So we all love pens for the pieces of art they are, but they’re also tools. So, what do you write with your pens? Do you journal, do you take notes? Do you use fountain pens for everything or just certain activities?
Personally, I write a lot of snail mail letters to friends, and I also use mine to take notes. I’ve never done a journal before, but I’m thinking it may be useful in helping me unpack some things. Plus, Midori makes some very nice looking 3 and 5 year journals.
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I use them at work - when in the hospital, to jot down notes and to-dos throughout the day to help me document electronically later. When I’m in my research role, I have tons of meetings (many via Zoom). I have a big Leuchtturm1917 (A4+) notebook that I use to jot down notes, which keeps me engaged, and also to work out ideas / write out math or pseudo-code.
Outside of work, I will sometimes write passages of poetry or prose to try to improve my handwriting or check out inks. I’m giving the journaling thing a try at the moment though it’s not something that I’ve done regularly before.
Notes and flashcards for actuarial exams. Makes me actually excited to study even the dry topics when I have a new pen and new ink. I’ve stuck to Muji notebooks since they’re so affordable and high quality.
Quite a bit of long form private notes at work of interviews with patients. Nowadays, we’re expected to eventually get them onto electronic systems. But during the interview itself, it’s still fairly satisfying to be able to write with such speed for long periods.
Unfortunately, legibility is generally pretty poor. But the way I see it, I get to spend more time later on admiring the nice shades to figure out what I was trying to write at that time.
As much as I can although due to moving they are all currently all packed away.
Normally, I use them in Bullet Journal which is an organizational tool rather than a way to unpack my feelings. I’ve toyed with traditional journalling but I just don’t feel my life is interesting enough to write about. Otherwise, odd notes for work and home life and I have brought some books to learn and practice my penmanship. I also try to write the odd letter around the festive season to some of my older relatives that still appreciate real letters.
I mostly use my fountain pens for my Hobonichi planner, snail mail penpalling, and a little journaling now and then. I also prefer them for general use like making quick notes, but in that case I’ll write on and with whatever I can grab before the thought escapes.
