Ditching the Zip to Have More Pep in My Step

I tried something new last week – writing in a notebook instead of on the computer. I’m sure that sounds funny to some, but with my 100 words a minute on the computer, I can crank out quite a bit in very little time. But as part of my Lenten prayer, I’m trying to slow down. Counter-cultural, for sure!

It’s come to my attention that I’m moving too quickly, rushing from this task to that errand and back home again, fussing when the house isn’t clean and wasting time doing things that really aren’t that important but seem necessary as I’m driving through life at 70 mph. The problem came down to where to begin slowing down? Writing seemed the best choice. I wondered if my writing would change if I actually wrote instead of typed. In preparation for this, I purchased a fancy new notebook and a Dr. Grip pen.

Here’s what I discovered:

- I actually had to spell the words correctly – there is no auto-correct in my pen.
- My mind works 100 times fast than my pen.
- My sentences are longer and more complex when I write by hand.
- The pages of my notebook are not written line after line. There are boxes, lines connecting thoughts that weren’t written sequentially. Overall, the page is organized more like my brain– kinda messy but interesting.
- I liked it.

Slowing myself down, taking the time to form each letter, then each word in an effort to create beautiful sentences was extremely enjoyable. My written word count is down by about 80% but I believe the quality of my writing increased exponentially. I did have an incredible ache in my hand after the first day, but that seemed a minor risk so I soldiered forth.

I feel the need to take this concept to other areas of my life. I will take more time to enjoy the moments between the words – the words I speak, the words I hear and the words I write. Throughout my days I have opportunities to have a real impact on another life. Why waste those moments on looking to the next thing? Why zip through the week reaching desperately for Friday when Tuesday is full of beauty?