Small decisions can hold you back from the actual work. Small decisions can become big distractions. This happened to me, while I was researching and trying to make a decision regarding whether or not to use Zettelkasten IDs.
It seems like a small thing but it somehow was very important to me. I wanted to find the ideal setup and workflow.
Most tutorials recommend not using Zettelkasten IDs for your notes. It is mostly seen as a unique identifier which is not that important in a digital note-taking system. You can easily link between digital notes, search for duplicated notes, or update notes. So just create atomic notes with a simple note title.
But having a unique identifier is not the only reason to use Zettelkasten IDs. Inspired by the book “How to Take Smart Notes” you can also use Zettelkasten IDs to organize your notes.
I thought way too much about this. There is a fine line between productive obsession and a devastating obsession, and I guess I crossed this line a few times during the Zettelkasten ID questions.
What helped me make a final decision, in the end, was just to tinker with both approaches. Just start using them and see what works best for me. And, I had a more simple, more enjoyable, less worrying note-taking flow while using Zettelkasten IDs. So as of right now, I’m using Zettelkasten IDs and I enjoy it.
why I use IDs
I don’t use Zettelkasten IDs as unique identifiers. This is why I don’t use random numbers or timestamps as Zettelkasten IDs.
I use Zettelkasten IDs to organize my notes. It makes it easier for me to use my note-taking system as a dialog partner. It remembers chains of thoughts (chains of notes). It makes it easier for me to connect notes together. It becomes easier to find notes and not forget about others. It helps me avoid creating duplicated notes in a chain of thoughts. I avoid having a favorite note which I use to connect everything towards. I can easily find the latest and most relevant notes.
This is why I use Zettelkasten IDs like 0010–0002–0003–0001. So my note title looks like 0010–0002–0003–0001 note-name.
how I use IDs
If a note is the first note in a chain of notes, it gets an ID like 0001 (0001 if it is the first-ever note). If you have a bunch of notes and create a new note but it doesn’t fit anywhere, it is the start of a new chain. So you might give it the next available four-digit number e.g. 0011 (I use a four-digit number because three seemed too few and five too much. So no particular reason there. I will have a problem once I reach the 9999th note but let’s wait until that happens).
If a note fits into a chain of notes, you will create sub IDs. The first note connected to 0001 would be 0001/0001. If you have a deeper note structure, your new note might have the ID 0005/0001/0003 (this note is connected to 0005/0001 and is the third note connected to it).
If the note fits into multiple chains of notes, I will pick the most relevant one to define the new ID. But I will link every relevant note inside the new note’s metadata, called “connection from”.
# 0010-0002-0003-0001 new noteID: 0010-0002-0003-0001
connection from: [[0010-0002-0003 note A]] [[008-0001 note B]] [[0011-0004-0001-0002 note C]]
ref. literature note: [[some book]]
state: #shapednote text...
1d and 2d connections
The Zettelkasten IDs help me have a 1d and a 2d connection structure, which I can use to take new notes or work with my notes.
The simple 1d structure results from the IDs and can be found in the file explorer. All the notes are easily visible in a sequential 1d structure.
The complex 2d structure results from the links inside the note and can be found in the graph view. Each of my notes has the mentioned metadata “connection from”.
# 0010-0002-0003-0001 new noteID: 0010-0002-0003-0001
connection from: [[0010-0002-0003 note A]] [[008-0001 note B]] [[0011-0004-0001-0002 note C]]
ref. literature note: [[some book]]
state: #shapednote text...
This way I can choose to work with a simple 1d graph or with a complex 2d graph. It depends on what I need, how I feel, and what my goal is. Sometimes it is nice to have a simple sequential 1d structure and sometimes it is nice to have a graph view that is rich in its connections.
the pitfall of my approach
Of course, this approach also has its pitfalls. The IDs give your notes a nice and simple structure but don’t make your notes too sequential and rigid. The purpose is to make meaningful connections wherever you need them. Don’t let the IDs push you into making only a few connections and ignoring other meaningful ones.
It can also be a blocker and frustrating to find a place and an ID for a note. If you can’t find a place for your note, don’t define one. You can always define one later.
In the end, it is a personal thing. I might even switch at some point. But right now, I feel more comfortable using IDs. They give me a simple and enjoyable workflow.
Don’t get lost and confused trying to find the perfect solution and system. Just play with different systems. Try not to use IDs. Try using different IDs. See what works for you. Find what is comfortable for you.
