My Commonplace - Notes On Learning

What is a Commonplace Notebook and how I use it. Tips for life-long learners and those who love to journal.

As we write the words of others, we develop our own ideas, building upon the concepts of those who have come before us.¹

I was introduced to the idea of a Commonplace notebook when I read The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady. I had 2 kids under the age of 4 and I was reviving my learning after being consumed with caring for little ones.

The word Commonplace has been around since before the 1800’s. It has been used as an educational tool for centuries.

“Commonplace books (or commonplaces) are a way to compile knowledge, usually by writing information into books.”

They are chronological and introspective and contain: “notes, proverbs, adages, aphorisms, maxims, quotes, letters, poems... Entries are most often organized under subject headings.” ²

An earlier definition is the Latin word “Florilegium” or early Greek translation “Anthologion”. These translate literally as a bouquet from the word “gather + flower” and the word “anthology”.  Which is a collection of literary extracts and gathered ideas for study from a variety of places for the purpose of learning and growth.

What my Commonplace looks like:

I have one nice journal that I use for all my commonplace writing. I work through the book chronologically turning to the next blank page for each new book or resource. I often see themes to my reading and learning over time. It ends up looking a bit like a collected hodge-podge but that’s fine with me!

My #1 rule is to always add in where the quote came from. Sometimes I even write out other books I am reading at the same time. Any information I can give my future self is helpful.

It doesn’t have to be neat – the goal is done, not perfect

I would rather do something badly than wait for a “non-existent future day”. It would never be completed if I waited for a time when I could write it out perfectly in amazing handwriting with no spelling mistakes.

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How I take my Commonplace notes:

• While I am reading a book that grabs me with its content, I take notes on phrases that jump out at me.

I read approximately 4-6 books (plus audiobooks) a month. I usually only commonplace one book at a time. It is typically a non-fiction book that feels unique and extremely helpful for what I am currently learning. I want those notes to come back to and appreciate the quotes that grabbed my attention.

• After I have read a book that really impacted me I sit down and write out a summary.

Occasionally there is a book that has taught me something meaningful that I want to keep preserved to go back to. I am learning in all my reading, but there are a few books that become “an experience”. I want to remember my summary, what I learned, how I applied the information, and what else I was learning at that time. I tend to read books grouped in similar topics and then I distill the information.

• Browsing through a book I have finished and writing out my underlines or notes in the margins.

If there was a book I want to reference and use quotes from I will write down my underlines after I have finished the book. It is a quick re-reading of the material that stuck out to me. This is the equivalent of re-reading the textbook for an exam. It is a visiting the material again to reacquaint myself with what I am learning.

• Somewhere to capture quotes and thought-provoking sayings.

Every now and then I will hear a note-worthy quote on a podcast, in a movie, or see it somewhere in an online article. I keep those in my commonplace notebook. Just one-liners (or maybe a quick paragraph). I always write out the source and I often add why that quote got my attention.

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Photo by Dillon Shook on Unsplash

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Helpful Resources:

These inspiring women got me started and encouraged me to take my reading seriously.

Every year I stretch my capacity and continue to grow. I am thankful for those who are walking this same path.

• Leah Boden – I love being part of her community called The Collective. You should come join us!

• Susan Wise Bauer – she was my original resource on how to use a commonplace notebook. Her book The Well Trained Mind helped me form the foundation for our homeschool and my own renewed learning journey.

• Inspiring short article and the Commonplace notebook that my kids use and love. https://www.jeanniefulbright.com/common-place/

• great podcast: Dr. Perrin describes the monastic practice of keeping a commonplace book, called a Florilegium or “Book of Flowers,” and suggests that the benefits of this practice were profound and should be continued today.

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There are no new ideas, only new ways of approaching them.

I may not discover something new to humanity or change the world with a new discovery, but I can interact with ideas from others that are new to me.

I enjoy that my commonplace contains themes to my reading and learning over time. It is a time capsule of my personal growth.

By focusing on my time spent learning, I embrace the current moment in all its flaws. Perfect is the enemy of done. So, I keep picking up my notebook and I put pen to paper. Writing out quotes, summaries, and what I am learning. Even if I only get 15 minutes with my commonplace once a week, that is enough.

Questions for You:

Do you collect quotes that you enjoy?

Where do you keep your notes from your reading?

How do you continue your learning journey?

I would love to hear about your journaling and Commonplace writing!

Please share in the comments. ⬇️

📝Happy Notetaking!

1. from my book: Subtle Resistance by April Edwards - chap. 9 - Personal Growth

2. Commonplace book. (2022, August 29). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonplace_book

• Thomas Jefferson Encyclopedia of his Commonplace Notes – https://www.monticello.org/research-education/thomas-jefferson-encyclopedia/tjpapers/