I’ve always had some kind of journal with me to write in. Or a sketchbook to draw in. But lately I’ve had one for writing. And it’s really lovely. I missed writing on paper. And it feels so much different than typing things out. I don’t know, it’s just a different feel. But I love it. Loved reading your post <33
I have been feeling like this recently and I think you’ve put it into words, my desire to be in touch with the physical rather than the digital. I also adore your writing style.
yeah! I think that physically writing things down has a different kind of fulfillment than typing things. thanks so much for reading and for the kind words!!
I never liked digital journaling. But I found this iOS app called Stoic which teaches you a lot of different journaling techniques or psychological strategies. I learned how to write as if I were talking to a friend. Then re read as if I am that friend... What have I noticed about myself ?
I do still stick to pencil and paper but sometimes with the same exercises they give. Anyway. Really cool. You might find some of their exercises free . Idk
Oooohh, this sounds interesting. I always wanted to write as if I were talking to a friend - to make it deeper and more personal. I hope there's an Android version of this. <3
Before, I wrote everything in notebooks, but then I was lured by the digital space because I could access my work on vacation or at a dinner party and show it to my friends.
Most importantly, I wrote so much in my books that when I remembered any particular line or quote I had written, it took me some time to find it, whereas in any digital place, I could just find it with CTRL+F.
So I went digital.
A huge mistake. I store everything there and never flip through it again. I could find it anytime but I choose not to because the happiness I get from flipping pages of a book cannot be found in Google Docs and Keep Notes.
I made the shift when I was starting college and just thought that I wasn't as much creative as before because I was focusing on my engineering studies more.
When I finished college and wanted to start writing again, with my proper attention to it, it still wouldn't work.
I never looked at my screenshots or bookmarks or notes again. I forgot my own work, the pieces of literature and art I found inspiration from.
About a year and half ago, I started writing in diaries again and it honestly helped me so much.
Now, I use digital and physical modes of writing.
Digital helps me quickly get my ideas out there but then I transfer everything in their proper journals, get tasks done and if I know I will be needing to access something from my journal a lot of time when it's not with me, I just take pictures and convert it into a pdf or scan the text and copy paste it into Google Docs.
Many would think that it's a tedious process but it has really helped me keep my writing and thoughts accessible while ensuring that my creativity isn't stifled.
Thanks for this article! You have encouraged me to finally start writing my posts and ideas in a notebook! I have been wanting to do that for a while but never did but I think now I finally will.
I don’t disagree at all, but I have to say, as a heavy Notes app user, I actually kind of like the sensation of scrolling deep into my archives and finding something totally random that clearly meant something to me at the time but now is vague and nebulous. It’s like observing my subconscious evolution, in a sense. It fills me with a sort of wonderment. I do love physical journals too, though!
I think I replied to someone about the same thing but I’ll say it again: sometimes it’s more about the ACT of writing rather than what is written. some things are meant to be expressed/experienced once. I also have a hard time reading my own writing, but I think it’s because I feel the need to write so fast to keep up with my thoughts—which is probably caused by me having typed everything for a long time
Thank you. I know this is going to help me pen down a bit more. It’s bizarre that I’m scared to write down in a book, because you can’t password protect a book, and I just don’t trust my first drafts sans password protection 😭
i had this exact impending realisation the other day, if suddenly my notes app was no longer backed up, all digital copies erased, what evidence would i have of my creativity? what version of words would i attempt to string together in hopes of mirroring my past selfs work? i then wanted to buy notebooks and transfer them all, with dates (& maybe times). to see my personality further extend (handwriting) and see the real rough notes, to see bursts of passion, or rage, or fleeting thoughts exactly how it was. i feel the physical adds a layer of something unexplainable…then i got overwhelmed by it all and closed the notebook…i shall return one day.
i've been using this black notebook for everything, it's my agenda, a scrapbook, sketchbook, journal anything you can think of is in that book. it's basically my life.
and the crazy part is i love every single page, the messy ones, the nit so good drawings, the rantings.
sometimes just opening it makes me feel a lot better.
so i join you, put things on paper, for a reason i don't understand either, it has a lot more meaning
I journal by hand often, but also use my notes app a lot. Like over 500+ notes 😬 I too, think about putting them to paper but that task seems daunting. I think you’ve definitely ignited a thought though.. what if they all disappear?! Time to print! At least then, they will be in a place I can flip though rather than scroll. 💕
well, sometimes it’s more about the release that writing brings rather than how it’s being written (trust me my handwriting is atrocious at times haha). plus, not all things are meant to be read by anyone but the writer/author anyway
I do bith and i think both can feel like release. I dont wanna lose my notes so the main parts i write in my notes app(one note). That where you can journsl everywhere. Shadow work i di more on paper tho
I use my notes apps when it’s most convenient (uber rides, in the dark etc) but I try to copy down the salient bits in the appropriate notebook. I also pin some notes
you have really impulsed me to pull out my journal instead of forever using my notes app. dusting the cover off now!
I’ve always had some kind of journal with me to write in. Or a sketchbook to draw in. But lately I’ve had one for writing. And it’s really lovely. I missed writing on paper. And it feels so much different than typing things out. I don’t know, it’s just a different feel. But I love it. Loved reading your post <33
I have been feeling like this recently and I think you’ve put it into words, my desire to be in touch with the physical rather than the digital. I also adore your writing style.
yeah! I think that physically writing things down has a different kind of fulfillment than typing things. thanks so much for reading and for the kind words!!
