Do I Like The Filofax Garden Collection?

 

It has to be said, I really am a "Crazy Plant Lady". I live in a one-room studio flat in London and I have more than 50 houseplants. No exaggeration. In fact, the two things I am looking forward to most are the end of lockdown and the growing season, so that I can go to my favourite garden centres and buy more plants. 

Actually, my plant obsession is far worse than my Filofax obsession. I know, it's blasphemous to say that on here. What am I doing running a planner blog? I should be writing about monstera deliciosas, fertilizer, and terracotta vs. plastic pots.

You can imagine my delight when I first laid my eyes on The Garden Collection by Filofax. I WANT! ...was my first instinct, which I suspect was the brand's main aim when designing this attractive collection. I resisted the indulgence though, because I have learned over the years that I am a one-planner girl, and despite trying a few out, pretty planners aren't really my thing. 

However... that doesn't mean I don't want to gush about this new collection, because it is gorgeous. I have lots to say about it, so keep reading.

Filofax Garden Planners With Inverted Designs!

I really like the fact that Filofax is offering two versions of this planner with almost inverted designs. I can see that many planner people today love variety, and it is common to swap in and out of planners to suit the mood or season like we do with clothes!

I don't do this myself (with clothes or planners) because I'm boring and I get sentimental about the planner and system that works best for me. The customers of today though don't seem to be precious about sticking to a single identity, and Filofax has been cashing in on this fact for a while now. They come out with a variety of fun designs sporadically that are not only seasonal but also very affordable, making it even easier for planner addicts to satisfy their addictions and grow their collections. Hats off to Filofax!

I think that the inverted designs that Filofax has gone for in this collection are great. My favourite is the dark green one because it feels more "planty" to me and the pink interior is a pretty contrast. The alternative design has a lovely spring feel to it, which I think will appeal to lots of you as the weather continues to get milder and the sun begins to shine. Which is your favourite and why? Tell me in the comments below!

Filofax Are Now Doing More Themed Accessories!

This might be the thing I like most about the new collections that Filofax is bringing out at the moment. In fact, I am surprised that Filofax hasn't latched onto this sooner... Stickers, washi tape, sticky notes, matching pens, cute dividers, and stencils... and the zipped pen case is spot on! This is what the planner world today is really about - It is what's inside of our planners and how we use them that counts the most. You guys want functional planner supplies that are as attractive as your actual planner. Am I right? 

I remember a time when the online planner community made a shift from being just functional to also being decorative and a means of self-expression and creativity. Suddenly I was seeing decorated planner spreads, featuring heavily with stickers and washi tape. I have noticed that the trend is edging towards minimalist and more coordinated designs now. The collections that Filofax are coming out with appeal to our need to be more organised in a visual way due to the chaotic nature of our lives, whilst still enjoying some creativity and self-expression.

We have had to embrace a new way of doing and thinking about things due to all of the restrictions of pandemic life. There has been a stronger focus on the home with new work-from-home set-ups, online businesses and homeschooling during lockdowns. For many of us having a planner system that we want to use makes us feel positive and less overwhelmed as we can see what needs to be done without too much distraction. All of this is becoming more and more important.

My Conclusion

I hope that Filofax continue to build on their accessories and planning supplies. You can see how much the brand's identity is changing with many of their new products becoming more and more accessible to people due to the variety of designs and products, not to mention the lower prices. Filofax seems to be maintaining the quality of their products too which is great.

It has been nice to see them targeting a much younger audience, particularly those still in education, with the notebook ranges and customizable clipbooks. I just hope that those of us who prefer a more traditional and classic look and approach to planning, and especially men who enjoy using planners, don't get left behind. The look and feel of the Filofax website these days are certainly leaning far more towards the younger and feminine side, that's for sure.

Will I be treating myself to anything from The Garden Collection? Well, I might be tempted to make a few naughty purchases when I get some money through, I'm pretty broke at the moment. The garden-themed zipped pen case insert was what I was most attracted to. The washi tapes and pen are cute too. Filofax, if you are reading this, feel free to get in touch to send freebies for reviewing - I use an A5 Filofax planner!

And the last word for my readers - Don't forget to comment below if you enjoyed reading this, and share your own impressions of The Garden Collection and similar collections that have followed. Would you like to read a post on those? Let me know what your ideas are on what my next post should be about!

If you are thinking of purchasing any Filofax products and you have enjoyed reading my blog, you can click on any of the images in this post to be taken straight to the Filofax website, and I will receive a lovely bit of revenue (at no extra cost to you) on any purchases that you make. Your support is always appreciated! Thank you, Zara M. | Filofancy, Life On Paper

Product images courtesy of Filofax.

