Ever feel a little different when you have a paper notebook while everyone else is typing on an iPad. According to cognitive‑science papers, the pencil or pen‑to‑paper is not different - it can indicate interesting psychological traits.

Writing by hand encourages what psychologists say is rephrasing ideas in your own words instead of copying them word for word.

Hand writers mention a ‘feel’ for information - they may remember where on the page an idea was or how the pen felt when they wrote an important concept.

Cues like texture, spatial layout, smell of paper create extra hooks that screens do not have. Notebook users tend to be kinesthetics learners who use touch and smell in processing information.

How many times have you been called ‘old fashioned’ or ‘old school’ or maybe you have called someone else that.

Rather than take it as a putdown, I am proud to still write notes by hand, read actual books, have a wall calendar, wash clothes by hand, (not all!) etc.

This is a short list I have made of activities that may be seen as old fashioned, I do about six of them. There are many more things we do that few people do now.

Send handwritten letters by post.

Read books

Write print recipes.

Use wall calendars 

Memorise phone numbers.

Use a camera not a phone.

Have an old-fashioned photo album.

Keep a handwritten journal.

Make bread or jams by hand 

Use handwritten lists on  paper

Moodscopers, I would like you to share your thoughts on things you would never go back to doing or things you still do. You may tell me why you never use pen and paper. I use a notebook to jot down ideas and a computer for writing my blogs. I have illegible handwriting so I was pleased when I could type essays. Then a tutor complained my typing was so hard to read as I used a typewriter where everyone else used a word processor!!

Leah 

A Moodscope member