There was a time when I wrote everything by hand. As a university student in the early 1970s, while most of my peers were cranking out essays on manual or electric typewriters, every paper that I submitted was handwritten. It wasn’t because I didn’t know how to type. My mother had insisted that typing was a skill that every girl should have, so I had taken typing classes in high school. I just preferred to write by hand. My early freelance articles were handwritten, but I typed a final copy for submission because that was required by most publications. Then came computers and the ease of word processing. I made the transition to writing on a keyboard and never looked back.
There are, however, some areas where I have intentionally hung onto vestiges of the past.
In a world where it seems that we’re constantly glued to screens, I still prefer a physical, paper calendar that gives me a visual overview of upcoming appointments and events. One hangs on our kitchen wall and I carry a smaller version in my purse.
I also use a simple paper planner where I write my daily to-do list. Putting pen to paper and actually writing down my intentions and placing them where I will see them multiple times throughout the day keeps me focused on accomplishing them and there’s something deeply satisfying about crossing off each item as it’s completed. Unlike digital alerts that disappear once they’re completed, a handwritten paper planner also provides a record of tasks completed and gives me a greater sense of accomplishment. Ultimately though, the best calendar or planner is the one that a person will use consistently and for me, that’s paper.
Then there’s books. When we travel, I absolutely love the convenience of the e-reader that my daughter gave me for Christmas a couple of years ago, but at home I still prefer to immerse myself in the pages of an actual, physical book.
What about you? Have you completely joined the digital world or are you like me, still a little bit old-school?
Following Augustine 
I also choose paper – I have one paper calendar on my fridge and a small pocket calendar in my bag. I too do my lists on paper. There is something very satisfying about crossing things off the list as they are done. And … I have not learned to use the calendar on my phone!!!
I haven’t either! Occasionally, a scheduled event such as a Zoom meeting will automatically appear on my computer calendar, but I rarely notice. Those things are also written on my paper calendars.
I too have many handwritten lists. I have a scribbler beside me at all times, and it has many things in it. A quick recipe, a book I want to read, a bridge I may want to see someday, etc. My calendar though is on my phone. I’ve also started writing and drawing with my non dominant hand, just because. It slows the world down when you have to have so much focus and gives me a reality check on the struggle of learning something new.
I live by handwritten lists too. My life would be a mess without them!
I am a little of both. I still like the physical book in my hand when I am reading. There is something about the physical book and turning the page. As for a calendar, I make a family calendar each year to give to my kids and siblings with pictures of everyone that have a birthdays on that month. Just a way of keeping up with who has what when and being able to see how everyone is growing and changing.
What a lovely gift for your family!
Thank you, it is also a way for me to keep up with how everyone else is looking like. Lol. In this world that changes so fast we don’t get to see eachother often and I find this way I get to see everyone without social media being involved, only those I want.