This is going to be an incredibly honest and open post about myself. Today, I was filling out paperwork which I rarely do and quickly realized that I have forgotten how to write. The phrase, “If You Don’t Use It, You Lose It” applies to me and my ability to write. As you all know, I have no problem whatsoever with writing things down on a computer. It’s handwriting that’s the problem. Maybe I should give you a little bit of history about myself.

I’m left-handed so naturally, I’m expected to have bad handwriting and look like a weirdo if asked to write anything down. I never surpassed that issue. I still write sideways and can’t write on a straight line. In 2nd grade, I got my first computer and began typing all homework assignments on it. My typing speed increased but it was around 4th grade that my writing improvement stopped dead. Then, in 8th grade (high school) when essays and page long assignments become standard, I saved up and purchased an Apple iBook.

I was chosen in my high school to lead the student notebook initiative and helped setup a school-wide Airport wireless network, network printers in each hallway and deployed iBooks for teachers. from 8th grade to graduation, every assignment, note taking session and even some tests were performed digitally by me, printed off in the classroom and handed to the teacher. I did very well in school and graduated with honors. After that, I got a job at Apple Computer in retail and from there started working for a midsized IT company. I skipped college and relied on dozens of seminars and IT certifications for job advancement. I felt confident I wouldn’t need college and so far, that’s been the case.

Fast forward to today and the only time I use a pen is to sign my name. When I’m asked to write more than just my John Hancock, the result is scary to everyone in the vicinity. Today, I was writing roughly 3 sentences on a piece of paper and my hand cramped up despite not really squeezing the pen too hard.

I was writing signs for our garage sale a couple of months ago and I was writing “s” and “d” backward on the piece of paper. The “J” in Jackson was backward and what was written, was hardly legible.
It’s sad. I blame myself for isolating myself to writing strictly on computers since I was a child. Laura does most of the writing for me and she’s understanding of my “problem” but it’s an issue that I must correct for my own sanity. I’ll be taking a writing class and will begin practicing my ABCs again soon. There has to be more people out there that are having the same problems and I can’t be the only one in this situation. You can laugh but this is completely serious. I had to get that off my chest.