Connecting the Gears of Thought: Using Different Writing Instruments

I have always liked writing by hand.
However, it is only recently that I have started to spend money on writing instruments and notebooks.

It is certainly not because I have become wealthy.
It was about treating the things that are important to me with care.

I did not foresee it to that extent from the beginning, but as a result, the habit of writing by hand played the role of shifting down the 'gears' of thought that are constantly running at full speed while I am at my PC.

It is not just that shifting down means a slower speed.
Even in a car, 1st and 2nd gears have a lower maximum speed, but they have more power (horsepower).

And, using different writing instruments for different purposes has become an important indicator for understanding one's own state at that time.

I would like to introduce some of the ways I actually use different writing instruments.

1. The two main ones

The one I use the most is the Frixion "ZONE" I purchased recently.
It has become my primary pen for my 3-year journal and regular handwriting.
I introduce it in detail in this note.

However, the ZONE, which is darker and more stable, is used for things I want to take my time with and treat with care.

For example, when taking notes during an interview, I want to prioritize a sense of speed, so I use the Frixion Biz that I used as my main pen before the ZONE.
*Strictly speaking, I create manuscripts by using both summary notes from AI-based automatic transcription and notes I have written by hand.

2. Fountain pens

Currently, I own three types of fountain pens.
Among them, the one I recommend for those buying a fountain pen for the first time or those who want to prioritize writing speed is the Lightive.

You can write smoothly with it, just like holding a regular pen.
Moreover, since it is a fountain pen, you can write with less force than a regular pen, so it is in the category of quite fast writing.

Furthermore, it supports both cartridges and converters, so you can also use the wonderful ink bottle colors of Iroshizuku!

However, the fountain pen I actually use the most is the Cocoon.
When writing out on paper using the "Zero-Second Thinking" method or writing in a Rollbahn, I basically use the Cocoon.

However, when I have too many tasks or when I want to write things out quickly first, I sometimes use the aforementioned Lightive.

I want to adjust the speed of output to match the situation, the fatigue level of my brain, and my own mental condition at that time.

By the way, my other fountain pen has a broad nib, so I use it when I want to organize my thoughts more thoroughly or when writing in an MD notebook.

3. Glass pen

By the way, the lowest gear for me is the glass pen.
I use it when I want to enjoy a more careful time or when I want to try out new ink.

Even when dividing by what you write with

Sometimes, I also differentiate by the type of notebook.
Basically, I use a fountain pen for my 'good notebooks,' decorating them with stickers, stamps, and colored pencils, but I sometimes intentionally change this depending on my mood.

In addition to my 'good notebooks,' I also have regular notebooks that I have been using for a long time.

The Kokuyo Campus (dotted) notebook is for personal use.
The Soft Ring notebook is for work.

For the RHODIA memo pad, I draw a line down the middle with a ballpoint pen, write down medium-term plans or things I want to do, cross them out once achieved, and when it feels quite worn out, I move on to a new sheet below.

I use the 100-yen block memo pads in a similar way; I write down small things or short-term tasks that need to be completed, like 'boil barley tea'.
I also repeat the process of writing and crossing things out here, but because of the nature of the content and the price, I often move on to the next sheet quite quickly.
※Work-related tasks are managed using Google Tasks.

So, while it is true that having too many options can be confusing, and I don't manage to use everything every day either,
perhaps having a variety of choices is the perfect opportunity to listen to your own state of mind and inner voice.

And for me, when I was suffering from adjustment disorder and nearly forgot my 'own axis,' choosing things proactively has become a moment that fills my heart with immense satisfaction.

If you are someone whose brain is constantly running at full speed due to PC work or AI usage and you feel exhausted, I highly recommend 'writing' at a speed that matches the pace of thought you desire!