Photo by Renáta-Adrienn on Unsplash |
Over the past couple of years, my employment, schedule, and other factors in my life have been in flux. During that time, I've also changed the size and format of my organizer several times as my needs have evolved. For example, when I was taking classes, most of my notes and papers were on letter-size paper, and I wanted my organizer to be the same size. Since then, I've decided that format was too large to be portable.
While archiving the past couple of years of diaries and notes, I've found that a size of A5 or 1/2 letter leads me to keep better records than does a smaller size. I've also found that I need at least a 2-page-per-day organizer when I'm working full time in addition to all my personal pursuits. I just love being able to look at a 2-page spread and have such a clear snapshot of my life at the time! I've also learned that it works best for me to keep everything in one organizer as opposed to having separate ones for different topics.
Do you ever look back on old organizers as a way to see what does or doesn't work for you?
And as always on Friday, feel free to discuss anything related to your favorite ring-bound organizer!
Step 1. - Remove all of the inserts and dividers and contents of the pockets. Put them to one side for now.
Step 2. - Inspect the rings, checking for gaps. Open and close them a few times. Give them a light polish with a micro-fibre cloth, this will remove any dirt and grime and make them look like new again.
Step 3. - Use a small soft bristle paint brush to dust the interior of the organiser. The brush will reach in to all the nooks and crannies and remove any build up of paper dust that seems to come off of cut/punched paper.
Step 4. - If the organiser is leather, consider giving it some leather cleaner/balm treatment. Use it sparingly though, don't use too much. Again use a micro-fibre cloth to buff the finish to a pleasant shine. Always read the instructions first.
For simulated leather organisers give them a wipe with alcohol-free baby wipes. The cloth sections on the interior can be gently cleaned with small amount of fabric or upholstery cleaner. Test any products first on an inconspicuous area.
Leave it open to breath after the treatment.
Step 5. Turning to the inserts. Go through them and see if there are any pages that need archiving or updating. Check the paperwork and accessories you have been carrying too.
Check that the pens aren't about to run out of ink, also check them for internal leaks too.
Links:
Selling an organiser on the Adspot page on Philofaxy is fairly straight forward.
All you need to do is email philofaxy at gmail.com with the photos of the item and the text, we will get it on the page for you within a few days.
Make sure the photos show all sides of the item, inside and out. That you include photos of any defects, scratches etc in the leather.
In the text you need to include a full description of the item, price, where you are willing to ship to and your location so that people can have some idea on the cost of shipping.
We generally put adverts on the page for three months but occasionally longer depending how many adverts are currently running.
You can also advertise for 'Wanted' organisers, ones that you missed out on etc!
We don't restrict brands to just Filofax, other brands are welcome.
Recently my family and I went on our first international trip in several years. I use an A5 Filofax, and when I travel I swap the pages relevant to the trip and that time period into my A5 slimline Heritage Filofax. Steve reviewed one in this post. I use it without the leather flyleaf, so it's very slim and lightweight. It's no bother to carry in my carry-on bag.
I needed to have certain pages with me during our trip, and it was very convenient to have them in my slimline A5 when I needed to use them. But I have to admit it was really nice not to have to write in my planner all the time throughout every day. The previous six months had been extremely busy and stressful for all of us. It was so nice to take a break from constant planning and work, and just enjoy ourselves.
On my way back from our trip I started thinking about my planning system and whether I could simplify it to something more streamlined. I had recently incorporated trackers into my planner that increased the number of times I had to write in my planner throughout the day. For me there is a fine line between usefulness and drudgery. If I feel like I'm constantly checking, tracking, and writing in my planner too often throughout the day day, I start to resent it.
So when I got home I took another look at my Filofax system and am currently thinking about what I can streamline. The goal is to get everything done that I need to, without feeling like I am constantly chained to my book.
How much do you write in your planner throughout the day?
And as always on Fridays, feel free to ask and/ or discuss anything Filofax related!
Thank you to Nick for sending in this post about the Harrods x Filofax Original.
I recently snagged one of the new Harrods x Filofax organizers, and thought I’d pass along some pics and my thoughts, to the extent you’d like to share on your blog.
I first learned about this limited release from “Organizer Steve” YouTube unboxing video. Harrods is offering three different exclusive Filofax organizers modeled largely on the Original (personal and A5 in black, and personal in Dawn (a light pink color)).
The main attractions for me were the 25 mm gold rings, special gold Harrods popper, leather page marker, and gold interior lettering (rather than the typical embossed lettering).
The fill consists of an 18-month minimal week on two diary, plus a variety of minimal ruled, blank, and dotted sheets, along with a special Harrods cover sheet and Harrods jot pad in the back. No dividers were included.
Surprisingly, the organizer was priced below the standard US retail price for Originals (103 USD plus shipping), and it arrived in two business days from the UK here in the US - very pleased.
For those interested in the Original but who would prefer larger (gold!) rings, this is a solid choice.
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