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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
(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.
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.
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.
See you again soon!
