10 Jun 2013

why I am sticking with just one binder

Why is it so hard to stick with one binder? Can you really have all of your life in one?

J from The Crazy Life of J blogged about her one binder and how it works for her, along with accepting that you can't fit it all. In the past, I tried using more than one binder in tandem but it was hard. Things got lost and it was time consuming to faff around with different binders that were for different things.

That is why I am back to using one binder. In the past, I have tried to stick to one binder and failed but this time, I think it will be for real as I am no longer tempted by any binders I see online or instore. At least, not tempted enough to think about plonking down some cash for another.


I am making a compromise in that I've sacrificed the portability of my Slimline Deco for a 23mm ring Smythson binder but it's been worth it. The aim of this blog post is not to convince you to only have one binder (after all, who am I to tell you what to have/do or what not to have/do) but to let you know that it can work with just one binder. But it all depends on what you want to use your binder for.

Having more than one binder isn't a bad thing - I have three with all possessing different ring sizes (11mm, 23mm and 30mm) and they all serve different purposes. My main one is my Smythson binder and that carries everything in it - my diary, expenses record, to-do lists, blog planner and other things that I deem necessary. However, my 30mm Kate Spade agenda will come in handy for the times when I need that extra space, and my 11mm Slimline Deco will be equally handy on short trips (although it is currently used as my food diary).

So, why is it so hard to stick with just one binder? Well, as you know, the companies that do binders (Filofax, Smythson, Aspinal of London, Kate Spade, Louis Vuitton, Mulberry, etc) all have very, very pretty binders and quite often choosing just one binder is easier said than done. I've been guilty of this in the past but now, I only have more than one due to the ring sizes (and well, they also happen to look pretty too!). There is nothing wrong with this at all though and if you want to change binders as often as you change your underwear, that is not for me or for anyone else to judge.

For me, I've found it easy to stick with one binder as I've been particularly brutal with what is essential in my binder but it still (just about) carries my life in it. Carrying around a lot of notepaper is not only pointless but also adds unnecessary bulk. I guess using a week on two page diary also helps me stay in one binder too - but then again, J from The Crazy Life of J uses one binder and she uses two pages per day! Being particularly brutal with what should go in your binder really does help, and it also helps keeping life as uncluttered as possible. I'm trying really hard in my quest to be minimalistic and this is just one part of that quest.

Finally, you need to take into account what you are using your binder for, and also how often you use those sheets that you thought were essential. I did have an A5 for a brief period of time but it was too bulky and I never used it. I had it all planned out to use it for university but the extra weight it added to my handbag (in comparison to my personal sized binders) meant that it never even got used. So in terms of function, weight and size must also be taken into account.


These reasons are why I see myself in this Smythson binder for the rest of this year (at least!). I have developed my own diary hacks for when things get busier or for when things change. And if I need bigger rings? My Kate Spade is a more than worthy backup, as is my Slimline Deco for when I need portability.

8 comments

  1. I love your pink binder! It's such a great colour. ♥ I have to admit that sometimes I buy stationery just because it looks cute. I can't resist!

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    1. Thank you :) it is lovely - it's made me not want to buy another binder as I know I won't love it as much as this one. I'm with you on that I buy stationery because it looks nice too! It's hard resisting but I think I've improved a lot in the past year or so :) x

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  2. Awe, thanks for the mention! I'm so glad that one binder is working for you - it's definitely a challenge to resist new purchases (vintage Portland binders, I'm looking at YOU)... but in then end it is worth it!

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    1. No problem - I loved your posts! I actually had this post written a few weeks' ago when I had read your post a good few times and it inspired me to stick with this one binder. I'm with you on the vintage binders - I would love a vintage Winchester in the purple/violet colour and saw one go for about £350 on eBay a month or so ago (crazy!!) so I didn't need to resist at all as it was WAY out of my budget x

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  3. I'm a one binder person, too. I have more than one available to use but everything is in one binder. I've tried using other binders for different things but it doesn't work for me. I need it all in one place.

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    1. It just gets too confusing when using more than one binder for the same function. It's so much easier to have everything in the same place :)

      I'm cheating a little as I have a separate food diary but if I wasn't using a Filofax for that, I would be using a bound diary anyway as there's no way I can fit that into my binder - and it isn't really anything to do with my day planner so I guess I can justify it?! :) x

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  4. Hello Angela, I have admired your blog for a long time. Especially your posts on your lovely new pink organiser. I think you made the case for switching to the Smythson very well- the two colours of pink and the gold rings look great. So I thought I'd just have a peek on their website and I found that this model is still on sale. And when I ordered it, because it is going to Australia, they removed the sales tax so it became even cheaper (but the freight cancelled that out). Anyway, the whole thing was actually cheaper than many of the leather Filofaxes available in Australia. Now I'm very excited about my birthday present coming soon!! Regards, Zoe.

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    1. Hehe, yeah I love this binder a lot. Hope you'll love yours as much as I love mine! x

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