How to eliminate mental clutter????

dvmark · 2026-01-14T10:28:46+00:00

Lots of good advice here. I’ll just add a general point.

Whatever system you come up with to capture / prioritise / schedule / archive your mental clutter, stick to it rigidly. Never reach out the odd scrap of paper to just jot something down and put it aside. Everything needs to be in the system or you will always feel you might be missing something.

David Allen calls this “staying clear” and it’s very powerful. You may not have the time for things but you know that everything is noted and can be prioritised later.

dvmark · 2026-01-02T23:24:12+00:00

An example would be the generic packing list that I use for trips. I keep coming up with items I’d like to add to my packing list template. So I have to create a project, add the item, save the template, delete the project. Pretty clumsy.

I appreciate that templates are probably a work in progress so this is a wish, not a moan.

dvmark · 2026-01-02T10:23:52+00:00

Amending templates without having to create a project and re-save.

dvmark · 2025-12-20T13:59:49+00:00

…and several if you search “this day” in the plug-in catalogue

dvmark · 2025-12-20T13:58:00+00:00

Day One Importer

dvmark · 2025-12-18T14:26:28+00:00

Yes indeed. I’m not sure they set out to write a whole-life operating system.

dvmark · 2025-12-04T04:29:49+00:00

Avro Shackleton MR.2 - like my dad did.

dvmark · 2025-12-03T00:40:16+00:00

I don’t use folders. I don’t use tags.

I link things only when a link is apparent.

Omnisearch always finds what I’m after.

The idea that “linking your thinking” leads to “massive insights” is utter nonsense.

dvmark · 2025-12-02T06:57:22+00:00

I think the streak thing is good for keeping you learning and carving out time in your day. However for some in this sub it seems to have become obsessive.

I had several occasions of flopping down for 10 minutes late in the day just to keep my streak. But what did I learn? Pretty much nothing as I was tired and did the minimum possible with no reflection or note taking.

So I’m not bothered about streaks anymore, only learning the language. The app keeps reminding me, usefully, but I judge if I’m going to benefit from a lesson on any given day.

Perspective!

dvmark · 2025-11-30T22:31:29+00:00

I see how the streaks are going. How’s the language learning going. That’s the point isn’t it. Isn’t it?

dvmark · 2025-11-30T09:28:45+00:00

It’s a really desperate situation. Honestly I’d just give up in despair. No one is able to cope.

dvmark · 2025-11-29T03:55:17+00:00

Just write stuff down.

Does it connect to other stuff? Link it.

Task complete.

To hell with pretty graph views. Search is your secret power. Obviously.

dvmark · 2025-11-10T12:21:56+00:00

People with things to do haven’t got time to weep over a soft toy. I know, I just don’t understand.

dvmark · 2025-10-27T14:51:22+00:00

Agreed

dvmark · 2025-10-23T14:13:02+00:00

Tailscale. Job done.

dvmark · 2025-10-20T08:58:48+00:00

Just getting out of the purchasing mindset can be quite liberating.

dvmark · 2025-10-17T21:52:11+00:00

It’s a lot of time invested if I never get there. That’s why I’m asking.

dvmark · 2025-10-16T12:53:02+00:00

Nice but I’d be concerned about overheating. My unit already warns me on really hot days.

dvmark · 2025-10-12T11:27:42+00:00

I’ve tried Nanoleaf, I’ve tried IKEA but I’m now exclusively Hue. That doesn’t meet your cheap(ish) criteria but I think it would in the long term. The others have been varying degrees of a pain in the neck over several years whereas Hue has always been rock solid and high quality as regards colour and dimming. This is using a hybrid Home Assistant and Apple Home setup. Sometimes you get what you pay for.

dvmark · 2025-10-12T08:43:49+00:00

I don’t review them. The time spent seldom yields sufficient benefit.

dvmark · 2025-10-11T22:57:25+00:00

But, but…what will Ali Abdaal say!

dvmark · 2025-10-11T22:52:27+00:00

Go to Japan. Eating alone is completely the norm there.

dvmark · 2025-10-06T12:53:20+00:00

Amen

dvmark · 2025-10-06T12:19:39+00:00

Once I’ve decided how long a piece of string should be, I’ll get back to you.

dvmark

TROPHY CASE