# An ode to taking notes in Obsidian 🌱 (3 year reflection) ![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qkVNoqXtNIA/maxresdefault.jpg) --> [Link to YouTube Video](https://youtu.be/qkVNoqXtNIA?si=BUlLQBRXH0RSY6lG) ## Obsidian as a Garden for Ideas [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=0s) - Using [Obsidian (software)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsidian_(software)) for three years has led to the realization that it serves as a garden for ideas, where the user is the gardener, and the ideas are the flowers or plants that need nourishment to grow and thrive [(00:00:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=10s). - Initially, there may be concerns about planning and giving enough space for ideas to grow, but over time, it becomes clear that ideas want to thrive and survive on their own with minimal care [(00:00:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=41s). - In Obsidian, ideas can grow without a perfect structure, and they have a force that drives them to be expressed, guiding the user in exploring topics of interest and creating connections between ideas [(00:01:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=69s). - As ideas accumulate, the desire to express and connect them grows, leading to the creation of new notes, writing, and even public sharing, such as on [YouTube](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YouTube) or [Substack](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substack) [(00:01:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=103s). - This process of idea gardening is a meditative and intellectually stimulating activity that can be beneficial for the brain, and there is no one "right" way to do it [(00:02:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=128s). - The key to successfully using Obsidian is finding it helpful to put ideas down, look at them, and think about them, regardless of the structure or use of shortcuts and plugins [(00:02:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=154s). - The concept of "structure must be earned" is agreed upon, suggesting that users should focus on developing their own structure over time, rather than trying to impose a preconceived one, especially when starting out with [Obsidian (software)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsidian_(software)) [(00:02:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=175s). ## The Imperfect Obsidian Set Up [(00:03:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=185s) - The concept of a perfect structure for note-taking is non-existent, and it's essential to start taking notes without waiting for the ideal setup [(00:03:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=189s). - Initially, notes were taken from a fictional book, including quotes, photos, and personal thoughts, which naturally connected to each other [(00:03:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=203s). - The true power of note-taking lies in consistently returning to and updating the notes, allowing connections and similarities to emerge over time [(00:03:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=228s). - Sometimes, forcing unrelated ideas together can reveal unexpected beauty and insights [(00:04:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=250s). - For those struggling to retain ideas and epiphanies from reading, writing down notes anywhere can help solidify them in memory [(00:04:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=276s). - Physical notes are also acceptable, and digitization is not necessary [(00:04:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=283s). - After three years of using [Obsidian (software)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsidian_(software)), it has become an essential tool for connecting ideas and making life more wholesome [(00:05:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=307s). - The simplicity of Obsidian lies in its ability to store and connect ideas, without the need for frequent updates or changes [(00:05:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=338s). ## Don't Prejudge Your Ideas [(00:05:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=347s) - One key principle is not to prejudge ideas, and instead, write them down if they resonate, regardless of their perceived quality or potential impact on one's "second brain" [(00:05:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=347s). - Allowing oneself time to grow into ideas is essential, as knowledge and understanding expand over time, enabling the intellectual expression of initially intuitive ideas [(00:06:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=366s). - It's common to revisit old notes and realize the potential of an idea that wasn't fully understood or developed at the time of writing, leading to new insights and a desire to expand on the concept [(00:06:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=392s). - Embracing this approach involves giving oneself permission to write down ideas without self-censorship, even if their significance or relevance isn't immediately clear [(00:06:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=406s). ## Don't Manage Your Life in Obsidian [(00:06:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=412s) - [Obsidian (software)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsidian_(software)) is considered a garden, but it is not the entirety of one's life, and it is used for a specific purpose, separate from daily tasks and responsibilities [(00:06:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=412s). - Daily tasks are still performed, but they are not managed within Obsidian, as it is easy to procrastinate and get distracted when working with ideas [(00:07:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=423s). - To avoid procrastination, Obsidian is intentionally designed to be very basic, without features like a calendar app or non-idea-related to-do lists [(00:07:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=443s). - The focus in Obsidian is on output, specifically writing, and not on project management or other tasks that come with producing output [(00:07:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=457s). - The purpose of using Obsidian in this way is to maintain focus on writing and ideas, without getting sidetracked by other tasks or responsibilities [(00:07:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=464s). ## Start Small [(00:07:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=469s) - When starting to use [Obsidian (software)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsidian_(software)), it's not necessary to record everything you know from the beginning, as it's impossible to capture all information at once, and you can still experience the power of connecting your ideas by starting small [(00:07:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=472s). - A good way to start small is to take notes on a book you're reading, writing down quotes that resonate with you, and enjoying the process [(00:08:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=491s). - It's not recommended to delay starting by trying to import all your existing quotes or information, as this can create a barrier to facing and growing your ideas [(00:08:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=501s). - Good ideas will come back to you, and you can revisit them when the time is right, pulling them into your Obsidian notes when necessary [(00:08:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=532s). - The key to using Obsidian effectively is to enjoy the ideas and the process, as the structure will develop naturally over time [(00:09:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=556s). - You don't need a perfect system for Obsidian to work, and it's okay to have imperfections and hiccups in your workflow [(00:09:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=562s). - The benefits of using [Obsidian (software)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsidian_(software)) include being able to work on your ideas, create output, and do so in a faster and more enjoyable way [(00:09:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkVNoqXtNIA&t=575s).