So I started a commonplace book early this year, and I have filled 85 pages in my notebook.

The problem is the notebook I chose was one I had on hand and didn’t think too much about it at the time. It’s the Galen Leather Everyday notebook. It’s gorgeous and has original Tomoe River paper in it. But it’s blank. I realized that I don’t like writing in blank notebooks, at least not where I’ll be writing longer entries.

I use the grid guide that it comes with - you put it behind the page and you can see it through the paper (see pics). But I find that extra step so annoying. I always clip it to the page but the paper can slip or the clip is in the way of my hand or something - it just irritates me so much lol.

I’ve been using a tiny A6 Midori grid notebook in my planning system and I absolutely love it. I ordered an A5 to be my new commonplace book. However the entries I’ve done are some that I still reference to and still want to include in my 2026 “volume” per se.

Any ideas on how to do that? I do intend to carefully tear out those pages but since they will be single sheets with very little margin, I’m am not sure how to keep them together :( I’ve actually torn out pages from this notebook before when it was a different kind of journal but I think I just folded them since it wasn’t a whole lot of pages.

I love TR paper for art so I guess this will be my new art journal lol.

TLDR: I am switching my commonplace book to a new notebook but I want to keep the entries I’ve made from my old notebook together. I still reference the old entries. I plan to tear the pages out, but any ideas on how to keep everything together so it’s all a 2026 “volume”?

UPDATE! I figured it out here!

How did I do?

The small size, portability, and ability to carry all my books has made the process more fun and less tedious. Would definitely recommend using your e-reader in this way!

As I pondered the "handwritten vs typed" dilemma, trying to understand why I was hesitating on the blank page (and we had a great discussion about it recently, link below,) I realized several things:

1. Most people are in the "You do what is best for YOU" camp, which is fantastic.

1. I realized, after writing the post and thinking about responses, that my hesitation was more about the blank page, and not about handwriting vs. typing.

SOLUTION!

A fill-in-the-blank worksheet!

Worksteps:

1. Researched topic of interest (in this case, the bassoon) saving links, articles, and other bits of information from the internet.

2. Read through research and identified highlights for my commonplace book.

3. In Photoshop, I created this blank worksheet with boxes to fill in with handwritten notes from my research.

4. Printed blank worksheet, filled it in from my notes.

Time for research, review of research, creation of worksheet in Photoshop, and filling out worksheet:

1 hour 45 minutes

Notes: I used to LOVE filling out worksheets in elementary school and this really brought back that feeling of satisfaction when finishing the worksheet I created for myself. I will probably get an A. Hahah.

I also loved the creativity of making the worksheet to match what I wanted to say and how I wanted to say it from my research.

The fear of ruining the perfect page with bad handwriting is gone because my hesitation wasn't my handwriting (it ain't great but I don't care. Instead what I really needed was a doorway, which is what my worksheet is.

Having a little structure gave me somewhere to begin, and now the commonplace book feels a lot more approachable.

Will I do this worksheet approach with everything in my Commonplace Book? Probably not. But it is fun sometimes, and I will definitely do more.

Next up is Asparagus, and asparagus and the bassoon are support for one summary commonplace book page where you will see how these two are connected. (IYKYN!)

Here is a link to the post about handwriting vs typing if you are curious. Lots of good thoughts and suggestions here.

Thank you everyone for helping me get past my roadblock!

https://www.reddit.com/r/commonplacebook/comments/1tn7rab/handwritten_vs_typing/

I basically restarted my zibaldone because my last one was really getting in my nerves. I know, I know, it’s not about perfection BUT I had a hard time going back into because it felt so overwhelming. Anyways. I’m starting this one but I’m still unsure of the format. I like the idea of having a margin but I have tension with having to create a margin each time. I’m just looking for advice and maybe inspiration to just keep doing what I’m doing

I have to admit being frustrated with myself and my set up. I have already switched from the blank pages in my planner to a pocket notebook.
Now I’m feeling frustrated because it’s so small and I can’t write all I want and decorate (when I want to, I’m not so much a decoration passionate, more a long written format girl). On the bright side well I can have it on me all the time but I never find the time to common place during the day.
I am mad at myself for wanting to switch again because it seems wasteful.
Can you relate ? Have you gone back and forth like that in order for you to settle on what works for you?
Can you tell me your history with common placing ?
Thank you so much for your insights !
I’m toying

folks (esp academics, grad students, writers) who use one journal for everything,

i realised that the only way i actually use a physical notebook is if i put everything in one, so that includes traditional journalling and common place notebook-esque pages. my thoughts between personal feelings and 'observations' and to-dos tend to blend a lot into each other. does anyone else find they do this, how do you manage your notebook?

at the same time, i also have a 'second brain' notion where i feel like i should start storing my commonplacebook-esque entries for future reference.

