I Deleted All the Folders in My Notes Apps!
I waste far too much time fiddling with folder structures in my notes apps.
My goal is to minimize friction when deciding where to put a note. Folders create extra work by forcing me to decide where each note should go. And there's always that note that could go in any of them.
I tried simple structures like Tiago Forte's PARA as I thought fewer folders might make it easier, but it only intensified the problem. There were still heaps of questions pouring through my mind about where a note should go.
The solution to my folder problem: banish all folders!
![](https://creadevlabs.com/content/images/2023/04/GoodNotes-Before.png)
![](https://creadevlabs.com/content/images/2023/04/GoodNotes-After.png)
I deleted all my folders in both GoodNotes and Obsidian and moved my notes to the top most level. I even switched off the file explorer in Obsidian so I wouldn't be tempted to return to folder tinkering.
I now rely on search to find notes. I can find any note I need in seconds, without having to think about where I put it. I also use the Graph view and backlinks pane in Obsidian to see related notes.
![](https://creadevlabs.com/content/images/2023/04/Graph-View-and-Backlinks.png)
What do you think about getting rid of folders in your notes app? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
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