Kids Filofax Style Planner Flip-Through

A Purple Themed Filofax Style Planner For Kids

What better way to treat a younger member of the family than with the gift of a Filofax style planner and lots of goodies? In this post we'll look at this pretty planner I bought for my niece, and also explore why scrapbooking and journaling can help children to express how they are feeling in healthy ways during the coronavirus lockdown.

I consider my niece to still be a kid, but the fact that her new favourite colour is purple instead of pink suggests that she may be edging into teenhood. She is 12 years old, but still quite young at heart and in mind. Aside from the colour purple, she is also obsessed with cats. So I thought I would treat her to a little lockdown gift, as she has been struggling a little with the isolation.

Oh, who am I kidding, this was a total indulgence in my own Filofax addiction. It was a blatant excuse for a guilt-free planner haul, and yes I experienced weeks of joy ordering purple and cat-themed goodies to fill this adorable lilac planner. Honestly, this project had nothing to do with my niece, we all know the truth, but let's not tell her that, eh? Ahem! Now that I have got that off my chest, let's carry on with the post, shall we?

A Fun Filofax For Kids (Who Remembers The Funfax?)

When I was putting together this little thing of beauty, I had no idea how my niece would use it. I'm not sure what a 12-year-old would need a planner for, especially during a pandemic lockdown when she has no school and no life. So my only plan of action was to fill it with cuteness.

Who remembers Funfaxes? When I was about my niece's age, maybe a little younger, I can't remember, there were these things that resembled Filofaxes, but they were for kids. I always wanted one, but I never had the pleasure of owning a Funfax. Did you? If you are old enough to remember them, leave a comment under this post!

Conveniently, my niece's new favourite colour - purple - isn't difficult to work with. Firstly, I found this bargain Filofax style planner on eBay for under a tenner, brand new, and such a beautiful lilac colour, it was spot on! When it arrived I was very pleased with the quality too, the rings are nice and firm and the material felt like leather, even though it wasn't.

Initially, I thought it was pocket-sized because the eBay description was a little misleading, so I got a bit of a surprise when it arrived in the post. I had already ordered pocket-sized inserts too, so that was a waste. But after seeing the personal size I decided that she would enjoy the extra space, and it was still small enough not to feel overwhelming for her.

Planner Set Up For Kids

I purchased lilac Filofax paper inserts to match the planner and went for the blank paper because I know that my niece loves to draw. I also got some fun purple pompom paperclips for a "tween" vibe, and a big pink bow with a rose gold clip for a bit of girly class and style.

My next mission was to fill the planner with cute cats in order to inspire my niece to make her own inserts. So out came the Pets At Home magazines, and I cut out the cutest kitties to stick in. I made secret pockets, inspiring page layouts, removable flowery tabs, and a cat-themed folder for purple sparkly heart stickers.

I then used my new Paperang Thermal Printer to print off bespoke stickers, using anime/manga pictures of girls with cats that I found on Pinterest, because I know that my niece loves to read anime/manga comics. This would help to make the planner feel more personal to her straight away.

By the time I had finished creating this purple explosion of creativity, I had that familiar feeling. It was the same feeling I got when I purchased a Filofax for my sister many years ago. You remember it don't you? It was bright red, and when it arrived in the post I fell totally in love! It was the time I bought my sister a Filofax and kept it! Yeah, well those were the feelings I was getting towards this precious little lilac planner. 

I did, however, manage to part with my creation, and give the lilac planner to my niece. She was thrilled. Now all I have to do is make sure that she doesn't lose interest in it. Not everyone is a die-hard Filofax addict, after all. 

How To Encourage Children To Express Their Emotions In A Healthy Way

I think that scrapbooking and journaling is such a rewarding and therapeutic hobby for adults, and kids can also benefit from this creative activity. The thing with young humans is that they have shorter attention spans and can sometimes lack motivation or direction. This doesn't mean that you can't get them into using a scrapbook or journal to record their thoughts and feelings in a fun and creative way.

Now is the perfect time to provide children with an opportunity to express themselves, as being stuck at home with siblings or by themselves if they are an only child, and not being able to see their friends is tough. Children don't always know how to express how they feel, so it can be more difficult for them to deal with their feelings during this time. Those feelings may come out in different ways. Maybe a child becomes more introverted, or starts to act out?

How To Help Children To Process Their Feelings Through Creative Activities

My niece was struggling with her feelings, and so her mum told her to go to her room and put all of her feelings down onto paper. She suggested her to write a poem or a letter.

After a little while, my niece came downstairs to show her mum what she has written. It was a beautiful heartfelt letter, and surprisingly reflective and empathetic.

In another exercise, she wrote a surprising poem that expressed her resentment toward the coronavirus.


I am hoping that they will dig out a book that I bought for my niece's birthday a couple of years ago to encourage her natural talent and interest in writing poetry. Unfortunately at the time she was a little young for the book, but perhaps now she would find it useful and inspiring. It's a great book for helping kids to express themselves with words.

