I love Commonplace Journaling, and it has quickly become one of my favorite types of journaling. If you’re unfamiliar with this type of journaling, check out my post detailing the practice.
To summarize briefly, a Commonplace Journal, or a Commonplace Book, is basically a centralized collection of ideas, inspiration, and general knowledge that impacts you on any given day. It’s a collection of things that inspire you.
One of my favorite things to do in my Commonplace Journal is to deep-dive into various topics that interest me. I love to really delve into new information and record it in meaningful ways. It really helps me engage with the topic on a deeper level.
But I know that coming up with those topics can be a little challenging at first; it can be difficult to know where to begin. So, I have compiled a sample list (broken down into categories) of potential topics that you could include in your journal. Hopefully, something on this list will inspire you to begin!
Mythology, Folklore, & Legends
- Celtic festivals and seasonal traditions
- Research the ancient Celtic wheel of the year (including Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane, etc.) and explore seasonal rituals.
- Famous mythical forests
- Research legendary forests from mythology and literature and explore their roles in storytelling.
- Victorian beliefs about ghosts
- Dive into the Victorian era’s fascination with death (and séances, mourning rituals, etc.).
- Famous legendary swords and weapons
- Explore mythical weapons (like Excalibur, Mjölnir, etc.) and their symbolism.
- The symbolism of mirrors in folklore
- Research how mirrors have been associated with vanity, protection, and luck across different cultures.
- Dragon mythology across cultures
- Compare dragons in different mythologies and explore their symbolism.
Literature & Storytelling
- Famous fictional libraries
- Explore iconic fictional libraries and their symbolism.
- The history of banned books
- Research books that have been banned or censored throughout history.
- Literary symbolism of flowers
- Dive into the symbolism of flowers in literature, poetry, and/or mythology.
- Hero vs antihero character studies
- Compare traditional heroes with morally gray antiheroes.
- The Hero’s Journey
- Examine Joseph Campbell’s idea of the Hero’s Journey as it applies to literature.
- Archetypes in fantasy stories
- Research recurring archetypes in fantasy literature (reluctant hero, wise mentor, etc.).
History
- The history of mourning jewelry
- Explore jewelry created to memorialize loved ones.
- The Salem Witch Trials
- Research the events surrounding the Salem Witch Trials.
- Medieval apothecaries
- Study the role of apothecaries in medieval society, especially medicinal plants and early medicine.
- Women pirates throughout history
- Research famous women pirates like Anne Bonny, Mary Read, or Ching Shih.
- Famous lost cities
- Study legendary or abandoned cities (like Atlantis or Pompeii).
- The Byzantine Empire
- Research the history and impact of the Byzantine Empire.
Nature
- Forest bathing
- Research the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku and its physical and mental health benefits.
- Solstice and equinox traditions
- Research cultural traditions (festivals, rituals, etc.) related to the solstices and equinoxes.
- Cottage gardens and heirloom plants
- Study the history and symbolism of cottage gardens and heirloom flowers.
- Moss, mushrooms, and forest ecosystems
- Research the hidden ecological world of forests.
- Natural remedies throughout history
- Explore the use of herbs, plants, teas, and other natural remedies to treat various illnesses.
- Rain symbolism in art and literature
- Research how rain is used symbolically in stories, films, paintings, and/or poetry.
Philosophy, Religion, & Spirituality
- Tarot archetypes and symbolism
- Dive into the symbolism behind tarot cards, especially the Major Arcana.
- Ancient creation myths
- Compare creation stories from different cultures and religions from around the world.
- Carl Jung and archetypes
- Research Jung’s theories about collective unconsciousness and universal archetypes.
- Buddhist concept of impermanence
- Explore the Buddhist idea that all things are impermanent and in constant flux.
- Stoicism and modern life
- Study stoic philosophy as it relates to discipline, resilience, and emotional balance.
- Sacred symbols and their meanings
- Research spiritual and religious symbols from different cultures (evil eye, labyrinth, tree of life, etc.).
Miscellaneous (some of my favorites from my own Commonplace Journal!)
- Tintagel Castle and Arthurian Legend
- Research Tintagel Castle’s connection to the Arthurian legend.
- Posy Rings
- Study the history and symbolism behind traditional posy rings.
- Fairy coffins of Edinburgh
- Research the mysterious miniature coffins discovered at Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh.
- Favorite words invented by Shakespeare
- Compile a list of favorite words invented by Shakespeare.
- The Orient Express
- Research the history and luxury of the Orient Express train, including its cultural significance and literary connections.
- Lilith Fair
- Explore the iconic all-female music festival and its cultural significance.
Obviously, this isn’t an exhaustive list, but hopefully it will inspire you to start your own Commonplace Journal! It really is such a rewarding practice with the flexibility to become whatever you want it to be.
