THE JOYS AND BENEFITS OF WRITING LONG HAND.....

I have 6 notebooks going at any given time.  

One for my neuroscience course, one for my morning pages, one for my business, one where I doodle while coaching to keep me focused, one where I junk journal and one where I put lists of things I need to do.  

And they are all gorgeous, and all full of notes and scribbles, some stickers and different colored pen markings, and when they are full, I either choose to keep them or I recycle.  

There is something deeply satisfying about getting to the end of a journal, to have filled it.  A sense of accomplishment.

Journaling is a powerful tool for processing – one I invite you to explore.  Specifically writing on paper, long hand.  Buy yourself a beautiful journal, a special pen or set of pens.  Here are a few reasons you should write in a paper book, in cursive.  

PAPER ISN’T CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET

I know this seems obvious, but from personal experience, I find being online to be an extreme distraction to creative flow and reflective thought.  We live in a noisy and busy world and taking just 20 minutes a day for ourselves to unplug and be with our own thoughts and feelings and putting them on a blank page is pure bliss, and will ground you for the day.

HANDWRITING INVOLVES VARIOUS SKILLS

It requires you to feel the pen and paper, move the pen across the paper, use thought to decide what to write, then make the pen move accordingly.  It’s a beautiful way to get your brain integrated for maximum effectiveness.

WRITING LONGHAND KEEPS OUR MINDS SHARP

We have to use various parts of our brain to write this way, and it enhances our neuroplasticity.  In grief in particular, when the brain fog is very real, writing longhand can cut through.

WRITING LONGHAND MAKES US MORE CREATIVE

Deleting something you’ve typed is easy, but something you’ve written longhand, you have to strike through it.  But it stays there, in your brain and on your paper, and can serve as a guide as you continue writing.

WRITING BY HAND ACTIVATES THE RIGHT HEMISPHERE OF YOUR BRAIN

Each letter is a wee work of art.  Getting the right hemisphere lighting up!  

WRITING LONG HAND IMPROVES YOUR MEMORY

Studies have shown that writing long-hand fires up different areas of our brain, including those used for motor and sensory function as well as learning.  We remember what we have embodied, and writing longhand is a form of somatic work.

So...... open that blank book and start writing. Play with your pen. Enjoy exploring your thoughts and ideas and metaphors! Reap all these wonderful benefits!!!

With love and comfort,

Rachel