The importance of handwriting is now better understood

I have started to journal last month. I came to it through pens when I randomly decided to find a good pen when I got interested in it through some youtube videos(wow, YT actually working as intended, for once). To anyone interested, Pentel Energel 0.7mm is the best gel pen in the entire world, hands down. For oil-based ink, it would be Uniball Jetstream, i guess(i am gel guy). I always wanted to journal and thought it would be great to be able to read my worldviews, problems and daily life from years ago. But I just never did. Anyway, second month in, I must say, i love it. Not because of writing about some interesting philosophical topics, but rather because it allows the brain to dump all that chaos out(onto the paper) and allows me to focus more or just be chill in general. It literally frees your thinking. Like clearing up your RAM. I would never thought this would be the main effect but it is. If anyone wants to try, I recommend getting a notebook with 100gsm blank paper. They are hard to get though. Mostly you will find either dotted paper or 70-80gsm. Do not compromise on the density, dots vs lines vs grid vs blank is personal preference. Preferable is black pen over blue one, but again, PP. Blank pages impose no restrictions on you in regards to formatting though. There are well price notebooks on aliexpress, look for dot ding, legendary notebooks or paperideas. Soft or hard cover is personal preference as well. Format, A5 is the best/most practical. If you go with A6, note that most items are actually close to A7 so make sure you buy a correctly sized one. And smooth PU leather cover will catch fingerprints, so go mesh or rougher PU surface. As for hand writing, the slower you write, the prettier it will be. You have to find your own tempo where you are satisfied with speed and the look of the letters.

Thanks! Works for me on iOS 16.6.1/Firefox Focus

If anyone is interested in a great utility pencil, look at the Pentel Twist-Erase GT. Replaceable eraser, super long lead tip, comfortable grip.

I have a preference for graph paper because I can place any idea anywhere on the page exactly where I want it to go. I only use one side of the paper so I don't have to flip back and forth between pages to remember what I wrote.

Using looseleaf paper and a central folder might be more viable for some people vs. a notebook. A nice, new, specially ordered blank notebook can be intimidating to write in. You also have to keep track of a journal to use it. Looseleaf paper is a much smaller mental investment to get the habit started - you can just throw it away if you mess up.

Depends on region. It's blocked in Europe for instance.