Why I Ditched the Zettelkasten Method for a Simpler System

I was completely sold on the promise of the Zettelkasten method. The idea of building a \'second brain,\' an interconnected web of atomic thoughts that would spark new insights, was incredibly appealing. I dove in headfirst, choosing a backlinking note-taking app and committing to the process. For a while, it felt like I was building something monumental.

Honestly, though, after a few months, the cracks started to show. I found myself spending more time agonizing over the \'perfect\' way to phrase an atomic note than I did actually thinking. The pressure to link every new idea to an existing one felt less like discovery and more like a chore. My \'second brain\' was becoming a source of friction, a complex machine I had to constantly maintain rather than a tool that served me.

The problem with dogmatic productivity

My big \'aha\' moment came when I was trying to outline a new project. I had hundreds of notes, all beautifully linked, but I couldn\'t see the forest for the trees. The very system designed to foster connections was actually hindering my ability to build a linear, actionable plan. I was optimizing for the wrong thing: I was building a pristine digital garden instead of producing creative work.

I realized I had fallen into a common trap. I was following the dogma of a system so rigidly that I forgot to ask if it was actually solving my problem. The goal isn\'t to have the most impressive Zettelkasten; the goal is to think better, learn faster, and create more effectively. For me, the strictness of the method was getting in the way.

What my simpler system looks like now

So, I decided to quit. It felt like a failure at first, but it was liberating. I didn\'t throw everything away, but I radically simplified my approach. Here’s what my personal knowledge management (PKM) system looks like now, and it\'s been a game-changer for my actual output.

1. It\'s project-oriented, not idea-oriented

Instead of starting with atomic notes, I now start with project notes. Every new client, article, or personal goal gets its own dedicated note or folder. This is my primary unit of organization. It’s practical and immediately ties my knowledge to an outcome.

2. I embrace \'fleeting\' notes

I give myself permission to have messy, temporary notes. I have a single \'Inbox\' note where I dump thoughts, links, and half-formed ideas throughout the day. I don\'t worry about formatting or linking them right away. It\'s a low-friction way to capture thoughts without the pressure of formalizing them.

3. Linking is intuitive, not mandatory

I still use backlinks, but sparingly. I only create a link when a connection is so obvious and powerful that it would be a mistake not to. I don\'t go hunting for obscure connections just for the sake of it. This makes each link more meaningful and less of a maintenance task.

4. I prioritize summarization over atomization

At the end of a project or after reading a book, I write one comprehensive summary note. I focus on my key takeaways and how I\'ll apply the knowledge. This single, rich note has proven far more valuable to my future self than a dozen scattered atomic notes I have to piece back together.

I often wonder if the pendulum of productivity swings too far towards complexity. Ditching the Zettelkasten wasn\'t an admission of defeat, but a conscious choice to favor simplicity and pragmatism over ideological purity. The best system, I\'ve learned, is the one that gets out of your way and lets you do the work.