Why I Ditched My Complex Note-Taking System for Plain Text Files

by admin in Productivity & Tools 19 - Last Update December 2, 2025

Rate: 4/5 points in 19 reviews

Why I Ditched My Complex Note-Taking System for Plain Text Files

For years, I was on a quest for the perfect digital brain. I downloaded every new note-taking app, experimented with complex tagging systems, and spent countless hours building an intricate web of backlinks. I was convinced that if I could just find the right tool and build the right structure, I\'d unlock a new level of productivity. Honestly, it became an obsession.

The problem was, I spent more time managing my note-taking system than actually learning from my notes. My digital garden was beautiful, but I wasn\'t harvesting any fruit. It was a classic case of productivity procrastination disguised as \'organizing.\' Does that sound familiar?

The breaking point

The turning point for me was surprisingly simple. I needed to find a specific quote from a book I\'d read months earlier. I knew I had noted it down. I dove into my meticulously organized app, searching through nested notebooks, filtering by tags, and trying to recall how I might have linked it. After 15 frustrating minutes, I found nothing. The cognitive overhead of my own system had defeated me. On a whim, I opened my computer\'s main search bar and typed a few keywords. The quote instantly appeared in a random, unsorted \'.txt\' file I\'d saved to my desktop in a hurry. That was my \'aha\' moment.

Embracing the simplicity of plain text

I decided to run an experiment. For one month, I abandoned my complex app and used only plain text files (.txt and .md) saved in a single folder. It felt primitive at first, but the benefits quickly became undeniable. I realized I had been completely overthinking what a note-taking system needed to be.

It\'s future-proof and completely portable

One of my biggest fears was vendor lock-in. What if my favorite app shuts down or gets acquired? Plain text files have been around since the dawn of computing and will be readable on any device for decades to come. I\'m no longer tied to a specific company\'s ecosystem. My notes are truly mine, and I can open them with hundreds of different editors, from the most basic to the most advanced.

It forces focus on the content, not the container

Without the temptation of fancy formatting, color-coding, and endless organizational features, I was left with only one thing: my thoughts. The simplicity forced me to write more clearly and concisely. My focus shifted from \'How should I file this?\' to \'What is the core idea I need to capture?\' It was liberating.

System-wide search is more powerful than I thought

That initial experience of finding my lost quote was no fluke. I came to realize that the search functions built into modern operating systems are incredibly fast and powerful. By using a consistent file naming convention (like YYYY-MM-DD-topic-summary.md), I could find anything I needed in seconds, without ever opening a specific app. The \'filing\' was handled by a smart filename and a powerful search bar.

My current \'system\' is barely a system at all

Today, my entire second brain lives in a single cloud-synced folder. There are no sub-folders, no complex tags. My only organization is a clear file name. It feels almost embarrassingly simple, but my output and ability to retrieve information have skyrocketed. I\'ve learned that the most effective productivity tool is often the one that demands the least amount of attention. It just gets out of your way and lets you think.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the biggest disadvantages of using only plain text files?

The main trade-offs are the lack of rich media embedding, like dropping images or videos directly into a note, and no built-in collaboration features. You have to rely on the file system and third-party tools for sharing. For me, it's a worthwhile sacrifice for ultimate simplicity and longevity.

How do you handle linking between notes without a dedicated app?

Honestly, I find I need to do it far less than I thought. When I do need to create a connection, I simply use a unique filename that I can easily search for, sometimes using a simple wiki-link format like [[YYYY-MM-DD-project-brief]] right in the text. Powerful, system-wide search often makes manual linking unnecessary for me.

Aren't you afraid of losing files without an app's cloud sync?

Not at all. My entire 'notes' folder is located inside my main cloud storage service directory, like Dropbox or OneDrive. This provides automatic backup, version history, and access across all my devices. It's a robust solution that isn't tied to a specific note-taking application.

What specific software do you use to edit your plain text files?

The beauty of this method is that the software doesn't matter! I use whatever is convenient. On my computer, I use a simple, clean markdown editor. On my phone, I often just use the basic built-in text editor for quick captures. The focus is always on the content, not the tool itself.

Is this 'plain text' method suitable for academic or research work?

It can be, but it depends on your workflow. For heavy research involving hundreds of citations and complex sources, a dedicated tool might be more efficient for final formatting. However, I've found that for initial drafting, brainstorming, and connecting core concepts, the simplicity of plain text helps clarify my thinking immensely.