Why and How I Use Obsidian

I’ve been writing notes since elementary school. Sometimes for studying, sometimes just for fun. Over the years the topics changed a lot, psychology, IT, literature, random thoughts, but one problem stayed the same: my notes were scattered everywhere. I would forget old writings or lose them completely.

Digital tools made storing notes easier, yet most apps still frustrated me. Many push AI features I never asked for, others lock you into subscriptions or feel too complicated. In the end, a simple notepad often felt better than these “smart” apps.

Then I found Obsidian, and it finally clicked.

Why Obsidian works for me

The biggest reason is simplicity. You open the app and start writing right away. No account, no setup, no unnecessary stuff. All your notes are plain Markdown files saved on your computer. That means they are future-proof and you stay in control.

The second reason is the community. There are hundreds of free plugins if you want them, from Git sync to drawing tools to AI helpers. You can keep it minimal or add what you need. I try not to go overboard with plugins because things can get complicated fast, but the flexibility is there when I want it.

How I organize my vault

Having total freedom is nice, but without some structure, too many notes quickly become a mess. I took ideas from two well-known systems and mixed them in a way that fits my lazy but active brain.

I use a simple folder setup:

• 00-Inbox: Everything raw lands here first. No pressure to organize, just capture the idea.
• 01-Notes: My permanent, refined notes. These are usually short and focused.
• 02-MOCs (Maps of Content): These act as hubs that connect related notes together. They help me navigate and see the big picture.
• Other folders for templates, resources, and finished topics (IT, diaries, school, work, etc.).

I write small atomic notes like in Zettelkasten, link them freely, and use MOCs to tie things together. Once a note feels complete, I move it into the right subject folder. This hybrid keeps me organized without making the process feel heavy.

What I took from Zettelkasten and PARA

Zettelkasten taught me to write small, connected notes instead of long walls of text. PARA gave me a practical way to sort life into Projects, Areas, Resources, and Archive.

I didn’t follow either system strictly. I borrowed the parts I liked and created my own lightweight version. It lets me write a lot while still being able to find and reuse old ideas later.

The real benefit

Since I started using Obsidian this way, I feel more confident about my notes. I don’t lose things anymore. Old ideas sometimes resurface and connect with new ones in surprising ways. Studying and thinking became clearer and more enjoyable.

It’s not perfect, and I’m still improving it, but for a lazy person like me it’s the first system that actually sticks.

If you also have piles of scattered notes and feel overwhelmed by most note-taking apps, Obsidian might be worth a try. Start simple, write what you want, and let the structure grow slowly.