You can click on the image to flip through the book on the Amazon website. My affiliate link will also earn me a little bit of revenue if you decide to make a purchase while you are over there.

Writing down her thoughts in a creative way helped my niece to express and understand her feelings, and afterwards she felt much better. She also felt more connected to her mum after they had read the letter and poem together and talked about it. I think it's important to connect properly with kids right now, as being away from school, friends and teachers can make them feel lonely.

I really wanted to encourage my niece to continue expressing herself in this way. I have always loved to write in journals and draw in sketchbooks and collect things in scrapbooks, and my niece is super creative too.

How To Inspire Kids To Use A Journal Or Scrapbook

Every child and every family is different, and you may not find my tips useful or relevant. So I thought that I would just share what I am doing with my niece, and if it inspires you, then - hurrah!

• Be creative together - Whether your child wants to write thoughts or poetry in a journal, draw pictures in a sketchbook, or stick things down in a scrapbook, there is nothing better than doing it together. My sister uses a planner and collects stickers. She also loves to draw, and so this is something that they can sit down to do at the same time. Spending quality time doing things together can help to motivate and direct younger children Despite being separate because of the coronavirus lockdown, we have found a way for my niece and me to spend productive time together. Once a week I do one of her homeschooling lessons with her using Skype so that we can see each other and discuss the topics together. We always do her English homework so that the task is creative and fun. It's a bit like having a teacher or doing work with her classmates.

• Set a regular time - Sometimes, making journaling or creativity a habit can help to create consistency. In order to encourage my niece to enjoy her new purple planner regularly, I have decided to put together some "Happy Mail" for my niece once a week. I will drop it off at her house so that she can enjoy new stickers and goodies to use in her new planner. This will help to keep the activity fresh and exciting. If you want to do something similar for your kids you could find a suitable subscription box to sign up to so that they can enjoy receiving something in the mail every week, fortnight, or month.

• Provide a fun, easy, and creative prompts list - As you probably know, a journal or planner can be intimidating when you are not used to using one. Sometimes you simply have no idea what to write, draw, or stick in! A prompts list is a great way to spark creativity and inspire children to lose their inhibitions and enjoy themselves. Some prompts might include writing a journal entry, poem, or drawing a picture about their day. Drawing meals can be a fun way to journal. What about providing the first sentence for your child to continue? For example, "If I could have a pet cat..."

Planner Silent Flip through

I've also filmed a flip through of the planner, check it out...

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE !

Thank you for reading my blog. Please leave your thoughts in the comments below if you enjoyed reading my post. Tell me what you thought of my lilac, cat-themed Filofax style planner...


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Filofax Planner A5 Ebony Classic Croc Product Review

I now have the ultimate pleasure of owning this stunner. It is the A5 Ebony Classic Croc Filofax, and I am officially besotted. Let me tell you more...

There is no better feeling than making your dreams come true, and this has been a dream of mine for a little while now. So you can imagine how eager I am to share the love. This is Filofancy's personal product review for the A5 Ebony Classic Croc Filofax. I'm going to tell you, in great detail as usual, what I love about it, and what I love a little less about it.

Filofax Packaging & Presentation

I did purchase this beauty unused on eBay for a lovely bargain price, it has to be said. I can't imagine why whoever had it didn't want it, because I think it is simply beautiful. Mine came in all of the original packagings so I am able to fully comment on what I think about the presentation.

The first A5 Filofax I purchased for myself about 10 years ago was an Aqua Chameleon and it came in a lovely hard board sleeve. You can see my quaint unboxing HERE, I was so young and silly :) So when I received this recent planner I was very excited to find that it came in rather smart dark blue presentation box, with a cute icons pattern printed all over it, and discrete Filofax branding in gold in the centre of the lid. I'm very pleased to have a box, they are super useful. I'll probably keep it to store any inserts and paper refills that I am not using but want to swap in and out of the planner every now and then.

When I opened the box the planner was wrapped in a thin sheet of padding, which was quite exciting, giving it an expensive gifty kind of vibe. And then the planner itself had the standard clear cover wrapped around the cover to protect the leather.


First Impressions Of The A5 Classic Croc Filofax

Once I had removed all of the packagings I took a moment to appreciate the familiar leather aroma. I love that smell. It reminds me of my father who used to run a leather factory. I didn't grow up with my father, and he wasn't around very much, but the smell of leather will always take me right back to those days. Like the smell of pipe tobacco, and that wonderful smell you get of the interior of new cars.

But back to the Filofax...


The leather cover was soft and textured as I held it in my hands for the first time. That matt croc texture just makes you want to caress it a little before you move on to open it up. I noted that it seemed a little bigger than my A5 Chameleon in my hands, and a little more flexible, but not so much that it is floppy. Overall, as I held it, it felt substantial, like it was an object of significance, an understated statement piece, classy, and not too bling for me.

