The Zibaldone: A Journal That’s Changing How I Capture Ideas

I recently started experimenting with a new type of journal.

There’s something magical about purchasing a new journal. It fills me with the same sort of joy as buying a new book. There’s a supply of potential sitting in these objects (a book to read new ideas, a journal to write them). They could lead you to new places. Or maybe I just like the new-book smell.

I keep a morning journal most days each week. It’s a hard-backed Moleskine with a scene from The Fellowship of the Ring on its cover. I’ll write in it after meditating for some time before moving on with my day.

Recently, I came across a new form of journal, though. It’s a lot less formal than my morning practice, but I’ve found it to be equally fulfilling.

My new journal is called a zibaldone.

What Exactly Is a Zibaldone?

I watched a video by a guy named Henry on his YouTube channel, henrydidit. He talked about 3 types of journals he’s been keeping.

The first journal is a morning journal, much like the one I describe above. The third journal I won’t reveal quite yet. I’ve started trying this one out for myself and expect it to be its own blog post one day (if you really want to know, you can find it in the video).

The second journal, the one this post discusses, is called a zibaldone.

Zibaldone is an Italian word that means “heap of things” or “miscellany.” I think these are both quite fun translations. Much more whimsical than amor fati from two weeks ago.

In the late 13^th century, if my history lessons are correct, paper became more widely available in Italy thanks to technological advancements. A problem occurred, though. Paper was more readily available, yes, but the idea of books hadn’t really taken off yet. You kind of need paper first before you can begin to mass produce books.

So, what did a bookless population with access to paper do? They began writing zibaldones.

The zibaldone, the “heap of things,” is a field journal of sorts. People would collect their favorite things (quotes, ideas, etc.) to share with their friends. 

Henry, my source of inspiration for this, began writing his own zibaldone with the idea that he would turn to it instead of his phone when he had down time. He posited that the zibaldone would provide him with two benefits...

1. He’d be encouraged to write down by hand the ideas he had, better giving them a chance to stick in his brain.
2. When he felt the urge to scroll social media, he would instead reach for his zibaldone and revisit his entries to be reminded of these ideas.

These two benefits really stuck with me. My screen time is much higher than I’d like it to be (despite my attempts to get it down). Plus, I think there’s something romantic about keeping a little journal on you and jotting down ideas as they crop up.

How I’ve Made This Practice My Own

This practice seemed right up my alley, so I’ve been giving it a try.

I purchased my own zibaldone, a Field Notes journal, early last month. I’ve only been playing with the concept for a couple weeks, but I’ve really enjoyed the process. 

Jotting Down Ideas

I like actionable steps. That might be clear from my Morning Routine article or some of my other posts. I want certain discoveries to stick, and I like to consider how I might best implement new habits. 

The zibaldone has been great for that.

For example, I came across an article with some ideas on how to prompt AI better, and I decided to jot down the key points. Now, I can reference them quickly and see what was recommended in my own words.

Capturing Quotes

Quotes are another thing with which I’ve filled my zibaldone. It’s never been more enjoyable to jot them down. Plus, I actually feel like I might revisit them.

Before, I’d write quotes down in an Apple Note or somewhere else. The fact that I can’t even tell you where I keep those quotes should let you know that I rarely revisit them. That’s changed so far with the zibaldone.

Quotes are also grouped together in an insightful way. I’ve been listening to Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman, and a lot of those quotes end up next to each other. I imagine when I look back at these in a few weeks, I’ll remember not just the quotes but the feelings I had when listening to the book.

The When and Where of My Zibaldone

I try not to force myself to write items in the notebook daily. I find that I write things down more often when I’m not at home. For example, I’ll jot down a quote while at work or an idea while at a coffee shop.

Perhaps, I’m more aware of the zibaldone when it’s on a desk or table in front of me. I do write things in it most days.

I also want to be better about keeping it on me. Currently, I only have it with me when I have a backpack. Henry from the YouTube video keeps it on him at all times.

I’m not sure I need that level of investment (I don’t imagine bringing it to the gym during workouts), but it would be nice to have when out and about without a backpack.

A Tiny Notebook That Just Might Stick with You

Keeping a zibaldone felt like an activity that was inherently “me.” The second I heard about it in the video, I knew it was something I wanted to do.

I’ve really enjoyed my month with the little notebook, and I fully intend to continue. Right now, I’ll stick to the Field Notes journal, but maybe one day, I’ll invest in something higher quality or hardbacked.

I don’t know, though; I think the cheaper the zibaldone, the better. It’s the ideas inside of it that provide the value after all.

I might digitize the contents of it when it’s full. I haven’t thought a ton about it yet. I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.

The best part about a zibaldone is that it’s so easy to try. You don’t need a pocket-sized notebook. Any notebook will do. Jot down some ideas and see if you like it.

You never know what’ll stick with you.

What are some ideas you’d like to keep if you were to start a zibaldone? 

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