I just couldn’t resist and went ahead, getting myself a brand new ink pen.
Writing with an ink pen is an indescribable experience. The soft scratching sounds as the nib glides across the pages is music.
I discovered the joys of writing with an ink pen when my grandfather presented me with one when I was in school.
And after that I just wouldn’t stop writing.
It wasn’t just a means to an end, or for making notes during classes, or to-do lists, or completing homework and assignments. It became more than a tool to get through school.
In later years, when I began writing at work, I realised something. Writing is one of the most under-rated skills we possess.
It’s not just a motor skill. It’s a way of thinking, of expressing, of sieving through your thoughts. But sadly, this skill is rapidly vanishing in the mechanical clackity clack of keyboards.
Writing, cursive or block, with pen or pencil, is not about stringing words. It’s a connection between what the brain processes and how the hand expresses on paper.
It deserves more space in our cluttered lives.
Pen vs. Keyboard: More Than Just a Tool
I know I sound like an old timer, stuck in some time warp. There are a lot of you who’ll say typing is faster, cleaner and more convenient.
I agree. I know that. My daily work is proof of that.
But writing does something to my brain. Every time I write, it’s like my thoughts get time to evolve and process themselves instead of tripping over each other to make it to the page.
I’m forced to think, pause, structure, pick the right words and expressions. That slowness ensures clarity.
The blank page reflects my mind, sometimes cluttered, sometimes calm. With each stroke, I feel something shift within me. It’s a reminder that words are transformational.
Writing trains your mind to process your ideas as you lay them out on the blank pages.
Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy typing; my work depends on my faithful keyboard.
Typing has its own charm as the fingers fly from key to key, keeping pace with the racing mind.
Neither of them, writing or typing, can be ignored or underestimated.
Writing Is Thinking Made Visible
There’s a reason why you need to take writing seriously; why good teachers, leaders and creators are often good writers.
It’s because they’ve understood the power of writing which helps them to distil messy emotions, complicated arguments or scattered ideas into something more coherent and structured.
All those muddled thoughts in your head suddenly make sense once you put pen to paper.
And when the thoughts get sorted, they become easier to understand.
Till date I need to write down if I need to think clearly. Once I can see the ideas before me, it all falls into place without much effort.
Writing is slowed down thinking, examined and made visible.
Why We Need to Bring Writing Back
If children don’t feel like writing these days, it’s because they haven’t practiced enough to appreciate it.
I remember having handwriting classes at school where the teachers would spend time teaching us to write in cursive.
Handwriting is the least of the concerns of the teacher in the class. Don’t blame her even though it screams for attention.
As an educator, I strongly feel writing as an activity is a skill that needs to be nurtured from an early age.
Other than the obvious development of fine motor skills, practicing to write by hand
- helps boost creativity,
- activates the brain by improving complex motor and cognitive skills,
- helps develop focus and attention (as they require to concentrate),
- improves memory,
- supports emotional health, and finally
- gets them to take pride in their work.
With so many benefits, why are you ignoring building this skill in your child?
The Skewed Perspective About Writing
The problem is you treat writing as a tool for school or work, not something that needs to be focused on.
What gets overlooked is by ignoring writing, you’re depriving yourself of an opportunity for clarity, creativity and connection in your thoughts.
You don’t have to be a journalist or a novelist to write. Doesn’t matter what you write – draft of a message, an idea scribbled on the last page of your diary, explaining something to someone, you’re writing.
Maybe it’s time to build that mindset again. It’s a powerful skill worth nurturing.
Encourage children to practice it more. Send a handwritten note to a friend. Jot down thoughts or random musings in a journal. Start dumping your ideas into a bedside diary before calling it a day.
It doesn’t have to be perfect. Begin writing for yourself so you get to think slowly, to feel deeply, and to connect strongly.
The Hidden Benefits of Writing
You underestimate writing because it feels ordinary. But the benefits are extraordinary:
- Memory & Learning: Studies show you remember better when you write things by hand. That’s why students who take notes with pen often recall concepts better than those who type.
- Focus & Calm: Writing slows you down in a noisy world. Even jotting down thoughts in a journal can quiet the mental chatter.
- Creativity: Writing gives shape to imagination. A random thought can become a story, a solution, or even a dream worth chasing.
- Communication: Whether it’s a workplace email, a blog, or a heartfelt letter, writing helps you to connect more authentically.
- Personal Growth: Writing shows how much you’ve grown. Looking back at old journals or essays often reveals lessons you didn’t even know you were learning at the time.
When you think about it, writing strengthens both mind and spirit. And yet, you seldom encourage it in daily practice outside of academics.
A Question for You
So let me ask you this (and you be honest to yourself) – when was the last time you wrote something for yourself? By hand, not typed. Just for you. A note, or brain dump, or interesting quote, book review, opinion, idea, poem, short story, anything at all.
Don’t you feel it’s time to go back to the desk and restart? It’s an activity that only benefits you.
Try writing down a thought or two before the end of the day. Do it for a few days and notice the difference.
Look at writing as a connection. It’s your tranquil space, away from the cacophony of the world around.
Encourage your children to get into the habit also. They can practice by writing ‘thank you’ or ‘get well soon’ notes.
It will help them to improve their handwriting as well as develop clarity of thought.
Time to reclaim ourselves for ourselves from a world that constantly distracts and pulls you outwards.
