A personal knowledge system that stays small
Capture less. Connect what matters. Make room for revisiting.
Capture a question
Collecting information can feel like learning while postponing the work of understanding. A useful note starts with a question, a surprising idea, or something you want to try.
Instead of copying an entire article, write a sentence about why it matters. That sentence is the beginning of a connection to your own work.
One place to return
Choose a simple inbox and a predictable moment to revisit it. The best structure is one you can still use on a busy day. A title, a source, and a short reflection are enough to begin.
Keep source material separate from your interpretation. When you revisit a note, it should be clear which claims came from the source and which were your own conclusions.
Review before organizing
A weekly review can turn a pile of fragments into a few useful directions. What remains interesting? What changed your mind? Which idea belongs in a project rather than a folder?
Let categories emerge from repeated use. The goal is not a perfect archive. It is a collection that helps you notice, connect, and build.