---
title: Milieu
kicker: Writing tool / Obsidian vault
date: 2026-09-18
status: Available
tags:
  - writing
  - notes
  - Obsidian
summary: A pre-built Obsidian vault that names, dates and files daily writing automatically.
visual: text
theme: paper
---
Milieu is a pre-built Obsidian vault for daily writing and noticing. It names, dates and files every entry automatically. The only thing left to do is write.

[Download Milieu](/files/milieu-vault.zip)

## Who it is for

Milieu is for people who have seen the value of keeping a journal or notes practice, then lost the habit when configuration became another job. The system is already built.

## What is Obsidian

Obsidian is a free desktop notes app. Open a folder and it becomes your notes. Every note is a plain-text Markdown file that stays on your machine and opens in any text editor.

Out of the box, Obsidian is a blank room. Milieu furnishes it with folders, templates, daily-page buttons and method guides so you can start writing.

## Three practices, already set up

### Morning Pages

Adapted from Julia Cameron's *The Artist's Way*: three pages of writing first thing. One button opens today's page, dated and filed. A word-count ring shows your progress.

### Four Squares

Adapted from Lynda Barry's *Syllabus*: a four-part daily diary covering what you did, saw and heard, plus a rough drawing. The method takes about five minutes and pulls the day back into focus.

### Notes

A quick capture for an overheard line, a question or something you read. One shortcut opens the entry and files it automatically. It takes about ten seconds on days when a longer practice feels out of reach.

Milieu also includes a home dashboard, a pre-built graph view, six short method guides and an optional browser clipper.

## Why keep the record

A year of dated, tagged entries becomes a searchable record of where your attention went. Obsidian's graph view shows which ideas returned and which notes became connected. The structure accumulates while you write, without a separate filing session.

Milieu has no streak counter. It does not record missed days or ask you to choose a filename, folder or date. Open it, press the button and the page is ready.

## How to start

1. Download [**Obsidian**](https://obsidian.md/) and install it.
2. Download [**Milieu**](/files/milieu-vault.zip) and unzip it somewhere permanent.
3. In Obsidian, choose **Open folder as vault** and select the Milieu folder.
4. Follow the **Read Me First** guide to turn on the writing tools.
5. Open today's daily note or use the Four Squares or Notes shortcut, then write the first entry.