Commonplace Book Workshop

Commonplace Book Workshop

Please join me for this commonplace book workshop! As a lifelong notebook and journal collector, I have been searching for the perfect journaling method. I’ve tried it all—guided journals, stream of consciousness, bullet journals, scrapbooks, digital journals, even Tumblr! None of these methods clicked for me. Instead, I created a looming stack of nearly empty notebooks that had been “ruined” (or completely empty ones that were too perfect for me to use). Little did I know, John Locke—yes, ye old 17th century John Locke, had solved my problem 400 years ago with the commonplace book.

What is a commonplace book, you ask? A commonplace book is a way to gather everything in one spot. Thoughts, ideas, keepsakes, journal entries, lists, brain dumps, pressed leaves, business cards, that one joke you don’t want to ever forget, the random sequin you found on the porch that has to be a sign from the universe (yes—I have one of these in my commonplace book), the notes you take during the documentary on the microbiome that you don’t have anyplace else to put, your list of suspects and clues that you know will solve that cold case from 1905. Anything! Everything! With a table of contents, glossary, and index, you’ll never misplace these important items again.

For the workshop, you’ll want to bring a new notebook. All other supplies will be provided, but you can start gathering items you want to save in your book: thank you notes, newspaper clippings, new-to-you vocabulary words, favorite quotes and poems, etc. You don’t need to bring any of these items, but you might get more out of our time together. Not only has this method simplified my life, but it has given me a safe space to be creative and curious.

So, grab that beautiful notebook that you love but have been too afraid to use, and let’s get commonplacing! 

—Natalie Jackman 

If you have questions, feel free to reach out to me beforehand at 406-823-0112.