It’s been over a month since I last shared my intention of starting the habit of writing more on paper. I thought it was the perfect time to give you an update on how it’s going!

What I Write

So far, I’ve been writing down everything that comes to mind: thoughts, ideas, brain dumps, or even my personal reviews while reading a physical book. When I need to capture my thoughts about what I’m reading or notice connections between seemingly unrelated things, I write them all down. Nothing is off-limits.

Cons of Journaling

Carrying a Journal is Hard

The first challenge is simply getting started. Writing by hand means I need to have my journal and pen with me, which isn’t always convenient. My journaling book isn’t pocket-sized (it’s A5), and most of the handbags I use don’t fit it either. While the book is just the right size, not too small for comfortable writing, yet not too big, it’s still not as handy as a phone. Honestly, years of relying on smartphones have made me gravitate toward things that are ultra-portable, and this shift feels like a hurdle at times.

Finding Things is Tough

Another challenge is searchability. With my journaling book filled with an unorganized mix of random thoughts and topics, finding specific topic can be tricky. Whether I’m reminiscing or searching for ideas to use in a blog post, the process takes patience. Unlike the convenience of using “ctrl+f” on a computer, skimming through pages by hand demands focus. Sometimes, I get sidetracked by other topics I stumble upon along the way, which makes staying consistent with my search even harder.

Pros of Journaling

Turning Distractions into Inspiration

As I mentioned earlier, sometimes I lose focus and get distracted by other topics while searching for something specific. But in a way, it feels like a blessing in disguise. Flipping through the pages often leads me to stumble upon new ideas, sometimes even more than I expected. When this happens, I’ve learned to write down the distracting topics quickly and then refocus on what I was originally searching for. It feels like I’m training my mind to manage distractions better. Am I doing it well? It is good for brain, right? Either way, it’s helping me turn scattered thoughts into something productive.

The Beauty of Writing That Stays

There’s something special about the sensation of pen on paper. Unlike digital writing, nothing I write can truly be erased. If I make a mistake or change my mind, I simply strike it through, and the words remain visible. This way, even the most random ideas stay with me. It’s satisfying to flip through pages later and see how my thoughts have evolved over time.

Through this habit, I’ve learned not to dismiss any thought that crosses my mind. In the past, when I brain-dumped on my laptop, I’d often delete ideas, thinking they were silly or unimportant, even drafts that I had worked on and organized. But now, I realize the value of letting ideas flow freely and giving them a chance to grow. And in combination of written random thoughts and flipping them through in the future, I found interesting insights where some of these scribbles have turned into great ideas to organize and write.

The Freedom of Handwritten Ideas

Writing by hand feels incredibly freeing. The slower pace, compared to typing on a laptop, gives my mind extra time to explore ideas, reducing the chances of feeling stuck or uninspired. As I write by hand, more ideas naturally flow, and I often find I have much more to say than I initially expected. Later, when I take the time to transfer my thoughts to a laptop, the process adds another layer of clarity. New ideas emerge, others are refined, and the overall concept becomes sharper and more organized.

It is surprising how often one sentence, jotted in a notebook, leads immediately to a second sentence.

Patricia Highsmith, Plotting and Writing Suspense Fiction

Practicing Gratitude and Memory

Writing everything down, especially on paper where nothing disappears, has taught me to appreciate life more. Revisiting those writings in the future feels like a practice in gratitude, reminding me of moments I may have forgotten or take for granted. It’s also a way to exercise my brain, encouraging it to reminisce and connect with the past.

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All the pros I’ve mentioned lead to one surprising truth: distractions or random thoughts, even the simplest ones, are often underestimated. However, when we revisit them later, they can evolve into valuable insights, creative ideas, and profound reflections. Perhaps it’s time to give our minds the recognition they deserve for these frequently overlooked moments of brilliance.

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My Future Plan for Better Journaling

I am thinking of finding a slightly smaller notebook to solve the challenge of carrying it everywhere. I’m looking for one that fits nicely in my handbag but still offers enough space on each page to capture my thoughts comfortably. Thus, I can keep writing wherever I go without sacrificing convenience or creativity.