The 2 Things Helping Me To Really Use My Filofax

In my last blog I wrote about how I am using the tons of extra calendar sheets for lists that lend themselves to blocks of info. My favorite being my grocery list and daily/weekly todo list. Believe it or not, I am still doing this and lovin’ it!

But now, a new (for me) fabulous idea!

I have really spent a lot of time in the past few weeks thinking what about my FF isn’t working. Why do I still have post-its and notes scribbled elsewhere? Like when I have to jot down just a quick note...“did they make the Osterley in mini?” (apparently not) or “what was that Tree Hut Body Wash flavor that I loved?” (Almond Honey).  You know, those random things that come to you, that you want to remember to do, but they don’t really belong in with your other lists or notes…aka Capture Pages.

Now, I had my capture pages all set up at the front of my FF, all pristine, just waiting for me to dirty them up with scribbles and cross-outs. But the paper was just too nice. Seemed wasteful to use it for these kinds of things that I would just toss. Then I tried the old calendar pages and those worked ok, but the blocks that work so well for my shopping list...not so much here. “So genius, what did you use before FF?”

Used paper from the copier. That’s right, people. Something that I have been doing for years and was still doing but it wasn’t part of my FF system. I have tons of this stuff at home and work. One side is blank so my preferred way of using this is just to fold it in half...so the 2 outsides are blank and whatever was printed on it is on the inside. In the US the “standard” is letter size 8 ½” x 11”, so folded in half it is (ugh, math) 8 ½’ x 5 ½”. I used this as my go-to for years. Fits nicely in my handbag. And I like the texture for writing. I have a stack on my desk at work and in various drawers around my house. Whenever I need to scribble a quick note, this is what I grab.

I am sure you see where this is going. It only took me 7 months to make the leap. Instead of folding the used paper in half, cut it to size and use it as Capture Pages! I can’t tell you how excited I was about this.

It’s right at the front of my FF. I can scribble and cross out and write on an angle and write sloppy and mix all kinds of thoughts together. It doesn’t matter. Because it’s trash paper anyway. And once I either act on or move the notes to their appropriate section later, in the trash it goes. And it doesn’t cost me a penny.

These 2 things have completely changed the way I use my FF. I am actually using it now, all the time. Sure I was using the diary before and some of the other sections, but my grocery and daily todo and my “notes to self” were still on random sheets outside of my Filofax.

Can you hear the angels singing?