The quiet superpower of Cursive Writing

Although my handwriting was never great, over time I have started to love cursive. It’s not just about the beauty of letters; it’s where I find quiet comfort.

Other than the fact that there is something deeply satisfying about writing tasks down in a to-do list and then ticking them off, here are a few powerful reasons why cursive handwriting truly matters.

1. More brain is involved than we assume When you write in cursive, your hand is planning movement, tracking space, and linking letters in a smooth rhythm. This activates motor, visual, and language areas together. Think of it as a mini full-body workout for your brain. 2. Better memory and understanding We’ve all heard of note-takers who remember concepts better. Because writing by hand is slower, you can’t write every word, so your brain summarises and chooses what matters. 3. Fine motor skills and reading skills in children Around the world, researchers have noticed children who practiced forming letters by hand often showed stronger letter recognition and reading development as continuous strokes build motor fluency & hand-eye coordination. 4. Focus and Calm Cursive asks for gentle attention. Your breathing slows. Your shoulders drop. That mindful, rhythmic movement can calm a busy brain. No notifications. No tabs. Just intention. Read my earlier blog here to learn how you can practice the rhythmic movement of calligraphy & breathing.

A few tasks you can try this week to wake up your brain & feel the magic:

1. Work notes: Pick one meeting or class to capture in cursive. Notice what you remember later.

2. One page a day: Copy a quote or paragraph in cursive to unwind before you sleep.

3. A letter: Write a short thank-you in cursive and give it to someone. The joy is real.

Thank you for being patient and hearing me out. If you do try this, drop a message as I’d genuinely love to hear your experience. :)

Love,

Mahak