10.4.2018

​In today’s high-tech world of keyboards and fonts at our fingertips, why pick up a pen or pencil? We’re used to the convenience of our phones and computers that help us tackle our to-do lists efficiently.
 
But there’s also some great perks to writing by hand. Researchers in neurology, psychology and other fields of study have found that penmanship is good for our brains! Carving out time in busy schedules for dotting our i’s and crossing our t’s might be a little slower, but the extra effort yields amazing results.

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Here are a few reasons to grab a pen and get writing:

• Writing by hand helps you remember things better and longer than typing the same information.

 

• For kids in school, penmanship builds skills in reading, spelling, and grammar. And proficiency is handwriting correlates to proficiency in other subjects.

 

• For older folks, writing by hand is an activity recommended to slow down the aging process and stimulate the brain.

 

• Your unique penmanship connects you more personally and emotionally when you give someone a handwritten note or letter.

 

• Journaling by hand is therapeutic and can help problem-solve, lower anxiety and boost happiness and gratitude levels.

 
Most mornings, I try to start the day with a few pages of reading and a blank journal for recording anything that comes to mind. I read and journal, doodle and make lists. There’s no pressure to perform, or create anything spectacular, but often, ideas are sparked during this time that later make their way into projects and design work. Here’s a video that evolved from one of my morning doodles:
​I’d love to hear your stories surrounding handwriting. What do you find beneficial or challenging about incorporating more handwriting into your daily life? ​