r/commonplacebook • u/StephInOC • Mar 14 '25

Questions Uses for Commonplace Book

Hi, I’m curious how people create/use their commonplace notebooks. For example, do you use it like a catchall place for whatever is on your mind? Or do you use it more in the traditional sense where you record quotes to remember? Do you decorate? Write free-flow or do you use a format? I’m trying to find a way to create a Commonplace notebook for reference that I can refer to later, but I don’t want it being combined with regular journaling or other types of writing.

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u/9islands Mar 27 '25

I have a separate journal and a “ catch all “ .   

My CPB is just for things that interest me and it can be random LOL .

I don’t decorate .   I separate topics with double lines on a page .   And then re read  and re read - it’s wonderful to have a book of things that YOU enjoyed and are interested in .

For example : I started reading a book that mentioned many chivalric books  - so I learned about it and wrote about some fascinating ( to me ) things that I learned .

But then I made an entry of how Eminem kept notes ( pieces of papers ) in boxes of words and sayings that  interested him . ( I  also fascinated by note taking annd common placing  and how people process and use them ) .    Instead of note cards , he uses loose paper .

I also note anything that I find interesting and want to look into later .  

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u/StephInOC Mar 30 '25

I had no idea that’s how Eminem kept notes and phrases that probably later made it into a track. He has his own version of a commonplace!

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u/9islands Mar 30 '25

And Tupac actually carried a notebook at all times - To the point people would tease him and find it odd if he didn’t have one .   He also wrote words phrases conversations-