For most of us, it’s easier to push a key than draw a letter. It’s certainly easier to store, send, copy, and modify a digital file than a stack of papers. Is paper simply outdated? I don’t think so. Here are four reasons to grab a pen instead of reaching for your keyboard:
1. Paper Is Tangible
There are no power buttons, loading bars, or rules between you and the page. You can add notes between the lines or doodle in the margins. Those embellishments as well as the tactile feedback of the pen on the page help ideas stick in your brain. Putting your ideas on paper can force you to face them instead of forgetting about them in some document you’ll never check again.
2. Paper Is Personal
It’s your handwriting, your effort. No program is correcting your spelling, adding words you missed, or adjusting the formatting. It’s all you. If you’re mad or sad, you can let it show on the page. The physical action activates your emotions. For me, journaling wouldn’t be as meaningful if I weren’t wielding a pen as I wrestle with my thoughts. That can’t be just me.
3. Paper Is Isolated
One of the great things about writing on the computer is the ability to look up words, research facts, and search within your document. However, all of those things break the flow of writing. With paper, there are no distractions. There are no videos to waste your time or e-mails taking up a portion of your mind. If you don’t know how to spell something or if a word means what you think, you just have to go with it, and that’s a great thing! You can look stuff up later; now, you write.
4. Paper Is Rough
It’s hard to edit your work on paper, especially if you use a pen. It’s unforgiving. That’s a good thing! It can keep you from nitpicking your work and help you learn how to write a rough draft.
Are you struggling to write at all? The tips in these posts might help: Writing with a Busy Schedule and Writing When Sleepy
