How I use my Flex by Filofax



Flex is a notebook system by Filofax. It is quite different from the ring system that loyal Filofax users know and love, so I have decided to share my thoughts and experiences in a planner review.



This is a very old post and sadly Filofax don't make Flex notebooks any more. But I hope that you enjoy the nostalgia of this blog post and others I have published about Flex by Filofax.


I'm quite surprised at how little blogging and blogging coverage the Flex Filofaxes get. I mean, I think they're pretty cool. I love mine. Not as much as my beautiful A5 Chameleon Filofax mind you, but the Flex does seem to make a lot more sense to me.

I think this is because I am used to using bound notebooks and diaries, and so I have found it difficult to adjust to the ring planner system. My Chameleon Filofax continues to baffle me, and I still haven't figured out a system I am happy with. Although I am determined to make it work.

If you are unfamiliar with the Flex, you may wonder how to use them. So I am here to share how I use mine.



The A5 Flex by Filofax as my writer's notebook 


I wanted something smart that would compliment my writing journal

My writing journal is a big fat A5 notebook I bought from Paperchase a while back. It has a soft bendy black faux-leather cover and lots and lots of tiny-squared paper for all my notes and scribblings. It fits perfectly into the A5 Flex.




I like to place it in the middle with the front and back cover of the notebook slipping into the slots of the Flex to give it complete support. It's such a fat book that it needs to be in the middle.

When I want to take some notes down on the bus or do a bit of creative writing when sitting in a coffee shop, the Flex would fall to pieces in my lap if the main notebook wasn't placed and held firmly in the centre of the Flex binder.


The A5 Flex by Filofax is the perfect Amazon Kindle cover 


I was very excited to learn that the A5 Flex cover is also the perfect size for my Kindle Reader.  

The flex is a great Filofax Kindle cover. I like to slot my kindle into the inside left-hand pocket, as you can see in the pictures, and I'll tell you why...




I used to slot it into the left outside pocket but I had a horrifying experience one day when my Kindle fell out! 

Okay, it wasn't that horrifying because it happened while I was indoors and it fell onto my sofa, but it was horrifying in theory. Kindles are not made for chucking about.

When kept in the inside pocket of the Flex like this though, it has no opportunity to fall out once the cover is closed and the kindle is safely tucked away inside.




Kindles are dreadfully delicate because of the screen which will bleed at the slightest knock.

When I first purchased my Kindle I had it in my coat pocket with my keys, and in the five minutes, it took me to walk home from the tube station somehow the keys had pressed into the screen and caused the ink to bleed underneath it.  I was mortified.

Luckily the kind Kindle people sent me a brand new one - Phew! The Flex protects my Kindle wonderfully as long as I keep it in the inside pocket where it can't accidentally escape.




Because I use my A5 Flex as my portable writing and reading desk I also like to keep a journal of personal thoughts that are separate from my creative writing notes. It's always good to have the journal with me to unload my mind in moments of clarity or confusion.


How functional is the Flex by Filofax? 


Yay for all the pockets! 

The best thing about the Flex by Filofax is that there are so many options when it comes to how you want to set it up. 

This is similar to the Flexibility of the traditional Filofax in which you can set up sections as you please. 




With the Flex you can purchase different "inserts", which are essentially thin bound notebooks with various functions, and then you can position them in the variety of different pockets that the Flex has to offer. 

It's rather fun.


My A5 Flex by Filofax setup 


I like to slip an A5 lined Notebook from Muji (also black, in-keeping with my smart theme and pleasingly affordable) into the outside right-hand pocket so that it closes inwards and slips in behind my main Notebook. Underneath I have the jot-pad hidden away because I rarely use it, but you just never know. 

(You can get a better idea of what I am trying to describe if you take a look at the main diagram at the top of this post.)

Personally, I would prefer to have a slot for the jot-pad on the inside left where all the card slots are.  I don't really find these useful, although one or two wouldn't go amiss. 

