Is Handwriting a Dying Art?
Some may say that handwriting is a dying art and since everything went online we just don't write stuff down any more.
Last year, my kids' school even gave every child an iPad to do their school work on, thus making biros and schoolbooks almost obsolete. And while us millennials are busily texting birthday messages and WhatsApping to stay in touch, younger generations have even replaced the typed word with voice notes, GIFs and memes as a form of communication.
It might feel like we communicate more in digital form than physical, analogue, written form these days, but I don't think we should 'write-off' the art of writing just yet.
Research indicates that forming letters by hand stimulates brain development, improves memory, and boosts learning, which typing does not replicate. Plus, handwriting is still valued for its personal touch, such as in greeting cards and personal journals. You simply don't get that feeling of physical connection with digital communication.
So while handwriting may not be considered essential any more for work or school purposes, its emotional, developmental and creative benefits are still clear.
But, with less of us sitting down to physically put pen to paper, handwriting just isn't what it used to be.
Perhaps you've discovered this article because you want to improve your handwriting, or maybe you're just interested in ways to write more neatly because you love the whole process of writing.
Or maybe you're here because you've been told that your handwriting looks like a spider fell in ink and crawled across the page to die. Weirdly specific? Yes. A true story? Also yes. This actually happened to me about 10 years ago. I'm not one to hold a grudge or fixate or anything, but it's been a decade and I'm still working on improving my handwriting.
Anyway, let's dive in...
How Can I Improve My Handwriting?
1- Slow Your Roll, Tiger
This sounds like an obvious one, but slow down! Write with intention and care and your handwriting will be infinitely better than when you write in a rush. This ain't an exam. You don't got a deadline. Slow your roll, tiger!
As a certified ADHDer, my default setting is speedy and I write like my life depends on it. Perhaps that's why my writing looked like the dramatic exit of an ink-drowned spider (again, I'm honestly not still salty, I promise!) But I recently switched from a regular biro to a fountain pen, and I swear you cannot rush a fountain pen.
So this is my first tip- for a quick handwriting win, write slowly and with intention. If you naturally write like your life depends on it, get a fountain pen.
2- Relax Your Grip
If you're gripping the pen too tight, you'll find your hand or wrist starts to ache after a while. Try loosening your grip, relax a bit and get comfy. An overly tight grip on a pen can cause tense writing, aches and pains and a lack of enjoyment.
I'm guilty of this one. Whenever I catch my fingertips turning white from pressing them into the barrel of a pen, I put my pen down, shake off my hands, take a few slow, deep breaths and start over. Just a little nervous-system reset can make a huge difference.
Of course, if you go too far the other way, you'll lose control of the pen and your writing will be all loosey-goosey, which you also don't want.
In other words, channel your inner goldilocks- hold your pen just right- not too tight, not too loose.
3- Handwriting Burpees
Ok, not actual burpees, don't panic. We're talking handwriting drills. Handwriting drills are repetitive, structured exercises designed to improve penmanship by developing muscle memory and consistency in letter formation. They often include tracing shapes or drawing continuous patterns like loops and ovals. This is such a huge topic that it deserves its own article, so I'll add the link here when I've written one.
Writing is sort of like exercise- you need to warm up beforehand, maintain good form throughout (see points 2 and 7), and practice drills to improve over time.
4- Rotate Your Paper
As a kid of the 80s and 90s, I was taught to strictly write with my paper vertical. Sometimes this works for people, but for some of us, this can feel restrictive and uncomfortable. My arms just don't bend that way. I like to write with my elbows out - you just can't do this when your paper is perfectly straight.
Try experimenting with the paper at different angles. Lefties- you'll probably want to rotate the paper clockwise for comfort, while right-handed-writers will want to go anti-clockwise.
5- Upgrade Your Pen
Poor quality pens often lead to hand fatigue, inconsistent lines, and smudging, which can ruin the appearance of handwriting. Pens that glide easily, such as rollerballs or fountain pens, reduce drag, which allows for a smoother, faster, and more rhythmic writing style. Quality pens can also offer quicker-drying ink, which is critical for preventing smears, especially for left-handed writers.
Take a look at our refillable, high quality pens here.
6- Upgrade Your Paper
Seriously- crappy paper will result in crappy handwriting. Paper quality is foundational to handwriting neatness because it directly influences how ink interacts with the surface and how smoothly a pen moves across the page. High-quality paper prevents ink from spreading, bleeding, or dragging, which enables cleaner letter formation, better legibility, and a more comfortable writing experience.
For a superior writing experience, aim for 120gsm paper and a smooth (texture-free) finish.
7- Check Your Letter Heights
This is a combination of points 1 (slow down), 3 (handwriting drills), 9 (practice) and 10 (analysis). Look at the heights of your letters- are they consistent? If not, you could practice letter formations until you start to get consistent letter heights.
8- Sit Properly
Good posture is really important for neat handwriting because it gives the body a stable base to work from. When the core and shoulders are steady (proximal stability), the fingers and wrist can move more freely and precisely (distal mobility). Sitting upright and well supported also reduces strain, which helps the hand move smoothly and control the pencil more accurately.
Try sitting up straight with your feet flat on the floor, keep the core and shoulders engaged, to allow the arm and hand to move smoothly across the page. A comfortable, stable position reduces the need to constantly shift, which often breaks concentration and causes messy or inconsistent letter formation.
9- Practice Makes Progress
Consistent, regular practice will improve your handwriting far more than one large handwriting session every so often.
Remember, progress is never a straight line and there is no such thing as perfect. Keep showing up, researching and learning, and the results will follow.
10- Critique Your Work
Look over your handwriting, what does it tell you? Is it chaotic, quickly written and messy? If so, you need to slow down. Is it small and unconfident? If so, practice more until you feel more confident. Take a look at this article for what your handwriting says about you.
Look at handwriting examples you like and see what they have done differently to your own writing. How can you recreate that vibe in your own handwriting? Is it cursive, bold, slanted, loopy or curly? Find out where you want to be and then work out how to get there.
11- Doodle More
Not only is doodling relaxing, it can help train your hand-eye coordination, strengthen fine motor skills and enhance pen control. Many letters are made of simple lines and curves. Doodling (especially in a controlled way) encourages the formation of these lines, swirls, and curves, which are the building blocks of writing.
12- Start a Journal
A journal is a great way to practice your handwriting regularly. Plus, journaling has so many other benefits including reducing stress, calming anxiety and improving mood. Journaling gives you a space to reflect, process and unpack. A journal is just for you; no one else will see it, so you can write without judgement (we're talking both what you write and how neatly you write)
If you're looking for a journal, I highly recommend our A5 hardback lined notebook - it's got thick high quality paper and it's really pretty. A pretty journal is way more tempting to write in than a basic, boring journal.
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