How Obsidian Became the Perfect Notes App for One User

Not every app clicks the first time, and for many, finding the right notes application can be a journey punctuated by trial and error. This is certainly true for Nolen Jonker, who shares their on-and-off relationship with Obsidian, a powerful note-taking tool, over the past few years. After an initial struggle, Jonker found a setup that finally made Obsidian work seamlessly in their routine.

The Early Struggles with Obsidian

When Jonker first started using Obsidian, they were drawn in by its unique "own your notes" philosophy along with its intriguing user interface. However, like many users, they quickly fell into the common pitfall of relying heavily on community plugins to enhance functionality. This over-reliance on plugins became a double-edged sword; it added complexity and led to maintenance headaches. The app felt barebones compared to other note-taking tools that were attempting to be all-in-one solutions—blending journaling, task management, and AI functionalities.

Jonker, who tests various note-taking and personal knowledge management (PKM) tools professionally, found that Obsidian easily got lost among the multitude of apps they were using. The result was confusion over where their actual notes lived as they juggled multiple applications for note storage.

Realizing What Matters: The Markdown Mindset

The pivotal moment in Jonker's Obsidian journey came when they shifted their mindset. Obsidian’s design philosophy centers on treating notes as markdown files stored in local folders, a concept that many users may overlook. The application itself became less important than the underlying folder structure. Once Jonker recognized this, they began to see Obsidian as one of many tools that could interact with their vault of notes. This made them less anxious about having to exclusively use the app, leading to a more flexible and practical approach.

Rather than trying to force everything into Obsidian through plugins, they began looking for other tools that could handle markdown and plain text files. As a result, they discovered a wealth of options that not only complemented Obsidian but also made their note-taking workflows smoother and more efficient.

Jonker’s Obsidian Workflow: Customization and Flexibility

Now, Jonker's workflow with Obsidian is anything but rigid. Their approach involves using the default markdown editor, Notepad, to quickly jot down notes and edits, freeing them from the larger app's slower boot time. Furthermore, Jonker maintains three separate vaults in Obsidian, each dedicated to different aspects of their life, ensuring a streamlined organization of notes.

One of the most valuable applications interfacing with Jonker's vault is Claude Code, which they've given extensive permissions to operate. This desktop app allows for a range of commands, from scanning notes for specific keywords to reformatting old documents according to the latest syntax standards. Claude Code not only helps keep Jonker’s notes organized but also reflects changes made back into Obsidian for ease of access.

Empowering Project Management

Jonker has carved out a specific "index" folder for project management, which is maintained by Claude Code. This folder includes a small skill file, a config file, and auto-generated dashboards designed to provide an overview of ongoing projects. Instead of relying on cumbersome tools like Bases or Dataview, Jonker runs a single command that regenerates all the necessary elements in this folder by crawling through the entire vault.

For instant data retrieval and analysis, Jonker utilizes AnythingLLM, which features a dedicated data connector for Obsidian. This tool treats the vault like a knowledge source, allowing broader search capabilities over just individual files. Although it requires periodic reimport of large note batches, the efficiency it brings makes the process worthwhile, especially compared to navigating complex plugin setups within Obsidian.

Continuing to Use Obsidian for Specific Workflows

Despite not relying on Obsidian as their primary notes app anymore, Jonker still uses it for specific tasks. One core feature that stands out in the app is the Canvas plugin, which facilitates brainstorming by permitting the drag-and-drop arrangement of notes and visuals onto an infinite whiteboard. Jonker finds this method of organizing thoughts incredibly engaging compared to simply scrolling through text. Additionally, the live markdown editing feature offers a clean interface that makes headers, callouts, and images appear as intended, aiding in clarity during study sessions.

The Key Takeaway: Less Can Be More

The most significant lesson Jonker learned from their experience with Obsidian is that effective note-taking doesn't necessitate being confined to one application. By recognizing that the vault holds the actual content, they were able to find tools that align with their workflows rather than forcing them into an app that didn’t fit. Using Obsidian less frequently than before—yet more effectively—allowed for a more relaxed approach to note-taking, emphasizing flexibility and interoperability.

Key Takeaways

• Jonker struggled with Obsidian initially due to over-relying on plugins.
• They shifted to a markdown-centric mindset, viewing the vault as the primary focus.
• Integrating Claude Code and AnythingLLM has streamlined their workflows.
• The Canvas plugin keeps note-taking engaging while studying.
• Obsidian works best when used less frequently for specific tasks.

As Jonker continues to explore their note-taking journey, one thing is clear: optimizing how notes are managed can profoundly influence productivity and knowledge retention. With a tailored setup, Obsidian has transitioned from a challenging app to a crucial part of Jonker's tech stack.