I think the fact that the leather is matt and not shiny gives it that understated vibe, and it is the croc pattern that then brings it back into "statement piece" territory. So far so good.


Inside Layout Of The A5 Classic Croc Filofax Planner

I opened the planner up and placed it on the table. It doesn't lay flush flat against the surface due to a slight bulge of the spine, but it lays open fine and I don't have a problem with it at all. I think this is because the A5 size has enough weight on the wide cover flaps to hold them down by themselves. I don't know if it would act the same with the personal or pocket-sized planners, as I don't have them to compare.

The inside view of the planner is beautiful. It just looks like pure luxury. The croc design continues across the whole of the inside and outside of the planner, but inside each of the pockets, there is the black lining, which I like. You can't see the black lining unless you pull the pockets apart and peek inside.

I was drawn first to the zipped pocket on the left-hand side. The embossed gold branding says: "Filofax, Classic Croc, A5 Organiser, Italian Leather" and makes the inside cover look expensive. The zip is plain black and unobtrusive, with the zip hidden neatly behind a croc leather tab at the bottom that is part of the pocket material. When the pocket unzips it becomes apparent that it has a gusset at the base, unlike the zipped pocket on my A5 Chameleon. This allows the pocket to open much wider. I like this a lot because it expands the potential of this feature. I find myself wondering how I am going to use it when I set the planner up.

Next to the zip there is a pen loop, and I note that there is also another pen loop in the same position on the other side of the planner. I like that the pen loops are higher up on the planner instead of central. They are both fully elasticated, and the extra piece of croc leather sewn separately to the elastic on the outside in order to hide it is a nice touch, adding to the luxury of the product as a whole. It is always the small details that make such a difference.

Underneath the zipped pocket, there is a full-length pocket with the opening on the inside. I like the fact that the pocket feels nice and roomy due to the flexible leather. On the other side of the planner, there are two more full-length pockets with openings on the inside. The bottom is wider, with the one on top more narrow giving the impression of steps. The narrow top pocket also has vertical card slots positioned down the full length of the pocket. There are nine card slots in total, and again, due to the flexible leather, they are fairly easy to get into, although not the easiest design I have come across. I do find myself thinking it would have been nice if the bottom slot was deeper like in my A5 Chameleon, just for some variety. I don't have nine cards, so I will be thinking about alternative ways to use these.

The extra back pocket runs along the full length of the planner cover, and it is slightly curved at the top, which I think is an attractive design feature, softening the lines. There is a lot of space in this back pocket and I am looking forward to thinking of ways to put it to good use. It is the perfect size to store A4 sheets on their side without having to fold a sharp crease down the middle.

The rings are silver, and I am surprised to find that they are so much bigger than the rings in my A5 Chameleon. I think my A5 Chameleon rings must be 2.5cm from the insides, and the A5 Classic Croc is 3cm. This makes the overall size and feels of the Classic Croc bigger than my Chameleon. It is fatter due to the rings and the back pocket. The width of the cover is ever so slightly wider too. I am very happy with the overall size. The planner also has a wide snap fastening, meaning that this is a Filofax that can truly be stuffed.


Favourite Features Of The A5 Classic Croc Filofax

If I had to choose one feature that I think sets this planner apart from the others that I have owned, it would be a very difficult decision because there are quite a few. But the top thing that stands out for me, perhaps, would be the leather.

I am a big "leather lover", which was one of the reasons I disappeared off the Filofax scene for a while. I fell in love with the raw leather of the Midori Traveler's Notebooks. I did use The Filofax Original previously (a personal-sized brown one) but the leather experience of that one just didn't really do it for me. Not like my TN did.

I am very pleased to say that the leather of this Classic Croc is quite unusual. I think its the flexible nature and the texture of the croc print design that makes it extra tactile, and that is one of the things I love about certain leather products. The other thing is the smell. So good. So familiar.

Another feature that excites me about this planner is the zipped pocket because it fits my brand new Kindle Paperwhite in it perfectly. In fact it is almost as if it was made with the Kindle in mind! I am absolutely thrilled about that. The kindle also adds a little bit more structure to the front cover, although I like it both ways.

I also think the large rings look great, as well as being extra functional. The size of the rings makes them look like more of a feature in comparison to the smaller rings on my A5 Chameleon. This Ebony version is also hands down my favourite of the colour options, although I haven't seen the others in person, only online. My impression is that the matt black is discrete, classy and expensive-looking, which is exactly what I was hoping for.


What Would I Change About The A5 Classic Croc Filofax?

If given the full power of the Filofax Gods to change anything I liked about the A5 Classic croc Filofax design, there are just a few things that I might like to point out.

The first concern is regarding the pen loops. I do love the fact that the pen loops are elasticated, and the extra detail of the leather piece that conceals the elastic really is lovely. However, I am always ever so slightly nervous about elastic pen loops due to the worry that over time, and depending on what pens I put in them, that the elastic may wear or expand.

