Introducing my new Filofax setup – The Original in patent fuchsia



The start of a new project is always the perfect excuse to experiment with a new Filofax planner – introducing my new Filofax, The Original in patent fuchsia.


My new Filofax – The Original (in patent fuchsia)


I've had this Filofax for a while but I only used it for about a month. 

The truth is that I've been struggling to appreciate all of my Filofaxes since discovering the Midori Traveler's Notebook. 

There is something about Midori's simple design and the raw nature of the leather that I find really appealing. I fell utterly in love with my TN, and now my Filofaxes just haven't seemed to do it for me.

However, I do feel that Filofaxes are more practical when it comes to project planning because of the rings. So I've decided to move into one now. Yes, I have an exciting project in the works :)

I'm using this patent fuchsia Original Filofax because it's fun and exciting for my new project. I'm not normally a 'pink' person, but this is a darker shade of pink that  find quite appealing, and I think the black/charcoal-coloured leather interior helps to give it a cool edgy feel – not too girly.

It's a personal-sized planner, which I think will be great for getting started with my new project.





Filofax personalisation


Many people like to fill their planners with lots of pretty things. I'm not really one of these people. 

I felt a bit overwhelmed when I was browsing Youtube earlier and saw just how amazing some women's Filofaxes have grown to be! I've been disengaged with the Filofax community for about a year since I started focusing entirely on my Traveler's Notebook. 

I'm going for a more simple (boring) interior design than a decorated one though. It'll help me to focus on what is important so that I can use my planner effectively – to plan!





The only decorative things I have in the planner at the moment are a couple of business cards, but they are related to my new project.

I also have a silver 'Z' bookmark at the front, which is decorative but also functional. I'll probably use to clip in notes that need my immediate attention. It's a very old bookmark that I got from Waterstones many years ago - I think they still do them.


More about my Current Filofax setup...


I'm not bothering with dividers. I'm not really into those. I feel they take up too much space and I always end up ignoring the sections anyway. I tend to feel more disorganised if they're in there without a use than if I didn't have them at all, which is just one of those odd things. 

Instead I'm using little silver metal petal bookmarks, also from Waterstones. At the moment they are not marking anything in particular so I have slid them onto the elastic at the front. 

I'm using two Filofax clear rulers as dividers. The first is to mark where I am in my diary, and the second is to mark where all my paper is – I have a selection of blank, lined and squared paper ready for use.






The diary section is homemade. I'm just drawing up each month as I go with a week on one page and then a blank page on the opposite side. It's inspired by the Moleskine diary design that I've always enjoyed using.

The way I use the weekly diary is that I plan and record daily tasks in the week on one page, and the blank page on the opposite side is used for notes, reflections and plans for the week ahead. I'll probably clip to do lists on that side during the week too.

I used this system before in my A5 and found it a really great way to keep tabs on everything I was doing towards my freelance writing business. Sometimes when you are self-employed you can feel like you aren't getting anywhere. But if you can go back over your diary and see a record of what you've achieved throughout the week and month, it's easier to see and evaluate progress.

I've also hole-punched and popped in a little envelope at the back for any receipts and expenses.






That's it really. I'm sure that the system I'm using will develop the more I get into it, and I'll try to keep you updated with videos and blogs. 

Thanks for reading. Please scroll down and leave your comments, as always I love to read and respond!






See you in the next post!



Loved it and want more?




4 comments:
google-site-verification: google8fbd5c162deddc7b.html
No comments:

My Midori Traveler's Notebook setup

Reconnecting with my Midori Traveler's Notebook...

 Unless you use it every single day, keeping a journal can feel like a chore. 

There are many reasons and excuses to lose touch with keeping a journal. Mine was sharing a flat for the first time with my boyfriend, and finding that all the personal time I had when I was single, spent alone and reflecting about life and myself, wasn't there anymore. 

But when you normally keep a journal, and suddenly you find that you aren't making the time for it anymore because your life has changed in some way, it's a little bit like not making time to be "you". 