But I don't see the point in having the jot-pad slot at the back of the binder where it is hidden. Surely it should be placed at the front for easy access?  Very annoying and such a waste, for me at least.





The remaining outside slot on the left-hand side I usually keep blank to stuff loose papers, flyers, notes or whatever I find when I am out and about.

Sometimes I use it to hold my Moleskine diary if I know that I might need it while I am out. But generally, my Moleskine stays at home with my ridiculously heavy but very beautiful A5 Chameleon Filofax. You can see how I use those two together here.




I have begrudgingly come to the conclusion that there is simply no point in doing my back in every time I go out by carrying my A5 Chameleon Filofax around with me.

So my compromise is that I transfer my slim Moleskine diary, which has all my info and appointments to my Flex when I am out and about 

It doesn't look quite as interesting when I pull out my black Flex as opposed to my gorgeous aqua A5 Chameleon Filofax, but it does make me look very professional and less frivolous, which suits me fine.





Flex Vs. Filofax ring-bound planners 


I think it's difficult to truly compare a Flex with a ring-bound planner because they are two completely different things, aside from both being planners. 

They work differently, and I think they are intended to suit different kinds of people.




The Flex is obviously smaller and less bulky. It is also lighter than a normal Filofax, no matter what size we are talking about, due to there being no rings.

The Flex can also probably fit a lot more items inside of it because it is so flexible and versatile. For instance, sometimes I pop my smartphone into the deeper slot below the card slots, which is very convenient.


Thanks for reading. Please feel free to leave your thoughts on the Flex by Filofax in the comments below, I'd love to hear them – and I ALWAYS reply to comments, even new comments on old blog posts!



See you again soon!









Loved it and want more?









21 comments:

  1. Timely post for me, I was thinking about the Flex as a journal. Very helpful, thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad to be of assistance :) I hope you manage to make it work for you! I love mine to bits x

      Delete
  2. The more and more I read about the Flex, the more tempted I am to get one. Hmmm. Thanks for enabling. I may have to slip out to the store today to take a look at them again! I love the idea of carrying your kindle with you! I've got a Kindle Fire. Will that fit into the Flex A5??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi DEM,

      I know what you mean, they're just so simple and cool. It's surprising how many different ways you can put a Flex to use too! I will be exploring more of these on the blog very soon, so subscribe if you'd like to keep updated.

      I did a bit of research and discovered that the Kindle Fire has the same dimensions as my Kindle Keyboard, so you shouldn't have any problems fitting yours into an A5 Flex. I've written a new post, specially for you, check it out...

      http://filofancy.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/forget-kindle-covers-use-flex-filofax.html

      I hope you decide to get one - they're not too expensive. I'm thinking of getting a pink one too, as soon as I can think of a use for it to justify myself having two!

      If you do get one, send me a pic and your thoughts and I'll feature you on the Filofancy blog and link to your blog/website if you have one!
      filofancy@gmail.com

      xx

      Delete
  3. Hi Zara, thank you for sharing this blog with us! I love the fact that you use your flex for journal purposes I am a writer and wanted a Flex for this very reason. I picked one up in the shop but then I realised its really just a binder cover, do you find this is the case? Is it more difficult carrying the binder and the notebook opposed to just the notebook? sorry for the questions :S also one more thing (sorry) how do you get the vintage effect that you have created on the outer pages? I love it! Thanks Ashleigh x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Ashleigh,

      Thanks for your comments and questions - always a pleasure - you have inspired a new post in fact! Have a look...

      http://filofancy.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/how-is-flex-better-than-notebook.html

      I agree with you that the Flex is definitely a binder cover, but a very versatile one which increases the possibilities for note-taking in ways you may not have even thought of... (I'm sure I haven't even thought of all the possible ways to utilise a Flex, because according to Filofax there are over a million uses! Yikes).

