I’ve always loved trying out new apps, especially ones that make organising life a bit easier. A while ago, I started using mymind and thought it was the app.

You could save just about anything into it. Articles to read later, images, notes, bokos, and the AI would tag everything automatically.

No folders, no hassle. Just search for what you needed, and there it was.

If you’re a designer, it has this cool “same vibe” feature where you can find images that have the same kind of colours and tones as the one you’re were looking at.

But for me, it became obvious that I was only using it to save memes. I wasn’t using it to its full potential. All I really wanted was to save a bunch of images and be able to find them later.

So that got me thinking. Could I build something myself that does just the part I need?

Turns out I could, and I did. Let me tell you how.

Building My Own Image Tagging System

I started with the basics. Google Drive already gives you a reliable place to store files, and its search is decent. But it doesn’t have built-in tagging. That’s where Google Vision AI and a bit of Python came into play.

Here’s the setup I ended up with.

1. Save Images to Google Drive:

I’ve got a folder where I dump all the images I want to keep.

2. Run a Python Script:

The script took me an afternoon to write (with the help of AI). It looks through the specific folder for images that don’t already have a description.

It then uses Google Vision AI to analyse each image and generate “tags”.

3. Tagging Through Descriptions:

Google Drive lets you add descriptions to files. These can hold a ton of characters. 15,000 or more!

So the script adds the tags there. Now I can just search for keywords in Drive, and everything comes up.

One of the coolest moments was when I tested it with this Calvin and Hobbes comic strip.

The AI not only tagged it as “Calvin and Hobbes” but also picked up on “Spaceman Spiff,” one of the characters in the series.

To demonstrate how amazing that is… the comic didn’t even have Spaceman Spiff in it! But the AI made the connection based on the broader context. That’s when I knew this could really work.

What I Learned Along the Way

This project turned out to be about more than just saving a few quid on subscriptions. Here are some of the unexpected wins:

• Cost Savings:

Obviously, I’m not paying for mymind anymore. That’s £12.99 a month saved, which adds up.

• Customisation:

This solution is built for exactly what I need. No extra features, no fluff.

• Skill Building:

Writing the script taught me a lot about using APIs and integrating AI tools. It’s one of those projects where you come away feeling like you’ve levelled up a bit 🎮

I’ve kept the setup simple for now.

The script runs automatically on my MacBook every Sunday at 3pm.

I’m thinking about hosting it on a server or using something like PythonAnywhere to make it even easier to use.

I’m not sharing this because I think everyone should ditch their subscriptions and build things themselves. If it works for you, great!

But if you’ve ever felt like you’re paying for features you don’t need, or if you enjoy the challenge of building something custom, this might inspire you to try it for yourself.

Want to See the Script?

Here’s the deal: I’d love to share this with anyone who’s genuinely interested.

If you want the script and some quick instructions, send me an email and let me know. I’ll send it your way and might even make a little video to walk you through it.

Final Thoughts

Sometimes, the best tools are the ones you make yourself. For me, this project was about solving a specific problem, saving money, and nerding out along the way.

If you’ve got a tool you’re not fully using, maybe it’s time to ask yourself if you can build it yourself.

And if you’ve got questions, or just want to geek out about Python, automation, or Calvin and Hobbes, my inbox is always open.