Hey friends!
I’m not the kind of coach who says, “Here’s the ONE tool that will finally fix your life.”
Because honestly? That’s not how life works.
To manage your life, master your time, and get things done in a way that actually feels good, you need an entire toolbox — not a magic trick. And one of the most underrated tools in that toolbox is something surprisingly simple:
Handwriting.
If you’ve been here for a while, you already know I bring this up often. But it deserves its own spotlight, because the science behind handwriting is powerful… and the real-life results are even better.
A Little Personal Context (Because You Know I Love a Story)
I’ve dubbed myself a proud Xennial — technically I’m a millennial, but I grew up around older cousins and relate way more to Gen X pop culture.
I also grew up in that “in-between” era where computers were just becoming a thing in school… but shorthand (yes, actually shorthand!) was still being taught in high school.
And yep — I took the class because my dad swore it would be valuable “in the future.” Fun fact: that ended up being the last year my school offered it. Wild, right?
On the flip side, I was the kid who begged to go to Best Buy just to see the newest gadgets. I had a PalmPilot long before Blackberries were cool. I’ve always loved tech. I still do.
But here’s the truth:
No matter how much I adore my apps, nothing helps me think, process, or plan quite like putting pen to paper.
Even when my page looks a little chaotic, I can feel my brain settling. My thoughts slow down. Things get clearer.
And I hear this echoed all the time from therapists, coaches, and clients. There’s something about handwriting — journaling, scribbling, mind-dumping — that just hits different.
Why Handwriting Still Matters (And How It Works)
1. Helps you understand what your priorities actually are
Why it works: Handwriting forces you to slow down. You can’t type as fast as you think, so your brain has to process what’s important. That “slower pace” encourages reflection and helps you notice what truly matters, instead of just reacting to your to-do list.
2. Perfect for the “thinking stage” of planning
Why it works: When you write by hand, you engage multiple parts of your brain — motor, visual, and cognitive regions — which strengthens memory and comprehension. Mapping out ideas on paper helps your brain organize concepts before they hit your calendar or app.
3. Boosts personal practices like journaling and brainstorming
Why it works: Handwriting activates neural pathways differently than typing. The physical act of forming letters engages fine motor skills and memory, making reflection and creative thinking more effective. Simply put, your ideas stick better when you write them by hand.
4. Supports emotional and psychological well-being
Why it works: Writing engages the brain’s emotional processing centers. When you journal or mind-dump, you process feelings in a structured way, which reduces stress and overwhelm. It’s like a mini therapy session that you can do anywhere, anytime.
5. Helps you capture thoughts before you organize them
Why it works: Handwriting allows you to brain-dump freely, without worrying about formatting or structure. That raw capture of ideas clears mental clutter and gives you something tangible to sort, prioritize, and transfer to digital tools later.
And here’s the best part:
You don’t have to choose.
You don’t have to throw away your planners or delete your apps.
You don’t have to be “team paper” or “team digital.”
Handwritten notes and digital tools can work together to support the life you want — in a way that feels natural, flexible, and doable.
Before You Go…
If you love this kind of real talk — the mix of psychology, productivity, and the “why” behind what actually works — make sure you’re signed up for my email newsletter.
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💛 Keep following along here for more simple, doable tips — and make sure you’re subscribed to my POP Talk newsletter. I’ve got something exciting coming soon that’s all about helping you build systems that actually fit you.
💛 Ready to take your next step to work with me?
💛
Nicole
Stay tuned for next week’s POP Talk!
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