Commonplacing is a centuries-old practice of compiling knowledge – quotes, ideas, observations – into a personalized repository, sort of a scrapbook for one’s mind. It helps improve memory retention, sparks creativity, and organizes information. Famous peeps like John Locke and Virginia Woolf commonplaced. Joan Didion, a more recently famous writer and an icon of mine, did, too.
How to Start and Maintain a Commonplace Book
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- Select a Format: Choose a physical notebook/journal or use digital tools like Notes, Evernote, or a blog.
- Gather Information: Actively record interesting quotes, facts, or observations from books, podcasts, or conversations
- Organize: While some use chronological entries, others categorize by theme or use indexing for easy retrieval. Sticky notes may be ideal.
- Review Regularly: Periodically review entries to make connections between ideas and spark inspiration.
Common Uses and Benefits
- Writing Aid: Serves as a treasure trove of inspiration for writers (me).
- Learning Tool: Helps to retain information from reading.
- Personal Growth: Curates wisdom for self-reflection.
- Organization: Functions as a central repository for scattered notes.
Commonplacing differs from a personal diary as it focuses on external knowledge rather than internal, day-to-day reflections.
It’s also not the Book of Common Prayer.
Here’s a blast from the past about blogging: https://www.pjcolando.com/blog-as-virtual-diary/
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