When was the last time you actually "wrote" something down?

when was the last time you held a pen? - writing with the hand
@vega83 (6342)
Bahrain
July 24, 2007 9:30am CST
I don't mean typed, I mean actually write, with a pen or a pencil in your hand. Except for those people whose job requires them to write something by hand, how many of us actually still do that? I think school is the time when we use actual "hand-writing" the most. Actually sometimes after long periods of time, when I pick a pen to write something I find that my hand-writing has changed, and not for the better, and it's only because, I'm not used to it anymore. I guess my fingers remembers the positions of the letters on the keyboard, much better than actually writing those letters on a paper. Even if you have to jot down a number, address or e-mail, I find that people usually just use their mobile phones for that, instead of the good old days of looking for the pen. The last time I wrote something was this Friday, when my mom dictated a grocery list to me, but before that, I don't remember the last time I wrote. When was the last time you wrote? Do you even remember?
18 people like this
68 responses
@raychill (6525)
• United States
24 Jul 07
Oh this is simple. I still write all the time. for instance at work I write our electronic sign copy to promote upcoming programs and our cafe' and things of that sort. I actually have to type the electronic sign copy in order for it to be generated onto the sign itself. However, in order to formulate my thoughts I always write it out. I go through our calendar of events and write out all the programs within the coming week. then i decide the better ways to promote. I write out my ideas for the cafe. I always take a song..with either a four line chorus or a four line verse and re-word it to fit our cafe. I like to write this down. Whenever I need to go to a store and get stuff, because I have a horrible memory, I always write out a list of groceries or whatever it is i need to get from the store. I mean I don't ever write letters or stories or anything like that. But I still use Pens a lot for things other than things I have to write at work and what not.
3 people like this
@vega83 (6342)
• Bahrain
25 Jul 07
Well, I used to write in journal a lot before, now not so much. Before I used to have my own room and there was no TV there, so that's what I did before sleeping. But now my room has a big*ss TV so really don't get time to write anything down before I sleep. I still write down stuff in my idea journal though.
1 person likes this
@raychill (6525)
• United States
25 Jul 07
You can't write and watch tv? I do that all the time. TV works wonderfully as background noise so I use it often.
2 people like this
@vega83 (6342)
• Bahrain
25 Jul 07
Oh sure I can, but I share my room with my sisters and I can't write in the dark, I mean I could but only if I feel like it.
1 person likes this
@kelly60 (4547)
• United States
25 Jul 07
I write short things like grocery lists quite often, but as far as writing a letter or something that takes a little longer, I usually sit down at the computer and type it out instead. I would probably do the same with my grocery list, but I add to it one or two items at a time as the week goes on so it is handy to keep on the refrigerator so that the kids can add to it too.
3 people like this
@vega83 (6342)
• Bahrain
25 Jul 07
Yeah, I really like the open grocery list idea, I read about it a couple of times in this discussion and seems like a very good idea.
@Calais (10893)
• Australia
24 Jul 07
Every week I write...The boring old shopping list, I couldnt write much more than that though..I get too lazy and fingers start to hurt..
3 people like this
@vega83 (6342)
• Bahrain
25 Jul 07
Yeah, that's what happens when we don't write much, the fingers get lazy.
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
24 Jul 07
I usually write my grocery list every fortnight and write in my calendar every day (as well as the one I keep online). My husband got one made with pictures of him and my son for mothers day so i use that all the time. I love looking at the pictures.
3 people like this
@vega83 (6342)
• Bahrain
25 Jul 07
Yeah, me too, I love looking at pictures too. That's a nice gift for mother's day. Good idea on what to give my mother next year.
1 person likes this
@mrsbrian (1949)
• United States
24 Jul 07
Actually i still write quite often I always have to make a list for the store and I have to make a post it note to hang on my computer to remind me of something I have to do soon. Lots of paper work as my hubby is a vet and they always want more info.I still pay my bills the oldfashiond way and so I write the monthly checks.
3 people like this
@vega83 (6342)
• Bahrain
25 Jul 07
Well, good for you, at least one of us is saved! Ha ha.
1 person likes this
• United States
24 Jul 07
I actually hand write a lot of stuff still, especially lists. I write my to-do lists and shopping lists on paper, and I make little notes for myself and my fiance as well. This morning, I made him a list of various things that I needed him to do today, as well as letting him know that we would be having dinner with a friend tonight. He is still asleep when I leave for work, so I leave him notes to make sure he knows what is going on.
@vega83 (6342)
• Bahrain
25 Jul 07
Aw, that's sweet, so do you put in some personal notes in with all the errand notes as well?
