22 March 2013

Free For All Friday No 227

I've recently returned from a longer than normal holiday abroad, and my Malden was the perfect companion (post to follow). Whenever I travel, I enjoy having less belongings and always have a clear out on my return home. Naturally I've found this has led me to thinking about my Filofax collection! I own the grand sum of two, but I'm finding that I am once again tempted by the simplicity of having just 'the one' in my life. I'm still undecided about whether I would regret selling my A5, but I have a suspicion that it's only time...

Have you experienced something recently that has made you re-consider the amount of binders you own? (either to increase or decrease their number)

And as it's Friday, please feel free to discuss anything Filofax or ring bound planner related.

24 comments:

  1. I must confess that I have a fairly large collection of A5 and Personal size Filofaxes, but I would never consider getting rid of any of them. I love the option of changing binders, either the colour or the size, though I mostly use an A5. But I also find that different binders are better suited for some jobs - my zipped Hoborn for when I am planning a holiday, so that I can carry loose papers safely inside my Filofax, or a smaller ringed-binder for times when I want to carry less paperwork around.
    I agree with the idea of one Filofax, one life but I don't agree that the same Filofax will always work for that one life - your circumstances change, so your requirements for a binder will change too. Sometimes I need a large, zipped A5 binder, other times a slimmer A5 or a Personal size is perfect too.
    I think we should all use at least one Filofax in our lives, but have a selection of different ones to choose from to suit our needs at that time.

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  2. Actually yes! This is very timely because I have just, for the very first time, sold some of my Filofaxes. They were sitting unused on the shelf, and had in fact never been used.

    I panic-bought the Urban when it was discontinued and intended to use it as a travel Filo but never did, so it is still in the box (and on its way to its happy new owner!).

    I bought the FC Veronica from Skhen, and even though I love its softness, I sold it too because right after I bought it I bought another FC binder with slightly bigger rings and more hard-wearing leather.

    I gave away the FC binder that Zoe so graciously gave to me, because it also was sitting unused on the shelf and I wanted to pass it on to someone who would enjoy using it.

    I'm selling my personal Grape Domino (still available for only a tenner!) because I have another personal Grape Domino and I figured I don't need two!

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  3. It looks as thought a lot of people are going through a Filofax "cleansing" of sorts. It's good to know I'm not the only one. I first was introduced to the Filofax brand early last year and since have accumulated many binders. Mostly personal size (although I have experienced with a few pockets and A5's). I, too, am one of those rotators as I switch binders every now and then for a change in color/style and also to give them "breaks" in between. Anyway, I've sold most of them (including some Franklin Coveys). I realized I wasn't rotating them as often as planned and most of them were just sitting in their boxes. Sad and unused. I'm down to a small number now although I have dreamed of having just that ONE binder. I love looking at photos of ones that are rugged and worn out looking from all the use.

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  4. I think people go through stages (brings to mind Imy's blog post on the stages of a filofax devote) and there will always be some selling and some buying. Eventually we all settle down with what we are happy to have around and what works for us. I think it is the same with all belongings - some people naturally prefer to have more than others.

    My biggest problem isn't always the aquisition - I can be quite careful sometimes - but I have a real problem parting with stuff, even when it is well past it's sell buy date! However once I've done it I feel so much better - especially if it is something like a FF and I know it's gone to a good home.

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    1. Back in the Filofax heyday of the mid-late 80s was when I acquired my first and at that time, it was the one and only and became (as I am sure it did - does? - for many still) - a literal extension/appendage - it went everywhere with me and had EVERYTHING in it I would ever need to refer to, to work from, to chronical,etc. etc. etc. I loved the leather (can't remember the name of itnow - for shame!!) and it only became better (aged) with time. But then, somewhere along the line, it was abandoned... :( Early this year (for some weird reason) I suddenly became Filofax hungry again (meanwhile I have an iPhone, iPad, 3 computers, etc.) and I went on a crazy buying spree. Started with trying to identify "the one" and now here we are - 13 or 14 of them later. No kidding. What has become apparent though, is that I end up focusing down on just one (well, maybe two, used concurrently) and that one becomes my best friend. I've done this with good leather handbags, too. I used one for a while - could be a year or more, exclusively, and then off to something else - but I never go back to that previous one. Wallets - same thing. It's a shame because I have champaign taste ($$) and the closets and drawers sit full with these beautful items unused and unloved. (well, I still love them - I just don't use them!) So, my go-to Filo has become the Holborn Personal Zip in wine - mostly because I LOVE the leather and in such a short time it has become so soft and smooth - like I've had it for years! All the others sit in their boxes silently waiting for a life of their own! However, like Alison, I have trouble with a parting of the ways with these lovlies ... sigh... I think I am going to have to have a serious sit-down with myself and do something. Meanwhile, I am anticiapting the new range - albeit with some trepidation since I have been largely unimpressed with what we've seen so far.

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  5. I don't have many organizers in comparison to some of you, but I do feel like I have too many. I am not a 'just one' kind of girl, but I do see the value in the philosophy. Maybe I'll get there one day!

    The FC bug has bitten me (again - I used the system for a decade when I was younger) and I've ordered a classic-sized setup with larger rings than my Malden to try out for my Mothership...tho', I don't know that I could ever part with that Malden - she was my first! The Osterley (maybe it's me, but I don't understand the allure of the Osterley - I was hoping it'd be floppy like Malden) I use for my sewing business binder, but the FC is big enough to house both. The Graphic has been my health/workout binder, but I found a spiral-bound Blue Sky that does that work easily...and without the constant flipping to sections (I can store more daily information a page in Blue Sky than with the Graphic). I have an A5 Kensington coming my way from eBay - I have no idea why I ordered it other than I'm a sucker for a vintage brown. LOL

    I need to purge, too, but not because the organizers are getting in the way...more because it's a shame to have them sit around waiting to someday be used. I know someone else will love them and value them as much as I do.

