Journaling to Improve Handwriting and for Posterity

So many people — myself included — spend a great deal more time typing on a keyboard than writing by hand. And yet, when you do put the keyboard away and start to write, the experience can be cathartic. There aren’t any notifications that can pop up on a piece of paper, and the tactile act of writing helps to pull you in. Today, I’d like to examine how you can use journaling to improve handwriting and preserve feelings and memories.

The Benefits of Journaling

1. Consistent Handwriting Practice

Journaling provides sneaky handwriting practice, which is especially useful if you tend to type on a digital device a lot. The more you write by hand, the more your muscle memory develops, leading to more consistent and controlled handwriting. According to a recent study, regular handwriting practice can significantly improve fine motor skills and writing fluency. That will likely translate into the ability to write beautiful notes and letters when you want to.

2. An Opportunity to Experiment with Writing Styles

Journaling is a deeply personal activity. You’re writing for you, in order to process your thoughts and record your experiences. This relaxed environment allows you to experiment with different writing styles and techniques without fear of judgment. The freedom to make mistakes and learn from them is so important for improvement! So, go ahead and try on an architect-like print style one day, then switch to fluid cursive the next. It’s all about what feels best to you.

3. Mental Health

Yes, journaling improves your handwriting and encourages you to get creative with it. But, more than anything, journaling is excellent for mental health. Writing down your thoughts and feelings is a powerful way to release tension. Furthermore, journaling helps you process your emotions and get some insight into them. For me, posterity is a massive reason to journal. The older I get, the more I forget, so writing things down — like when my two-year-old stopped nursing or what we did to celebrate my birthday — is so important.

Journaling Tips

1. Don’t Get Fussy About Tools

For some reason, I used to feel like I couldn’t journal unless I had an actual journal. Now, I realize that you can write in any notebook. I particularly like the cheap composition books that are sold at grocery stores. Grab a pen that gives you a pleasant writing experience (I prefer a gel pen), then make any notebook into your journal.

2. Don’t Put Pressure on Yourself

Some people recommend setting aside a few minutes every day to journal. I’ve never found that to be realistic. The approach that works best for me — and maybe will work best for you, too — is to journal when the mood strikes. I’ve always made journaling into a quiet and reflective treat. Before I had kids, I’d sometimes journal in bed right before I went to sleep. At this point in my life, I journal at my desk, in a relaxing and dimly-lit room, after my kids are asleep. It’s all about what works for you and what makes you look forward to writing in your journal.

During different phases of life, your journaling habits may change. In high school and university, I filled pages upon pages. It was my way of making sense of the world and shaping my identity. In my mid-20’s, life was stable and pretty predictable, so I journaled occasionally to record updates. Now that I’m a parent, I journal every week or so, mostly so I can re-live this period in my life when my two babies are all grown up. (We journalers tend to be a sentimental bunch!)

3. Keep it Comfortable

As you’re writing, you may find yourself clutching your pen or hunching. Check in with yourself periodically to evaluate your comfort level. If you find that you’re starting to tense up, remind yourself to maintain a relaxed grip on your pen and comfortable posture. Keeping both of these things in check will also contribute to neater handwriting.

Sample Journaling Exercises

Now that you have these journaling tips, the question is what do you actually write about? Below, you’ll find some sample exercises to get you started.

• Lists and Plans – Create lists like to-do lists, goals, or gratitude lists. Writing lists can help you practice neatness and organization in your handwriting (and it’s great for your creativity)!
• Daily Reflections – Write about your day, focusing on the details. This helps you practice descriptive writing and maintain a steady writing pace.
• Quotes and Poetry – Copying quotes or poetry can improve your handwriting by requiring precision and attention to detail. Choose texts that inspire you, then write why they inspire you at this point in your life.
• Letter Writing – Write letters to friends, family, or even to yourself. This form of journaling helps you practice writing in different tones and styles, and can help you to navigate difficult relationships or events.

Handwriting Resources

If you to incorporate journaling into a structured strategy to improve handwriting, consider any of the following resources:

• Improve Your Handwriting: A Comprehensive Online Course – This course is perfect for adults looking to refine their existing handwriting skills, whether in print or cursive, through comprehensive lessons and exercises designed for both right- and left-handed learners.
• Elegant Cursive Handwriting Worksheet – This worksheet is ideal for writers who already know cursive and want to elevate their writing to create stunning, vintage-inspired script.
• Learn Cursive Worksheet – This worksheet is perfect for kids (ages 8+) and adults who want to learn how to write cursive through structured, guided practice.
• Improve Your Print Handwriting Worksheet – This worksheet is ideal for students and adults who want to improve their print handwriting through structured drills and letter formation practice.

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There aren’t a lot of downsides to journaling. It will improve handwriting, provide therapeutic benefits, and preserve memories or feelings that otherwise might slip through the cracks. If you’ve never tried it, pick up a notebook next time you’re at the grocery store! If you have enjoyed journaling at different points in your life, consider this a gentle reminder of the benefits that journaling can bring into your life.

Thanks so much for reading, and happy writing!

Warmly,

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For further reading, see:

• Writing Therapy: How to Write and Journal Therapeutically – Positive Psychology
• Write Your Anxieties Away – Harvard Health Blog
• How Journaling Can Help You in Hard Times – Greater Good Magazine