# Write More And Scroll Less - How I Journal And Use A Commonplace Book ![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/oUA4HQKOqak/maxresdefault.jpg) ## Consuming vs Creating - Many people consume more information than they create, leading to a feeling of mental [[Constipation | constipation]] due to surplus consumption, and it's essential to regulate or eliminate this habit to maintain a healthy balance [(00:00:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUA4HQKOqak&t=9s). - The reasons for excessive scrolling vary, including escaping something, defeating boredom, or keeping tabs on others, but it often results in a lack of retention and a craving for more dopamine [(00:00:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUA4HQKOqak&t=50s). - Writing can be a valuable substitute for consuming, as it engages a different part of the brain, encouraging thinking, creation, and communication of thoughts and ideas [(00:01:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUA4HQKOqak&t=86s). - Reading, whether physical or digital, is still a form of consumption and should be balanced with constructive activities like writing [(00:01:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUA4HQKOqak&t=88s). ## Benefits of Writing - Creating something through writing helps improve communication skills, even if one doesn't consider themselves a great writer, and it's essential to start writing and sharing ideas to see improvement [(00:01:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUA4HQKOqak&t=119s). ## Commonplace Journaling - A commonplace journal or common place book can be an effective tool for writing and creating more, and it's recommended to dedicate journals to specific areas of interest, such as hobbies or personal growth [(00:02:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUA4HQKOqak&t=146s). - Having multiple journals for different topics, such as coffee roasting, books, [[Bible]] studies, and personal growth, can help organize thoughts and ideas, and improve skills and knowledge in those areas [(00:02:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUA4HQKOqak&t=172s). ## Specific Journals - A coffee roasting journal can be used to record notes on experiments, variables, and results to improve coffee roasting skills [(00:02:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUA4HQKOqak&t=175s). - A [[Mexican Revolution | books journal]] can be used to record thoughts and ideas on the philosophy, morals, and virtues of the books being read, rather than just writing a book report [(00:03:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUA4HQKOqak&t=205s). - A Bible journal can be used to record thoughts and ideas during a multi-year readthrough of the Bible, exploring the context and motivations behind the text [(00:03:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUA4HQKOqak&t=228s). - The goal is to study the [[Bible]] from the beginning, noting dates, time frames, civilizations, major players, and writings that may have been redacted into the Hebrew scripture, such as Enoch and the [[Epic of Gilgamesh]], using a journal as a personal database to help put the entire Mosaic of the Bible together [(00:03:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUA4HQKOqak&t=233s). - A family journal is used to document daily activities, lessons to teach children, and personal growth, including gardening, fishing, reading, and future plans for hunting and fixing things [(00:04:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUA4HQKOqak&t=266s). - The family journal also serves as a place to be honest about areas for improvement in relationships and family life, documenting adventures and lessons learned [(00:04:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUA4HQKOqak&t=279s). ## Journals vs Social Media - A drawback to social media and [[YouTube]] is that it can appear perfect, but life is chaotic, and the journals will help sort out life in different areas [(00:04:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUA4HQKOqak&t=291s). ## Personal Journaling Practice - Four journals are used to focus on different areas: [[Bible]] study, family, coffee roasting, and a [[Commonplace book | commonplace book]], with the goal of writing more in 2025 and using the notebooks to grow and learn without stressing over missed days [(00:05:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUA4HQKOqak&t=309s). - The journals used are from a four-pack on [[Amazon (company) | Amazon]], with good paper quality that doesn't bleed through, and are durable enough to be carried around everywhere [(00:05:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUA4HQKOqak&t=334s). - The reason for using physical journals instead of a computer is to improve handwriting and avoid pesky notifications [(00:06:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUA4HQKOqak&t=371s). ## Goal and Recommendation - The goal for 2025 is to write more, reduce scrolling time, and create more, with a recommendation to start with any type of journal or notes, whether physical or digital [(00:06:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUA4HQKOqak&t=410s).