A Return to Writing

Can you write out your name without lifting pen from paper? Sounds easy? That depends on how old you are- as evidenced by the hilarious Gen Z cursive writing challenge on TikTok. As the education system world over has become increasingly digital, a whole generation of children are growing up without the ability to write or read cursive.

Although once regarded as obsolete, educators are now sounding the alarm over the dying art of handwriting and emphasizing its many benefits- from improved memory and cognition to increased creativity, and lower stress levels. One landmark study found that students who handwrote class notes significantly outperformed students who took notes on their laptops.

Finding opportunities to handwrite can be beneficial for students and adults alike- whether writing class notes, grocery lists, or a birthday card, try incorporating more handwriting into your day. Return to writing – you’ll be smarter, calmer and more creative for it!