While eating gyudon (beef bowl), I was thinking about various things. Today is June 18, 2024. We’re almost halfway through the year. I wonder what work I’ll be doing today. Probably the usual routine tasks. The weather is heavy rain, so it seems like I’ll have other work to do as well. On rainy days, water always seeps into my shoes, leaving my socks soaking wet. Even I don’t want to spend an uncomfortable day, so I’ve started carrying spare socks. I made sure to put them in my bag today.
I often read books on the train, and recently, I read a great book called ‘The Habit of Writing.’ I initially borrowed it from the library and read it casually. But then I thought, ‘I want to keep this one handy.’ So, I ordered it on Amazon. Thanks to that book, I’ve become better at writing, including this passage. It’s truly a fantastic book.
Let me introduce the tools I use for writing: Google Keep and Notion. Here’s how I use them:
Google Keep: I write over 90% of my content here. Keep works offline on my smartphone, and if I have the page open on my computer, I can use it offline too. When I need to focus, I switch to offline mode. Keep’s simplicity and lightweight performance make it easy for my thoughts to flow.
Notion: I use Notion mainly for reference because it aggregates various information. Initially, I tried using Notion exclusively, but I found myself writing less. It seems it didn’t quite suit me. While it’s great for organizing diverse information, it became a hindrance when it came to writing. I prefer something simpler. So, I decided to use Notion strictly as a database.
I use Keep for creating content and reserve Notion for work, hobbies, and study-related information. So far, this setup works well for me.
Additionally, I’ve started carrying a physical notebook and planner this week. I wanted to utilize analog tools alongside digital ones. Digital access often involves several steps, whereas analog solutions are instant. For instance, having a notebook open and ready requires only a glance. With a smartphone, you’d need to unlock it, open an app, and so on. Plus, smartphones are often intertwined with entertainment, tempting distractions. When emotions fluctuate, especially during low moments, reaching for a smartphone can lead to unnecessary diversions.
I’ve fallen into that trap many times, so I wanted a solution. Enter the analog notebook. It’s been working well for me these past few days. Both the notebook and planner are about the size of a smartphone, fitting easily in my pocket. I bought a ring-bound notebook from the 100-yen store (dollar store) with a horizontal opening. To jot down quick notes, I keep a Zebra mini pen tucked into the rings. It’s a game-changer—I can grab it instantly.
This setup even works during work when using a smartphone would be inconvenient. Today, I’ll leave it here.