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
25 Jul 07
I wrote the grocery list this morning. I also wrote something in my journal, the usual rant about not getting paid enough, yesterday. I have weak wrists and I cannot pen for that long. I could keep at it, but I am afraid the risk of getting carpel tunnel syndrome is too fearful for me.
@vega83 (6342)
• Bahrain
25 Jul 07
Well, that would come out of a lot of writing or a lot of typing too. Sometimes a good rant can do wonders for the mood.
@kitkat1 (1227)
• Canada
25 Jul 07
I dont find it hard to remember the last time i wrote because even though i spend a fair time on my computer and do own a mobile phone i find it easier just to sit down and write things out alot of the times. I write out my grocery list phone messages and address envelops for my money orders and such. I also i have been writing in a journal off and on to help put my thoughts into perspective to ease my mind and lower my stress levels as well. I enjoy doing things in written form as well adds more of a personal touch i find.
2 people like this
@vega83 (6342)
• Bahrain
25 Jul 07
Yeah, the handwritten note does add a nice personal touch, although the last time I had to give a gift to my friend for her wedding, I printed out a nice note with a really nice saying about marriage, I guess my name was the personal touch in that, ha ha.
@squaretile (3778)
• Singapore
25 Jul 07
I love writing. The last time I wrote was in this card for a friend. When i take the time, my writing can be quite nice! of course daily in my work i scribble to take down instructions or notes. but those are far worse specimens of my handwriting. I think people write too little these days. I was at a scrapbooking class and we were told that we should embrace our handwriting however horrible we think it looks! and our handwriting is what makes us unique and special anyway...
2 people like this
@vega83 (6342)
• Bahrain
25 Jul 07
Yeah, people do write too less these days, including me. But at least my handwriting is not that bad yet. I've got good control of my fingers, because I used to paint and now I'm learning the guitar, so I guess my fingers do get a good work out every now and then anyway, and funnily enough that does help with the writing too.
@senthil2k (1500)
• India
24 Jul 07
Thats right. Many of us using the computer have stopped using their hand for writing and im one of them too. Most of the time I use the notepad or similar ones for taking notes. But the last time, I wrote was when I went to the bank for filling up some forms there regarding my accounts.
2 people like this
@vega83 (6342)
• Bahrain
25 Jul 07
And when was that? After that grocery list on Friday, I don't think I've written anything down.
@DanaMark (807)
• United States
24 Jul 07
I wrote something down just last night. I was busy typing a response to a discussion on myLot and had an idea for a new discussion. I wrote a note quickly so I wouldn't forget it. If I don't make a note, it seems 5 minutes later I cannot remember it. I must be getting old. lol.
3 people like this
@vega83 (6342)
• Bahrain
25 Jul 07
Well, I guess that's got nothing to do with getting old. I forget any new discussions I had in mind as soon as I log in here, so like you, whenever I have a good discussion in mind, I jot it down. It's the best way really. But haven't done that for a few days now.
1 person likes this
@rhine09 (56)
• Philippines
24 Jul 07
Just two hours ago, I was writing in my diary, and I can't help but be happy that I can express things in writing. It's fun to write, especially when you start freewriting because you get onto something. :D
2 people like this
@vega83 (6342)
• Bahrain
25 Jul 07
Yeah it is exciting to keep a journal, a track or your life and thoughts, it's also a good way of really getting to know yourself.
• United States
24 Jul 07
I practice writing with my pen like every other day. Just like you one day i was writing down some groceries i needed to get, then i realized my handwriting was so ugly. So atleast a few times a day i practice writing my name in as many different ways as possible since i would need to write my name more than anything else.lol.
2 people like this
@vega83 (6342)
• Bahrain
25 Jul 07
Yeah, you do have a point there, and I guess if you gotta practice how to write, the first thing that people do is write their own name. Just trying out different signatures and all that.
• United States
25 Jul 07
I actually still "write things" all of the time. Not just lists for the store, or little reminders on post its, but actual letters and such. Don't get me wrong, I spend quite a bit of every day on the computer. But when I have a friend or relative with a birthday or coming up or even at Christmas time, I still go out of my way to insure that they get personalized, handwritten sent through the mail cards. I also enjoy writing letters the old fashioned way far more than e-mail if I have the time. I guess I was born too late, but I think it's fun and so more personal to do things like that whenever possible!
2 people like this
@vega83 (6342)
• Bahrain
25 Jul 07
I love old fashioned snail mail myself, and used to write to my friends who had moved away, now with online chatting, there's just no need to write long letters on what's going on in life. I still love receiving mail though. I guess because it's not so common anymore, so it feels nice to have a letter every now and then, and seems actually more special than it would have before.
