In the Digital Age, Why are Premium Pens Still So Popular?
In the Digital Age, Why are Premium Pens Still So Popular?
In today’s fast-paced, digital world, the speed with which we access information is measured not in minutes or seconds, but milliseconds. To share information, all we need to do is speak to our smartphones, computers or smart home devices and our words appear on a screen and can be shared across the world almost instantaneously.
With these amazing advances in our ability to share ideas and information, why are premium pens and the handwritten word retaining their popularity? What is it about the experience of writing with a precision instrument that is still so appealing?
There are many reasons handwriting continues to thrive after thousands of years. Let’s explore some of them.
The Tradition
The handwritten word is one of our longest standing inventions, from artwork on caves to ink on paper. We are able to trace the most important moments of each era through the writings of the time. Many have been inspired to share their ideas and thoughts so that future generations would understand their heritage.
The tradition of the fine pen, ink and paper dates back hundreds of years and beyond. Using a beautiful pen conjures up feelings of tradition, elegance, and solidity. When we take pen in hand, our ideas are transformed from our minds to the physical world. We are often inspired by the process of writing and feel the connection to time gone by.
There is a strong sense of nostalgia ones feels when spending time deep in thought and capturing those thoughts on paper, unlike any other way of communicating. The handwritten word has a tradition all its own. https://www.mindful.org/the-simple-joy-of-writing-by-hand/
The Emotional Experience
When we have ideas to share, poetry to create or memories to document, the experience of writing with a premium pen is unlike any other form of communication.
Scientists have researched what happens to the brain when we take pen in hand. Our bodies relax. Our brain slows down as we write. We are able to tap into more complex, emotional topics and find a deeper level of creativity.
By writing positive words by hand – from thank you notes to words of self-reflection and affirmation – your mood can improve and it helps you relax, clearing your mind and allowing you to focus. https://www.oakmeadow.com/12-reasons-why-handwriting-is-important/
The Spark of Creativity
When we begin writing by hand, parts of the brain that inspire creativity are stimulated, allowing us to capture ideas and concepts more easily. Even the process of moving our hand in a fluid motion as we write can generate greater creativity. https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/handwriting-creative-skills/
It’s no wonder then that many great poets, authors and composers have made it their practice to only write by hand, even after the invention of the typewriter or computer, preferring the joyful feeling of the pen as it traces the ink across the page to the click of a keyboard. So, if you’re staring at a blank page and hoping for some inspiration, try picking up a pen.
Improving our understanding and retention
Studies have shown that both adults and children have a better understanding and recall of information when they write it down.
Research conducted by handwriting expert Karin James of Indiana University shows that the process of learning to write by hand in children activates the three areas of the brain essential for reading and writing. Writing by hand also helps children learn to recognize letters through the trials and errors of early handwriting, which can translate to improved reading skills later in life. Research even shows handwriting benefits students who struggle with dyslexia. https://newsroom.domtar.com/handwriting-benefits/
Daniel M. Oppenheimer, former professor of marketing and psychology at University of California, Los Angeles, and Pam A. Mueller, then a graduate student at Princeton University, studied the advantages of taking notes by longhand. They found that older students learn better when they handwrite their notes rather than type them on a computer.
According to their research, writing notes by hand required students to put the content of the lesson in their own words, forcing them to think through and organize the material, which helps improve understanding and memory.
Improving your productivity
When we clutter our desk with digital devices, many of which prompt us with notifications of incoming messages, we lose the ability to focus deeply on creative ideas and insights. We often find ourselves not only responding to notifications, but also pausing to watch for replies to our messages, rather than focusing on the task at hand.
In fact, a 2014 study found that participants received an average of 63.5 notifications per day, and that those notifications were viewed within a few minutes. https://www.ic.unicamp.br/~oliveira/doc/MHCI2014_An-in-situ-study-of-mobile-phone-notifications.pdf
These types of distractions not only keep us from focusing on a single task, they also prevent the mind from wandering when it would be beneficial for creative inspiration. The result is losing both productivity and creativity when you're at your desk. https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/low-tech-desk-increase-productivity-problem-solving/
Measurable health benefits
Expressing our feelings and capturing the events of our lives in a journal can help us remember the important moments that we might otherwise forget. But there are actual physical benefits to regular journaling, as well.
Studies by University of Texas at Austin psychologist and researcher James Pennebaker show that regular journaling strengthens immune cells, called T-lymphocytes. Other research indicates the symptoms of asthma and rheumatoid arthritis decrease when journaling. Pennebaker believes that writing about stressful events helps you come to terms with them, which helps reduce the impact these events have on your physical heath. https://communityofmindfulparenting.com/curriculum/week7/S7-Articles-TheHealthBenefitsofJournaling.pdf
According to other scientific evidence, journaling provides other unexpected benefits. The act of writing accesses your left brain, which is analytical and rational. While your left brain is occupied, your right brain is free to create, think and feel. The process of writing removes mental blocks and allows you to use all of your brainpower to better understand yourself, others and the world around you.
At ZenZoi, we are proud makers of premium pens and writing implements. The long history of the handwritten word is still being written today, with its many benefits to our lives. From stimulating creativity to helping us relax and enjoy life, the act of writing with a premium pen brings tremendous value to our lives. We are honored to be part of that tradition. We encourage you to take advantage of the benefits of handwriting and join the millions of people around the world who experience the beauty and simplicity of the handwritten word.