you should keep a commonplace book (& how)
Summary
TLDRIn this video, the creator introduces the concept of a Commonplace book, a personal collection of ideas, quotes, facts, and inspirations, differing from a diary by its lack of structure and pressure. It’s a private space for self-discovery and reflection, helping one document interests and inspirations without judgment. The creator shares their experience with commonplace books, recommending inexpensive notebooks that remove the pressure to maintain perfection. Additionally, they discuss digital alternatives like Pinterest and Tumblr for archiving thoughts. Overall, the video encourages viewers to start keeping a Commonplace book to enhance their self-awareness and creativity.
Takeaways
- 😀 A Commonplace Book is a tool for self-discovery, helping individuals collect ideas, observations, and interests.
- 📚 Unlike a diary, a Commonplace Book doesn't focus on daily events or feelings but on things that inspire or intrigue you.
- 🖋️ A Commonplace Book can include sketches, quotes, notes, or anything that catches your attention, forming a personal, private archive.
- 🔍 The act of documenting in a Commonplace Book allows you to treat your life like a detective case, exploring who you are through what you collect.
- 💡 Commonplace Books help prevent overthinking or existential spirals, as they provide a way to reflect without overwhelming pressure.
- ✍️ The freedom to write or sketch without a rigid schedule makes the process enjoyable and organic, unlike the pressure often felt with daily journaling.
- 📖 Keeping a Commonplace Book gives you insight into your interests and identity, showing how the things you surround yourself with shape who you are.
- 🌍 Famous figures like Leonardo da Vinci, Mark Twain, and Virginia Woolf kept Commonplace Books, highlighting the historical value of this practice.
- 💼 A Commonplace Book should be a simple, non-expensive book, removing pressure and encouraging spontaneous documentation and creativity.
- 💻 Digital platforms like Pinterest, Tumblr, or Substack can also serve as digital Commonplace Books, allowing multimedia storage and better organization.
Q & A
What is a Commonplace Book?
-A Commonplace Book is a personal collection of notes, ideas, quotes, and other things that inspire or interest the person. It serves as a way to compile knowledge and store meaningful information, but it's different from a diary or journal in its more informal, scrapbook-like approach.
How is a Commonplace Book different from a diary or journal?
-A Commonplace Book differs from a diary or journal because it is not strictly about documenting personal feelings or daily events. Instead, it is more about compiling knowledge, quotes, and thoughts that are meaningful or inspiring at a particular moment. It is less about personal reflection and more about recording useful and interesting information.
Why should someone keep a Commonplace Book?
-A Commonplace Book helps with self-discovery, personal reflection, and organizing thoughts. It allows individuals to capture the things that inspire them or are meaningful, which can lead to a deeper understanding of themselves over time. It's also less pressured than a diary, making it more approachable and enjoyable to use.
What are the benefits of writing in a Commonplace Book?
-Writing in a Commonplace Book helps you remember important facts and ideas that you may otherwise forget. It encourages reflection without the pressure of a daily routine and allows for a more creative and freeform way of documenting thoughts, which can lead to personal growth and self-discovery.
Why is it recommended not to use an expensive book for a Commonplace Book?
-Using an expensive book for a Commonplace Book can create pressure to keep it in pristine condition, which may lead to hesitance in using it freely. The idea is to remove the pressure and treat the book as a tool for self-expression, not as a precious object. A cheaper, more flexible book encourages more spontaneous writing and creativity.
What role does decoration play in a Commonplace Book?
-Decoration helps personalize the Commonplace Book, making it more attractive and motivating to use. Adding personal touches like drawings or designs removes the pressure of maintaining a perfect book, which encourages more frequent use and creative freedom.
What is the role of inspiration in a Commonplace Book?
-Inspiration is key to a Commonplace Book because it is a place to document things that intrigue or excite you. Whether it’s a quote, an image, a new fact, or an idea, these snippets help you better understand your interests and can provide clues to who you are as a person.
How does a Commonplace Book relate to self-discovery?
-A Commonplace Book is a tool for self-discovery because it collects clues about who you are based on the things you choose to record and engage with. Over time, the patterns in your notes, drawings, and ideas help reveal aspects of your personality and interests.
Can a Commonplace Book be digital, or does it have to be physical?
-A Commonplace Book can absolutely be digital. Platforms like Pinterest, Tumblr, and Substack offer ways to collect and organize thoughts, images, and ideas in a digital format. However, the physical nature of a notebook is often preferred for its tactile experience and the freedom it provides in documenting ideas.
What is the significance of keeping a private Commonplace Book?
-Keeping a Commonplace Book private ensures that it remains a personal space for reflection and exploration. It allows you to freely express ideas without worrying about external judgment. Whether physical or digital, a private Commonplace Book serves as a safe place for introspection and creativity.
Outlines
This section is available to paid users only. Please upgrade to access this part.
Upgrade NowMindmap
This section is available to paid users only. Please upgrade to access this part.
Upgrade NowKeywords
This section is available to paid users only. Please upgrade to access this part.
Upgrade NowHighlights
This section is available to paid users only. Please upgrade to access this part.
Upgrade NowTranscripts
This section is available to paid users only. Please upgrade to access this part.
Upgrade Now5.0 / 5 (0 votes)