I never liked digital journaling. But I found this iOS app called Stoic which teaches you a lot of different journaling techniques or psychological strategies. I learned how to write as if I were talking to a friend. Then re read as if I am that friend... What have I noticed about myself ?
I do still stick to pencil and paper but sometimes with the same exercises they give. Anyway. Really cool. You might find some of their exercises free . Idk
Oh, never knew of this app before. Def trying this out now!! Thanksss, pal!! <3
Oooohh, this sounds interesting. I always wanted to write as if I were talking to a friend - to make it deeper and more personal. I hope there's an Android version of this. <3
Actually I don't think the android version is updated. It's berry simple and not the best quality
Before, I wrote everything in notebooks, but then I was lured by the digital space because I could access my work on vacation or at a dinner party and show it to my friends.
Most importantly, I wrote so much in my books that when I remembered any particular line or quote I had written, it took me some time to find it, whereas in any digital place, I could just find it with CTRL+F.
So I went digital.
A huge mistake. I store everything there and never flip through it again. I could find it anytime but I choose not to because the happiness I get from flipping pages of a book cannot be found in Google Docs and Keep Notes.
I made the shift when I was starting college and just thought that I wasn't as much creative as before because I was focusing on my engineering studies more.
When I finished college and wanted to start writing again, with my proper attention to it, it still wouldn't work.
I never looked at my screenshots or bookmarks or notes again. I forgot my own work, the pieces of literature and art I found inspiration from.
About a year and half ago, I started writing in diaries again and it honestly helped me so much.
Now, I use digital and physical modes of writing.
Digital helps me quickly get my ideas out there but then I transfer everything in their proper journals, get tasks done and if I know I will be needing to access something from my journal a lot of time when it's not with me, I just take pictures and convert it into a pdf or scan the text and copy paste it into Google Docs.
Many would think that it's a tedious process but it has really helped me keep my writing and thoughts accessible while ensuring that my creativity isn't stifled.
Thanks for this article! You have encouraged me to finally start writing my posts and ideas in a notebook! I have been wanting to do that for a while but never did but I think now I finally will.
I don’t disagree at all, but I have to say, as a heavy Notes app user, I actually kind of like the sensation of scrolling deep into my archives and finding something totally random that clearly meant something to me at the time but now is vague and nebulous. It’s like observing my subconscious evolution, in a sense. It fills me with a sort of wonderment. I do love physical journals too, though!
I do this but unfortunately can’t read my own handwriting half the time
I think I replied to someone about the same thing but I’ll say it again: sometimes it’s more about the ACT of writing rather than what is written. some things are meant to be expressed/experienced once. I also have a hard time reading my own writing, but I think it’s because I feel the need to write so fast to keep up with my thoughts—which is probably caused by me having typed everything for a long time
I feel the same way with your last point about fast thoughts, but never considered it to be a symptom of typing…!!
Thank you. I know this is going to help me pen down a bit more. It’s bizarre that I’m scared to write down in a book, because you can’t password protect a book, and I just don’t trust my first drafts sans password protection 😭
i had this exact impending realisation the other day, if suddenly my notes app was no longer backed up, all digital copies erased, what evidence would i have of my creativity? what version of words would i attempt to string together in hopes of mirroring my past selfs work? i then wanted to buy notebooks and transfer them all, with dates (& maybe times). to see my personality further extend (handwriting) and see the real rough notes, to see bursts of passion, or rage, or fleeting thoughts exactly how it was. i feel the physical adds a layer of something unexplainable…then i got overwhelmed by it all and closed the notebook…i shall return one day.
this post resonated with me, highly enjoyed!
i've been using this black notebook for everything, it's my agenda, a scrapbook, sketchbook, journal anything you can think of is in that book. it's basically my life.
and the crazy part is i love every single page, the messy ones, the nit so good drawings, the rantings.
sometimes just opening it makes me feel a lot better.
so i join you, put things on paper, for a reason i don't understand either, it has a lot more meaning
No way, we're living parallel lives! It's uncanny how every word feels like it's been plucked straight from my life.
I journal by hand often, but also use my notes app a lot. Like over 500+ notes 😬 I too, think about putting them to paper but that task seems daunting. I think you’ve definitely ignited a thought though.. what if they all disappear?! Time to print! At least then, they will be in a place I can flip though rather than scroll. 💕
I tend to write from time to time but my handwriting is really bad
well, sometimes it’s more about the release that writing brings rather than how it’s being written (trust me my handwriting is atrocious at times haha). plus, not all things are meant to be read by anyone but the writer/author anyway
I do bith and i think both can feel like release. I dont wanna lose my notes so the main parts i write in my notes app(one note). That where you can journsl everywhere. Shadow work i di more on paper tho
I use my notes apps when it’s most convenient (uber rides, in the dark etc) but I try to copy down the salient bits in the appropriate notebook. I also pin some notes
Yes yes and yes!! I hand write all of my writing pieces and then type them in. My brain thinks in pen and paper… and I’m not sad about it!!