Why is writing by hand on paper important?

Whether we’re making a list of things to buy at the supermarket, filling out a form at the bank, taking notes from a meeting or coming up with a good idea, we write every day.

And living in a world where time is precious, whatever we do, we tend to get done faster, realizing that every minute we can spare in the day is precious. There is a price we pay through stress and sacrifice of core values, and in this case, by forgetting the pleasure that writing brings, too.

Time is at the heart of the concept of Montegrappa, the first Italian fountain pen manufacturer. The thesis is that essential progress depends on the ability to slow down time in order to increase its quality. Montegrappa’s writing instruments are designed with precisely this philosophy in mind: that devotees of thought, of the written word, can enjoy the benefits of slowing down time, which today is an undeniable luxury.

Besides the obvious benefits of writing on paper instead of a keyboard – like giving your eyes a break from the radiation of the screens we’re exposed to for most of the day, there are more psychological benefits established by scientific research.

The parts of the brain associated with learning are more active when we are writing on paper than on a keyboard. Research also shows that when we write by hand, holding the writing instrument, we think more about what we are expressing. Our writing is then more mindful because of slower mind speed, increased clarity of ideas and emotions, and the ability to notice and dismiss stressful and harmful thoughts.

According to research, handwriting relaxes the brain and unlocks potential creativity by activating special neural pathways, which is not the case with keyboarding. As we write on paper, shaping each letter with connected moves, we also engage neural pathways that run through the parts of the brain responsible for feelings.

Many professional writers also affirm the value of writing by hand on paper, especially during the first draft of the work they are working on, and the latter process of reading and interacting with ideas. Many famous writers use a keyboard only for the final version they send to the publisher because they feel that writing on a computer in the earlier stages interferes with the organic flow of their thoughts.

We’ve recently emerged from the pandemic phase, which has caused us to slow down the race against time and challenged us to confront ourselves with our strengths and weaknesses. When time slowed down, as measured by the dynamics of external activities, the mind turned to our inner life, enabling us to observe ourselves more closely. Such insights can be a factor in improving our lives, but unless we note them in a way that arranges them into an interconnected whole and gives them permanence, they can be confusing and even frustrating.

In many cases during the pandemic, journaling proved to be an indispensable tool for maintaining a healthy flow of thoughts and productivity. If you haven’t practised it yet, a few recommendations will try to motivate you to start using this very rewarding life tool, the journal.

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Write on paper instead of a keyboard

As we said, expressing our thoughts and feelings has an organic relationship with the movement of the writing instrument on the paper. To enjoy the moment of transferring them to your journal, first pick your favourite pen… and start writing.

Be true to yourself

Keeping a journal is not writing a novel or a text meant for an audience. The process involves self-care. What you write is personal to you and for you alone – don’t insist on literary style, but on the most direct expression of what’s going on in your inner life. The best journaling style is the honest one.

Write in your favourite place, at your favourite time

Who we are come to the fore in our favourite environment, whether it’s a home, a coffee shop or a park. Early risers probably write in their journal with their first cup of coffee, and night owls in the wee hours. In particular, the choice of place and time can determine the relaxation and comfort with which you will journal, and therefore, the enjoyment of the process.

Let it remain a private matter

Getting into the rhythm of keeping a journal is sometimes difficult, like any other activity that requires practice to perfect. Keeping a journal is something that some people just have in them, while others may find it strange at first. But if you’re one of the latter, remember that what you write is just for you and no one will see it. The privacy of journaling, that healthy conversation you have only with yourself, has its therapeutic effect.

Spontaneously create a routine for yourself

The beneficial effects of keeping a journal only come over time, with regular writing. Keeping a journal is not disposable, and it is by no means a means to accidentally release the rage. Create your routine – if once a day is too much for your schedule, then write two or three times a week. The value of regular journaling is that it helps us develop as individuals, recognize patterns in our lives, and gain a clearer perspective and control over our circumstances.

Write only about what you know

Keep a journal by writing only what you know well. Write about yourself, your life, and your experience of your environment. Writing about something that is not yours and that you do not know well has no therapeutic value and is not journaling, but an entirely different activity. Express yourself without getting into the genre of fiction, which would mean writing about other people’s feelings.

Let quantity be more important to you than quality

Perhaps this is the first time you’ve heard such a recommendation that quantity is more important than the quality of the words. But we’re not Hemingway or Dostoevsky, so for the sake of style, let’s measure words. In journaling, quality means faithfully and directly putting thoughts and feelings on paper, however many words it takes. The stylistic value of these entries takes a back seat.

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Choose your writing instrument… and try…