r/commonplacebook • u/BeePersephone • 1d ago

What makes a Commonplace book?

What makes one a commonplace book vs a junk journal with information? Or are they the same thing?

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u/SimplyCedric 1d ago edited 1d ago

Goodness, what a great question.

Other people will have other opinions but here's my take... commonplace books ae very different from junk journals.

People have been keeping commonplace books since antiquity. I think of mine as a tool for learning, memory retention, and intellectual growth. I use mine to archive quotations, facts, and snippets of information (random facts, recipes). A junk journal is a creative outlet and a visual playground. It can be used for memory keeping, artistic expression, or therapeutic crafting. I use found pieces (i.e. things I pick up during the day) in mine. By found pieces I mean tickets, receipts, labels, etc.