• Saudi Arabia
30 Jul 07
I have this habit of mine, I hold my pencil, pull off an A4 paper and start to write. Sometimes it is work-related, sometimes it is just thoughts, sometimes I just scrach anything. I write poem or draw Batman's face. The last time I did that was yesterday and was just writing down scattered words and symbols. Thanks for the post
1 person likes this
@vega83 (6342)
• Bahrain
30 Jul 07
That's nice, I would love to do that, but I barely get time with the internet, my video games, TV and these days practicing with the guitar. I did used to sketch before, but eventually got bored of that.
@vega83 (6342)
• Bahrain
30 Jul 07
Yeah, well, if it were not for my dream journal, I wouldn't have written in a long time, good things I have interesting dreams every now and then. Well, i would like to allocate time for things like these but the problem is that when things become a "must" or a chore for me, I lose interest real quick.
• Saudi Arabia
30 Jul 07
U know what? try 2 allocate some time for hand writing. The bad thing these days, with the internet revolution, the new and advanced video games, life has become almost 100% electronic and a lot of the basic skills and wonderful things are starting to vanish, so try to reserve time for it as much as you can.
1 person likes this
@charms88 (7538)
• Philippines
24 Jul 07
The last time I wrote down notes was a few hours ago. I am actually writing everyday helping my little ones with their homeworks. I can understand what you mean though. It happened to me last summer when all I did was to keep typing and forgot how it felt to hold a pen. I can say that my handwriting is still legible and clear, lol!
@vega83 (6342)
• Bahrain
25 Jul 07
Ha ha, well, I gotta say my handwriting is still not that bad either, although if I'm about to write on a card or something for someone, then I usually do a few practice runs just in case, just to get the feel of it.
1 person likes this
• India
9 Sep 07
I used to write daily during my official duties, and other than this, when i feel sometimes depressed i used to pen down some poems, or when i feel that i am lonely.. i used to write.. but i have to agree, since i left my studies, my writing speed has drastically been reduced. Earlier, during my college days i can write Continuously for 10 hours and at a considerable pace, that was worth appreciated by my frinds. But, now, its has turned out to be a history.
@vega83 (6342)
• Bahrain
9 Sep 07
yeah, i guess we all write the most when we are in school. But I'm glad to know that my writing is still good, I mean I wrote an application for my sister the other day and I still had pretty good handwriting.
@vega83 (6342)
• Bahrain
9 Sep 07
Yeah, I saw that particular comment and I really enjoyed it, in fact I also chose it as one of my favorites in one discussion about comments that I responded to.
• India
9 Sep 07
Thanks Vega dear, for responding. BTW, i just checked your profile and looked into " my photos" ..So cute U R. Another thing, i had a hearty laugh.. at the comment i left i your profile some weeks ago, in your profile page. Becoz i put myself in place of the skelton, which rises from the coffin, and say a Hi to VEGA..lol:) FUNNY...
1 person likes this
@trk918 (254)
• United States
24 Jul 07
Almost everyday. I make my grocery list thru the week so everytime I think of something I write it down. I also have lots of things that need fixed or done & it's easy to forget so I make a list of things that need done too. My job doesn't require me to write things down but I do it there too.
2 people like this
@vega83 (6342)
• Bahrain
25 Jul 07
Hey that's a pretty good idea, to keep adding to your grocery list every time you think you need something, better than doing it all at one time.
1 person likes this
@cupid74 (11388)
• Pakistan
18 Sep 07
Well, quite intresting, u r right actual hand writing was in college era that is 10 yrs ago. now a days only write on and off 1-2 lines as reminders only or to comment on some interoffice memo and mostly to sign documents and sure its not that good as it was when writing regularly
1 person likes this
@vega83 (6342)
• Bahrain
21 Sep 07
Yeah, exactly, I mean we still manage to squeeze some writing in, but it's not really the same.
@cupid74 (11388)
• Pakistan
22 Sep 07
u r very right, sooms things might be paper free, every thing will be on computer , cell phone, digital diaries
1 person likes this
@cupid74 (11388)
• Pakistan
22 Sep 07
u r very right, sooms things might be paper free, every thing will be on computer , cell phone, digital diaries
1 person likes this
@Pompon (1757)
• Poland
6 Sep 07
I liketo translate things like songs and articles to my language. And it's easier to print the page and thet write it manualy while translating. The thing is your eyesare more tired after looing to much at the screen so I avoid it when I can :P
@vega83 (6342)
• Bahrain
6 Sep 07
Hmm... So what you're saying is you prefer typing, is that right?
1 person likes this
@vega83 (6342)
• Bahrain
6 Sep 07
oh, okay, thanks for clarifying that.
@Pompon (1757)
• Poland
6 Sep 07
Well, I don't have a typewriter, I just write it down on a piece of paper or in a notebook.
1 person likes this