Less Digital, More Focus

 I recently graduated from the university, and I can still remember the smell of the paper I used back then. I’ve always preferred writing on paper to take notes and organize my thoughts. Most people today use digital tools like iPads, tablets, or laptops because they’re more convenient and portable. You can bring them anywhere and do hundreds of things from one screen. Still, I choose traditional paper to capture my ideas, write notes, and brainstorm. It can be inconvenient with piles of paper on my table, a pen for writing, and that uncomfortable feeling when writing on the left side of my notebook. Everything is there, yet every time I try the digital way, I always go back to pen and paper. It feels like I capture my ideas better, I can think more clearly, and it gives me a kind of connection to my thoughts that I don’t feel when typing on my phone. When I planned to reformat my website’s homepage, I took my notebook and started writing how I wanted it to look. It helped me stay organized and focused, even if it was less convenient. What matters to me is that I can capture my ideas better. It doesn’t mean what works for me will also work for you. We all have different preferences when it comes to note-taking. The only downside of this setup is that once a notebook is full, I need to switch to another, and the old one just ends up stored in my table cabinet. > **Disclaimer:** [I use ChatGPT to edit this post.](https://marklaurence.net/how-to-use-chatgpt-to-edit-your-posts/)