Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
It’s excessive, isn’t it? All those apps we use daily have way too many features, with new ones being added all the time. Going back to the basics isn’t just good for your stress levels; it can also make you more productive.
Take me, for example. I use Notion and have spent way too much time just setting up my system within the app, choosing the correct icons, and making sure the colors match across my pages. Because I spent so much time tweaking it, I feel like I have to put it to use, so I try to write down as much as humanly possible to achieve that feeling of being on top of things that matter. To be productive. Efficient. But honestly, it’s starting to backfire. Not just with Notion, but with my other fancy — and expensive — apps as well.
I tend to forget the details of all those complex systems I set up, I write down things that feel important but then never check them, and I keep scrolling through dozens of news posts just to find one that I find remotely interesting. I can’t keep up with all the new features that seem like they are added on a weekly basis across my apps, and I am generally overwhelmed by the complexity of the software and the data it holds. At times, it feels like I spend more time tweaking the apps and my systems than actually using them for productive purposes, and I’ve had enough.
I’m going back to the basics, and if you’re like me, join me on this journey where I’ll show you the five apps every digital minimalist needs, and why.
Do you prefer simple or feature-packed apps? 66 votes As simple as possible. 24 % Give me as many fetaures as possible. 17 % I'm somewhere in between. 38 % It depends on the app. 21 %
Google Keep
Megan Ellis / Android Authority
I’ve used this app in the past before moving to bigger and better things. First came Evernote, followed by Notion. Now, I’m switching back to Google Keep.
It’s as basic of a note-taking app as you can get, but that’s what makes it a great option for digital minimalists. There’s no learning curve involved like with Notion, and you don’t need to put in any time or mental energy to make it your own. You have a basic file management system built in, thanks to the ability to create labels, and basic formatting is also available when creating notes. Then there are reminders, an integration with Google Tasks, and that’s more or less it.
... continue reading