I do realise that the elastic used by Filofax is very thick and seems durable, but this is just a small concern that might put me off using them altogether, for fear of ruining them. I am sure I am just over-thinking it though, and probably being a little precious because the planner is so new and fancy, and I don't want it to ever get old. I wonder if anyone else has had the experience of the Filofax fully-elasticated pen loops? If you have, please share your experiences in the comments below, as I would love to read them.

I also wonder if the pen loop on the left-hand side will get in the way of the zipped pocket once it has a pen in it? I probably won't end up using that one. I do have a rather nice black leather pencil case, so I may not even end up using the other pen loop. We shall just have to wait and see.

Secondly, I do wonder if Filofax has gone a bit overboard on the number of card slots inside the back cover? I can understand having more in a smaller planner that might be used as a wallet. I never use the card slots for cards, especially in the A5 size, but they do come in handy for sticky notes and things like that. For this reason, if I were to adapt the design slightly I might think about adding a bit of variety to the depth of these little pockets to make them slightly more versatile.

Another thing that I am finding to be a bit annoying is trying to open the rings with the top and bottom metal tabs. I don't know if this is down to the flexibility of the leather, the size of the rings, or a fault that is specific to my planner. Or maybe I am just really weak, or I don't have the correct technique. Opening the rings has not been an easy task for me though. It is even more awkward when there is paper on both sides. I didn't have this problem with my A5 Chameleon, the rings opened very firmly and I didn't have to faff. Maybe I just need more practice with the slightly bigger rings. I hope it's not a fault. Maybe that was why the eBay seller wanted to part with it? Thankfully there is no sign of gaps in the rings, which is always a blessing.


In Summary

My overall opinion of the A5 Ebony Classic Croc Filofax Planner is that it has proudly met my expectations and earned a permanent position in my collection. I just love it, and I am thoroughly looking forward to writing another post to show you how I am putting it to work. If you are thinking of buying one yourself, I think you should go for it. It is a real treat. In fact, I am even considering purchasing a smaller one as well. Perhaps the pocket size. It would be so adorable as a wallet!

Filofax has not sponsored this review post, and I purchased the planner out of my own pocket. However, I have an affiliate link below that will take you to the Filofax website, and any purchases you make while over there will earn me a humble bit of revenue (which doesn't affect you at all). That would make me rather happy :) The other way to make me smile is to leave a comment below because I love to read and respond to them, they really do make my day.

Click HERE and I will take you to the Filofax website!

I hope you have enjoyed reading about my new love, and I look forward to showing her to you again soon.

Click HERE to read my Minimalist Planner Tips

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Minimalist Planner Tips

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You know you really mean business when you splurge on a fancy new Filofax planner...

Yep, I went ahead and did it. After much deliberation and guilt-induced delay, I decided to be totally crazy and purchase myself the DREAM Filofax planner. We all have a dream planner that haunts us until we give in to our self-indulgent desires. I could bear it no longer. So I just did it.

The Filofax I have chosen is an A5 Ebony Classic Croc Filofax, and it was a bit of a bargain on Ebay, so I don't feel toooooo bad. I wanted a large black planner for my business. I chose this one because it is both smart and stylish, which translates to minimalist and sexy, as opposed to business-like and boring. Its the kind of planner that makes me take myself seriously, but it also makes me feel kind of cool.

I won't go into too much detail about the planner itself, because I want to talk about my new minimalist approach to planning in this article. But if you would like me to write a product review on the A5 Ebony Classic Croc Filofax, with my initial observations and thoughts, let me know in the comments below!


What Is Minimalism To Me?

First off I just want to get one thing straight. I am not really a minimalist. At least not one of the hardcore extreme kinds of minimalists who have Youtube channels dedicated to their cult.

When we talk about being a minimalist, people often associate it with getting rid of everything you own and only living with the bare minimum of personal belongings.

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay 

Perhaps we imagine a minimalist's wardrobe to be sparse and consisting of just black and white and a range of grey tones. A minimalist's house is probably free of clutter and they like to incorporate habits into their lives, such as meditation, mono-meals, and judging whether or not to donate belongings that don't "bring them joy" when they hold them close and contemplate them.

The truth is that minimalism to me is really just a state of mind and a set of habits that allow me to keep my mind as clear as possible so that I can focus on the things that are important to me. 

There are no set rules, but the general guide is to be mindful and intentional of what you own and how you choose to do things. Essentially the mantra is "Less is more".

So no, I am not an extreme "minimalist", my wardrobe says it all, but I do like to adopt minimalist values and methods in certain areas of my life, like work, because it helps to clear clutter and calm my mind. It makes me feel better, and it helps me to more clearly visualise my goals, and be more productive in order to achieve the things that make me happy.


