On Apple Notes or other tools — no need to centralise your data or build a second brain
As I said before, digital plays an increasing role from publishing to almost everything, and even does what paper can’t, including building a second brain. With computer, we are more tempted to have one app or one database for everything so that we can have the biggest control of our life.
But this is a very ideal way of life because our brain always wants us to settle down by looking for the only ultimate solution for lifetime, which is mission impossible.
On human nature
Human is different from other animals not because we have “humanity”, but we need something external to define ourselves — shaping our personality and own style, making us both unique and more connecting to others, resulting in meaningful life.
That’s why we need tools, clothes and shelters, but as the external environment is always changing, we also have to be flexible to adapt the never-ending challenges. Even if we don’t have to respond to the outside world, it’s also normal that we will change what we already own.
It’s inevitable that materials shape us, and we can choose and remove the viable options anytime as we like for our life. We will only get stuck in our life when we attempt to choose something which can accompany us for lifetime, or limit us to only one tool or solution.
On Apple Notes
Apple Notes is just one of the best, but not perfect tools in this era. We also don’t know whether we can continue using for the next decade.
There is no right way or wrong way on how to use Apple Notes, while we don’t have to treat it as an everything app or a second brain. Use it when you feel comfortable on it. Usually people are happy to capture their ideas, and take note on what they think they will forget. No need to manage or organise unless you love doing.
I even use it to write blog articles including this one, just because I don’t need to use more professional writing apps.
Some people say we should replace Apple Notes and other apps with plain texts because those apps are developed by companies. If they decide to stop maintaining apps, or they shut down their whole businesses, you may lose your assets. But this kind of avoidance doesn’t work for me, so I usually manually create a backup for important contents like blog articles, and take it easy for those which are less important because not everything needs to be stored permanently.
No one tool rules all, so just choose (different) tool(s) which make(s) you happy for different situations, like drafting on Apple Notes and publishing on Apple Pages, quick capturing on Freeform while doing masterpieces on Procreate and even on canvas with oil painting.
Keep flowing
We only need to immerse ourselves in the optimal psychological state of Flow by defining our goals (output) and working towards them, but don’t argue which tools are the best, or spend too much time on choosing the best silver bullet because you will need to change your ways of doing by changing tools. Focus on your life with your goals. Use suitable tools, or those you find comfortable for individual circumstance. Allow yourself to change if you think there is a need. Tool is a part of your life but they shouldn’t be a kind of life decision like marriage!
In short, instead of committing to your tools, commit to your goals or what you love!
