Most of our written communication today is typing on rickety keys or tapping on a dirty screen, so you probably won’t put much on paper. But sometimes you have to fill out old paper forms.

It’s never too late to improve it. I don’t mean the level of calligraphy.It looks like a check-in form in a doctor’s office, like a royal order in the 1500s. It means that there is

Like most aspects of life, handwriting gets better with practice. Through repetition, the handwriting gradually changes, and eventually the letters flow naturally and beautifully from the pen to the paper. I can’t promise that the words will make sense, but at least it will look pretty.

First, give yourself a fighting chance, sit at a stable, spacious table or desk, and write freely. As for the actual paper, it’s best to keep it as flat as possible. Therefore, looser sheets are better than notebooks. But if you don’t want the hassle of scraps of paper all over the place, a proper notebook can help too. Avoid thick or spiral notebooks and opt for notebooks with flexible bindings that open flat. This prevents the heavy side of the book from trying to close the entire book and eliminates the wrist discomfort that the thick spiral can create as you approach the end of each line. Your hand doesn’t lose support when writing the last line.

[Related: Eight great pens to match your writing style]

Speaking of lines, you should use some kind of guideline at this stage. It can be lines, grids, or dots, or whatever your hand-focused heart desires. As such, I highly recommend that you refrain from blank pages until you become familiar with your new and improved handwriting. If you use loose paper instead of notebooks, you can buy lined, grid, or dotted paper. Alternatively, you can download and print your own paper from free online resources.

Then find the paper layout angle that works for your writing. Don’t fall for the idea that the only correct setup is vertical. This can force your hand and wrist to adopt an unnatural writing position, which can lead to pain and injury. It’s not at all shameful to place them. The best way to find out what angle is right is to start with the paper upright and rotate it until it’s to the left (if you’re right-handed) or right (if you’re left-handed). Comfortable. This is why having a spacious surface to write on is important because you don’t want your desk trinkets to tip over when you’re playing with paper.

Take as much time as you need to make sure the setup is to your liking. This not only aids handwriting, but also helps you relax. you’re welcome.

The best way to know if a pen is right for you is to try it. If possible, go to a stationery store and try a pen there. Write a few words on the included pad and see how each pen feels. Maybe buy two or three to keep testing at home. If you’re not sure where to start, you can always test drive a fan favorite.

For example, many people love the Pilot G-2. It comes in several formats, but the tried and tested version has a built-in grip, is retractable, uses quick-drying gel ink, and comes in a myriad of colors. Try our Cristal or Round Stic pens. You’ve probably written with them a million times by now, and they’ve become staples because of how comfortable and reliable they are. Other ideas: Uniball’s Signo, Pentel’s RSVP, Sakura’s Pigma Micron, or MUJI gel pens. These are all inexpensive writing instruments, each with its own fan base, so you should be able to find one that works for you.

If you want to try a fountain pen, start with one designed for beginners. If possible, start with disposable ink cartridges that are compatible or pre-filled with ink. This saves you from buying bottles of ink and refillable cartridges unless you really need them. Pilot’s Kakuno or Schneider’s Ray fountain pens are solid and inexpensive choices. It’s light, comfortable, and ready to transition to a more serious fountain pen in the future.

Write at a normal pace (not too fast, not too slow) and pay attention to how you hold the pen. If you apply force and your nails turn white, your grip is too strong. Relax and try again. This is important because squeezing too tightly can cause pain and discomfort and can lead to hand and wrist cramps and injuries. On top of that, pain also affects handwriting consistency, ultimately discouraging pen to paper altogether, rendering this whole process useless.

Once you are comfortable with your grip, check it every few minutes and correct if necessary. If you have trouble with pen controls, you can always change tools or try pen grips. This is his one of those little rubber tubes that you slip into your pen or pencil to make it easier to control.

After completing the practice pages, look at and analyze your handwriting. Note the relationship between spacing, letter slant, height, shape, and the guidelines used. The most important factors I’m looking for are consistency and readability. So go through the lines and highlight the words or letters that are most different from other words or letters that you might misread.

These are the aspects of the writing that you are trying to change. Whether you do cursive, print, or a combination of the two, you want nearly identical handwriting across the page that everyone can read clearly and that the letters look more or less the same. This doesn’t mean your handwriting has to be perfect or resemble what you see on the screen (let alone calligraphy).

If there’s an aesthetic element you’d like to change, or if you want to completely change your writing style, get inspiration from others. A quick search of the web reveals thousands of handwriting enthusiasts sharing their pristine notebook pages. Take a look at them, find something you like (a loose element or an entire style), imitate it, and make it your own.

A useful way to practice is to make exercise a part of your daily routine. You can do this by starting a hobby like journaling or meditative writing. This gives you the opportunity to sit for a few minutes each day and put your growing skills to good use.

If journaling isn’t your thing, set aside time to practice every day. Find your favorite book, poem or song and transcribe it. If you can catch up, you can also write down your thoughts. It doesn’t have to be well-written, and it doesn’t have to make sense. The important thing is writing. As long as you put words together, you can get some practice.

Besides, take every opportunity you have to write instead of typing. Place notepads and pens around your desk and home, pick them up and write reminders and lists. If time is not an issue, stop emailing and opt instead to write letters or send postcards. Not only is it extra practice, it’s good old fashioned, and people love it.

Note: Take your time and be patient. As your hand learns the movements you are teaching, you will increase your speed. The more you write, the faster and more organically your lines will come out. Until then, watch your form and consistency. Analyze your handwriting from time to time to see how much you’ve progressed and whether you still need to improve. Don’t forget your grips too, and check often to see if they need to be loosened.

For more independent learners, there are also many online practice materials, such as worksheets and guides, available for purchase or free download. Some of them include diagonal lines to help keep angles consistent, while others include complete instructions on how best to join letters and use space. There are also things.

[Related: Turn your handwritten documents into searchable digital notes]

Again, handwriting is as unique to you as your fingerprint, not calligraphy. You don’t have to be perfect or look like anyone else. Make embracing chaos part of the process.

Also, you should enjoy this. Have fun and relax. If not, you can always change it. Or you can try to find joy in filling out a very formatted form over the phone… whatever works for you.