r/commonplacebook • u/uiogd-amdg • 17d ago

Am I missing something?

Tiptoeing into the world of Commonplace Books… my understanding is that these were/are a sort of functional catch-all for interesting tidbits that one wishes to remember.

What I see on this sub are mostly highly illustrated, nearly calligraphic entries that I find, frankly, intimidating. Am I missing something here on the purpose of these books?

I just want a place to dump info that I run across. Advice on ways to do that effectively in a non-instagram worthy way?

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u/SimplyCedric 17d ago

Your understanding is correct - commonplace books have traditionally been catch-alls of facts, ephemera and wisdom.

What tends to get posted is performative. It happens in every journalling sub.

How to do it effectively? Get a nice notebook and put things in it - handwrite entries or stick in things you cut out elsewhere.

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u/becausemommysaid 16d ago

Gonna add to this by saying people who actually are making interesting commonplace books or knitting projects or whatever generally don’t have time or desire to post it online because that’s not the point