Today I’m excited to share my two-year adventure with Obsidian, a versatile note-taking application that has become an essential part of my daily life.

As a content creator and knowledge worker, I’m always on the hunt for tools that can help me organize my thoughts and ideas. Obsidian has proven to be that tool for me, offering a unique and dynamic platform for personal knowledge management.

Why Obsidian?

Choosing Obsidian over other knowledge management tools was a decision influenced by several key factors.

First and foremost, Obsidian is free for personal use, making it an accessible tool for anyone looking to enhance their knowledge management practices.

Another significant advantage of Obsidian is its text-based system. All notes in Obsidian are stored as plain text files, offering flexibility and compatibility with other tools and platforms. This text-based approach ensures that your notes are not locked into a proprietary format, providing a level of future-proofing that is vital in a digital age where technologies rapidly evolve.

Lastly, Obsidian stores files locally on your device. This not only ensures quick access to your notes, even when offline, but also provides an added layer of privacy and security. Furthermore, local storage means that you retain full ownership and control over your data, a significant advantage when considering the long-term preservation and accessibility of your knowledge.

First Contact with Obsidian

Stepping into the world of Obsidian for the first time was like stepping into a vast, digital wilderness space with tons of possibilities. The moment I opened the app, I was greeted by a clean, but empty space that looked intimidating. But I quickly found out that a powerful and vast ecosystem was hidden behind this Spartan facade.

At first, this abundance led me to experience what I can only describe as “paralysis by analysis.” I was simultaneously intrigued and overwhelmed, my cursor hovering indecisively over menus and settings as I pondered where to begin. The flexibility was both the beauty and the challenge; the range of possibilities was so wide that I was frozen, unsure of how to tap into the power Obsidian promised.

I recall feeling somewhat daunted by the myriad of features and functionalities. Backlinking, graph view, templating systems — each one seemed to open up a whole new universe of knowledge management capabilities. For someone venturing into this domain for the first time, it felt like learning a new language altogether.

However, I started to read articles, and watch videos demonstrating Obsidian’s potential for transforming the way we handle and interact with information.

And so, armed with curiosity as my compass, I delved deeper into the application. I decided to brave the steep learning curve, adopting a mindset that the initial bewilderment was just a phase of the journey — a necessary tangle of confusion before emerging into a realm of organized, interconnected knowledge.

Building the Knowledge Management: Test and Learn

Embarking on my journey to build the ultimate knowledge management system within Obsidian, I plunged into the rich ecosystem of plugins available. I installed calendar plugins, Kanban boards, and even time-tracking features, under the assumption that the more functionality I added, the better my system would become.

Parallelly, I ventured into various knowledge management philosophies to figure out the framework that would resonate with me. From the concept of Zettelkasten, which emphasizes building a vast network of interlinked notes, to the PARA model, which focuses on organizing information into Projects, Areas, Resources, and Archives — I tried a lot of them. My Obsidian vault quickly became a complex battleground of conflicting methodologies and overlapping plugins.

However, the result was not the harmonious, fine-tuned system I had imagined. Instead, I found myself navigating a behemoth, an overwhelming maze of options and functionalities. Far from simplifying my life, the ‘perfect’ system was bogging me down with its intricacy. I soon realized that Obsidian’s much-vaunted flexibility can be a double-edged sword. On one side, it offers endless customizations to fit individual needs, but on the flip side, it can lead to a Frankenstein’s monster of a system that is too cumbersome to be useful.

This period of my journey was filled with trial and error, a constant loop of installing and uninstalling plugins, toggling settings on and off, and shifting between frameworks. It was exhausting but enlightening. Each misstep and correction was like a brushstroke in a larger picture, helping me understand what I truly needed from a knowledge management system and what was mere clutter.

Looking back, this chaotic ‘test and learn’ period was not a detour but a necessary leg of the journey. It was a formative experience that laid the groundwork for the more streamlined, efficient, and personalized system that I would eventually construct.

My System Now: Simplicity by Design

After navigating a complex maze of adjustments, deletions, and enhancements, my Obsidian setup has finally reached a state of graceful simplicity and maturity. The result is a system fine-tuned to my unique needs, becoming not just user-friendly but specifically tailored to me.

