Megan Ellis, a seasoned user of productivity applications, has recently made a notable transition from Notion back to Google Keep, citing a desire for simplicity and focus in her digital life. For years, Notion served as her all-encompassing tool, housing everything from recipes to professional notes. However, as her reliance on the platform grew, so did her sense of overwhelm.
Here’s why I moved back to Keep
Ellis reflects on her journey, recalling how she initially gravitated towards Google Keep for its straightforwardness. Yet, in search of more advanced features, she migrated to Evernote and eventually to Notion. This shift, however, led to an unexpected complexity. The extensive customization options in Notion, while appealing, became a source of frustration. The time spent on tweaking the user interface and maintaining a visually appealing layout began to overshadow the actual productivity she sought.
As Ellis describes, “The more mental energy I poured into the software, the more I felt obligated to use it for every trivial detail of my life.” This realization prompted her to reassess her approach to productivity tools. She found herself trapped in a cycle of unnecessary tracking, leading to cluttered pages filled with information that no longer served her needs. The intricate system she had built became a barrier rather than a facilitator of productivity.
In her quest for a more streamlined experience, Ellis returned to Google Keep, appreciating its minimalist design and lack of a steep learning curve. “There are no fancy icons, cover images, complex formatting options, or databases available, and that’s a good thing,” she notes. By organizing her notes with simple labels—such as Work, Fitness, and Recipes—she has reclaimed her focus and reduced stress, allowing her to concentrate on what truly matters.
I still miss a few things
Despite the benefits of her new approach, Ellis acknowledges some drawbacks. The personalization that Notion offered is something she misses. The ability to craft a workspace that reflected her unique style and preferences provided a sense of ownership that Google Keep lacks. “Notion is personal; Keep is not,” she states, highlighting the emotional connection she had with her previous setup.
While Google Keep excels in simplicity, it does not provide the same level of customization. Ellis reminisces about the advanced features of Notion, such as creating tables with dropdown menus and custom fields for her recipes. These capabilities, she admits, are difficult to replicate in Keep, leaving her with a sense of compromise.
Should you make the switch as well?
For those contemplating a similar transition, Ellis offers thoughtful advice. The decision to switch from Notion to a more straightforward application like Google Keep ultimately depends on individual needs and preferences. Notion users often invest significant time in their setups, making it challenging to abandon the platform. However, if managing pages becomes more time-consuming than productive, a simpler alternative may be worth considering.
Ultimately, the choice lies in personal satisfaction with the tools at hand. For some, the all-in-one capabilities of Notion remain appealing, while others may find liberation in embracing a more minimalist approach. As Ellis has discovered, the path to productivity is as unique as the individual navigating it.
