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Journaling / Musings

Handwriting Matters

handwriting matters, handwritten,pen, paper, notepad

handwriting matters, handwritten,pen, paper, notepadWhen was the last time you hand wrote a note, letter, or your thoughts? I’m taking something longer than a post-it or a to-do list. For me, writing by hand is a daily occurrence, I actually write all my blogs out first before typing them up. I find I can describe my thoughts better with a pen in my hand, as well as it being relaxing. 

Hand-written journals are the best stress-relievers, just jotting down my troubles, worries and woes can help ease them away, I find it generally makes me see them in a whole new light. I’ve also learnt over the years that keeping a notepad by my bed to jot down anything that stops me from sleeping – anything from worries to things stressing me out, as well as those things I didn’t get round to doing that day. My handwritten scribbles to ease my mind then becomes the first thing I look at in the morning to focus my day. It helps me sleep and makes the next day more productive. handwriting-matters-stationery-1

I generally have notepads for all occasions, some for blog ideas, which I carry around with me at all times, I have diary pads, which I used to fill out religiously every day for years, now I just fill in on important days, life-changing moments, and those unbelievable days that I will want to relive later in life. I also have notepads filled with to-do lists, doodles, novel ideas with plots and characters, as well as one dedicated to locations around the world I want to visit. 

I think my love of handwriting comes from my stationery addiction, I’m a pen and pad hoarder, as well as pretty pins, paperclips, and erasers – anything that makes my workspace pretty. You can’t buy pads and pens if you don’t use them!!!

My favourite thing to handwrite are letters, notecards, and even just little hellos to friends. I don’t know why but something handwritten makes it seem more special, more thoughtful, and something to treasure. Trust me put pen to paper and tell your best friend or loved one about your day or news, instead of e-mailing or texting, and they will appreciate it so much more. Plus it’s fun finding cute notecards. I actually have a box filled for various occasions, moods and friends that I’ve picked up from around the world, they are literally just waiting to be written on.

I’ve recently fell back in love with using a fountain pen, I just think it makes my handwriting neater, and there’s a calmness about gliding the ink over the page. I really wish I’d learnt to do calligraphy, I suppose nothing is stopping me from giving it a go now, as that really is handwriting at its very best.handwriting-matters-stationery-2

Want to get back into handwriting?

Pick a good quality pen, I love my 4-coloured Bics but there is nothing better than a great fountain pen or rollerball pen, I do love Parker, Cross and Waterman and I do love to pick a new one every so often on the Pen Heaven website, one of the best places online to pick up quality pens. I also love that they do a personalisation service and is a good place to pick up a gift set. 

Think of the benefits – variety of studies have shown that just a few minutes of handwriting a day can be an effective way of relieving stress and helping you unwind, plus the act of putting pen to paper is thought to boost both creativity and memory. I also think it is a great way to rid you of the distractions of the digital world, if you are typing your notes don’t you find that opening Facebook and Twitter much easier to do? 

Don’t worry about the appearance of you handwriting. Apparently 1 in 3 people think their handwriting is terrible or needs improvement, but just think you can’t improve it if you don’t pick up pen and paper and just write something. The art of handwriting is a personal journey, if you can read your writing back, who cares!!!

Are you a handwriting lover or are you happy to embrace the notes function on your mobile?