Why do you still use a Filofax in 2024?
When we had some family visiting the other week, one of them saw my Finsbury on my desk and asked, "Why do you still use one of those?" They mentioned that it was just a bit surprising as my smartphone was on top of my Filofax and these were next to my computer. I just said something along the lines of that I enjoy using one and it just works.
So, I think that I've narrowed it down to the top four reasons why I still use a Filofax:
- Paper just works - no software updates required and it's so quick to just jot something down without needing to open up a program or click on something first.
- Flexibility - I can just open the rings, remove inserts or move them around. Or I can easily take everything out and start all over again, if I wish.
- It gives my eyes a break from using a screen.
- It helps me focus - I considered purchasing a second hand iPad some years ago and maybe trying it out as an organiser, just as an alternative to using my Filofax sometimes. However, in the end, I decided that I didn't need one and that my paper organiser is much better for me to help me focus and not get sidetracked by looking up random things that might pop into my head.
What are your main reasons for using a paper organiser?
And as always on Fridays, please feel free to discuss anything organiser related. I hope that you have a great weekend.
Hi Anita, I use a filofax because when I was growing up we lost our electricity all the time, at least weekly. The cables were above ground in the 80’s and the circuit went up and over the mountains. If the wind blew hard, the electricity cut off. No power means no computers. Nowadays ofc most of the electricity cables are underground, but out of habit I still write everything on paper.
ReplyDeleteEliza
Funny I live my paper planner and I live in an area where we regularly have power outs even now! And I'm even another Eliza!
DeleteYay! Eliza is a fab name 😊 Although people often mispronounce the ‘z’.
DeleteWhich country are you from?
It feels better than the alternative, although a smartphone has it's communication uses (he said, tapping this into a smartphone!)
ReplyDeleteMy return to using a Filofax happened nearly 19 years ago, I had started back in 1986 and although I went over to using electronic organisers (which I still use to a lesser degree) I was never quite at home as I was in a Filofax.
ReplyDeleteThese last 19 years has seen me expand the use of my organisers to be an everyday thing not some that just sat in my briefcase in case I needed it.
I use an electronic calendar so I'll get a notification when it's time to go to a meeting. If I didn't do that, I would often be late, because I get buried in my work and lose all track of time. Other than that, I prefer the Filofax for everything, mainly because the act of writing stuff down helps me to remember it better. I also agree that it's way less hassle than taking out your smartphone, turning it on, pulling up the app you need, typing with your thumbs, etc. Scrawling in ink is much faster.
ReplyDeletePanicking about losing my job I decided late January to take action to organise my life. I bought a leuctturm Bullet journal, metropol personal filofax and a 3 pack of Parker jotters in ballpoint, gel pen and pencil. My idea was to try Bullet journal and filofax on top of my a4 or a5 work diary and a pocket normal diary.
ReplyDeleteI figured I'd try a few systems out for a few months then pick m the best. I have kind of kept using Bullet journal notebooks and filofax every since.
After starting a new, better job I bought a used a5 finsbury for better page real estate. That was top bulky for portability so is my wfh ff with Holborn personal ff for site days. I still run a day book kind of Bullet Journal in a notebook.
My current use is outlook for work duplicated in two sizes of ff. I religiously sync them often. I find it manages my ADHD traits if I use it often and habitually. I can manage m without but it feels like a more proactive safety net.
PS I always fear I'll mess up so I feel I need such systems. Writing by hand helps more than typing into a computer organiser planner or phone version. It really is a modern approach to use paper systems because I understand there's a psychological or behavioural reason for their value these days.
Hi Paul. You're right - not only has research in the area of neuroscience shown that information retention is greater (something like 30%?) for handwritten over digitally recorded notes, but I have also read that some of the world's top data security experts keep sensitive information on paper only, due to privacy and security concerns.
DeleteYou made some great points Anita and I agree...I started using a Filofax back in the mid-1980's and have always kept a paper planner going no matter what tech I was also using, mainly because I never had to worry about a failed backup, a power failure, a change in platforms, or losing data in general. I remember having a contest with someone using a Palm Pilot of who could write down information faster, and I won with my Filofax.
ReplyDeleteI also agree about giving my eyes a rest from a screen, especially now in my older years. I am on a screen all day at work and it's a nice change to just use my paper planner. Also, the things I physically write down tend to stick in my head vs things I type.
Also, it's nostalgic. I've been using a paper planner for 40 years...I'm not about to stop now lol!!
~Eve Martin
Hi Eve. I've been using paper to plan since the late 1970s and ring-bound planners since the early 80s, so I'm not going to change that now either.
DeleteAs regards speed of access to/recording of data, I'm amazed that I still have to wait with my planner open and ready while self-styled advocates of tech pick away at their screens to open apps, find their availability and record info. I think overall (although its difficult to generalise) that the paper solution is something over 10-20 times faster.
As a old codger, I rail at everything being subscription based nowadays instead of - for example Lotus 123 in the old days. That's why I like books - buy it once and read it as many times as you want or give it away (I cant give my Netflix password to my kids) and filofax is the same - buy it once ( or 6 or 7 times ) with a hole punch and paper is the only ongoing cost. I can find paper most anywhere. It reminds me of the old joke "I'm taking lots of work home these days, mostly office supplies"! I'll probably never finish that book but I've written several books worth of material in my filofax. I guess it just boils down to "I like to write". I like to type too but I like to write with a fountain pen and some good paper. It's sad to see my local stationer go out of business and so I can no longer spend time there deciding if I need another. The look and feel sure "helped" the buying decision. The leather on my blue Malden feels a bit stiff but my Ochre Malden feels great. On-line sometimes you can't really tell. My favorite then is my Ochre Malden. What's your favorite?
ReplyDeleteI think that there is something about people taking back control of their daily lives, and not being harnessed to technology beyond their control that makes using Filofax planners desirable. It's comforting, not to mention effective compared to intrusive software and the need to keep up with hardware.
ReplyDeleteRight now I think that's very true. People a lot younger than me (and there are plenty of those) are beginning to move against the 'always on' expectations of both work and friends, and also the relentless harvesting of their personal information and browsing habits for sale to marketers. Paper is private, unless we choose for it not to be.
DeleteJust for balance, my little smartphone contains a 256GB uSD card. I can (and do) add all sorts of reference documents, pictures, maps, etc, and search, reorganise, etc. to my heart's content. I have all the Filofax catalogue pages on it, for instance; don't need to be online.
ReplyDeleteNone of its calendar apps seem as good as my old Psion 'Agenda', though...
Kevin
On a different topic, I found a little pack of coloured page marker stickies in Poundland, for 75p. They come on a nice plastic ruler (more accurately marked than the Filofax rulers...). Perfect size for Pocket; just need holes punching. 200 (25 of eight colours). Fluoro colours, or dark pastels. 'Pepco' branded. The downside is single-use plastic; maybe go for the £1 ones in Paper Tiger instead...
ReplyDeleteIn the ‘80s, started carrying a small ringed notebook with me for my daily 1-2 hour (each way) on public transit. Fully embraced electronic organizers starting in the late ‘90s. Went back to paper planning because of so many of the reasons already mentioned including, speed, retention (both my memory for having written my plans and the blessed ability of paper not to crash or have sync errors), privacy (although my journal was stolen from my car once, so there’s that), and the joy of using pen, ink, and paper.
ReplyDeleteI supplement by using my phone for appointment reminders and contact information.