Why Be A Minimalist Planner?

When it comes to planning our lives or our businesses all we are trying to do is focus on our goals and achieve them. It is easy to get distracted though, and one of the reasons that so many people find planning and planners to be overwhelming is that these awesome binders have the potential to create organisation systems that are far too complicated than they need to be. In fact, sometimes they can make us feel seriously disorganised! Know what I mean?

I am the kind of person who easily becomes overwhelmed with ideas, projects, tasks and life in general. This is because I am very creative and I have high expectations of myself, which is probably the case for so many other women. Often my creativity is on overdrive and my expectations are unrealistic. This is where a minimalist approach to planning really helps me.

Being a writer and an artist makes it difficult for me to escape clutter because I love to express myself. Unfortunately, my self-expression and creativity can get in the way of my productivity. I get carried away, ending far off the road I was meant to take with an idea, task or project. A minimalist approach to planning, however, is a bit like having someone to reign me back in and get me back on task.

Image by StockSnap from Pixabay 

Are you a bit like me? Do you get carried away with all the possibilities, and the beauty, and the potential, until you find yourself wading in the middle of it all drowning? If you also feel like you could probably benefit from having your own personal assistant from time to time, keep reading for some minimalist planner tips from me. You can be your own awesome personal assistant.


Have A Planner Just For Work

This is a bit of a debate. To have just the one planner for everything, or to have a separate planner for everything - that is the question. You might think that a minimalist would choose to have just one planner for everything, wanting to own as few things as possible, and keep life as less complicated as possible. But I actually think the answer is to have a separate planner for work, school, or a bigger project.

The minimalist approach is linked very closely to mindfulness. Mindfulness is all about focusing your energy on one task at a time and tackling it with intention, even if all you are doing is making and eating your lunch. Enjoying the whole process of making and eating lunch should be an experience in itself so that you can fully appreciate it with all of your attention and senses.

The same can go for your work or projects. If you run your own business or have an ongoing home project that requires a lot of thought, planning, and execution, you will be more productive if you are able to separate it from other areas of your life.

Having a planner just for work or just for a project can help you to shut out all external noise and focus on your goals. For some people having a section in their main planner dedicated to that work or project is enough. But if you really want to focus on the growth of your business or the progress of a project, then having a separate planner can double as separate headspace.

Image by Jess Watters from Pixabay 

The Filofax planner that I have bought is going to be solely for my personal creative business ventures.  These are the ventures that I want to focus on developing so that one day they might take over and allow me to give up the freelance work I do for other people.

I want to keep my businesses separate from my main freelance writing work. Freelance writing is what brings in most of my income, but freelance writing isn't my main passion. I love to write, but what I really want to do is write my own content on the things that I feel passionate about.

I also want to keep my businesses separate from everyday life stuff, because being creative at heart means that I always have new interests and hobbies. It can get pretty confusing when the line between what is "business" and what is "pleasure" gets blurred. I often end up trying to make businesses out of my hobbies, and that's crazy, seeing as I am essentially a one-woman-band.

I chose an A5 planner because I knew that I wanted to have plenty of space for brainstorming ideas, designing content and products, and organising projects. I wanted a ring binder in which I would be able to keep everything together in one place at home.

If you have a business or project that you want to start taking more seriously and dedicating more time to, I highly recommend using a separate planner. It really does help to keep things separate in your head so that you don't become overwhelmed. Planner overwhelm is still something that you might encounter though, and we will discuss this in the next section.


Start Afresh To Avoid Planner Overwhelm

When I got my first A5 size Filofax (that was the A5 Aqua Chameleon that sparked the birth of the Filofancy Blog - Read more about that HERE), I was subdued and frustrated to find that I couldn't seem to "gel" with my planner. I didn't feel at home with it at all, and in the end, I was never able to use it effectively, no matter how many times I came back to it over the years.

I now know that becoming comfortable in a planner of any size is a process. You have to get to know yourself and the way you like to plan. Just because you have bought yourself a pretty Filofax, or another planner system, it doesn't mean that all of your organisational problems are solved. It's actually quite the opposite, and you are only at the beginning of your planner journey.

Now that I know this, I am taking a different approach with my new A5 Filofax in order to avoid planner overwhelm. Anyone who is not used to using ring binders to plan their work or everyday lives can become subject to planner overwhelm, and it is simply because you are not familiar enough with your setup to use it to your advantage.

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay 

The first step you need to take in order to combat your planner overwhelm is to gut your planner. Most Filofaxes when bought new come with a range of inserts. If you have already been attempting to use a Filofax then you will have accumulated a few more inserts. No matter how long you have been using your planner, if you feel like you are not using it effectively, take everything out.

We are starting afresh.


Create A Dashboard

The first thing you see when you open your planner is very important. This first insert is going to set the tone for your whole planner, so you want to consider carefully what to place here.

