Moving to paper diary/filofax from phone apps

[DilysPhyllis]

Has anyone done this successfully and if so is there a particular diary/filofax etc that you have? Currently everything is on my phone - calendar app, reminders, notes, lists, alexa shopping etc and I feel like I'm constantly on my phone as I go on to check one of the above and then get sucked into something else and hey presto I'm glued to the screen again.

I'm aware an easy answer would be more self control where the phone is concerned....

I also wonder if having to write everything and keep track without a phone or alexa will help with my memory which is not great, although this could be perimenopausal brain fog...

Anyone done this successfully? Am I just turning away from technology and making my life a bit harder for no real benefit. It would be easy enough to try and see I suppose but would appreciate any thoughts. Thanks.

I periodically try this but get bored right from the outset with having to write in recurring activities. Always end up back on digital. But following for any tips.

Filofax?

I'm in the process of moving back to a slate and chalk.

If I'm lucky.

I've used a paper diary for years. I like them with a nice cover so often go for a Paperblanks one, but the most important features for me are 'page a day' and 'appointments' so I can write in meetings at the specific time they are due and then plan other tasks around them in the order I'll do them.

having to write in recurring activities

I write the next one in when I cross off the one I've just done rather than ploughing through 52 weeks to add them.

Another tip - Paperblanks come with a separate address book in a pouch, so you can use this for important numbers which saves transferring them over in the New Year.

I use different coloured pens for different types of task which also helps me see at a glance what a particular day is looking like.

I use a - non artsy - bullet journal basic Ryder Caroll style. Apps of any kind do not work for my (ADD) brain and I have tested dozens of them.

I have a Filofax Finsbury; which I love writing in. You can get cheaper compatible refills online or in WH Smith’s, and there are so many different layouts you are sure to find one that suits. If you are splashing out to treat yourself then Filofax also do decorated pages now, last years was a very pretty purple floral! (Sadly covid meant I didn’t have as much to write in it).
The Finsbury also has a small zip pocket and card slots, so handy for banks cards, receipts etc. I sometimes just use those instead of taking a separate purse in my handbag.

I love my Filofax and have had them since the 1980s.

My current one is this one in cognac and the zip feature is great.

filofax.com/lockwood-zip-personal-organiser-filofax.html

I bullet journal in a Filofax using a set printout layout so I'm not constantly having to create them. I have different sections for meal planning, creative things I'm working on, house to do lists, kid stuff, birthday ideas as well as my schedule.

I've been using the bullet journal format at work for years and wanted the same productivity in my home life without being as tied to my phone so it works for me. However it is definitely a bit of a brick as I've got the A5 size rather than anything easily portable. Lots of inspiration on Pinterest and Instagram if you're interested although I find the majority tend to be artsy rather than boring but functional like mine...

Look up bullet journal, and join a couple of Facebook groups that call themselves things like bullet journal for productivity. Whatever you see online , absolutely no artistic ability is required for it to work.

I'm working for home, but I came across my old Filofax when I had gone into the office for a meeting. I ordered new inserts and I've been using it as my working diary since, it works well for me. You can buy a meal planner/shopping list insert which i use too

I also have a Filofax Finsbury which I use for everything. I will never give it up in exchange for putting everything in my phone. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve got it out to put an appointment or something in it and the person I’m dealing with has said they also much prefer an actual paper diary.

My Filofax will have to be prised from my cold dead hands.

I'd love to but Teams has put paid to it as I just can't keep up with online meetings. I wish 'they' (the tech gods in the sky) could create an e-ink tablet that could display all this stuff nicely

Following because this is my exact problem!

I do have a magnetic meal planner on my fridge and that works really well and has a shopping list on it, so that at least is not on my phone anymore!!

I need to carry my diary in my handbag so I find a Filofax too big. I moved to my phone diary but over lockdown I just stopped using it. I have reverted to a small Moleskin diary which has the days on the left and blank lines on the right that I use for my To Do list. I love crossing everything off when its done. It keeps everything in one place and is easy to carry around.

I use a happy planner, they are imported from the US so slightly more expensive than your standard diary, but I do love it. They come in a few different sizes and are very customisable depending on what you need. You can get some fab inserts from Etsy.

I used to use a Filofax, but my left handedness just couldn't cope with the rings 🙈

I use travellers note book style mashed up with a bullet journal. Its taken me a while, some times it will be very Ryder Carroll and minimalistic and then other times I go mad with stickers...

Oh and washi tape, different coloured pens, and grid stencils...

I like the travellers notebook type because I can have separate notebooks for separate things/projects but the bullet journal allows me to have have all the 'stuff' in one place. Which sounds a it odd. Sometimes I bullet journal in my travellers note book...

My bullet journal is usually an A5 Moleskin, LEUCHTTURM or similar, usually plain so it looks 'professional'. But then quite often make up for it with doodling and using coloured pens... I use a bit slimmer than A5 travellers note books (can't remember what the actually size is!) and the cover I change up seasonally. I usually make my own as they dead easy to make - just a sheet of faux leather or similar, punch some holes and add some elastic and you are good to go, and some I make so a bit bigger so if necessary I can wrap the bullet journal up as well. I normally use dot grid or plain for the TN inserts and just plan how I want each page to look in an adhoc way which will vary as to how I feel, what I want to record etc.

@Bellagonna

I'd love to but Teams has put paid to it as I just can't keep up with online meetings. I wish 'they' (the tech gods in the sky) could create an e-ink tablet that could display all this stuff nicely

I really want some sort of e-ink tablet. I've been looking at the Moleskin elipse pen and notebook but it's expensive to just try it out and I'm very picky about my pens...

I use the free diary I got from union rep.
It does the job just fine. And is small enough to fit in any bag.
I get a new one every year!
I used to have a tablet that I used the diary app on. Until the tablet gave up. Then I fished around in my bag for paper diary and have never looked back.

I love my Filofax and have had them since the 1980s

Me too. I have an A5 at home and a pocket for carrying around.

@Bellagonna and @Pucarbuile

Have you looked at the remarkable notepad/tablet?

[quote Bargebill19]**@Bellagonna* and @Pucarbuile*

Have you looked at the remarkable notepad/tablet?[/quote]
Yes, but it's €400 and I just can't justify it.

I do. I remember things if I physically write them down, but forget if I type.

I just have a cheap a5 filofax from ebay that I customise with my choice of refills. I mainly use it for budgeting and calendar so I have monthly sheets to plan what bills come when, accounts refill for actual budgeting, weekly for my calendar and lined for notes and lists.

I have done this. It definitely helps me remember things. I have an a4 leather look diary which runs for an academic year so I've just got a new one. It has a week to a view and I put in appointments, the weekly menu, to do lists, shopping lists all in one book.
When I go out eg shopping I take a pic of the relevant bit on my phone.

I really enjoy the process of filling the different bits of the diary and I feel like it makes me a bit more mindful about what I'm doing.

I have a ‘month to a view’ diary from Smiths. This has only long-term appointments. The diary is so slim and light that it is always with me. I then do a bullet style diary in a simple A5 wire bound book. I spend an hour with a coffee on a Saturday when I make sense of my week and then draw up a table diary for the week and then make the appointments, to-dos. Keep notes which I can rip out. Keeps my messy head tidy.

@AlexandraQueen I remember things if I physically write them down, but forget if I type. Agree wholeheartedly of the power of handwriting.

@Pucarbuile

Yes there is that technicality🤣

The rocket oil comes in at under £50. That might work?