Why I don't keep all my notes in one book
When I told people around me that I have 30 different learning notebooks the most common question I received was,
Why don't you keep them all in one book?
That was it.
Today's note is my response to that question.
The reason I keep separate notebooks is, quite simply, because it's easier that way.
I want to save information from a single event across multiple perspectives. I create my notebooks to match the way I store memories.
What I mean by that is...
When I store things in my memory, I break the elements down first and then save them in my mental drawers by theme. I wonder if there's anyone else who feels the same way?
Keeping memories in my brain as one big, undifferentiated lump feels uncomfortable to me. I think that's just how I'm wired.
I have countless drawers in my brain. Among them, I create a "learning notebook" for themes I am particularly interested in. Having 30 notebooks means I have 30 strong areas of interest.
So, why do I store memories by separating them like that? I've been this way since I can remember, so I don't have a definitive reason, but it's probably
because it makes it easier to retrieve memories.
For example, when I want to come up with a project idea at work.
If my memories were stored as a lump in my brain, I would have to untangle them first and then search for "is there anything I can use here?".
Isn't it difficult to search for things only after you need them? It might take time just to remember where you put them. I have the kind of personality where I feel it's a waste not to be able to use my memories immediately.
But if I label information (like "AI" or "history") before storing it in my brain, it's easier to find later.
If I need to come up with an AI-related project, I just have to look into the "drawer labeled AI."
By the way, while I love organizing my brain, I am terrible at organizing my house.
Let me give you a concrete example.
For instance, the time I went to a Shimajiro concert with my daughter last year.
I store this event in my brain by attaching five labels to it. It looks something like this.
① Memory with my daughter label (personal perspective)
I'm glad I could go on a trip with my daughter and make Christmas memories! I was happy to see her delight when she met Shimajiro and his friends and even got to high-five them.
② Real-world excitement label (event planning perspective)
Real-world events where many people gather really create a sense of unity and excitement in the venue. There is definitely a kind of emotion that only happens in a physical space.
③ Development label (parent perspective)
Last year, my daughter was too shy to dance, but this year she was waving her arms and dancing along. She's really growing up.
④ Social interaction label (parent perspective ②)
We happened to meet a friend at the venue and walked part of the way home together. It was great to see the kids chatting happily. They were laughing so much just from walking together. I suppose for children, just being with friends is valuable enough in itself.
⑤ Location label (personal, parent, and event planning perspective)
It was nice to explore a station I don't usually visit. The facilities were great, it wasn't too crowded, and I liked the atmosphere. I'd love to bring the whole family here next time.
I've listed five for now, but if I wanted to, I think I could come up with about ten labels.
In this way, even though it's just one event, for me, there are many ways to retrieve and store the memory.
So that I can recall any memory instantly, and because I want to save them as material to repurpose for work, I create and store notebooks by theme.
That's how it is. I hope this answers the question, "Why don't you keep everything in one notebook?"
Next time, I think I'll write about how I use my notebook-making for my work.
Thank you for reading this far.
This was day 97 of my daily note 📝
▼ I wrote about how I apply notebook-making to my work
I am a project planner in the startup phase.
I use 30 notebooks to reflect and brainstorm ideas. I'm the type of person who finds clarity by writing things down. I write about small improvements and realizations bit by bit every day.
If you like what you read, I'd be happy if you gave me a quiet follow.
▼ "How to make a learning notebook for adults" magazine
▼ Click here for my self-introduction