Super agree with the statement in the article: "Perfectionism is the enemy of note-taking." If you think the learning curve of Obsidian is too steep and intimidating, this article might be helpful. The original text is in Japanese, translated with Gemini 2.5 Pro.

Original: Use Obsidian Simply: A New Approach to Escape Function Dependence｜Tomo
Reference: If you don't start here with Obsidian, there's a 97% chance of failure: Obsidian, if you don't start here, you'll face 97% failure｜A Slightly Brighter Takahashi

1. A New Way of Thinking to Cope with Obsidian's Complexity

Many people who start using Obsidian feel, "Isn't this thing too difficult?" A wide variety of plugins, the mysterious concept of Zettelkasten, tag management, the graph view... People are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information and end up giving up in frustration before they even start taking notes.

I've had this experience myself.

But, wait a minute. The essence of Obsidian is "a simple plain text editor." It only seems complex because all its possibilities are presented to you at once.

This article will propose a way to use Obsidian "without overthinking it." How not to get lost in the sea of plugins, but to start simply. And I will tell you why, in the long run, this is the most effective method.

2. Why Do Many People Get Frustrated with Obsidian?

When you step into the world of Obsidian, you quickly notice one thing: the amount of information is overwhelming. Reddit, YouTube, blog posts... everywhere is filled with information like "the ultimate Obsidian setup," "20 essential plugins," and "the perfect Zettelkasten construction method."

This information is certainly valuable, but it's a big trap for beginners. Because they try to create a "perfect environment" before they even start taking notes.

"Which plugin should I install?" "What should the folder structure be?" "How should I use tags?"

In search of answers to these questions, they unknowingly spend hours tweaking settings. And the most important thing, the notes, remain unwritten...

This is the so-called "setting swamp." Many people give up here.

But, think about it for a moment. The real value of Obsidian lies in "connecting knowledge." And to connect knowledge, you must first record it.

3. Perfectionism is the Enemy of Note-Taking

"I'll start using it once I've built the perfect system."

This sounds intuitively reasonable. But in reality, this way of thinking is the biggest reason for failure with Obsidian.

Because, "the perfect system" simply doesn't exist.

The way to organize your own thoughts and knowledge emerges gradually as you use it. Instead of pursuing perfection from the beginning, starting simply and evolving as needed is actually the most effective method.

4. The Importance of "Just Write"

The Qiita article "Effortless Obsidian Note-Taking" emphasizes the importance of starting by "just writing."

"I feel like the premise of 'writing' is being overlooked. We unexpectedly haven't developed the habit of 'writing'."

This criticism hits the mark. No matter how sophisticated a system is, it's meaningless without content. The first step to mastering Obsidian is to first cultivate the habit of writing.

5. A Concrete Way to Start Using Obsidian Simply

So, how exactly do you start using Obsidian simply? Here's a method to start writing immediately with minimal setup.

5.1. Minimal Configuration Setup

First, download Obsidian and create a vault. A vault is just a folder where all your notes will be saved.

Keep the initial settings as default; no complex customization is needed.

The folder structure can also be simple at the beginning, just create three:

  • "Daily Notes": A place for casual records.
  • "Topics": A place to think deeply about specific subjects.
  • "Knowledge Base": A place to organize information you want to refer to later.

For plugins, you only need "Calendar" to start. With it, you can easily create daily notes.

5.2. A Writing Style Centered on Daily Notes

According to "normalsalt's" note article, "I returned to the simple application of writing down tasks in my daily notes system."

This is a very reasonable approach. Create a new note every day and freely write down what you think, what you need to do, and what you've learned.

Daily notes can start with this simple structure:

  • Today's To-Do
  • Ideas and Thoughts
  • Things Learned and Memos

Within this simple framework, focus on writing. Tags or links can be added later; don't worry about them at the beginning.

Jot down whatever comes to mind. Just by doing this, you can enjoy half the value of Obsidian.

5.3. Waiting for Connections to Emerge Naturally

The essence of Obsidian lies in the "connections between notes." But you don't have to try to link everything from the start.

First, just accumulate notes. As you do, you will naturally have moments where you think, "Ah, this is related to that note I wrote before."

At that point, just create a link using [[ and ]]. You don't need to force yourself to create links; let them emerge naturally when the relevance appears.

6. A Mindset to Break Free from Feature Dependency

One of Obsidian's charms is indeed its rich features and plugins. But if you rely on them too much, you will deviate from the original purpose of "organizing your thoughts."

Here are some ways of thinking to break free from feature dependency.

6.1. Prioritize "Writing"

"Haruna's" Substack article, titled "Because it's simple, Obsidian's possibilities can expand freely," recommends a use that is true to the basics rather than being complex.

What's particularly noteworthy is, "From writing newsletters and diaries to organizing iPad information, I use Obsidian for everything." In other words, before becoming a special "knowledge management system," Obsidian can be used simply as a "writing tool."

Focus on the act of "writing" itself, not the features. In the long run, this is the most valuable way to use it.

Think about it, no matter how great a plugin is, it's meaningless without written content, right?

Some people might worry, "Do I need a complex folder structure?" But actually, Obsidian's search function is very powerful.

