Although we are taught to write as youngsters, after this, we’re left to our own devices. Soon enough, we’re on our own, writing in the only way we know how, with no extra instruction. This means that for some, our handwriting style is exactly the same as it was when we were younger. For others, your handwriting may have deteriorated since then. But just because you don’t go to school anymore, or get taught to write in your job, doesn’t mean you can’t improve your own handwriting.
Decide how you want to improve
Before you take any steps to improve your handwriting, you need to sit back and really analyze your current style and what you wish to improve. The easiest way to do this is to write down a paragraph of your choice and then place the piece of paper in front of you. From here, decide what it is you don’t like, and what you would like to change. It could be that you wish to improve the legibility, or it might be that you wish to improve your loops and whorls, or it might be that you wish to write faster and for longer, or it might be that you wish to improve on just one letter. From your own writing, you will be able to see the changes you wish to make and where you need to go from there.
Choose the right pen for you
Just as you need the right sized shoes, you also need the right pen for you – and you never know, the pen you use may be one of the causes of your illegible handwriting to start with! Choosing the right pen for you is incredibly important because everybody has their own style they find more comfortable. Many people say that the fountain pen is superior, but this is not true. Whichever pen makes the writing process more comfortable is the one you should stick with. Try out different inks, different sized nibs and balls, and different styles until you find the one that suits you.
Get a grip
Nope, we’re not being really rude (not yet, anyway). Many people spend their lives gripping their pen in the wrong position, or too hard. There is no need to squeeze a pen – don’t worry, you don’t need to squeeze the ink out, that’s the pens job! Squeezing this hard can often make your hand and wrist ache, leading to difficult handwriting. Your grip on the pen should be incredibly light, meaning it can move and glide along the paper without dragging your wrist along with it. Although most people use the same fingers to hold a pen (the thumb and middle finger), it is completely up to you as to how you hold it. As long as it is comfortable for you. If you’re not sure, try switching up your fingers and grip to find the one best suited to you.
Practice whenever you can
In a day and age filled with technology that does the writing for you, it can be difficult to find situations in which you can write with a pen and paper. But if you want to improve your handwriting, you’re going to need to switch off the technology for a while and practice your writing whenever you can. Instead of writing your shopping list on your phone, write it out on a piece of paper. Instead of sending an email to a family member across the country, post a handwritten letter. Instead of writing your essay on your laptop, write it out in pen and paper! You know what they say, practice makes perfect…
If you’re looking to improve your handwriting, try these out and watch your hand flow across the page! Curvative writing is generally seen as easier to read than spiky handwriting, while overly complicated, loopy handwriting can also be difficult to read. Experiment with different styles and see what is naturally easy for you to write, while also being as legible as possible.
