The Reason Behind My Daily Journaling Habit

Intro

In today’s digital world, the habit of journaling has taken on a fresh twist, with tools like Obsidian and Notion enhancing the traditional pen and paper experience. Personally, I have found Obsidian to be the superior choice for my daily journaling routine, and today I’d like to share my journey of how this software has transformed my way of organizing thoughts and has contributed to my growth, both personally and professionally.

Discovering Obsidian and Building A Second Brain

The spark for my journey with Obsidian was lit back in February 2023. The catalyst was a book titled Building A Second Brain authored by Tiago Forte. The essence of the book was to emphasize the value of digital tools in recording and structuring our thoughts. This not only takes the load off our brains to retain extensive information but redirects its energy towards ideation. Immediately fall in love with the concept, I wanted to explore further about the universe of digital note-taking platforms. The popular choice among many is Notion, but I was more captivated by the features and functions of Obsidian, especially its offline working capability and the way it simplifies and secures the organization of my thoughts and notes.

The Key Features of Obsidian

Obsidian App

Obsidian distinguishes itself from other digital note-taking tools with its unique set of features. At its core, it serves as a digital notebook, providing me with an organized and efficient method for capturing my thoughts. The defining feature of Obsidian is undoubtedly its 'Vault', a specialized folder designed to safely store all my journal entries.

The Vault operates in a local storage mode, meaning it doesn't rely on a stable internet connection. This offline functionality is a significant advantage, especially when I find myself in areas with unreliable internet coverage. In contrast, platforms like Notion are heavily dependent on internet access for their operations. This distinction was a key factor in my decision to adopt Obsidian over other tools.

In addition to its offline capabilities, Obsidian's Vault feature allows for secure data backup. Specifically, it offers seamless integration with iCloud, an advantage that meshes well with my usage of Apple devices. This function ensures that even if my device suffers an unexpected failure, my notes and journal entries will remain safe and accessible.

Obsidian's features make it a robust tool for daily journaling, surpassing the conventional capabilities of note-taking applications. Its offline functionality and secure backup system provide me with the peace of mind that my thoughts and notes will always be at my fingertips, regardless of my location or internet connectivity. The user-friendly nature of Obsidian also makes it an accessible tool for anyone seeking to improve their daily journaling routine, regardless of their level of tech-savviness.

I also wanted to mention 'Linking Your Thinking,' which is significant for me. While Notion allows us to explore notes with its beautiful UI, Obsidian introduced us to how we can link our writing. Simply put double brackets [[]] and you're done. You've just created a link to another document. By linking your thinking, you can view your beautiful Obsidian graph growing. I suggest watching Nick Milo's video to gain an in-depth understanding of this 'Linking Your Thinking' concept. You can find the video here.

My Daily Routine with Obsidian

Every weekend, I open Obsidian to jot down my thoughts, ideas, and plan for the day. Meanwhile, on a normal working days, this digital journal is where I keep track of my tasks at work, make a note of important meetings and deadlines, and document insights and lessons learned. It has become an essential tool that organizes my day and aids in my productivity.

The tool proves invaluable when I need to retrieve information quickly. For example, if a team member needs data from a project I was working on or if my manager inquires about the progress of a task, I can effortlessly locate the necessary details in my Obsidian notes. It’s like having an assistant that keeps track of every project, every conversation, and every decision. I merely export the specific note to a PDF, making it shareable and easy to understand for others.

Another important aspect of my routine with Obsidian includes brainstorming sessions. It's where I unload the flurry of ideas whirling in my mind. It's as if Obsidian provides me with an external space to organize my thoughts and refine them. As Tiago Forte mentions in his book, our brains are designed to come up with ideas, not to store them. Therefore, Obsidian acts as my second brain, storing my thoughts, so my mind is free to generate fresh ideas.

The Language Benefits of Daily Journaling

While journaling primarily serves as a vessel for cataloging my thoughts and experiences, it also doubles as a platform for practicing and perfecting my English. Hailing from Indonesia, my native language is Bahasa, and while I am proficient in English, continuous practice helps me sharpen my language skills further. Writing daily in my Obsidian journal has provided an interactive platform for language growth.

Each day, as I put my thoughts into words, I navigate through the nuances of English. Whether it's grappling with complex grammar or experimenting with new vocabulary, this routine pushes me to expand my language boundaries. Over time, I've noticed a steady improvement in my ability to articulate my thoughts clearly and accurately.

This process of daily writing, I realized, not just benefited me in terms of personal growth and organizing my thoughts, but also played a key role in enhancing my command over English. The habit of regularly penning down my thoughts in English has been a benefit to my language skills.

In this way, my daily journaling practice transcends the cognitive benefits typically associated with the exercise, offering a unique pathway for language skill enhancement. This is another reason why Obsidian has become an integral part of my daily life. It not only organizes my thoughts and boosts my productivity but also helps me refine my English, making me more confident in my interactions at work and beyond.

The Impact of Journaling on My Personal Growth

My Obsidian brain after a year

Journaling daily using Obsidian has considerably enriched my personal life, beyond its professional and language benefits. It has acted as a catalyst for my development, fostering greater organization, mindfulness, and clarity in my thought process. As I put pen to paper - or in this case, fingers to keyboard - every day, it results in an outpour of thoughts, ideas, and experiences. These entries collectively serve as a mirror, providing a tangible reflection of my personal growth journey.

Every entry, every thought recorded, tells a story about my evolution. This self-reflective tool helps me understand not only what thoughts occupy my mind but also provides insights into how my thinking evolves over time. This process of introspection has fostered increased self-awareness, helping me understand my strengths, recognize areas for improvement, and comprehend the patterns in my thought process.

Further, it's through this routine of journaling that I've learned the importance of clear and organized thinking. Recording my thoughts on a daily basis nudges me to sort through the chaos of ideas in my head, aiding me in expressing my thoughts more clearly and coherently. It's an ongoing mental workout that has enhanced my problem-solving abilities and decision-making skills.

The blank page in Obsidian is my canvas, where I can freely express my emotions, challenges, victories, and aspirations. This has not only helped me vent out feelings and relieve stress but has also allowed me to document my dreams and goals, thereby acting as a constant source of motivation.

Last, the impact of my journaling habit extends well beyond productivity and organization. It has transformed into a tool for introspection, a path to self-discovery, and a catalyst for personal development. It’s an introspective journey that Obsidian has made more efficient, secure, and enjoyable. This is why, to me, Obsidian is much more than a digital note-taking app - it’s a personal growth companion.