In Defense of Pen and Paper

I’ve been working in the tech industry for 7 years and studied it for four, which means I’m almost always in front of a computer screen. Being in the tech industry, we try to keep up with the latest technology trends and adapt to them as much as we can. We communicate through chat and email, we brainstorm using apps, take notes on a laptop, and even use virtual whiteboards. As a team, we rarely had a touchpoint with anything analog (like pen and paper) because we’re agile and everything happens so fast in the tech industry.

I worked as a Product Manager which means I worked with developers every single day. I’m sure this isn’t true for all but with my previous team, a pen and a notebook is a strange sight. I was one of the very few people who wrote a to-do list on a notebook.

I never noticed that until one developer (apparently) made a snide comment about how I prefer to write by hand. They said:

“Old school”

“Still writes on a notebook”

I’m generally quirky and I do admit I have an old soul, I’ll give you that, This person did not say any of these to my face but to a superior of mine. This comment was unnecessary but I can tell that it was obviously used to undermine my skills as a skilled professional in the technology industry.

Typically, I wouldn’t waste time to argue but I did in defense of pen and paper.

Writing things down on paper helps recall things better

I don’t have solid proof of this but it has definitely improved ever since I started using the Bullet Journal.

I forget a lot of little things such as when I last paid my bills or casual dinner plans I made with friends. Those are things that we wouldn’t normally write down because we rely heavily on our memory to serve us right. I guess it came to a point where I couldn’t remember every single thing that the best thing that I could do is to write it all down.

I needed a break from my phone

I’m always on my phone whether it’s for business or pleasure. It’s the first thing I see in the morning and the last thing I see at night. I’m endlessly scrolling through Instagram, my emails, and my messages. I’ve tried using apps to keep my life organized but that never worked. Taking some time away from my devices by writing things down was the best way for me to keep organized.

Using pen and paper does not mean I’m less tech-savvy

The comment about me “still writing on a notebook” undermined my technical skills and knowledge. Just because I chose to write things down on paper doesn’t mean that I’m incapable of adapting to new technology. As I’ve said, I am always online and while I am not an excellent programmer, I keep up to date with the trends in the tech world.

“The long way is the short way.”

Going back to basics (in this case, pen and paper) is not equivalent to regression. It simply means that I am maximizing the use of fundamental principles to help me navigate through this fast-paced life.

I love my penmanship

A simple answer. Also a bit of narcissism there. 😂

I have always loved my handwriting – whether print or cursive. I didn’t write on paper as often as I used to after college. I noticed that my handwriting wasn’t as legible as it was before, and I knew that I had to practice in order for me to improve.

My handwriting has definitely improved and it simply makes me happy whenever I see it on paper.

I’m more creative whenever I write by hand

I don’t know what it is but there is something about the way ink touches the paper that makes me more creative. It’s strange because I’ve been trained to use apps like Sketch, Photoshop, and Illustrator to create prototypes and graphic design. I just feel that I think quicker when I build the bones of an idea by using a pencil.

I’m the same way with writing blogs. I’m always able to come up with more content whenever I write them on a notebook first. I know that there are a lot of authors (like J.K. Rowling) and creative writers who start their first drafts on paper too.

• Read: Writing Blog Drafts on Paper

When we put pen to paper, we’re not just turning on the lights; we’re also turning up the heat. Writing by hand helps us think and feel simultaneously.

Ryder Carroll. The Bullet Journal Method

Writing by hand still has a place in the digital age. In fact, it should be now more than ever because we’re interfacing more with digital products in comparison to a few years ago.

Putting pen to paper, even for a few seconds, gives us the chance to slow down and actually be more intentional with what we are doing. If you’re still writing on a notebook, you shouldn’t be shamed for it; you should be praised.