Plugins

I’ve significantly trimmed down my list of plugins to a concise selection that genuinely augments my daily routines and thought processes. Each has proven its value through seamless integration and unique capabilities.

• Dataview: This plugin fundamentally reshapes how I navigate and manipulate my note corpus. Rather than scrolling endlessly to locate specific pieces of information, Dataview allows SQL-like queries that help filter, sort, and categorize my notes. It provides a data-oriented approach to my otherwise textual haven.

• Calendar: The Calendar plugin extends Obsidian from a note-taking application to an adept time-management tool. I can link notes to dates easily, presenting my content in chronological order. This transforms my notes from a nebulous cloud of thoughts into a timeline of intellectual progress.

• Omnivore: Import in Obsidian saved articles with the Omnivore service and read them later.

In-built Feature: Canvas

• Canvas: This native Obsidian function is my sandbox for creative ideation. Whether sketching out quick diagrams, brainstorming project plans, or visually representing complex theories, Canvas serves as the artistic counterpart to my textual workspace.

The Transformational Shift

The transition isn’t just about mastering the tools; it’s about a more profound relationship change with Obsidian. I’m in the driver’s seat now. My notes are meaningful; each captured idea and link serves a well-considered purpose. The plugins act as co-pilots, guiding me towards a workflow that resonates with my needs and aspirations.

In essence, my Obsidian workspace has evolved from a mere vault of data into a vibrant, living ecosystem. It mirrors my evolving thoughts, aspirations, and development. Guided by the principle that the system is here to serve me, not the other way around, I’ve established a dynamic knowledge management hub customized to my life.

The Future of My System: The KISS Principle

As I ponder the trajectory of my Obsidian system, the “Keep It Simple, Stupid” (KISS) principle resounds as the guiding mantra. I don’t mean to dilute the inherent sophistication of knowledge management or reduce it to superficial simplicity. Instead, the focus is on operational efficiency and intuitive engagement. Every button click, every keystroke, and every interaction should serve a meaningful purpose without needless complexity.

Embracing Fluidity and Intuition

The ultimate goal is to create a system that’s more like an extension of my mind than a tool I have to consciously manipulate. I want to transform the process of capturing knowledge and retrieving information into a seamless, frictionless experience. This means continuing to scrutinize my current setup. Any plugin, no matter how dazzling its features, will be jettisoned if it introduces more complexity than value to my workflow. The remaining plugins and features must pass the KISS litmus test: they must make my life simpler, not harder.

Considering Migration to Bear 2

The allure of even simpler systems has not escaped my notice. Bear 2, with its minimalist interface and design-first approach, stands as a potential future destination. Its laser focus on simplicity, without sacrificing functional prowess, intrigues me. While Obsidian offers unparalleled customization and the ability to create a hyper-personalized knowledge management system, Bear 2 promises to deliver a similarly effective, but perhaps more streamlined, user experience. The possibility of migrating to Bear 2 remains an open option, another potential pathway in my ongoing quest for simplification and efficiency.

The Path Forward

The journey towards a simpler, more intuitive system is perpetual, influenced by both technological advancements and my evolving understanding of what I truly need from a knowledge management tool. With the KISS principle as my compass and potential alternatives like Bear 2 on my radar, I’m confident in my ability to refine, and if necessary, redefine, my system for the future. Thus, my Obsidian system — or whichever system I might adopt — will continue to evolve, always striving for the zen-like equilibrium of utter simplicity and complete utility.

Conclusion

There you have it — a winding journey through two transformative years with Obsidian. It’s been a ride filled with explorations, recalibrations, and revelations. But remember, this is not just my story; it’s part of a larger dialogue about how we can optimize our digital ecosystems for a life of continuous learning and creativity.

Obsidian was my chosen vessel for this exploration, but as you’ve seen, other platforms like Bear 2 could potentially offer a different yet equally enriching experience. I hope that sharing my journey encourages you to either begin your own or refine the one you’re currently on.