Bringing Mae Flowers

I tried to keep a common place notebook.

I already carry around a journal to record filled ideas, concepts, observations, and records of daily life- so why not extend that to include the inspiration I draw from others? It made sense for someone analog like me, but it didn’t work. I could never remember to record the quote, or draw the sketch, or paste the sticker- or whatever else people use their common place notebooks for.

I was disappointed at first.

It seemed like this kind of journaling should have come naturally to me, but it didn’t. I watched videos and guides about the practice, and admired how many artists and writers credited their notebooks as the well of their creativity- the fount of ideas that spur their genius. I felt inspired to try again, and daunted by the task, until I realized something. There was a common place where I kept all the little quotes, images, and concepts that inspired me. I just did it digitally.

Pinterest is my Common Place Notebook.

I’m embarrassed to admit how long it took me to realize this. The platform is literally built around the concept of saving ideas. It’s a place to Pin your Interests so you can revisit them later, which is the whole point of common placing.

Since I made this connection I visit my boards more often.

I used to consider it a guilty “waste of time”, and sometimes I still do. But now that I recognize this platform for what it is, I can use it as a tool to store bits of inspiration. I have boards dedicated to the “traditional” use of crafts, cooking, and fashion- but I also have boards of nesting boards dedicated to art, writing, story concepts, and vague “inspirations” that keep bringing me back to the contemplative place in my mind. For years now I’ve been filling my creative well here, without knowing what it was. I’ve already seen the benefit of using this website as my common place notebook, and I won’t let anyone judge me for the digital form it takes.