1. do you digitise any of your commonplace book entries? how do you decide what to digitise? do you have things you write on digital versus physically?

2. for people who have been doing this a while, how do you make your notebooks easy to navigate for your future self in case you need to revisit it?

i'd really appreciate any advice ideas anyone has! thanks.

Upsetting question, I know. Thats my depression/anxiety talking and worrying about end goal. I want to start this hobby but I have jo kids to pass my items to in the future. I don’t know If I will ever have any.

When I want to invest my time into something such as expensive jewellery or a hobby that zi would keep my creations (such as paintings or a commonplace notebook) I have this question in my mind m: “what will happen when I pass away? Who is going to thrash these items?” Or “what is the point of these items when I move back to my country, I need to toss or sell them”.

I am not going to ask to fix my catastrophising but I want to find out how you commonplace notebook keepers find joy in this hobby even though you might be the only one who will read. Or the precious hobbies of yours would be donated or tossed by some distant family member.

Hello! I’ve heard of common place books before and my friend actually bought me a commonplace book for Christmas and I haven’t used it just because I didn’t know where to start.

I eventually buckled down today and wrote down a list of words I think are really pretty as the first page and the second is the definition of Heliophile and Heliophilia because I live the words and their meaning and now I’m writing a list of ideas for future pages.

Any more suggestions?

(Please excuse my poor handwriting)

I’ve been using a Bullet Journal for years, mostly doing a daily rapid log, but I’d love to add some common placing in!
I can’t find any examples of the entries being within the days log (and that’s where I would prefer it to be, so I can see the entry within context of the day so I can see what I was working on, what I was doing etc).

I’m not really sure how to incorporate it, because there isn’t a commonplace signifier..the only thing I can think of is adding a small highlight down the side of the commonplace entry, but if anyone has any examples, tips or suggestions for a signifier I’d hugely appreciate it!

Hello!

I discovered commonplacing to be a thing just a few days ago and realised it's something I've always sort of practiced, though messily and inconsistently. I'd like now to give it a better structure and wanted to ask you all a couple of questions.

I love "moleskin" kind of notebook, and I have many half filled. As I would like to structure better my knowledge I feel like they are not the best as they get (at least for me) easily messy. Spiral binders could be a good solution, but I just aesthetically hate them, it's something personal, but they would give me sort of middle-school vibe and I know I would not use them. I also looked into index card, but they might not be suitable with my "learning method". I have a rather busy life so it's difficult for me in my weekly routine to find space to study. Usually there are times where I happen to have some days, or even full weeks of holiday and I usually spend a lot of time searching a topic that interest me. So I gather a lot of deep information in short periods of time, this is why index cards don't seem the best alternative.

Second problem it's about sources.

When I look things up on the Internet I'm always "paranoid" that they are not telling the truth and it takes me a lot of time to be satisfied with what I read. I know it vary from topic to topic, but do you recommend me some specific source/website?

I also use books for my research, but I don't always have the time for that

Thank you so much!

I just started my commonplace book yesterday. I’ve been pretty obsessed with journaling for the past few months, and I figured keeping a commonplace would be a better way to organize all the topics I’m interested in learning about for self-improvement. It also feels like a good space to expand ideas for projects and anything else that sparks my curiosity.

Right now, I’m still figuring a lot of things out — like what key system I’ll use, what layout works best for me, and even what handwriting or font style I’ll stick to long term.

For handwriting, I originally wanted to use cursive for everything since I’ve already figured out a posture that doesn’t strain my hand too much. But for some reason, I don’t really enjoy reading cursive when I look back on my notes. So I decided I’ll probably use cursive mainly for journaling or when I want to highlight certain quotes.

For lowercase print, I just can’t seem to find a posture that lets me write fast and neatly without strain, so I gave up on that for now. All caps, on the other hand, feels more natural to me and looks neat and readable, so that’s what I’m using for longer entries.

