My handwriting has become awful since I started to use the computer. I am losing that smooth control of the pen. Did you know that writing by hand is a way to exercise your brain and that it helps hand-eye coordination? I wonder if I’m losing my coordination. I write using the stream of consciousness method when I journal, and I feel that things flow smoothly when I use pen and paper. I also love to doodle on my pages which is something I can’t do with the computer.
That ritual of handwriting in itself makes me relax, slow down, and thoughts start spilling from my head and onto the paper. I get a cup of coffee, sit down at my table, get out my notebook, and then take off the cap from my fountain pen.
I like to hand write my to-do lists and notes on notebooks because I love ink pens and the paper’s texture.
There are notebooks all over my house. I use small ones to jot down memories or to do a quick sketch of something that I want to draw later.
My car has its own notebook and a pencil. I use lined notebooks for my writing and a plain one for my drawing journal.
I have cheap spiral notebooks and lovely artisanal ones. I am always looking at and drooling over handmade journals on social media.
Holding a pen changes my writing experience because I am drawing those little shapes that become letters. I try to make them look appealing so I can read my entries later.
Many things are happening while I write: I slow down, draw, hold an object, look at my thoughts on paper as they are being documented.
When I type, I am just looking at my words. I have two very different experiences. The computer is more automatic, while the handwriting experience is also about what I see and how I want to put down my marks on paper.
Photo by Marguerite Your Handwriting Can Change Your Life by Vimala Rodgers
I found a lovely book a few years ago, called, “Your handwriting Can Change Your Life” by Vimala Rodgers. She showed samples of good handwriting and suggested that we exercise by repetition, just like we did while learning cursive in school.
I’ve played with this concept in the past, but I’m more interested in revisiting it now. She has inspired me to work on my handwriting, and I have started to exercise my letter drawings again. The “o’s” are not so round anymore, and there are some challenging letters!
Rodgers discusses how our writing is a reflection of our innermost thoughts, and therefore transformations can result from intentionally changing our handwriting patterns.
So far, I can understand how it can certainly make me more thoughtful. I think about each shape while I’m writing. It’s relaxing.
The exercises require unlined paper and a ballpoint pen. I much prefer a fountain pen’s softness, but taking me out of my comfort zone makes me concentrate a little harder on my calligraphy.
The next step will be to return to sending handwritten notes.
But if you don’t want to write out your letters, you can always embroider letters on linen like they did here in Portugal!
Updated on July 2025
Marguerite Beaty, Blogger, Photographer & Artist
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