We all use our planners for different things, and one of the best things about them is how they allow us to express our individuality. Even if you are aiming to go for a more minimalist approach to your planning, you can still express your personality in your planner. Remember, minimalism isn't about stripping you of character, it is about clearing unnecessary clutter so that you can see more clearly and function more easily. You get to decide what that clutter is though.

So if you feel that a picture of your beautiful family or dog is what is going to inspire you most when you open up your planner, go ahead and create a dashboard that allows you to attach a photo onto it.

As you can see from the main picture at the top of this post, I have chosen a very simple and plain dashboard. It is a white sheet of paper inside a clear envelope insert, with the word "INBOX" printed vertically on the right-hand-side. On top of it, I have used a rose gold mini binder clip to attach a plain white sheet of personal-sized Filofax paper, and it is here that I will write a list of things that I need to do or remember.

For me, my dashboard is a space where I can clip notes before I decide what I need to do with them. For example, I might write a few tasks and clip them there until I have more time to think about where I need to schedule those tasks into my week or month in the relevant diary section of my planner.

Image by bluebudgie from Pixabay 

A dashboard is like a pinboard where you can temporarily pin things and take action later on. There are other ways you can use a dashboard though. Some people prefer to have a dashboard that functions only as an attractive cover page. Others like to have a pockets insert where they can slip sticky notes or journal cards for prompts and inspiration. Maybe you would like to use yours as a vision board for your project that will shift you into the right mindset when you open your planner do get to work.

Essentially your dashboard is your starting point. So take some time to think about what will work best for you. Getting your first page right will help you to feel more connected to your planner.


Design Your Planner System As You Go

The next thing I did with my Filofax was to fill it with plain white paper and a "Today" Filofax ruler/page marker. Because we are taking a minimalist approach to planning, we are doing things one step at a time. There is no need to get ahead of ourselves. We don't need to fill the planner with dividers and printed inserts yet, because that is quickly going to lead to planner overwhelm, and you will be back where you started. At this stage, we are still getting to know each other, and I don't yet know what inserts are going to be useful for my work.

If you already know that you are going to need a calendar, a monthly or weekly diary insert, or contact lists, then go ahead and pop those in next. I have filled mine with blank paper because I know that I am going to want to design and make my own inserts as and when I need them. I have already decided that I want to have a way of scheduling in blog posts to be published on my three separate blogs, and so I am now thinking carefully as to what is the best way of achieving this. I am contemplating a calendar on one or two pages, but first I want to make sure that I design one that will serve all of my needs. If I don't get it right, it will annoy me, and ultimately distract me from my goals. This is going to take some research first.

Image by Miesha Moriniere from Pixabay 

When you want to develop a connection with your Filofax and build a planning system that really works well for you, take your time, and get to know your needs before filling your planner up with pretty things. Because if you don't think it through properly, then you risk choosing inserts that won't work well for you, and that can be very frustrating. there is nothing worse than having a planner that isn't functional for you.


Find Inspiration From Other Planners But Don't Just Copy

I really enjoy reading blogs and watching videos to find out what works for other people. It is so satisfying to find little tips and tricks that will inspire you to create a planner system that you love. But it is very easy to get carried away and try to make your Filofax look and function just like your favourite blogger's or vlogger's planner. You will end up adding lots of very pretty but useless accessories that only function to distract you from your goals.

The trick, when adding something new to your planner, in order to keep your planner minimal and functional, is to always ask yourself - how will I use this in my planner? There is no point in being seduced by cute sticky notes if you don't really have a functional use for them in your planner. Not everybody uses sticky notes after all.

Image by Alexandra_Koch from Pixabay 

Maybe you don't even need to use standard dividers in your planner? A standard set of 6 tabbed dividers can add too much pressure if you are not ready to commit to having 6 sections in your planner that you will legitimately put to good use. If this is the case, you could try only keeping in two or three, and adding the rest as, when, and if you need them.

It is also important to stay true to yourself. You will never bond with your planner if it doesn't feel like "you". I have done this so many times in the past, and I have ended up with a Filofax that just doesn't feel right. It might be down to the colours, the fonts, the accessories, and sometimes even the planner cover itself. Always try to be honest with yourself about whether or not your planner is really speaking to you, or whether you liked the ideas better when you were admiring them in someone else's planner online.

It is easy to lose yourself when there is so much creativity out there to inspire you. Minimalist planning is about cutting out the clutter and getting to the bones of what YOU need and want. Create a planner that is going to help you realise and reach your goals, and not one that is just going to look attractive but distract you from your true desires.


My Top 3 Rules Of Planner Minimalism

1. Start with a blank canvas and only add functional things you love, when you need them
2. Declutter so that you can see your goals more clearly
3. Don't try to be somebody else. You are the best version of yourself.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this post, and taken a few tips away with you. Please feel free to leave your comments below as it always makes me happy to read and reply to them!

