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Original poster

Does anyone else prefer a paper diary?

120 replies

Rainallnight · 23/03/2023 10:17

Let me start my saying I’m not the most organised.

I’ve been using a diary on my phone for yonks. It’s ok, electronic reminders are helpful, but things still get missed.

I found a load of old paper appointment diaries recently and realised I really love seeing a week spread over one or two pages, and it gives me a much better sense of the passage of time.

Curious if anyone else is like this? Feeling like a right Luddite.

OP posts:
bigbluebus · 23/03/2023 11:15

I've always had a family organiser calendar on the kitchen wall. It took many years of telling DH "if it's not on the calendar then it's not happening ". He has finally grasped it mostly so I'm not about to change the system!

DPotter · 23/03/2023 11:22

paper diary here too - week to view. So much easier when trying to fix appointments with others. I have an A5 spiral bound one.

My only complaint is that diaries for the coming year aren't available until the back end of September, even October and well before then I'm booking appointments and workshops so I suppose that is an advantage for an electronic one

divorceadviceneeded · 23/03/2023 11:24

I ❤️ my Black Moleskin soft cover - absolutely the right size for me and i love the page for notes opposite the week's view. I must have 15 of them now.

Coffeepot72 · 23/03/2023 11:25

I am very happy with a paper diary, it’s very easy to flick through

Kazzyhoward · 23/03/2023 11:30

I went computerised in the 1990s with Lotus Organiser which was basically an "on screen" filofax where you could turn pages, view a whole weeks at a time, etc.

I was genuinely sad when the company closed down and newer versions of Windows meant the old version of Organiser no longer worked. I've tried many times to find something similar, but none of the modern breed of online diaries come close, and diary apps are awful.

I went back to using a filofax and still use it today, a couple of decades later.

Occasionally I keep uploaded different apps or diary software, but always end up deleting it again as none do what I want, how I want to do it, i.e. just like a filofax!

Kazzyhoward · 23/03/2023 11:35

This was Lotus Organiser. A brilliant little bit of software.

Does anyone else prefer a paper diary?
ScottishBeth · 23/03/2023 11:35

I use a bullet journal and I love it! I always hated putting events in my phone calendar and I switched to paper last year. I can easily keep track of what I've got on, my to do list, and my food plan for the day (helps with weight loss). Love it and never going back!

GobbieMaggie · 23/03/2023 11:36

FrenchandSaunders · 23/03/2023 10:18

Yep, never put stuff in my phone, I use an old school filofax ... much to the amusements of my colleagues Grin

Me too 😀

Netcam · 23/03/2023 11:42

Definitely. I like to open the week and see it all there in front of me and scribble things down in it. Never got on with a digital one.

Shampern · 23/03/2023 11:44

A paper diary for me too, week by week view, and the whole year at the back for blocking out holidays.

Netcam · 23/03/2023 11:45

I get one of these every year, have dobe for years. They are an academic year and have 15 months so you get a 3 month overlap between them. boxcleverpress.com/products/pocket-life-book-diary

Lavenderfowl · 23/03/2023 11:49

Filofax here too - I’m fact I recently treated myself to a new one 😁

Original poster
Rainallnight · 23/03/2023 16:18

Netcam · 23/03/2023 11:45

I get one of these every year, have dobe for years. They are an academic year and have 15 months so you get a 3 month overlap between them. boxcleverpress.com/products/pocket-life-book-diary

Ooh I like their stuff. I’ve ordered a non-spiral bound compact diary. I really like equal space for all 7 days of the week, and good advice upthread about a page opposite for lists and notes.

Excited now, thanks for the encouragement everyone!

OP posts:
User386421986 · 23/03/2023 16:27

Not a diary but I use a calendar on the wall and write all the stuff on that, I never use the online one, I like to see it all written down, DH uses a paper diary

Theraffarian · 23/03/2023 16:47

Yep, very specific diary requirements here , it must be A5 , spiral bound ( so I can keep relevant papers tucked in it ) , elastic strap around it ( so relevant papers don’t fall out ), purchasable in October ( the traditional month for writing up my new diary ) and have a picture on the hard cover that I will appreciate year round .

Diary purchasing is quite important as you may be able to tell . It absolutely lives at home , so any work and social events can be checked in the evening and I never have to make an immediate decision on wether I’m doing something, because I always have to go home to “check the diary “ .

TonTonMacoute · 23/03/2023 16:52

Absolutely cannot manage without a paper diary, loathe virtual/phone diaries. I am very old though...

TonTonMacoute · 23/03/2023 16:57

Netcam · 23/03/2023 11:45

I get one of these every year, have dobe for years. They are an academic year and have 15 months so you get a 3 month overlap between them. boxcleverpress.com/products/pocket-life-book-diary

I love these too!

However, this year I didn't buy one as I thought it was a bit extravagant, especially as DS has left home now so I no longer need to keep track of him and his activities to the same extent.

God, how I have missed it! Never again!!

I can't wait until August when I can get another one. I may definitely do still have all my old ones tucked away.

familyissues12345 · 23/03/2023 17:01

Yes!

Funnily enough I was talking to a work friend about this today, she was laughing at me writing my to do list and how excited I was physically ticking it off Grin.
I use my online calendar too, and notes in my phone, but I bloody love my diary. I buy an academic year one and I'm already on a look out for my next one.

Thinking I might move onto a Filofax next Grin

TulipCat · 23/03/2023 17:04

I love my family wall calendar. I walk past it multiple times a day and it reminds me of everything that's going on. I like seeing everyone's schedule in one place and I like that the DC can access it.

neitherofthem · 23/03/2023 17:06

I've got a paper diary, and I wouldn't be without it. There are so many times when I'm with family or friends, or people I know through my hobby, someone will ask if anybody knows when X is happening, and everyone whips out their phones. I whip out my diary and beat the lot of them every time. I always used to use a Filofax, but I'm a bit arthritic now and the extra weight in my handbag was slowing me down.

Someone was showing me their bullet journal the other day. I'd always wondered what they were and how people used them. Well, it's a Filofax really, isn't it?

OceanbreezeSun · 23/03/2023 17:08

I like to think I’m quite tech savvy but I much prefer my paper diary. Storing things in my phone actually takes longer and feels like a faff.

AlisonDonut · 23/03/2023 17:10

I've always used a paper diary. When I was at work I'd use Outlook mainly to book work into my diary to avoid going to meetings.

piedbeauty · 23/03/2023 17:30

Yes! I have a family diary so I can add in what the Dc are doing, I have room to add what we're having for tea every night - I wouldn't be without my paper diary.

chronictonic · 23/03/2023 17:34

Love a wall calendar for overall family life, and for myself still love a paper pocket diary - love seeing the week ahead and I love to be able to make lists & notes alongside.
I use my phone too but for my brain, paper is best.
Still prefer a list on a scrap on paper than a note on my phone.