      Personally I don't find it more difficult carrying the Flex around with me, but perhaps this is because previously I was carrying around the fattest writer's notebook you can imagine. If you are used to having a simple reporter's spiral-bound pad in your purse then you might notice the difference.

      I love my Flex though because it just keeps everything I need for my note-taking together, and helps me to feel more organised and efficient. I also like to carry my Kindle eReader with me, or a paperback book; both of which can slip into the Flex along with an A5 Notebook.

      I suppose the Flex wouldn't make much sense if you only need one thin notebook, but if you fancy keeping a couple of notebooks for different uses with you, then the Flex is great for keeping them together and separate at the same time. Plus it holds other things too like pens, cards, loose paper etc.

      I have covered all of these issues ad ideas in my new post, just copy/paste the link above into your browser!

      With regards to the vintage effect, I'm not sure what you're referring to... I know that the edges of my notebook probably look old because the notebook is dusty from hanging around in the bottom of my bag all of this time without a nice Flex to protect it!

      The notebook is from Paperchase - it's a thick A5 with tiny-squared paper inside and a bendy faux-leather cover. The front and back inside sheets are a light grey, and as you can see I have decorated with a magazine cut-out of a woman lying on her front. The other image I have displayed in the post I believe is a page from the inside of my notebook where I ripped out a drawing from my sketchbook - its a photocopied ballerina, but its difficult to make out.

      If you're interested in creating vintage-like pages for your Filofax or notebooks subscribe to Filofancy and I will be sure to cover the topic shortly! Its a good one :)

      If you decide to go for it and get yourself a Flex, let me know how you get on with it! Send me some pics and your thoughts and I'll post them on the Filofancy blog with links to your blog or website of you have one.

      Happy shopping!

      filofancy@gmail.com

      Delete
    2. Thank you so much for your detailed response this has definately made me see flex in a different view now - and thanks for the new post I love how descriptive your writing is! what sort of genre are you interested in? As a writer that is? Well I'm now going to shop around for a flex :) I always carry a large notebook with me but I want to have a journal as well as a notebook separate for my novel ideas. I'm sure as a writer yourself that makes sense. The vintage look I was referring to is demonstrated on your 6th picture down. It looks like a deliberate pen bleed on the outer edges perhaps?

      Thanks again Zara I will definately be following your blog :) I will let you know how I get on with my flex!

      Delete
    3. Ah yes... the vintage effect, actually its just black paint. I think I used a dry brush with acrylic paint; it's a page ripped out of an old art sketch book. You could probably get the same effect with ink, if not better!

      I'm actually quite enjoying interacting with readers via the comments, I've never done it with any of my other blogs, but I have to say it makes blogging so much more satisfactory. People have so many questions and comments to contribute to what I'm writing, its like a constant supply of new material to write about! Much fun, somewhat overwhelming :) the comments are increasing... I need an assistant lol.

      I write all sorts of nonsense... articles, blogs, fiction, screenplays, poetry. I also run an online magazine which is intended as a creative platform for writers. The idea is that writers, artists, or whoever really, can collaborate with the mag to develop and experiment with their own creative projects, columns etc. If you're interested to get involved you're welcome to have nose...

      http://a-musemag.com

      And if you want to find out more about me or my writing the best places to look are...

      http://zaramohammed.com
      http://facebook.com/Zara.M.Writer

      What do you like to do as a writer? Do you have anything published, or a website/blog? I'd be interested to have a look.

      (Btw, I'm exactly the same as you; my journal is completely separate from my writer's notebook, but the Flex allows me to keep them together which is great.) Glad you have enjoyed reading my blog... apologies for the ramble, I get carried away when I start typing. I bet you know exactly what I mean!

      xx

      Delete
  4. I've always thought the Flex sounds like a great idea. However, I think I'm a little too in love with my filofax to be tempted! Great post :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Anita :)

      I know what you mean, I was very in love with my Filofax and couldn't imagine being without the rings, but in the end I was seduced by the not-too-scary prices of the Flex and discovered that the Flex is fantastic, but for completely different reasons to the Filofax! Its like they have both been designed to be used in different ways.