Even without detailed classification using tags or folders, you can instantly find the necessary information through search. Especially when you don't have many notes, a simple search is often more efficient than a complex classification system.

"If you can search, you don't need to classify."

Just having this thought can free you from unnecessary complexity.

6.3. The "Growth System" Mindset

Instead of building a perfect system from the start, evolve it gradually as you use it. This is the "growth system" mindset.

Start simple and gradually improve from where you feel inconvenienced. This is the most sustainable method.

For example, when notes increase and become difficult to manage with just search, then start considering a tag system. When you want to delve deeper into a specific topic, then introduce the Zettelkasten method.

Add necessary features only when there is a demand. This is the essence of a "growth system."

7. Unexpected Benefits of Using Obsidian Simply

Using Obsidian simply can actually bring many unexpected benefits.

7.1. Increased Sustainability

Complex systems are hard to maintain. Conversely, simple systems are easier to sustain.

"jMatsuzaki's" article mentions that one of the reasons he moved from Obsidian to another editor was the "lower stability of the file storage format." This is an important point.

If you adopt a simple usage method, the effort required to migrate to other tools in the future can be minimized. Because you are not dependent on complex plugins or customizations.

If you want to build a "system that can be a lifelong companion," simplicity is the greatest weapon.

7.2. Not Interrupting the Flow of Thought

"Which tag should I use?" "Which folder should I save this to?" These judgments interrupt the flow of thought.

If you use a simple method, this interruption can be minimized. You can immediately write down what you think and maintain a smooth flow of thought.

This is very important in creative work. When inspiration strikes, you will no longer be interrupted by the complexity of the system.

7.3. Focusing on the Essence

What is the essence of Obsidian? Isn't it "connecting knowledge" and "organizing thoughts"?

By using it simply, you can focus on this essence. You won't waste time on plugin settings or system maintenance, but can use your time for what's truly important.

To "accelerate the speed of knowledge and technological progress to the limit," we should focus on what we create with the tool, not the tool itself.

8. Concrete Steps to Evolve from a Simple Start

So, starting from a simple use of Obsidian, how do you gradually evolve the system? Here are the concrete steps.

8.1. Step 1: Just Keep Writing (1st Month)

For the first month, just focus on writing. Centered on daily notes, freely write down what you think, what you've learned, and your thoughts.

At this stage, don't worry about tags, links, or folder structure. Cultivating the habit of writing is the top priority.

As "Shin's" note article says, the attitude of "don't think of Obsidian as too difficult, just write a lot of notes" is important.

8.2. Step 2: Start Noticing Connections (2nd-3rd Month)

As you accumulate notes, you will naturally start to notice connections. When you think, "Ah, this is related to that note I wrote before," then try adding a link.

At this stage, it's also good to look at the graph view occasionally. You might discover unexpected connections.

However, still avoid building a complex system. Enjoy the stage where connections emerge naturally.

8.3. Step 3: Expand the System Based on Need (4th-6th Month)

After using it for a few months, you should discover your own inconveniences or points for improvement. At that point, consider expanding with necessary plugins or systems.

For example:

  • If searching for notes becomes time-consuming, organize your tag system.
  • If you want to delve deeper into a specific topic, create a dedicated folder for it.
  • If you want to visually organize information, introduce the Excalidraw plugin.

The important thing is to "add only the necessary features" "when there is a need." Don't blindly install plugins or build complex systems.

8.4. Step 4: Regular Review and Optimization (After Half a Year)

After using it for more than half a year, your own style of using Obsidian will be established. At this stage, you can regularly review the entire system and optimize it.

For example, uninstall unused plugins or simplify an overly complex folder structure.

The simpler the system, the more sustainable it is. Always remove unnecessary complexity.

9. Mindset for Maintaining a Simple Obsidian Use

Finally, here are a few mindsets for maintaining a simple use of Obsidian.

9.1. Don't Pursue Perfection

"The perfect system" does not exist. Think of it as something that is constantly evolving and changing.

Don't neglect the most important thing, the notes themselves, in pursuit of perfection. Even if it's not perfect, continuing to use it is what's most important.

9.2. Don't Be Misled by Others' Setups

Don't be misled by the "ultimate Obsidian setups" introduced on YouTube or blogs. That is the best solution for that person, not necessarily for you.

Evolving the system in your own way and at your own pace is what's most important.

9.3. Prioritize "Writing"

No matter how great a system is, it's meaningless without content. Always put "writing" first.

Improving the system is ultimately just a means to "write more effectively" and "organize knowledge more efficiently," not an end in itself.

Obsidian is just a tool. What's important is what you create with this tool. Don't forget this essence.

10. Conclusion: The More Complex Obsidian Is, the Simpler You Should Use It

Obsidian is indeed powerful, and if you can master it, it will be a strong tool. But don't be overwhelmed by its wide range of possibilities and lose sight of your original purpose.

Start simple and evolve gradually based on your needs. This is the most sustainable and effective way to use Obsidian.

The more complex Obsidian is, the simpler you should use it. This seemingly contradictory method will, in the long run, bring the most valuable accumulation of knowledge and organization of thoughts.

So, from today, start using Obsidian simply!

#Obsidian #Simplicity #Note-taking