Thread by @DavidCrandall_W

The past few weeks have been exceptionally rough.

- I had two grandparents die (not COVID related)
- My family is in between houses...AND countries
- I know no one here except my wife's family

Chaos.

But I want to share how I'm getting through my days. #roam

I discovered @RoamResearch at the end of February, just before the planet went bonkers. I poured my brain into it and developed a daily routine for my work and personal life.

I did it long enough it became a habit.

Thankfully!

My brain has been mush. Thinking is hard when you're dealing with grief, stress, and uncertainty (as EVERYONE knows right now!)

My first brain would be struggling if it was on its own.

Which is why I'm grateful for Roam as a second brain.

Those months of creating a daily habit in Roam paid off huge. I use a dedicated monitor for Roam where it stays up all day long.

Here's a few ways it has helped me get through the past few weeks.

I keep meeting minutes in Roam for every meeting I'm in and include a list of [[people]] as well as [[products]] and [[projects]] with their statuses and schedules.

Keeping notes in meetings keeps my brain on track.

I'm the primary architect over multiple projects across a wide product line. I get daily questions on status, roadmaps, schedules, etc.

Those meeting notes? Every person, product, & project has up-to-date, detailed references from those notes.

Just 1 click away.

But that's just keeping my head above water.

When it comes to planning, I pull up multiple products in the reference (right) panel. Then create entries for new product releases as their own page in the main panel.

Half of the work is done just by having references.

With Roam on its own dedicated monitor, I can begin the harder work of creating technical documentation on another screen.

This is where I feel the real power of Roam.

Like I said, my brain has felt like mush. But having everything in Roam on that second monitor is life.

It is not an understatement to say that Roam has made my work so much easier especially the past few weeks when I have been dealing with mental yuck.

And this same focus has helped in my daily, personal life!

The reason Roam has a near religious fervor among people is because of scenarios like these.

I've been barely able to think on my own the past 6 weeks. But since I'd already built a robust second brain and a strong daily habit...

I haven't had to think on my own.

This is the power of good tools! Their effect is noticeable when things are going well.

But you can rely on them when things aren't.

--

I really appreciate @Conaw and the @RoamResearch team for creating something so wonderful! Thank you!!

In addition, I appreciate the #roamcult community. I love that this corner of Twitter is so encouraging and supportive with an emphasis on personal growth and learning.

Just what I've needed during this time. Thank you!

And because I am part of such a kind Twitter community, I'll add that as hard as things are, I am not in a bad place. I've taken steps with others (incl. counselors) to stay good.

I just wanted to highlight how Roam has helped me tremendously in case others might benefit too.