      Thanks for reading... Subscribe to Filofancy to keep updated because I'll be posting more on this topic shortly. Let me know if you have a change of heart, and what you think of the Flex...

      filofancy@gmail.com

      xx

      Delete
  5. Hi Zara - thanks for some interesting insights into how you use your Flex. I purchased one 12 months ago when they first came out. I quickly fitted a slim ring to mine so that I could keep a few loose organiser pages in the ring with a year planner etc in the slots. It has worked really well for me. I must find time to write a piece for Philofaxy! Tim

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Tim,

      Thanks for your comments :) Love the idea of fitting a slim ring into the Flex. Do you have any pics? I'd love to publish them on the blog to show readers - they'd love that! Filofax is all about customisation. I think a lot of people are too afraid to do invasive alterations for fear of ruining their expensive Filofaxes (I'm one of these people). I tried to come up with an alternative in a previous blog post...

      http://filofancy.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/improving-flex-by-filofax.html

      "I'd rather like to have the option of having a slim ring-binger insert that you could slip into one of the slots and use the Flex like a normal Filofax as well. but I guess it would make it too bulky. But a slim optional insert wouldn't hurt would it...?"

      You should definitely write an article on how you did it!

      If you fancy sending me a pic or two for the blog you can forward them to me at filofancy@gmail.com

      Thanks again for your comments!
      xx

      Delete
  6. Hi Zara!

    This is such a great review. I bought a flex pocket in magenta today. I wanna use it as a notebook for todo-lists, shoppinglists. But the idea to use it as a diary (not calendar) is great. Maybe I am gonna buy a A5 one in one of the new binders for flex. (Comming this summer).

    Best wishes from germany
    Jana

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jana :) the more I think about it, the more I want a Magenta Flex! x

      Delete
  7. I have a personal zip graphic filofax but it's so bulky and was thinking about an a5 filoflex..is it possible to insert an a5 plain ringbinder into the slots so they can be used for small amount of inserts in the middle and also put some books into the other slots? Thanks, id greatly appreciate if you showed some images x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was told by a reader that this is exactly what they have done with their A5 Flex! I think there is plenty of space in the spine of the Flex to include an insert with a slim set of rings. Mine holds a fair few thickish notebooks. unfortunately I don't have any pictures of my own to show you, as I haven't tried to use rings inside my Flex.

      Philofaxy have tried it out though! Here's a link...

      http://philofaxy.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/guest-post-in-search-of-ultimate_12.html

      Looks pretty smart... I might have to try it out myself!

      Delete
  8. Hey Zara, what a funny coincidence ;-) I just found this post and see you've got the same eReader and FF Flex as I do. Haven't thought of using them together yet, as I still prefer real books but will consider this combination from now on as an option. Thanks for your wonderful blog.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great minds thinks alike! I do miss my ereader, I broke it a while back, it was a nifty little thing to have, and while i do prefer real books too, it did encourage me to read a lot more because it was always with me and so convenient to pull out. I may go ahead and purchase another one come to think of it, they are even smaller now. Although I tend to use my samsung note smartphone to read on because the screen is generous. It's not quite the same though. Hope you enjoy the combination of you kindle and flex :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. It is surprising how little blog love the flex gets. I love mine! I don't often add my nexus 7 but i could. I love the A5 notebooks from muji. They fit perfectly.

    I wrote a bit about it here on my site.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My thoughts entirely Penny! I thought the flex might get more love after they introduced more variety, including the real leather ones, but it didn't happen. Those muji notebooks are great though, perfect fit. Thanks for the link to your site, I will definitely pop over and have a look!

      Delete
  11. Thanks you for sharing this unique useful information content with us. Really awesome work. keep on blogging a5 spiral-bound notebook

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for your comments and getting involved! :)

Never Miss A Post...