How to Start a Commonplace Book in 2026 | Dingbats* Notebooks

Tara Bekdache
2026-04-09T06:54:53-04:00

Master the art of the commonplace book. Learn how to organize quotes, ideas, and wisdom in your Dingbats* A5+ notebook to beat digital overwhelm.

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The Digital Paradox of 2026

We live in an era of information abundance but wisdom scarcity. In 2026, the average person consumes the equivalent of 174 newspapers worth of data every single day. We "save" Instagram posts we never revisit, "bookmark" articles that disappear into the digital void, and "highlight" Kindle books that we eventually forget. This is the digital paradox: the more information we collect, the less we actually retain.

Our brains were not designed to be hard drives; they were designed to be processors. When we rely entirely on digital "saves," we outsource our memory to an algorithm. The result? A feeling of constant mental clutter and "digital amnesia."

Enter the Commonplace Book. This isn't a new trend; it’s a centuries-old tradition used by the greatest minds in history from Marcus Aurelius and Leonardo da Vinci to Virginia Woolf and Bill Gates. A commonplace book is a central, analog hub for your intellectual life. It is where you move from being a passive consumer of content to an active curator of wisdom.

What Exactly is a Commonplace Book?

To understand how to start, we must first define what it isn't. A commonplace book is not a diary. A diary is chronological and introspective ("How did I feel today?"). A commonplace book is topical and outward-facing("What did I learn today?").

It is a personalized encyclopedia of your own interests. It is a repository for:

Powerful quotes from literature and philosophy.

Scientific formulas or interesting facts.

Snippets of overheard conversation in a bustling city.

Profound insights from podcasts or lectures.

Mental models and frameworks for decision-making.

By using a Dingbats* A5+ notebook, you are creating a physical "backup" for your brain. Because our Earth Collection notebooks feature an Index and numbered pages, you can transform a simple notebook into a searchable, lifetime reference library.

Why the A5+ Format is the "Goldilocks" Size for Knowledge

When choosing a notebook for commonplacing, size matters more than you think. A standard A5 can feel cramped when you’re trying to transcribe a long passage from a philosophy book, while an A4 can be too bulky to carry to a coffee shop.

The Dingbats* A5+ (15.5 x 21.5 cm) is specifically designed to be wider than the industry standard. This extra margin space allows for:

1. Marginalia: You can write a quote in the center and use the extra width for your own "commentary" or reflections in the margins.

2. Visual Mind Maps: Commonplacing often involves "sketchnoting" or drawing mind maps to connect two ideas. The extra real estate prevents your thoughts from feeling "choked" by the edge of the paper.

3. The Lay-Flat Advantage: Our notebooks are engineered to lie 180° flat. This is crucial for commonplacing, as you’ll often have a thick hardcover book open in one hand and your notebook in the other. You shouldn't have to fight your notebook to keep it open while transcribing wisdom.

Step-by-Step: How to Build Your Commonplace System

If you’re starting your first commonplace book in a Earth collection notebook, here is a proven framework to ensure it stays organized and doesn't just become a mess of random notes.

1. Define Your Categories (The Index Strategy)

Before you write your first entry, flip to the Index pages. Think about the pillars of your interest. In 2026, many of our community members use categories like:

Stoicism & Resilience: For navigating modern stress.

Eco-Politics & Nature: Perfect for our Earth themes.

Business Strategy: For high-level career insights.

Aesthetic Inspiration: Sketches and visual prompts.

Assign these categories a "tag" or a specific section in your Index. Because Dingbats* Earth Notebooks provide ample Index space, you can be as granular as you like.

2. The "Filter & Transfer" Method

Don't feel pressured to write in your beautiful Dingbats* Earth notebook the second you hear something interesting. Many commonplacers keep a "scratch pad" or use their phone's voice notes during the day. Then, once a week, perhaps on a Sunday morning, they sit down with a coffee and "transfer" the best nuggets of wisdom into their A5+ notebook. This serves as a second layer of filtering; only the truly valuable ideas make the cut.

3. Use the Dotted Grid for Flexibility

The Dotted Grid in Dingbats* Earth notebooks is the commonplacer’s secret weapon. It provides enough structure to keep your handwriting straight, but it disappears into the background if you want to paste in a newspaper clipping, draw a chart, or practice calligraphy.

The Science: Why Handwriting Beats Typing for Wisdom

Why not just use an app like Evernote or Notion? The answer lies in Cognitive Encoding.

In 2026, psychological studies continue to prove that the tactile act of pen-on-paper triggers the brain’s Reticular Activating System (RAS). When you handwrite a quote onto our 100gsm acid-free paper, your brain treats that information as "important."

The "desirable difficulty" of handwriting, the fact that it’s slower than typing, forces you to summarize and engage with the material. You aren't just copying; you are learning. Furthermore, the cream-colored, eye-friendly paper of a Dingbats* notebook reduces the "blue light" strain that often leads to digital fatigue, making your study sessions more sustainable for your long-term health.

Advanced Techniques: The Locke Method vs. The Zettelkasten

For those who want to take their A5+ notebook to the next level, consider these two historic methods:

The Locke Method: Developed by philosopher John Locke, this involves creating a specialized index where you list topics by the first letter and first vowel of the word (e.g., "Nature" would be under "Na").

The Zettelkasten (Analog): Originally a card-filing system, you can adapt this to your Dingbats* by using "cross-referencing." If a quote on page 42 relates to an idea on page 12, simply write "cf. p.12" in the margin. This turns your notebook into a non-linear web of ideas.

10 Commonplace Prompts to Get You Started

If you’re staring at the first page of your new notebook, here are ten things to look for in your daily life in 2026:

1. A sentence from a novel that made you stop and re-read it.

2. A statistic that changed your mind about a certain topic.

3. A "Mental Model" (like Occam’s Razor or the Pareto Principle).

4. A list of "Inversions", things you want to avoid in life.

5. A recipe that has been passed down in your family.

6. A profound realization you had during a walk in nature.

7. A piece of advice from a mentor that stuck with you.

8. Notes from a documentary about the animals featured on our covers (like the Great Plains Bison or the Blue Whale).

9. A poem that perfectly captures your current mood.

10. A sketch of an architectural detail you saw in your city.

Caring for Your Legacy

A commonplace book isn't just a notebook; it’s a legacy. Because Dingbats* notebooks are V-Label Vegan certified and use FSC-certified paper, you are capturing human wisdom in a way that respects the planet.

Our durable covers are designed to withstand years of being pulled in and out of backpacks. Imagine years from now, pulling your 2026 Commonplace Book off the shelf and seeing exactly what inspired you, what challenges you faced, and what wisdom helped you grow. That is something a digital "cloud" account can never offer. It is a tangible piece of your history.