It's important to keep doing the things that help you to define who you are, otherwise you might risk losing yourself somewhere along the way.

So I decided to stop filling in short journal entries with sparse detail what was going on in my life, that did nothing to express how I felt about things or help to work out any of my inner turmoil, and I began to write proper reflections again.




Changes to my TN setup


I currently have my personal thoughts journal in the front, with a tea cup and saucer taped to the cover, because I love to sit down with a cup of tea and reflect on everything. 

Behind that insert is my diary which I use as a weekly/monthly schedule, planner and record for freelance work. 

I use the Midori Traveler's Notebook insert with the lightweight paper for both of these, and draw up my own diary design, similar to what you find in the Moleskine week on one page and lined on the other. 

I tab each month at the side with a craft sticker from Paperchase, cut and folded over. And for each month I draw up a calendar on one page so that I can see the month at a glance for planning.

Then go on to record my freelance work in the week-on-one-pages, and I use the opposite blank page in each double spread to write down my work-related thoughts for the week.






In the back of my Midori Traveler's Notebook I have two notebook refills, which are red school text books trimmed down to size. 

I covered them with lined paper and lots of celotape, because I like the way it looks and feels. 

One of them is specifically for dog training notes, and the other is a free notebook for when I need to jot something down.
9 comments:

The Filofax Faces Challenge

Help Filofancy to win FREE Filofaxes to give away to readers...
Click HERE to LIKE this picture on the Filofax FB Page


Introducing the lovely blue Pennybridge zipped Filofax... and my handsome boyfriend!


About the Filofax Faces Challenge

 
I was invited by Filofax to take part in a Filofax Bloggers' Challenge. 

I received a brand new Filofax from the new spring collection to photograph and enter as part of the online Filofax Facebook 'Like' contest. 

The pictures with the most likes will win 6 organisers for the photographer, and two runners up will receive 3 to give away on their blogs.


My interpretation of the challenge

 
I decided to use the opportunity to allow my boyfriend to bond with my new Pennybridge Filofax on a Filofax Photo-walk around the local area. 

He has never quite understood my fascination with these organisers, and so I hoped that taking part in my creative project would soften his judgments, as we both love photography. 

I figured that as the Pennybridge we were using was blue and not too feminine, that he wouldn't be overly resistant to join in. 

Much to my delight he even coordinated his clothes for the shoot. Result!
 




We wandered around on the streets looking for interesting ways in which to shoot my boyfriend with the Pennybridge Filofax. 

We found a rather attractive red front door with peeling paint, so I sat him down in front of it.




Help Filofancy to win FREE Filofaxes to give away to readers...





We also found some wonderfully broken down wooden fencing, with even more peeling paint. So I got him to stand in front of that too!







And another wall with, yes, more peeling paint..




Verdict: Is my boyfriend a converted Filofax fan?


Not really, no. But at least now I have a nice little collection of pictures in which I have both a Filofax and a handsome man to ogle!

So if you like my pictures, the more likes they get, the more chance I have of winning FREE Filofaxes to give away on my blog :) Just thought I'd put this out there! 

So click on the following links to support Filofancy and help me win those free Filofaxes for a blog giveaway...

Picture Number 1
Picture Number 2


Thanks for all of your support - and thank you to my wonderful and supportive boyfriend for modelling!


See you in the next post!

5 comments:

Showing off my new combined Filofax and TN planner setup (video)

WATCH THE VIDEO!



I hope you enjoy watching the video!



See you in the next post!









Loved it and want more?




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

How I'm combining my new slimline Filofax with my Midori Traveler's Notebook.



If you're struggling to choose between a Filofax or ring-bound planner and a Traveler's Notebook keep reading to find out how I combine the two systems by using a slimline Filofax ...


What I use my Traveler's Notebook for


My main use of my Midori Traveler's Notebook is a journal. It is essentially a brain dump of all the things I have going on in my head.