    *Off Topic* Can anyone tell me the easiest way to post a video onto YouTube? I've tried a couple of times, but after a DAY (literally!) of loading, I'm told that my video is too big or blah, blah, blah. I have a Flip camera, a Vivitar helmetcam, a Canon Powershot, or my T3i that can take video. All are HD except the Flip and maybe the Vivitar...I wonder if the HD has been the issue?

    Have a good day, everyone!

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    1. Mama Bear, do you use any software to edit your movies after you record them? My videos take forever to upload as well, but I "optimize" them for Youtube upload with iMovie. I know the SuburbanMom has tons of videos as well as Imy. Maybe if you contact them they may have some more suggestions for you? :)

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    2. Thanks for the suggestion - that's a great idea to reach out to them! I know I have editing software on my laptop, but I'm not quite sure how to use it. I'll check it out - can't be too hard, right? ; )

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  6. Anita, when I purchased my first Filofax, I was certain I was going to practice One Life, One Filofax. I loved my A5 Cuban and thought nothing else could replace it. However, I soon added a Holborn personal, which I use as a wallet, and an A5 Chameleon, which became my spiritual Filo. I am now ordering a pocket Chameleon to use as a wallet and I am turning my personal Holborn into my reading Filo. So many Filos...so many uses!

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  7. Any suggestions on what to use a compact Chameleon for? I was using it for a wallet but I think I like my mini better for that, at least right now.I use an A5 for domestic things and my personal purple Malden for daily life.

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    1. I use mine to store all of my logins and passwords, copies of credit cards in case my wallet ever gets stolen/lost, and any extra membership cards, etc that I don't need to carry with me. It sits on my desk and never leaves the house, so this is the perfect job for it. I love mine!

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    2. Oooh such great ideas! Thanks!

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  8. Like Marianna,I jumped onboard back in the 80s, then went digital and am now back. I have been watching all your videos and reading your blogs and got intrigued with the Filo-scrapping. FF has come a long way since the days of A, B, C'ing your tasks on boring green shaded paper! Unfortunately, this has led to a buying spree of FFs and related paraphernalia. One of my new toys is the FriXion pens. Right after I bought them, I saw a number of posts about the disappearing ink due to heat. Have any of you stopped using them because of this? It's 120 degrees (F) in my car in the summer. I am afraid that a little jaunt could end up with blank pages. I also wonder about archiving. Will I go to look up something in a couple of years and it's disappeared? I would love to hear thoughts on this. I am hoping to set my mind at ease so I can use those lovely pens (and highlighters). And thank you all for taking the time to share your tips in videos/blogs...although my bank account is not thanking you!:)

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    1. Chicabooda- I was one of the Frixion users who did end up not using them because of the possibility of the ink disappearing. Do a test- if you hold a page under a hair dryer on low for a few seconds, it will disappear. Some ink may come back if you put the pages in the freezer for a few minutes, but not all.

      In the end, it depends on your preferences. I use my Filo as an appointment book and journal, so I look back at them year after year. For me, it wasn't worth the risk of losing anything. But, I know others who are still happily using theirs!

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    2. since it is the heat element of the ink that makes them erasable (friction heat from the pen nib) that is probably why I couldn't find their erasable gel pens in Muji Hong Kong.

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    3. since it is the heat element of the ink that makes them erasable (friction heat from the pen nib) that is probably why I couldn't find their erasable gel pens in Muji Hong Kong.

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    4. Thank you both for replying.

      I wonder if sticking it in the freezer a year or more later would still bring it back. Plus, I just don't like something about putting it in the freezer. I don't know what. I'd probably forget it was in there. Then when I take it out it'll be covered in ice crystals which'll melt and ruin everything. lol

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  9. I only use my FriXion pens for erasable items on my to do list. It's handy and saves me money on sticky notes. :)

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    1. Good idea! I can use them for my weekly To Do, shopping,etc...lists I would normally toss when completed. Use my other pens for everything else. Seems like a "duh" moment, but yet I didn't think of it! Thanks

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    2. Glad I could help. :) I do love my FriXion pen! This blog is always so helpful.

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  10. Well I took the plunge and just received my first Domino Filo Fax. I have only utilized a day runner, converted to digital and am back to 1/2 paper. I am a bit disappointed since I was expecting the ring size to fit all my items. I already see I need a larger ring size. Can anyone tell me which Filo Fax has rings sizes that are larger than the Domino.
    Thanks

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  11. I just sold off all of my binders, only keeping the one I love most. I did this because I realized that I really only use one at a time AND that I had one which I loved far more than any of the others. I was a little sad to sell my first filofax, a Domino, but happy to subsequently see pictures of it in use on flickr from the new owner.

    I am not a minimalist. I bought a few binders over two years trying different setups and sizes. I think that what I realized is that for personal items like wallets I tend to use one for years and years until it's hopelessly worn out, then I buy another and repeat the process. As a chef once said to me, "you can't have a relationship with a dozen frying pans." I think the same goes for filofax binders. I felt strongly that I preferred to have one, well loved, high quality filofax.

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    1. Josh, are you out of FC now? Which Filofax binder was it that won your heart?

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    2. Which one did you keep and why?

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