I think the concept of a 'WTF notebook' is great, and I think writing down one's thoughts in general is a good idea. I also think that it helps formulate thoughts and communicate them in a more thoughtful not-in-the-heat-of-the-moment way.

However,

> For two weeks, that's all I do. I just write it down. I don't tell the team everything that I think they're doing wrong. I don't show up at retro with all the stuff I think they need to change. I just watch, and listen, and I write down everything that seems deeply weird.

> [...]

> Before I started keeping this kind of list, I brought up problem I saw immediately, as soon as I noticed it. The reputation I got was, "Nat's always complaining about things. Nat thinks we're never doing things right." People stopped listening to me. I was personally frustrated, and professionally ineffective.

Not bringing up things that you think could be improved in a retro.. that's pretty silly. If you are getting a reputation of 'always complaining', and coming across as 'telling people they are doing things wrong', etc. then you are just bad/unprofessional at communication.

Communicate things as 'I was thinking maybe we could do <X> better if <Y>, what do you think?' and make it a genuine discussion with people, rather than 'WTF <x>?' - especially when it is someone else's work and you want to remain on good terms with them.

You don't have to wait 2 weeks, compile a secret list and then bring it to your manager - though. You can communicate things that you think can be improved in a polite/respectful manner as they occur. Being on a team is about working together. If you cannot safely do that when communicating effectively, then you are with a terrible team/company.