Chapter 1: Embracing Change with Obsidian

Having utilized Obsidian for more than two years, I can attest to the various challenges and successes encountered along the way. My workflow has evolved significantly due to the introduction of new features, prompting me to reassess how my Obsidian Vault is structured and how I organize my notes. This transformation is something you may also experience; it's unrealistic to expect a tool to remain perfectly suited to your needs over an extended period.

As my collection of notes has grown into the thousands, I’ve adopted several strategies to avoid the need for a total overhaul should I decide to adjust my approach. Here are my insights.

Don’t strive for perfection

First and foremost, let go of the need for perfection. I often find myself falling into this trap, which can be detrimental, especially when it comes to using Obsidian.

Striving for flawless notes—consistently formatted and uniformly detailed—can be impractical in the long run unless you discover the ideal templates right from the start. Initially, I felt compelled to update every old note to match a new template. Now, with an extensive collection, I’ve learned to relax my standards.

What truly matters is the utility of my notes. For instance, if I decide to label all my book reviews with #book-review, I should update prior entries to include this tag. Otherwise, when searching for tagged notes, I may miss crucial entries.

In summary, avoid perfectionism, but assess what changes are genuinely beneficial for your vault.

Keep it simple

To streamline your vault management, adopt a minimalist approach by retaining only what is essential.

If you’re new to Obsidian, you might feel inclined to incorporate numerous elements: plugins, to-do lists, daily notes, and more. Begin by determining what is truly necessary.

The same applies to your note properties and tagging system—ensure they serve a purpose. For example, I used to include creation and modification dates in my notes, but found them unnecessary, cluttering my system. Instead of obsessively refining every detail, I focus on utility.

Moreover, eliminate redundancy. There’s little point in tagging book reviews with #book-review if they’re already organized in a "Book Reviews" folder—opt for one or the other.

Anticipate the future, but don’t overthink

Who knows if you will still be using Obsidian a year from now?

This echoes my earlier advice: avoid the urge to create a flawless vault from the outset. If you aim for perfection, you may find yourself disengaged a year later. However, don’t neglect foundational organization; if you do plan to stick with it, a disorganized vault can become problematic.

For example, resist the urge to predefine every tag; it’s impossible to predict your future needs. Instead, consider how you will manage duplicates, as they can accumulate over time. I name my notes in the format: {{Title}} — {{Timestamp}}.

Ultimately, while your vault may not be perfect, that’s okay.

Design with flexibility in mind

I previously touched on the idea of a modular structure. Essentially, your vault should be composed of interchangeable components that can be adjusted without impacting the entire system.

For instance, instead of maintaining a single "Notes" folder, create separate folders for "Zettelkasten," "Book Reviews," and "Daily Notes." This way, if you choose to discontinue daily notes, you can simply delete that folder without the hassle of sifting through a massive collection.

While this may seem straightforward, I’ve implemented more intricate systems in Obsidian, where daily notes were interconnected with to-do lists, projects, and calendars. If I decide to stop using daily notes, I may inadvertently lose access to other linked systems.

Focus on modularity and avoid overly complex setups where too many elements depend on one another.

Leverage automation

Automate as much as possible to simplify your life, reduce maintenance time, and concentrate on the essence of your notes while minimizing errors (like forgetting a tag).

The easiest way to automate tasks in Obsidian is through templates. You can utilize the built-in Obsidian plugin or the Templater plugin for advanced functionalities.

Additionally, consider the QuickAdd plugin, which streamlines various actions efficiently. It works well with Templater, enabling you to generate notes based on templates and automatically place them in the correct folder.

There are also plugins designed for specific tasks, such as creating film notes via the OMDB API or book notes. Evaluate each action and note creation to identify potential automation opportunities.

Final Thoughts

These are my primary recommendations, and I hope you find them valuable. The key takeaway is to prioritize substance over form: focus on the content of your notes rather than getting lost in the complexities of structure. Remember, Obsidian is fundamentally a Markdown editor, so there's no need to complicate things unnecessarily.

Thank you for reading! Here are some resources you might find interesting: Use Obsidian Like a Pro, Self-Improvement Articles, and more about my work. Consider subscribing for updates and supporting me through my referral link.

The first video titled "19 Obsidian Tips Everyone Must Know" offers essential insights and techniques that can enhance your usage of Obsidian.

The second video, "Obsidian As A Second Brain: The ULTIMATE Tutorial," provides a comprehensive overview of maximizing your productivity with Obsidian.