Minimalists Should Write Everything Down

In Goodbye Things, an essential book in minimalism literature, author Fumio Sasaki defines the noun Minimalist in a few ways, but my personal favorite definition is Minimalists are people who know what is truly important to them. In this definition, Sasaki does not mention any notion of belongings, stuff, declutter, organization, sustainability, mindfulness, etc - leaving minimalism to be practiced and defined by each individual.

That flexibility is rather powerful. Minimalism for you will look different than Minimalism for me, and yet, the minimalism community is strong and united, despite our own individual views.

In this blog, I introduce my unique lens on minimalism and explain why I capture as much information as I can every day. I'll offer the tools I use for seamless information capture and why I chose them.

🔍 Why I believe in Information Capture

Knowing "what is important" is the most fundamental component of the definition set out by Sasaki. When considering his definition, I had thought, "Knowing what's important? Pshhh, easier said than done." Only a few, very lucky people ever figure out what is truly important to them, and previously, I was one of those people deemed "unlucky," never knowing (or learning) what was important. Every day, like many aspiring minimalists, I would continue to search for that altruistic purpose of life humans will inevitably search for forever.

Until one day, a few years ago, I was given a book, Getting Things Done by David Allen. Naturally, I skimmed through it, took away a few notes, and went about my days - nothing really stood out. One day, I revisited the book because of a high priority project I was assigned at work. Looking for inspiration and organization, I learned about the value of information capture:

At the time, I had been a minimalists for a few years and I didn't see the immediate value of information capture. It seemed like an extra layer to life that didn't fit my minimal ideals. Because of this, I brushed off the idea once more and continued to look for other tactics to help organize my work .

Until finally, lacking a proper framework, I became overwhelmed, stressed, and bogged down with information overload. As a remedy, I really committed to information capture as a practice - I wrote everything and anything down. Sticky notes were the foundation of my early information capture methods - organized by topic, sticky notes on my desk held all information for my work - to-dos, ideas, inspiration, delegations, etc. I found a way to prioritize and learn how to manage my project with ease and efficiency.

Over time, I translated that process to my home life. Instead of work notes, I would capture lifestyle notes - advice from a neighbor, wishlists from the kids, shopping deals in the newspaper. And finally, I found the link between information capture and minimalism: everything that I would write down was important to me in some way, shape, or form. It might not have been important in the short term, but I knew there was a reason I was writing down the observation. It was an exercise of minimalism, mindfulness, productivity, and efficiency all in one.

Ever since that day, I feel like I understand what Sasaki meant by Minimalists are people who know what is truly important to them. For me, the truly important things to prioritize were in my day-to-day. My own definition of minimalism was crafted by these daily captures, and since then, I've never felt like more of a minimalist.

✅ Methods for Daily Information Capture

There isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to regularly capturing important information, but through my minimalist journey, I've experimented with various methods. Here are a few that I can confidently recommend or advise against:

1. Digital Note-Taking Apps (Recommend):
   Using digital note-taking apps like Todoist or Notion can be a game-changer. They offer the convenience of syncing across devices, easy organization, and quick accessibility. The minimalist interface keeps distractions at bay.
2. Bullet Journaling (Recommend):
   Bullet journaling is a customizable and tactile method. With a simple notebook and a pen, you can create a personalized system that suits your needs. It promotes mindfulness as you carefully structure each entry.
3. Voice Recording (Recommend with Caution):
   While voice recording can be efficient for capturing thoughts on the go, it might not be the best for organization. Retrieving specific information later can be challenging, and it may lead to digital clutter if not managed properly.
4. Email Drafts (Not Recommend):
   Using email drafts as a makeshift note-taking system can clutter your inbox unnecessarily. It blurs the line between important communications and temporary notes.
5. Sticky Notes (Recommend for Quick Ideas):
   For quick, ephemeral thoughts, sticky notes on a physical or digital board can be effective. However, be mindful not to let them accumulate and become a source of visual clutter.

Remember, the best method is the one that aligns with your preferences and lifestyle. Experiment, adapt, and find what seamlessly integrates into your daily routine.

🖊 Write It Down

I'll leave you with an exercise to get started on your own information capture journey. Take this article and note down one thing you found most interesting - save it in your notes app in your phone. In a few hours, take a look back at the note. What do you remember from the blog now? Is it a different feeling than previous articles you've read? Does it help you remember things more clearly? Do you feel mindful? Let me know in the comment below what new feelings come up

About the Author

Jane has been a practicing minimalist and note taker for 6 years. Her career as a an engineer and home life as a mother of twins prompted her to try new way of capturing information. She is excited to share the method that worked for her! Jane would be happy to hear from anyone in the comments!