Writing Over Speaking

Not all writing is created equal.

Try this:

Write with a pen.
Then type the same idea.
Now say it out loud.

You’ll notice something strange.

The same thought feels different depending on how you express it.

And it’s not just about preference or speed—it’s about depth.

When I write with a pen, something ancient kicks in.
The slow drag of ink forces a kind of pause.
Each word is a decision.

There’s friction—and that friction invites reflection.

Typing?
It’s faster, more fluid.

Still thoughtful, but slightly more mechanical.
You’re constructing.

But speaking?

Speaking is raw.
Your mouth can’t keep up with the nuance your mind wants to explore.

No space to pause and reframe.
No mental “loading screen” between ideas.

It’s reactive. Surface-level. Less edited by design.

And here’s the kicker:

The gaps…
those tiny pauses between words…
are where your brain does its real work.

When you write, especially by hand, those gaps are longer.

Your thoughts simulate scenarios.
You test tone.
You self-edit.

That’s where the insight sneaks in.
When you speak, the gaps shrink.
So does the depth.

Which makes me wonder…

Are we thinking less deeply…
just because we’re speaking more and writing less?

Maybe the medium isn’t just the message.
Maybe the medium shapes the mind.