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you should keep a commonplace book (& how)
Oddly Specific Crystal
Overview
This video explains the concept and benefits of keeping a commonplace book, differentiating it from a diary or journal. A commonplace book is presented as a personal compilation of knowledge, ideas, quotes, recipes, and other interesting information, acting like a personal Wikipedia or a scrapbook of one's interests. The speaker emphasizes that it's a less pressured way to self-discover and reflect, unlike traditional diaries which can sometimes lead to rumination. The video offers practical advice on choosing a notebook (suggesting inexpensive ones to reduce pressure), how to fill it with diverse content like drawings and notes, and explores both physical and digital methods for maintaining a commonplace book, including platforms like Pinterest and Tumblr. The core message is to document what captures your attention, as these collected items ultimately define who you are.
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Chapters
- •A commonplace book is a personal compilation of knowledge, quotes, ideas, and facts.
- •It differs from a diary or journal by being a scrapbook-like collection of diverse information.
- •The purpose is to remember useful facts and information, acting as a personal Wikipedia.
- •It helps in self-discovery by documenting personal interests and thoughts.
- •Diaries often focus solely on personal thoughts and feelings, which can lead to rumination.
- •Commonplace books are less pressured; there's no schedule or obligation to write daily.
- •The content is broader, including external information, not just personal experiences.
- •This lower pressure encourages more consistent and less precious engagement with the book.
- •Record things that seem insignificant but are interesting to you.
- •Capture new facts, ideas, or observations that you might otherwise forget.
- •Include drawings, sketches, notes, and even lecture notes if relevant.
- •The book becomes a snapshot of your personal interests and what draws your attention.
- •Treat yourself as a detective documenting clues about your identity.
- •The collected items (notes, ideas, art) are clues to understanding yourself.
- •You are essentially made up of the things you surround yourself with and are drawn to.
- •The commonplace book is a tool to gather data about your personal inclinations.
- •Avoid expensive notebooks to reduce the pressure of keeping them pristine.
- •Inexpensive, plain-covered notebooks are ideal for drawing and personalizing.
- •Decorating the cover can make the book feel less precious and more inviting to use.
- •The goal is to make the personalized, slightly messy book more attractive than a spotless one.
- •Digital options exist if a physical book isn't preferred.
- •Pinterest is good for visual content, allowing mood boards and notes on images.
- •Tumblr is versatile, supporting text, images, audio, and video, with private blog options.
- •Substack is suitable for writers who want good formatting for text-heavy content.
Key Takeaways
- 1A commonplace book is a personal archive of interests, ideas, and knowledge, distinct from a diary.
- 2Keeping a commonplace book is a low-pressure method for self-discovery and reflection.
- 3Document seemingly small or insignificant interesting details, as they contribute to your identity.
- 4Choose inexpensive notebooks to encourage free use and personalization without fear of 'ruining' them.
- 5Your commonplace book reflects who you are by showcasing what you choose to collect and engage with.
- 6Digital platforms like Pinterest and Tumblr can serve as effective, private commonplace books.
- 7The act of collecting and organizing information about yourself is a valuable form of self-understanding.
- 8Embrace messiness and personalization; it makes the book more engaging and less intimidating.