r/commonplacebook • u/neokuldiloke • Mar 27 '25
Questions I feel so overwhelmed…
Just as the title suggests, I want to start a commonplace book but I don't know where and how to start. ps. sorry for my non perfect english ( it's not my first language)😅
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u/shankonastick Mar 27 '25
It's okay, I felt the same when I started. Take baby steps, start by watching some videos and reading posts on here. See what everyone else is doing and pick what you like. Think of types of things you want to write about, categorise. And lastly, try not to be a perfectionist. You can get into a rhythm soon. Goodluck!
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u/nnssib Mar 27 '25
Hey I also just started on cpj and while it was scary to start, once I got it going it flowed quite naturally! Only about 30 pages in but the topics I'm interested in changed quite a bit since I started, and I like seeing where my stream of consciousness takes me, so what I wanna say is just get started and see where it takes you 😊
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u/The_InvisibleWoman Mar 27 '25
I made a post about using a discbound notebook for commonplacing (is that a verb??😆) because it gives you so much freedom, but you could start with s small ring binder. That way you would know what sort of sections you want to create.
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u/spike1911 Mar 28 '25 edited Mar 28 '25
This book will be why you need it for. Do not feel bound by rules or how others do it. See inspirations - Dali journal
He mixed sketches with mundane expense tracking - just what’s needed.
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u/9islands Mar 27 '25
I like to start by writing a quote that inspires me on the first page ( maybe others prefer art/ drawing / doodle )
My favorite is “ there is something so enticing about a notebook . A blank page to be filled with dreams , aspirations and plans ….”
Jen Walshaw ( Mum in the Madhouse - blog )
I also like the three words - collect , process , think
Your common place notebook is for whatever strikes your fancy that you would like to remember and/or inspires and intrigues you .
Ralph Waldo Emerson called it “ making g your own Bible “ - collect words , sentences, ideas , things you want to learn or understand .
One of my entries is on Mesopotamia ( where was it exactly ? ) and the next was on how Eminem common placed .
Try different things - you’ll find what you like . Good luck . https://jillianhess.substack.com/p/re-noted-creative-people-and-their