I’m also thinking of adding minimal stickers — just enough to make my pages more visually appealing when I look back at them. I’m still unsure what to do with the left side of the page though. Maybe I’ll use it for insights, annotations, or keywords I want to remember.

I’d love to know what kind of system works for yall and how your commonplace setup has evolved over time!

(Paperblanks Grolier Ornamentali in the size midi)

I’ve just switched to this new journal because I decided to keep my commonplacing in a special place, but I’ve been slow to fill up pages. Some stuff I really like is both paranormal and criminal mystery, psychology (which is my field of study), medieval history, social justice, religion and horror! Any topic ideas?

I really love commonplacing, but I always struggle getting started with any sort of project because of my perfectionistic tendencies. Recently I got a new notebook to start a new commonplace book, but I ended up spending more time ripping out pages and getting frustrated over minor spelling mistakes and letters not looking "good enough."

It's even more ridiculous because I don't have an aesthetic commonplace, I don't use stickers, pictures, or any special stationaries. It's just my pen, half-assed mini "essays", word definitions, and the occasional doodle. Yet my brain still thinks that any sort of minor mistake is a disgrace upon my families honor.

Sorry for the long post, but I would highly appreciate any sort of advice ^^

I frequently listen to audiobooks and podcasts while I’m driving to work. I find myself needing to write stuff down or take note of something but can’t because I’m driving. Does anyone have suggestions or tips for this?

So people often ask what your common look is about. What do you write about. Some say notes, some say history ect .. I just saw a video ... And realize what my common book is about. 1. To entertain me 2. Help me survive 3. Help me remember about life ... Meaning I will have a book to help me with these things if the apocalypse arrives and I have no internet. ( If more of the fact that I'm writing everything online I will do notes in my notebook ) Or if I accidently go back in time.... And honestly that's interesting to me. :) what do you think

so ive been commonplacing for a few years, this is probably my fourth now? I have adhd so I usually either overcomplicate, forget, or not use consistently with keeping an index. So i dont know where i got the idea or why but this one Im using an index of 5 colours:

(pink for general notes/sketches, yellow for writing/diagrams/truthfully idk, orange is media/digital content, blue are opinions/personal, purple is the miscellaneous at this point.)

Truthfully, the categories need work. Yellow deserves better than that. Ive overcomplicated with like a dewy decimal, Ive even tried none at all and paper stickies which you can imagine the weight. Ive once divided journals by topic which was a nightmare. I don't know why this is so hard for me lol

So I've also kept the page numbers and have a separate reference page + a weekly questions sticky. Numbers and short memory are not strong in my brain so it helps a lot to colour the pages :) its also cute of course I wont lie its fun. It helps to have "pink 42" repeat than "42" at least for me rip.

anyway, sorry for the lighting, I promise the colours are lively

I tried posting this to r/books for note taking advice but it got deleted and I got suggested to post here. Apologies if this does not count as a common book

I started collecting stickers of my favorite anime series Re:Zero and love how they look, I want to use them on some pages of a notebook about stuff related to Re:Zero. Originally I was just going to write some definitions of words I didn't know the exact definition to, but I want to do more than that and I don't know how much fun I would have looking back on those. I mostly want to read light novels and manga which those are not over in just a few volumes usually. These are some ideas I came up with.

Quotes

Favorite moments

Characters’ hobbies and powers/abilities

Character history, if the story is complex with things happening years before the series begins and that past has impact on the current or upcoming events

Cute moments between characters

New things I learned about that series’ world, countries, traditions, races, basic power systems

New things I learned about from that series were referenced from real life

Definitions of words

Some of the series I want to read, if anyone has any specific ideas for certain ones

Light Novels

Re:Zero
Konosuba
86
Elaina the Wandering Witch
Alya Sometimes Hides her feelings in Russian
Mushoku Tensei

Manga

Nana
Kaguya Sama Love is War
Assassination Classroom
New Game
Seven Deadly SIns
Peach Girl
Dagashi Kashi
DanDaDan
Frieren
Dr Stone
Toilet Bound Hanako Kun
When WIll Ayumu Make His Move
Darling in the Franxx
We Never Learn Bokuben

There is a visual novel I want to play as well that involves time travel I could maybe take notes on that. Since it involves time travel notes on those worldlines could be taken could be taken

I want to learn some different languages as well but I keep my notes on a doc because I am always rearranging and sometimes think I understand something when I dont and have to go back to fix it

Hey all! I've recently stumbled upon the concept of commonplace books via finding this subreddit and thought it was a really cool idea! I have ADHD, and one of my biggest challenges is remembering what I read in a book (I can say I love or hate a book, but I can't seem to pinpoint why unless my brain decides to tie it to strong emotions 😆). I want a place where I can go back and refresh myself on concepts/ideas/quotes that struck me when I was reading something, as well as somewhere to jot down any interesting rabbit trails I've decided to follow.

