I Tried Going Fully Digital. It Did Not Go Well.
A while back, I convinced myself that I was going to fully embrace the digital age. No more notebooks. No more handwritten lists. Just me, my laptop, and a sleek, beautifully organized system of digital notes and productivity apps.
It lasted exactly three days.
By day four, my to-do list was buried under 47 open tabs, my notes were scattered across five different apps, and I had no idea where I put anything. Meanwhile, I kept catching myself grabbing a pen and scribbling things down anyway.
Because as much as I love technology, I’ve realized that handwriting is different. And science agrees.
The Science Behind Handwriting vs. Typing
Handwriting isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about how our brains work.
Several studies highlight why putting pen to paper has a bigger impact on memory, comprehension, and creativity than typing.
✔ Better Memory Retention – A landmark 2014 study by Mueller & Oppenheimer found that students who took notes by hand retained more information and performed better on conceptual questions than those who typed their notes. Why? Because handwriting forces the brain to actively engage with the material instead of passively transcribing.
✔ Enhanced Comprehension – When we write by hand, we naturally summarize and process information rather than copying it verbatim. This leads to deeper understanding and long-term recall.
✔ Increased Creativity – A 2021 study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that handwriting activates neural pathways linked to idea generation, problem-solving, and creative thinking. Some of history’s greatest minds—Einstein, Da Vinci, Hemingway—relied on handwritten notes to develop their biggest ideas.
Basically? Writing things down makes us smarter.
Why Handwriting Works (Even When Typing Is Faster)
At first glance, typing seems more efficient. But speed comes at a cost. Handwriting slows you down in all the right ways.
💡 It Forces You to Think More Deeply – When you type, it’s easy to zone out and just copy what you hear or read. But when you write by hand? You have to process and reframe the information.
💡 It Boosts Focus & Mindfulness – When you’re writing by hand, there’s no temptation to check notifications or jump between 12 different tabs. It’s just you, your pen, and your thoughts.
💡 It Strengthens Neural Connections – Research from the University of Stavanger in Norway suggests that handwriting stimulates more complex brain activity than typing, reinforcing memory and critical thinking skills.
So basically, handwriting is like a workout for your brain.
How to Bring More Handwriting Into Your Life
If you’re ready to reap the benefits of writing by hand, here are a few ways to start:
1. Take Notes by Hand
Whether you’re in a meeting, a lecture, or reading a book, try jotting down key takeaways in a notebook instead of typing them.
📖 Example: I used to type out book highlights in a note-taking app. Then I realized I never actually remembered them. Now? I keep a notebook for book notes, and suddenly, I can recall way more of what I read.
2. Use a Bullet Journal
The Bullet Journal Method combines structured organization with the power of handwriting, helping you track goals, habits, priorities, and reflections all in one place.
📖 Example: I tried digital planners for a while. Then I realized that physically writing down my tasks makes them way more likely to get done.
(Also, nothing is more satisfying than crossing something off a to-do list. Absolute dopamine rush.)
3. Write Morning Pages
This is a simple but powerful habit from The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron: write three pages of freehand thoughts every morning. It helps declutter your mind and spark creativity.
📖 Example: The first time I tried morning pages, I thought, “Wow, this is just me complaining on paper.” But after a week, I started noticing breakthrough ideas showing up in my messy, unfiltered thoughts.
4. Handwrite Your To-Do Lists
Studies show that manually writing down tasks makes you more likely to complete them. (Probably because the act of writing creates a stronger cognitive connection to what you need to do.)
📖 Example: I once tried keeping my to-do list in an app. I immediately forgot everything on it. Now? I write my daily tasks in a simple notebook—and suddenly, my brain actually remembers them.
Want to Dive Deeper? Here Are Three Books That Explore the Power of Handwriting
📖 Books to Read:
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The Extended Mind – Annie Murphy Paul
Explores how external tools like handwriting can enhance cognition. -
The Artist’s Way – Julia Cameron
A great resource for incorporating handwritten journaling into daily life. -
A Notebook and a Pen – Austin Kleon
A celebration of analog note-taking in a digital world.
What’s One Way You Can Bring More Handwriting Into Your Routine?
Let me know in the comments—or better yet, write it down.