Sometimes I journal about my thoughts, feelings and experiences in a deep and reflective way, but a lot of the time I just write about mundane things like what I did today and who annoyed me.

My journal is like my best friend, only better. I go to it for non-judgmental consolation. It helps me to organise my thoughts, understand myself better and live a happier and more productive life. 

Because Traveler's Notebook covers can carry more than one notebook, I also have notebooks in there to jot down creative ideas for stories, characters, scenes and creative projects, because I'm a writer. I like to make lists and doodle too.


Why I swapped my Filofax for a TN


When I discovered the Midori Traveler's Notebook I abandoned all of my Filofaxes because I felt that my attention was too divided, and that my Filofaxes were preventing me from bonding with my gorgeous new leather TN notebook. 

The main appeal of the Midori for me is that it is a very personal possession which will grow with me, gaining more and more personality as I handle leather, acquiring all the wonderful nicks and marks that make TNs  so unique.

I wanted to use my Midori exclusively, so I sold most of my Filofaxes and designed a weekly planner in one of the Midori Notebook Refills instead. This was a mistake by the way – NEVER sell all of your Filofaxes, you WILL regret it eventually. Just store them away somewhere safe.

After a while I found that whilst bound notebooks are perfect for journaling, sketching, scrapbooking and jotting things down due to the chronological nature and subsequently more 'permanent' vibe, I really missed the 'organisational' aspect of having rings and being able to move things around as I planned my weekly schedule and daily tasks.

The problem I faced was that I didn't necessarily want to carry my Midori Traveler's Notebook AND a bulky Filofax - if you are a lover of the Filofax you'll know exactly how bulky and cumbersome they tend to get! 

I needed a Filofax that was discrete enough to complement my TN and create a perfect and complete portable system.


How I solved my problem by combining a slimline Filofax with a TN


The main problem was that while I wanted the use of a Filofax 'ring-bound' system for my everyday planning, I didn't want to start using a Filofax that would end up stuffed and take over from my TN. 

I was lucky enough to find the perfect solution on Ebay ...

I discovered (and won the bid, so it was obviously meant to be) the slimmest and most discrete Filofax I have ever seen in my life. 

It is an old vintage Filofax so it doesn't have the model name or type embossed on it, but it does have the 'f' symbol embossed on the side and 'Filofax, Made in England, Real Calf' printed in gold inside the back cover. So it's definitely a Filofax!

It is really good quality, durable black grainy leather with a slight sheen, and the rings are SO dinky because it's a 'slimline' – about 1 cm.

It sits perfectly on top of my Midori Traveler's Notebook and I have bound them together with a large clip that also acts as a pen holder. 


Why this Filofax/TN setup is so great

 
I love the flexibility and organisational aspect of being able to use the ring-bound system of the Filofax planner to move inserts around when I am doing my daily, weekly and monthly planning.

I also love the fixed chronology and sense of permanency I get from the TN with bound notebooks for journalling, doodling, sketching etc. 

I had toyed with the idea of trying to find a way to attach rings to the inside of the Midori, and I know that this has been done with Filofax Flex notebook binders, but I couldn't bring myself to go that far. I knew that I needed a Filofax that I would be happy carrying alongside my Midori, and this slimline fits the bill perfectly.


What is it like to have tiny rings in a Filofax?


Normally I would definitely NOT be able to deal with having such tiny rings in a Filofax, especially if I were using the Filofax as my main organiser – I like to really stuff them! So you may be wondering how I am dealing with such tiny rings. 

The truth is that they force me to use the Filofax specifically for what I intended – a day-to-day planner for the here-and-now. The small rings encourage me not to carry around a load of inserts that I'm not really using on a daily basis. 

I used to carry a whole year's worth of diary planning inserts, plus extra paper, and it just wasn't necessary. It actually made me feel less productive because my Filofax became less focused and less organised. As a result I felt increasingly overwhelmed.

