Issue #193 | Subscribe

For a long time, Obsidian has been that app for me that I've peeked at many times, but never fully committed to it because it didn't feel inviting.

But after a recent stint of adjusting the app through a few plugins and a custom-built theme based on the Hulry blog, I landed on this beautifully functional workspace:

The layout is similar to Apple Notes, but with better typography and a gentler colour scheme that works both in light and dark mode.

It also utilises Obsidian's graph view in a more focused manner, which makes more sense to me while visualising connections between ideas.

I've written about this setup, and why and how I reached here in the latest blog post.

If you use Obsidian or are looking to try it out and want to recreate my setup, you can download the custom theme and configurations through the article.

I haven't given up on Apple Notes, though. Obsidian has started acting as a space to evolve the ideas and stuff I capture in Apple Notes every day.

If, like me, you've avoided Obsidian before, try my setup. It might make the app feel more at home for you, too.

Now, before you move on to the rest of this newsletter issue, here are a few words from:

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Your Next Read

Culture

Lagom

This book and the underlying Swedish concept would make a fine read for this approaching holiday season. Get this in a hardcover edition if you can.

Apps & Services

Runbuds

Fun running challenges with friends

This app makes running challenges with friends exciting. Add your friends on the app, record your runs, and see each other’s progress on a racetrack loop. Available on iOS and is free to use.
Jewelcase

A music app for your local tracks

If you have a local collection of music files, this app is a fantastic interface to manage and play back those songs. The import process is easy, and I like the thoughtful features, such as the per-genre equaliser. Available on iOS for free.
Ostendo

Share previews of YouTube videos

This could be a good extension to create shareable tiles of YouTube videos on social media, since many networks devalue posts with direct links. Available on Google Chrome for free.

Handy Shortcut

⌘

O

Quickly jump to a specific note in the Obsidian app.

Interesting Reads

How I Tweaked Obsidian Into a Beautiful Notetaking Space

12 min read

Longform

Obsidian had been a miss for me since the beginning because I didn't feel it looked and behaved like a good space for notes. But a few, minimal tweaks changed that, and I ended up setting up a beautiful space for my ideas and research. Here's how.
The Flow State, Explained

18 min read

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve read about the flow state, but it was interesting to look at flow through the lens of some of the top chefs, artists, and athletes in this piece.
Chris Rufo: Why My Sons and I Take the Train

9 min read

I don’t prefer travelling in trains because they take too long to reach the destination, but this article on a father’s journey from Seattle to Los Angeles with his young sons had me reconsidering that preference.
Why Do We Collect Things?

14 min read

This article is a curious exploration of why we like to collect things, the story it tells about us, and how it frames our world. I enjoyed the section on Vladimir Nabokov’s huge butterfly collection.

Watch Next

This interview shows a few behind-the-scenes of Notion as a product, and of its cofounders.

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