I’m tempted by many different apps focused on my Action and Thinking systems every day.
Leaving Obsidian is a “risky” move. I’ll tell you 20 reasons.
I’m very cautious when thinking about migrating one of my core apps.
That’s why I spent years using Omnifocus and more than a decade using Evernote.
I dove into Obsidian’s world last May.
Since then, this app has become “the essential app in my life”, even reducing Notion (my previous Action System’s core app) to a “mere” satellite app.
Yet, I can’t avoid studying other apps daily because I’m a PKM geek. That’s my sin.
So, I’m tempted frequently.
The only way to avoid those temptations is by reframing them into a rational perspective.
What are all the features I’m getting from Obsidian, and why has it become the core of my life?
The new candidate, at least, should cover them all.
Here, I share 20 features, although I have many more.
1. Markdown
All my info is stored using markdown. This seems stupid, but it has 2 consequences:
- I can move info from one app to another in my PKM keeping the structure.
- It guarantees I’ll be able to import my data to any other “life-changing” app in the future.
2. Local
Three immediate consequences:
- Privacy. My data is not in an unknown database.
- Security. It’s quite difficult to lose my data (it’s synced in 4 of my own devices).
- Access. No Internet needed.
3. Development
Obsidian’s development cycle is awesome, thanks to Obsidian’s plugins.
There are a huge bunch of geniuses out there developing plugins to improve the app for free.
My PKM grows effortlessly daily.
4. GUI
Although Obsidian’s GUI is not the best, I can often change my theme whenever I’m fed up with it.
That gives me the sensation I’m “changing” my app.
Finally, I have to say black themes are “not so bad”.
5. My Fastest Task Manager Ever
After almost 3 decades of testing task managers, I’ve never had anything like this.
I’m fast creating, searching, viewing my tasks from different perspectives.
Structure and anarchy at the same time!
6. Sync
I have my data synced on 4 different devices.
I haven’t had a problem at all using Obsidian’s sync service.
PS: beware of storing your vault in an iCloud folder!
7. Templates
They allow me to create new notes really fast with the structure I need. Period.
8. Hotkeys
Using hotkeys allows me to write fast, as I think, because I don’t move my hands off my keyboard.
The digital part of my brain works at the same speed as the physical part.
9. Quick Access to Everything
I can access in milliseconds essential info inside a PKM:
- Tags
- Outline
- Calendar
- Backlinks
- Outgoing links
- Graph
- Files
- Favorites
- Search
- …
10. Powerful Search
I can almost use SQL searches to access my data.
I can’t tell you how fast results appear due to local storage.
11. Automation
Using the Dataview Plugin, I can create small pieces of code to draw conclusions based on my data.
Pretty useful for my reviews.
12. Writing
I write daily: articles, emails, Twitter threads, thoughts…
Ulysses has been my writing app for quite a long time.
Obsidian gives me a very similar GUI but with a huge bunch of additional features.
13. Panels
Seeing as many notes as I want at a glance is priceless.
The Sliding Panes plugin is a jewel.
Moving fast from one idea to another, just moving my trackpad, is like navigating my brain at its speed.
14. Reviews
Using the Periodic Notes plugin makes my reviews an enjoyable experience: daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly reviews are so easy and profitable I can’t miss any of them.
15. Graph
Obsidian’s graph gives me a visual representation of my ideas and their connection.
The general graph is quite overwhelming, but the local graph is a feature I highly recommend giving it a chance.
16. Flexible
Obsidian’s so flexible that I can remember my first impression when I opened it the first time: “What the heck is this?”.
Now, I can only be grateful for this approach.
I’ve implemented ALL of my workflows without any problem.
17. Community
Obsidian’s community is impressive.
I’m so grateful to all the people that have made me grow, giving me fabulous pieces of advice.
I’m a better self because of them.
18. Daily Note
I first saw the daily note concept on Roam.
I didn’t understand it at the beginning.
Now, I cannot live without it.
19. Tags
Not all systems have tags. Not all systems allow you to create a tag hierarchy.
Thanks to this tag hierarchy, I can see my data from infinite and valuable perspectives.
20. Solid Future
I like to bet on apps I think they have a solid future.
I don’t want to bet on apps that may disappear as soon as they don’t get “the next raise”.
I think Obsidian has a bright future.