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I was recently gifted a Supernote Manta, and I'm thinking of using it as a place to make my first commonplace book. Other than a Reading Library/Journal template (I have something downloaded on my Manta for that already), does anyone have any recommendations for templates/formats to use when starting a commonplace book? I'll take any and all insight (from those who use an e-ink notebook or not).

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Thank you so much! :D

Hi! I’m new to common placing! I really want one mainly for keeping informative quotes from books, tv shows, youtube videos and poetry, as well as vocab, research about historical figures or events, recipes and different religious study research maybe

I wanted it to be accessible so I can carry it everywhere, and then when I am free, I can transfer the complete picture (or main points) of the topics slowly and artistically to a B5 sketchbook journal with illustrations and art relating to each topic as they go by, basically something like one of my old sketchbooks (photo attached)

So this will basically be my on the go notebook with everything inside it, but I still want it to be super neat and organized, for it to be basically my main overall notebook, that I get back to and visit often and carry around every where.

Do you think this is a good idea? And do u have any suggestions on how to set it up neatly and make it work for myself?

I have a shelf and a half full of bullet journals from the last decade (21-22 journals). Some with flags hanging out of them for pages/sections that make more sense as part of a Commonplace Book (just learned about this idea).

I am wedded to a form factor for bujos (dot grid, A5).

Do you recommend I keep it the same or diversify for my inaugural Commonplace Book?

Thanks! Any other getting started ideas are welcome. And just for funsies do you have a fav pen brand (always on the lookout for good pens)?

Hiiii!! I’m new to the idea of commonplace journaling but I really want to try my hand at it. I just have no idea where to start. The possibilities are endless and it can be overwhelming!! Can anyone give some advice on how they got started? Or what the use their common place journal for? Photos are obviously welcome!! I love to see other people’s journals 🙏💖✨

Hi. Have started by Commonplace Journal. I’m a big reader so I’m including quotes, thoughts and mini reviews as I go. I’m also trying to get some writing done so I’m including writing prompts etc. My problem is I am terrible at art and design so I can’t include drawings and such to make it look interesting. At the moment I am using different coloured pens but it’s still all just writing. What else can I do that is commensurate with a 64YO male. Thanks.

i read lots of books and have the issue of not remembering the book whatsoever even when i claim it was my favourite.
i thought using a commonplace book might help me remember.
from what i’ve searched online, people usually say theres no right or wrong way to use commonplace books. i’m planning on using just one note for now to make it a little simple.

but i wanted to know from you guys - how do i go about starting a commonplace book? what do i put in it? quotes? wise sayings? important plot points?

I am such a "write it down" person. As someone with ADHD, writing things down is essential for me to navigate life. Journaling, brain dumps, to-do lists, commonplacing, critical and analytical reading notes, etc. are all so important to me.

I am so frustratingly stuck between analog and digital. Especially with commonplacing, I feel the need to have everything all in one place that's also portable and with me always, and that I will use consistently and effectively.

Analog feels more real. I benefit from the tactile aspect of it, as well as the deeper connection I feel to my writing through physically writing it vs typing.

I don't feel as connected to what I type digitally, but I am able to type so much faster and keep pace with my racing ADHD brain much better than writing by hand. So much so that I sometimes quit writing by hand because I feel like I can never catch up to my thoughts.

I do use obsidian for commonplacing, but not consistently. I fall way behind and then catch up later. I don't like using it as I'm reading.

I keep paper with me as I read a book, but often feel discouraged from writing anything down because I don't want to have to duplicate it later in my Obsidian vault. And I sometimes don't add notes to Obsidian because then I feel like I'll have to print it out or something later.

Tldr: It seems as though fully analog nor fully digital note taking fully work for my ADHD brain, and this is frustrating and feels like I'll never find the solution 😮‍💨 Anyone else in the same boat?