What’s the point of handwriting?

In a world that moves faster and faster, could the simple act of writing by hand be a quiet form of resistance? This old-fashioned gesture might just hold the secret to deeper, more meaningful learning.

Typing is faster, more practical, and certainly tidier. Notes appear instantly, and editing is effortless. For many of us, it’s become the default way to think, create, and communicate.

And yet, I recently came across this French video and it made me think.

It reminded me of something I’ve felt for a long time but had never really articulated: I need to write things down to remember them. My thoughts flow better through my hand than through my keyboard.

When I write by hand, I slow down. I reflect. I choose my words more consciously. It’s not just about taking notes — it’s about thinking. The physical act of forming letters, of moving between lines, somehow makes ideas stick. My brain processes information differently, more deeply.

Science backs this up: handwriting activates more areas of the brain than typing. It engages motor, visual, and cognitive networks all at once. In doing so, it strengthens memory and comprehension. It’s as if the pen connects your mind to your body — and together, they build understanding.

So yes, using a keyboard is faster. But faster isn’t always better. In a world obsessed with efficiency, handwriting offers something that’s increasingly rare: time to think. Time to connect with what you’re learning. Time to make it yours.

Maybe that’s the real secret.When you write by hand, you don’t just record information — you embody it.