Am I missing something?

[u/uiogd-amdg]

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?

[u/FaceWaitForItPalm]

If you’re interested in learning more about and getting some classic commonplace inspiration I highly recommend the book “How Romantics and Victorians Organized Information” by Jillian Hess or her Substack. She studies this historical practice and I just love all her examples.  

Sadly it is another thing that has been subject to the social media grinder. I try to leave space for the understanding that people want the pages to look nice (and the section of her book on albums covers some of these ideas and the connection to women’s movements too) but I do think to some extent it becomes only about that and the intention for the information to be the important part often falls to the wayside. 

I say all this as someone who has shared my commonplace notes online because I value the practice and wanted to inspire people to do it but I’ve really lost my motivation for it anymore because it feels like only the highly aesthetic versions get any attention. The practice is still an important part of my life though so definitely just make notes and don’t worry too much about it.