Now I reserve my Midori TN for all of the creative stuff, and I use the FF ring-bound system purely for planning. 

I really do love the tiny rings. Because the appeal of the slimline Filofax is its portability and slim profile there is no desire to stuff it. When there is too much paper in there it starts to become more difficult and less enjoyable to physically use, so you have no choice but to take a few sheets out so that the pages can move more freely again.  

This is a good reminder of when it's time to declutter. I regularly re-evaluate what I really need, taking out inserts that are no longer useful. 

This minimal set-up is helping me to stay more focused and I have a much clearer idea of what I need to do next, which means I don't feel as stressed. 

I design my own inserts and only draw up a month or two at a time. I intend to remove and archive the months as I go.

I have to say there is something very satisfying about minimalism, and only using what you need.




I hope that you have enjoyed reading about my new Filofax and TN combined setup, and that it has inspired you to think about how you use your own planning and journaling tools.

As always, please head down to the comments section and leave your thoughts, I love to read and respond to all comments!

Intrigued by what it looks like to use these two beauties together? Watch my video where I show you my secret trick to help them both together.



See you in the next post!


Loved it and want more?




6 comments:

What do you use your Midori Traveler's Notebook for?

Feel free to pin or share this image with a link back to the blog, thanks.


If you are anything like me, then you probably get great pleasure out of finding out how other people use their Midori Traveler's Notebooks. So I have decided to share with you a few ideas...


The GREAT thing about Midori Traveler's Notebooks...


...is that you can refill them with notebook refills that are cheap to buy and easy to make yourself. 

If you make your own you can make your notebook refills with any number of pages to suit your individual needs. The less pages you decide to have in each notebook refill, the more refills you can fit into your TN and the quicker you can get through each notebook – which personally I find quite satisfying :) 

It's also convenient if you're still getting used to your Midori TN, and you're still not entirely sure how you want to use it. You can try out different refill designs for a short time without feeling anxious about waste.


TN refill ideas


There must be an infinite number of ways you can use your TN refills. 

You can get so many ideas just by browsing other people's blogs, chatting to other Midori Traveler's Notebook users on Facebook, or just thinking about your personal interests and looking at stationery online. 

Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing ...


Dream journal 


If you're a vivid dreamer, recording your dreams might be a fun way of looking into your subconscious and working through desires and fears.

If you keep your Midori, Traveler's Notebook by your bedside, when you wake up first thing in the morning you'll be able to quickly recall details of your dreams and record them. 

This can assist a very interesting and personal journey. You should try it! 

It might also help you to develop an emotional connection or relationship with your journal, which is what all of us Midori fans strive to do through personalisation.


Doodle book 


If you like to let your pen wander aimlessly across the backs of envelopes when you are on the phone, maybe you should consider keeping a doodle book. 

Who knows, each page could turn into wonderful abstract pieces of art!

Doodling is also a wonderful mindful exercise that can help you to unwind.


Brainstorming pad 


Everybody has a preferred way of taking notes to remind themselves of ideas for shopping lists, blog posts and other things. 

Why not try brainstorming as a free and visual way of generating ideas? 

Dedicate a notebook refill to your brainstorming– it'll encourage you to use this open form of note-taking and reap the rewards. 

The best thing about brainstorms is that it is easy to add onto your ideas any time, linking ideas together and seeing where you end up!

TIP: Use your notebook horizontally for more space!


Stamp or sticker collection


People who like to collect things things might enjoy dedicating a TN notebook refill to collecting, say stamps, stickers, receipts, lists ... it's up to you!


Recipes ideas 


How about a notebook dedicated to yummy recipes? 

It can accompany you to the supermarket when you go, and then you can take it out to make space for something else when you know you won't be doing any shopping!

What inventive ways do you use your Midori Traveler's Notebook refills? Tell me in the comments below ...


See you in the next post!









Loved it and want more?




2 comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Never Miss A Post...