Building an idea library [#172]

Something Sublime for your writing workflow 🌱

Hang in there - only a week till Winter Solstice, and then we get two more minutes of extra lightness a day. The neighbours upstairs are having difficulties with the Sunlight Switch - they can't figure out how to turn it on, so I've had a word. We've had ONE sunny day here so far in December.

I'm trying to look past the clouds - the blue sky (clear mind) is always there even if we can't see it. But it's hard to feel relaxed and positive when it's cold and grey every day. It's oppressive and hard, and I want to kick it away.

You are the sky. Everything else – it's just the weather. ― Pema Chödrön

Working on it!! I am the sky. Bright and blue, vast and open. I'm trying to let the weather roll through me - running, yoga mat, dancing, writing.

Building an idea library

I did a workshop with

Sari Azout

this week, founder of

Sublime

, on how she built her personal knowledge library. It's the time of year for organising (taxes to be done, inbox, laptop, messy piles), and I need a better system for keeping track of ideas and information. And some inspiration - collective mind-sharing.

I'm searching for a tool that's fun, easy to use and more collaborative.

Current setup:

• Notebooks (hard to find stuff and can't keep them all)

• Feedly browser extension

• Google doc with a ton of links ‘just in case’

• Folders on my desktop called Go through, Archive, and Post ideas

• Bookmarks

• WhatsApp voice notes

• Apple Notes

• Emails to self (Google keeps trying to get me to upgrade as I'm almost out of storage)

• 24 tabs open

It's a mess—a digital junkyard.

I’m testing out Sublime, an app for personal knowledge management.

Here's what Sublime does

Sublime is a shared idea library: "A think-in-bio is like giving others an API for your mind." A place to save stuff (links, highlights, screenshots, books, pods, videos, images, PDFs), some public, some private.

Things are saved as ‘cards’ and you grow 'collections’ for something you want to explore - a concept or idea. Useful for collecting raw material if you're running a workshop or collaborating on research, for example.

I am building an app that helps you save and remember all the things you learn about and love and don't want to forget. - Sari Azout

I've tried PKM tools in the past and stopped because they were too complicated and overwhelming, so let's see how this one feels. I like the minimal design, yoga studio vibes, and collaborative ethos.

It's more communal knowledge management ("save an idea and instantly discover related ones — from your library and others," which is so cool—some inspo for your writing workflow.

There are times in my life when I don’t necessarily want an answer - I want a journey.

I'm not tired of the internet, but I am tired of how I use it - infinite scrolling of social media for work, multiple tab syndrome, overflowing inbox, short-form video snacks, and the desktop dumping ground. “I’ll remember that idea,” said nobody, ever.

This is a more intentional internet for mindful curation. I like the idea of the little cards bumping into each other online - an idea party, introducing you to someone new every day. Stories and serendipities! ✨

The goal is to increase creativity not productivity. The machines will beat us there so we need to lean into that. “Quality, intention and taste - that has to be ours.” It’s multi-player which makes knowledge work more collaborative - and less lonely.

There's a browser extension to save articles and other premium perks. I like the choose-what-feels-right pricing model. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy! Wish we could do that on Substack.

I'm obviously biased, but I think Sublime is one of the best content libraries on the Internet.

Can't wait to play with this and see other people's information diets—huge appreciation to Sari and the team for pouring their heart into this.

• Here's my Idea Library (this will be a tab on my homepage - my think-in-bio).

• A deep dive into how our founder, Sari Azout, built her own library on Sublime (and how it can create value for you).

Cheers,
Nika 🥂

💬 👀 💬

Launch of SCOOP to help freelance journalists. A new 'one-stop shop' set up to pay creators for secondary use of their work online—a joint venture between the NUJ, ALCS UK, DACS and Picsel.

Tired of all the six-figure freelancer talk? Great piece on the “weight loss snake oil of freelancing” by

Amy Fallon

. It’s annoying and motivating - delighted to chip in on this one.

A conversation on the solopreneur lifestyle with

Sarah Jutras

+

John Rodrigues

. How adopting an experimental mindset can empower you to face the challenges of building a business.

Stream the ‘Eno’ documentary. 24,000 tickets for the 24-hour livestream on Jan 24 with a ticket price of $24. Love this experimental approach to documentary making!