We live in a world where handwriting is no longer necessary, and yet every day the number of people growing an appetite for analog writing is on the rise. Most of our daily communication happens through screens—quick messages, emails written on the go or reminders saved in the cloud. Technology has advanced to a point where handwriting is optional, but why do we still choose to write by hand?
Voice memos, predictive text, and AI-assisted typing have made it easier than ever to express ourselves without even touching a pen, but can an email ever rival a handwritten letter in burgundy ink sent to your lover? Efficiency has become the norm, yet those who appreciate the beauty of writing remain loyal to this practice, a gesture that, for many, simply feels more meaningful.
However, it is interesting that although handwriting has become less and less necessary, it is gaining more and more significance. The fact that we no longer need to write by hand—as our ancestors once had to—has allowed many of us to connect with it differently and ultimately rediscover the pleasure of the act, rather than the drudgery previous generations endured when writing for hours on end.
In fact, as I often tell many friends and enthusiasts, we’re living in one of the best times to enjoy the luxury of handwriting. Pens have never been more appealing, modern technology allows manufacturers to create nibs that deliver an exceptional writing experience, and as for paper—needless to say—almost any bookstore now carries a decent selection of fountain-pen-friendly options, from Moleskine to Leuchtturm and beyond.
Not to mention that many researchers emphasize how this slower process can bring numerous benefits. Studies in psychology and neuroscience suggest that handwriting stimulates the brain differently from typing on a computer. When we use a writing instrument and paper, we appear to improve memory and activate areas associated with creativity and problem-solving. Some health professionals even recommend keeping a handwritten journal as a tool for reducing stress.
With all this in mind, I could easily place writing among the activities that support our well-being. In any case, this practice seems to be becoming a small form of self-care with each passing day.
Beyond its personal benefits, handwriting carries an emotional weight that digital messages often lack, and I would start by saying that a handwritten note feels human. You can sense the time someone put into it—the pauses, the choice of paper, the imperfect shapes of letters that reveal a person’s mood or energy on that particular day, even the small ink smudges that are just as acceptable as one’s slightly untidy handwriting.
It’s a gesture that says: I thought of you, and I cared enough to write this by hand.
And perhaps this is where handwriting becomes more than a nostalgic habit. It becomes a way of bringing warmth into moments that can feel cold or rushed. Think about leaving a handwritten note on a colleague’s desk after a long week—it takes twenty seconds, yet it can brighten an entire day. Even a simple “thank you for a wonderful dinner” sent to your host, accompanied by a bouquet of flowers or a box of fine chocolates, conveys a sense of gratitude that digital messages can never quite match.
These simple acts may seem small, but in a world where everything is digital, they stand out more than ever. And above all, they show intention, care, and genuine presence.
So, is handwriting a lost art? In certain ways, yes. It no longer plays the central role it once did, and chances are it never will again. But perhaps handwriting has simply found a new purpose. I would say, perhaps in a slightly philosophical sense, that it is our humble salvation in a digital world that often feels suffocating. It is, if you will, a breath of fresh air, something that slows us down and reminds us of a pace of life we tend to forget as we rush through our days.
I’m wondering how you see handwriting at a time when the convenience of typing or sending a WhatsApp voice note is so hard to resist.