Before switching to paper, I tried a number of methods involving phone apps and web applications. (The web applications were simple things I wrote myself). Only paper has been fast enough and flexible enough to work in every condition.
Pulling out a phone, unlocking it, opening application, and then typing on an on-screen keyboard is just not going to happen for the sort of quick notes I needed to make for my timestamped log entries. Recording audio on the phone is neat, but then you have to process it after the fact…and speaking to your phone in many situations is just weird.
Also, interacting with my phone while I’m supposed to be engaging with other people (especially my own children) is very uncool. But nobody bats an eye when I take a written note with a physical notebook and pen. Or if they do, it often starts a conversation rather than ending it.
My Notebook System - ratfactor
Notes | Alex Hyett by Alex Hyett
Alex shared his note-taking habits and his published Digital garden / second brain. I enjoy reading through people’s notes but could never do it myself as my notes are such a mess organizationally and layout-wise. The other options would be to either keep a separate public notes system or to stop taking quick notes. I ain’t wanna do either. But I’m happy other people are!
Using personal weeknotes as a tool for attention – Tracy Durnell’s Mind Garden by Tracy Durnell
Plain text journaling by Herman Martinus
In the following two blog posts, Glyn shares his love for the physical notebooks and what types of notes he has taken over the years. Henrik replies to it by sharing why he stopped using physical notebooks and only takes digital notes these days with Obsidian.
The notebook — underlap by Glyn Normington & Notebooks no more 📘 · Henrik Jernevad by Henrik Jernevad