Have you seen my Journaling Tips for Filofax and Ring Planner Users?

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Filofax, Planners & Traveler's Notebook Lovers - Welcome Back!

Why I left the online "Planner Addict" Community... and why I came back!

The good old days...

There was a time when my obsession with Filofaxes and Traveler's Notebooks was fuelled by Youtube unboxing videos, Pinterest image bingeing. and of course the deliciously bad influence of all my fellow Facebook group nutters posting pics of the planners and notebooks that I desperately wanted, talking about their insane relationships with 'organisational systems'... it was bliss. I had found a cult of people just like me, and I was happy :)

A downward spiral...

But then something changed. The groups became less interesting to me the bigger they grew. They felt less personal somehow, and people began to post things I didn't really want to see.

In the Filofax groups there was a lot of pink happening, and washi tape. I felt like everyone's planner was beginning to look rather similar.

I also didn't like the new designs that Filofax were bringing out. They just didn't seem very authentic to me, with their pretty patterns, their bold or pastel colours, their fabrics and plastic-looking covers.

To be frank, I was sick of seeing them everywhere, and I was sick of seeing people's weekly spreads, all colour coordinated and perfect (is that really how planning is? Is that really what life looks like? My planner very rarely looks like this, and if it does it's because I have gone back and decorated everything, which is something I had never even thought of doing before.

Even darker times...

I was even more disillusioned when the Traveler's Notebooks groups on Facebook seemed to take a similar direction.

When Ray Blake first started to make his Raydori's I was admittedly excited. It was cool to see one of the original crew doing something he enjoyed, making his own versions of a product I love. I think it is a great inspiration to see a person's creative journey, and of course I was thrilled when he made me a Raydori for my 30th birthday! It was blue and it had my name embossed on the front, I still use it. I also liked that Ray has made a name for himself and was hand-manufacturing a great product.

But then other TN-makers started to pop up out of the woodwork, making their own versions in all the colours of the rainbow, and in a variety of different materials. It was fun at first, but I soon realised that I wasn't feeling good about all of this so called development. What was once a cool and original brand, a product with a purpose and a sense of identity, was being transformed into a rainbow coloured glitter fest full of washi tape and cutesy nonsense, that anyone and everyone was selling in their Etsy shops. 

I like Classic, Sophisticated Simplicity... and a nice cup of tea!

Rock Bottom...

Perhaps what upset me the most was that not only did I feel increasingly disconnected with these online communities, I was feeling more and more disconnected with my planners, my journals, and even with myself. I didn't belong in this rat race. I tried to fit in, but in the end I felt lost and incomplete. I couldn't figure out how to connect with my own planners and Notebooks, and the platforms I had always gone to for inspiration or reassurance, weren't really there anymore. So I silently bid everyone goodbye and disappeared.

Reborn...

It has been a few years now, and I am always quite fascinated to see how my blog has survived, despite my absence. It still gets a healthy number of views each day, even though I haven't added content or linked to posts in simply ages.

I had a right giggle when I watched the handful of Youtube videos I created back in the day. I realised how much I have grown up. I now have to wear specs to work on my laptop, and I have a halo of grey! But more importantly, I feel that I have grown into myself. I have my own sense of identity. I like myself. I am confident and secure in who I am, what I think, and what I want. I am even, more consistent with the way I use my planners & journals these days - In fact I have come to realise something important...

Enlightenment...

It's not about what planner you have, or even the way you use it, these things are not important or worth planner meltdowns or expensive shopping sprees. 

It is about YOU and your life.

Do you feel that the material items you own reflect who you are? Do they make you feel good and are they tools which empower you to do great things and make the most of your life? Or are you just working hard and then spending lots of money on things you don't need in order to fill a hole? Think about it.

New Beginnings...

I want to recreate my platform. Filofancy has grown up, and it is time to celebrate and share how I have come to use planners, journals, notebooks etc. to explore and express myself, reflect on my life, and plan for what I want to achieve next.

I hope that I can use my creativity to inspire you to find yourself, to help you organise your own thoughts and ideas, and live your life to the full.

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Filofax rant part 2 – Review of The Original Filofax in patent fuchsia cont. (video)

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE!

After getting my rant out about the design of the Filofax Originals in my last video, I have come back with a more positive outlook and would like to share some of the solutions I've been thinking about.

WATCH PART 2 HERE

I hope you have enjoyed my critical review of this Filofax. I'd love to hear your thoughts on The Originals, so please feel free to share them in the comments below. I love to read and respond to all comments!

See you in the next post!

Loved it and want more?

Up next – A flip-through showing my planner setup in The Original Filofax

3 things I've learnt about 'planner peace'

Contents page: Explore all of my blog posts in one place!