I have been a long-time fan of Filofaxes. I think I got my first one when I was in my early twenties. Lately, I have been going back and forth between having a Google Calendar to using a Filofax. Since becoming pregnant, I've been experiencing pregnancy brain (a slight decrease of mental acuity, aka "Momnesia") and with all the doctor's appointments and everyday busy life, I've found that it was more helpful to start writing stuff down again.
For about a month, I was using a personal size Orignal Filofax. I soon came to realize that I needed something bigger for more room to write, so I upgraged to an A5 Finsbury and I love it! I am still in the process of "moving in" to my Finsbury, but here is a little breakdown to help us all learn about it as we go!
My Finsbury is divided into six sections (tabs) and then each section is broken down into subsections, as follows:
1. Calendar: I color-code my calendar with washi tape because it is easy to remove if I need to make any changes. I have tried many different methods of color-coding and this one works best for me. I start writing everything in pencil and then go back when I have time and color-code it with the tape. It also makes the calendar look fun (see photo below). I also use neon dots for payday, cleaning, watering plants, rent/bills, and all other house-related suff.
I have rules that designate what each color is for that I keep inbetween my calendar pages for the week. This way, the different color-coded sections are highly visible and I always know what each color means.
2. Blog:
* Monthly Calendar
I use this calendar to write out planned blog posts. If I am going to blog about the same subject for more than a day, I will highlight around those days so that I know it is a series of posts that go together.
* To-Do-Lists
I have an ongoing list of things that I need to work on with the blog. When I go to make my mast list for the week, I come and check what I need to do for the blog and add it to the list.
*Post Ideas
I write all post ideas that I have and refer to this list when I am looking for something to blog about. Not everything gets blogged. I have old lists with ideas that have been on there for more than a year. I love looking at this list when I feel uninspired.
* Design Ideas
I am in the middle of redesigning my blog and I need a place to keep my ideas and notes. Once the blog makeover is done I will remove this section.
* Notes
Is just that... notes of random blog stuff, links I want to check out, other blogs to check out, etc...
3. Projects: I have so many hobbies right now, but these three are the only ones that I am actively doing. I needed a place to keep track of all the projects that I am working on and/or want to work on. I used to just try to keep mental notes and posts-its, but that was not working.
* Knitting
* Sewing
* Scrapbooking
(also in this section: * Master project lists/* Notes)
4. *Home:
* Finance
* To-Do List
* Projects
* Home Info
(*This section won't be included much longer because it will be getting it's own Filofax soon. I just need to find the time to put it all together.)
5. Lists: This is a fun section because I love making lists! Some of the lists you will find are:
*Wants/Needs
*Rewards
*Books
*To-Listen
*Random
(I love hanging out in this section because it is so fun for me. Ha!)
6. Important Info: This section has personal information including emergency contacts, reward info, login info to websites, etc.
(Be sure NOT to include passwords, bank info or anything else like that.)
7. Travel:
We are planning a trip to Portland, so I use this section to keep track of places we want to go. I have a packing list, a music playlist, a to-do-and-see list, etc.
Each week I will sit down and write one master to-do list for the week and then I highlight the tasks that have been completed. I use my Filofax all day, every day... and when I leave it at home, I kinda miss it. Ha!
Since I have a few (seven, whoops!) Filofaxes, I thought that next month I would do a weekly "inside look" at all of them. I am currently only using two of them, but I do have plans for the others. I will talk more about that next month.
In the meantime, here are some fun Filofax links:
Inside the Crafters Studio I got the color coding with washi tape from this blog. I love her videos!
Oh my! That looks like heaven for my brain! I've been needing to do this and get organized about everything in one place, but I haven't been wanting to go bigger because bulk doesn't go well with public transportation, and textbooks, and gym clothes, a purse, and lunch. :(
Posted by: Amanda Aguirre | September 06, 2013 at 09:29 PM
LOVE your Filofax! I have a black personal size original and I thought it was pretty fun with my Hello Kitty day planner pages but it's so boring compared to yours! I might have to "move in" to a new one myself. Thanks for all the organizing tips too! I haven't seen the washi tape one yet - good idea!
Posted by: Suzanne | September 08, 2013 at 08:22 PM
oh my, I just adore your Filofax-organisation! I'll be going into teacher-training next year and I think this will be one of my first purchases ;) and now I'll check out the rest of your posts ;) xx Cici
Posted by: Cici | November 03, 2013 at 10:23 AM
what kind of paper are you using? does the filofax come with its first set of paper? I am trying to create a new setup since the previous isn't working.
Posted by: Jessica Brauner | October 16, 2014 at 10:31 PM