and then ended up re-reading the book and doing more underlining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This book also sparked some journaling sessions and a detailed discussion with a friend about activating the limbic system and writing rituals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I decided not to Commonplace this book in my usual traditional sense. Instead I took 2 pages to sum up my learning and write a few powerful quotes that made an impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I would have loved to write out all the quotes I underlined but I also need to be realistic and I just didn\u2019t have time to do it that month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And yes I plan on reading her memoir (it\u2019s in my TBR!). \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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These were two books that I never planned on Commonplacing. I didn\u2019t expect much going in (although still hopeful) but they were not at the top of my list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was pleasantly surprised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This practice allows me to interact with ideas from others that are new to me.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
I enjoy that my commonplace contains themes to my reading and learning over time. It is a like a time capsule of my personal growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lately, I\u2019ve been treating my commonplace notebook less like a record of what I should<\/em> be learning and more like a reflection of what\u2019s actually happening in my life. Small moments, half-formed thoughts, lines from books that stick to me for no obvious reason. I jot them down while they\u2019re still warm. There\u2019s no waiting for the right mood or a long stretch of quiet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consistency comes from returning to the notebook again and again, even briefly, and letting it grow alongside me. A few minutes here and there adds up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To think about:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
What moments from your own reading life are worth capturing right now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Where do you write down quotes when something resonates with you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What would it look like to let your notes be imperfect but honest?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I would love to hear about your journaling and Commonplace writing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Please share in the comments. \u2b07\ufe0f<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leave a comment<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udcddHappy Notetaking!<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
More about Home Base Texts<\/strong> in Lesson 1 of my course: How to Build a Personal Curriculum<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
2<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
More about Commonplacing and how I make this work in my busy life: My Commonplace – Notes On Learning<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
[ descriptive examples from my own learning experiences ] Lately, a few readers have reached out with questions about Commonplace notes and what it actually looks like to keep a Commonplace Notebook in daily life. Not the romanticized version with perfectly curated quotes, but the lived-in kind that sits open on the table and gets… <\/p>\n