26 Oct 2026
Journaling by Hand: Does It Really Make a Difference?
Journaling by Hand: Does It Really Make a Difference?
Is writing by hand genuinely better for us than typing? Or have I just developed a rather expensive attachment to notebooks and pens?
Welcome to Episode 2 of Season 6 of The Journaling Guy Podcast, where we're exploring The Analogue Advantage.
Last week, I explained why I'm choosing to stick with pen and paper so this week, I wanted to go a little deeper.
What does the research actually tell us about handwriting versus typing?
We'll explore some fascinating studies into handwriting, brain activity, learning and memory, including research by neuroscientists and psychologists.
We'll also look at the work of James W. Pennebaker, whose research into expressive writing has helped me personally understand why putting our thoughts and feelings into words can be so valuable.
While there are some compelling reasons to write by hand, the science doesn't necessarily tell us that Analogue Journaling is always better than digital.
Perhaps the benefit of handwriting isn't just what ends up on the page. Perhaps it's what happens to us while we're writing it.
This week's Analogue Experiment
Choose something fairly ordinary that's been on your mind recently. A decision you're considering, something you're looking forward to or an idea you've been thinking about.
Spend 5 minutes typing about it. Then, preferably at another time, spend 5 minutes writing by hand about the same subject.
And afterwards, ask yourself: DID I THINK DIFFERENTLY WHEN I WROTE BY HAND?
Don't worry about which method produced more words. Notice which felt more natural, whether you paused to think and whether either helped you see something differently.
There's no right or wrong answer. We're simply looking for clues!
Something else I'm creating...
I'm developing a physical monthly newsletter, delivered through your letterbox, and I'll be sharing its progress through my separate FREE digital Journaling newsletter.
If you'd like to follow the journey, discover more about analogue Journaling and be amongst the first to hear when the physical newsletter is ready, I'd love you to subscribe.
JOIN MY FREE DIGITAL NEWSLETTER: https://www.mrmattyoung.com/free-course
You can also find Matt's Notebook over on Substack, where I explore each podcast episode from a slightly different angle, with additional thoughts and practical ideas.
https://substack.com/@thejournalingguy (https://substack.com/@thejournalingguy)
Do get in touch with any questions or feedback. I'd particularly love to hear whether you prefer Journaling by hand or digitally, and why.
Email me — hello@thejournalingguy.com (mailto:hello@thejournalingguy.com)
Please share this episode with someone who might enjoy exploring the benefits of Journaling. And if you get a moment, please leave me a review. They really do help more people discover the podcast.
Next week, we'll be exploring The Lost Art of Paying Attention, and how Journaling can help us notice the things we might otherwise miss.
As Always...
Keep writing, keep noticing, and keep showing up for yourself.
Matt
