TL;DR: First time using a tool like this, want to pick one and build on it long term without losing data. Need to handle quick notes, creative writing, and basic finance tracking (spending/subscriptions). Not fully clear on the real differences between Anytype, Notion, and Obsidian, but Notion's interface felt the easiest on first try, so I'm trying to figure out if Anytype's learning curve is worth it for the privacy side. Privacy is actually the main reason I'm looking at Anytype in the first place, and from what I've read, Notion's heavy push on AI features is something I'd rather avoid too.

Hey everyone,

This is the first time I'm actually trying to set up a system like this for myself, so please excuse me if some of my questions are basic. I want to pick one tool and actually stick with it and build on it over time, so I would like to get this right from the start.

What I would like to use it for:

• Quick notes on the go, mostly from my phone, so it needs to be fast and not require five taps to jot something down
• Keeping my creative writing organized. I write short pieces and essays as a hobby and right now they're just scattered across random docs, I would like one place for all of it
• Tracking personal finance stuff, subscriptions, spending, the occasional net worth snapshot of where things stand. Nothing fancy, just enough to actually see patterns

Basically I want one place for my personal life instead of juggling different apps for each thing.

I've also been looking into Notion and hear Obsidian mentioned a lot, and honestly I'm having a hard time understanding what really separates Anytype from the two in practice. From what I've read they all seem to overlap a lot on paper (notes, databases, linking things together) and the differences seem to come down to how the data is stored and how steep the learning curve is, but that's just from reading reviews, not from actually using any of them long term.

From messing around with the free versions for like an hour each, Notion's interface of folders and pages felt the easiest to just pick up and start using, and Anytype's object/relation system took a bit more to wrap my head around. But privacy is a big part of why I'm considering Anytype in the first place, so I'm trying to figure out if that initial friction is worth it once you're actually used to it.

Speaking of which, privacy matters to me, and I'll be upfront that I don't fully understand the technical side here. From what I've picked up reading around, Anytype's local-first, end-to-end encrypted approach sounds like a real step up over something like Notion, but I don't know how much that actually matters in practice for someone just using it for personal notes and journaling type stuff versus something more sensitive.

Also, and maybe this is a dumb thing to bring up, but part of what's pushing me away from Notion is how much I keep reading about it leaning on AI features lately. I don't have a problem with AI existing as an option, but from what people describe it sounds like it gets pushed on you a lot even for basic stuff like jotting down a note or checking your spending, and that's something I'd rather avoid. If Anytype stays out of the way on that front, that's a real point in its favor for me.

So a few things I'd love input on:

• If you've used Anytype for a year or more for something similar (notes plus writing plus light finance tracking and general personal life upkeep), what's held up well and what's been annoying?
• Anything that felt fine at first but became a pain once you had more stuff in there?
• Any issues with losing data, syncing, or things breaking that I should know before I build this out?
• How steep is the learning curve really, for someone who's completely new to an object/relation-based system like this?
• Does the object/relation system eventually feel faster than folders and pages once you're used to it, or does it stay clunky?
• Is there anything about collaboration or sharing that's a dealbreaker for personal use, since I know that's still limited compared to Notion?

Truly interested in hearing what's actually worked or not worked for you day to day. Thanks for reading this far.

TL;DR: First time using a tool like this, want to pick one and build on it long term without losing data. Need to handle quick notes, creative writing, and basic finance tracking (spending/subscriptions). Not fully clear on the real differences between Notion, Anytype, and Obsidian, but Notion's interface felt the easiest on first try. Privacy also matters to me (heard Notion isn't great on that front) and I'm worried about the AI push getting in the way of basic tasks. Looking for real experiences from people who've used it long term.

Hey everyone,

This is the first time I'm actually trying to set up a system like Notion for myself, so please excuse me if some of my questions are basic. I want to pick one tool and actually stick with it and build on it over time, so I would like to get this right from the start.

What I would like to use Notion for:

• Quick notes on the go, mostly from my phone, so it needs to be fast and not require five taps to jot something down
• Keeping my creative writing organized. I write short pieces and essays as a hobby and right now they're just scattered across random docs, I would like one place for all of it
• Tracking personal finance stuff, subscriptions, spending, the occasional net worth snapshot of where things stand. Nothing fancy, just enough to actually see patterns

Basically I want one place for my personal life instead of juggling different apps for each thing.

I've also been looking into Anytype and hear Obsidian mentioned a lot, and honestly I'm having a hard time understanding what really separates them from Notion in practice. From what I've read they all seem to overlap a lot on paper (notes, databases, linking things together) and the differences seem to come down to how the data is stored and how steep the learning curve is, but that's just from reading reviews, not from actually using any of them.

From messing around with the free versions for like an hour, Notion's interface of folders and pages felt the easiest to just pick up and start using, but I get the feeling that might just be because it's the most polished for beginners and the other two might make more sense once you're past the initial learning curve.

Privacy also matters to me, and I'll be upfront that I don't fully understand the situation here. From what I've picked up reading around, it sounds like privacy isn't exactly Notion's strong point, but I genuinely don't know how big of a deal that is in practice for someone just using it for personal notes and journaling type stuff versus something more sensitive.

Also, and maybe this is a dumb thing to bring up, but I keep seeing people mention how much Notion pushes its AI features these days. I don't have a problem with AI existing as an option, I just don't want it shoved in my face every time I try to do something basic like jot down a note or check my spending. If that's overstated I'd like to hear it, and if it's a real annoyance I'd rather know now.

So a few things I'd love input on:

• If you've used Notion for a year or more for something similar (notes plus writing plus light finance tracking and personal life up keeping ), what's held up well and what's been annoying?
• Anything that felt fine at first but became a pain once you had more stuff in there?
• Any issues with losing data, syncing, or things breaking that I should know before I build this out?
• How bad is the AI push in daily use, honestly? Is it something you can just ignore, or does it get in the way?
• On the privacy side, should that actually factor into a decision for personal use, or am I overthinking it?
• For someone who's never used Obsidian or Anytype, is the learning curve actually worth it for a personal use case like mine, or is that more of a thing for people with more advanced needs?

Truly interested in hearing what's actually worked or not worked for you day to day. Thanks for reading this far.