In a world dominated by apps, screens, and cloud syncing, it may seem surprising that paper notebooks are not just surviving—they’re thriving. While digital tools promise efficiency and productivity, a growing number of people are returning to analog methods. The question is: why?
What notebook people know that digital folks don’t has little to do with nostalgia and more to do with cognitive science, information retention, focus, and a backlash against digital fatigue. This article unpacks the emerging trend of analog note-taking, the surprising research behind it, and why even in 2025, the notebook isn’t going anywhere.
The Rise of Analog in a Hyper-Digital World
Despite rapid advances in digital productivity tools, analog methods—particularly paper notebooks—are enjoying a resurgence. A 2023 survey from Statista revealed that nearly 34% of Gen Z and millennials in the U.S. use paper planners or notebooks regularly, even when digital alternatives are available. And sales of notebooks and journals have grown steadily post-pandemic as people look for ways to reclaim focus.
So what’s fueling this analog comeback?
- Digital overload: Constant pings, notifications, and tabs are draining users’ attention.
- Information fatigue: People are looking for slower, more deliberate ways to process and store knowledge.
- Focus culture: Books like Deep Work by Cal Newport have popularised the value of single-tasking and deep thinking—both of which analog tools encourage.
Cognitive Science: Why Handwriting Wins
There’s a growing body of research suggesting that handwriting, especially in a notebook, has benefits that typing on digital devices cannot match.
1. Better Memory Retention
A widely cited study by Mueller & Oppenheimer (2014) found that students who took notes by hand retained information significantly better than those who typed. Why? Because handwriting forces the brain to summarise and process, rather than just transcribe. This improves encoding and long-term retention.
2. Deeper Cognitive Processing
Handwriting encourages “desirable difficulty,” which is proven to enhance learning (Bjork & Bjork, 2011). Unlike digital note-taking apps, paper notebooks force you to slow down. That extra effort creates stronger memory traces.
3. Fewer Distractions
When using a notebook, you’re not battling push notifications, open tabs, or app switches. It’s just you and your thoughts. That simplicity is a key reason notebook people stay more focused for longer periods.
“Writing by hand activates large regions of the brain involved in thinking, language, and working memory,” says neuroscientist Audrey van der Meer (2020, Norwegian University of Science and Technology).
What Notebook People Know That Digital Folks Don’t
So, what exactly do notebook people know that makes them loyal to analog methods?
They Know That Speed Doesn’t Equal Understanding
Typing allows us to capture everything fast—but fast doesn’t mean meaningful. Notebook users understand the power of intentional note-taking. They absorb what matters, rather than documenting everything mindlessly.
They Know Focus Is a Competitive Advantage
Notebook users create distraction-free zones in an always-connected world. That’s not just better for thinking—it’s a form of digital self-defence. No apps, no updates, no alerts.
They Know the Value of Tangibility
The tactile nature of notebooks makes them feel more “real.” Handwritten notes, sketches, or mind maps create a personal connection to the material. That sense of ownership improves both recall and motivation.
They Know Privacy Isn’t a Feature—It’s a Given
While digital tools often require logins, data syncing, and permissions, notebooks are inherently private. No one is tracking your page views or keystrokes.
Notebooks in the Workplace: Analog Isn’t Anti-Tech
This isn’t about going full Luddite. Many professionals are integrating notebooks into their digital workflows to improve decision-making, brainstorming, and creative thinking.
How Hybrid Users Are Making It Work:
- Bullet Journaling: Organise daily tasks and habits with a paper planner, then track major projects in Notion or Trello.
- Daily Brain Dumps: Use a notebook each morning to offload thoughts before opening email or Slack.
- Analog for Strategic Thinking: Use paper for outlining strategies or big-picture plans, then digitise the outcomes for sharing.
Even executives are catching on. Jack Dorsey (ex-Twitter, Block) and Richard Branson have publicly championed using notebooks for creativity and reflection.
Tech Companies Are Catching On
Interestingly, tech companies themselves are responding to the analog revival:
- reMarkable 2 and Kindle Scribe blend handwriting with digital storage.
- Rocketbook notebooks allow you to scan and upload handwritten notes to the cloud.
- Moleskine Smart Writing Set digitises handwritten content instantly.
These tools aim to combine the cognitive benefits of handwriting with the efficiency of digital workflows—a hybrid solution for modern professionals.
How to Make the Most of a Notebook in 2025
If you’re considering switching—or switching back—to analog, here are a few tips to get the most from it.
1. Choose the Right Notebook
Consider:
- Size: Pocket, A5, or full-size
- Purpose: Daily log, meeting notes, brainstorming
- Binding: Lay-flat designs make writing easier
2. Use a Simple System
Adopt frameworks like:
- Bullet Journal method (Ryder Carroll)
- Cornell note-taking system
- Daily logs with timestamps
3. Be Consistent
Set aside notebook time daily. Morning pages, meeting recaps, or planning sessions are great entry points.
4. Pair With a Digital Tool
Digitise what matters using apps like:
- Microsoft Lens or Evernote’s scan feature
- Notion for archiving ideas or lists
- Google Drive for scanned PDFs
When Digital Still Wins
Let’s be clear: digital tools are essential in many scenarios—especially for collaboration, editing, or storing massive content archives. But that doesn’t mean paper is obsolete. It means paper can serve a complementary purpose.
- Use digital for editing, sharing, automation, and long-term storage.
- Use analog for focus, brainstorming, problem-solving, and learning.
Final Thoughts
In an age of distraction, what notebook people know is this: slowing down is sometimes the fastest way to think clearly. Handwriting isn’t a regression—it’s a strategic pause. It gives your ideas space to breathe, and your brain room to work.
If you’re feeling scattered, distracted, or unproductive, it may not be your schedule or your apps. It may be the medium you’re using. Analog methods like notebook writing are proving that sometimes the simplest tools deliver the deepest results.
Reference
- Mueller, P. A., & Oppenheimer, D. M. (2014). The pen is mightier than the keyboard: Advantages of longhand over laptop note-taking. Psychological Science. https://doi.org
- Van der Meer, A. L. H., & Van der Weel, F. R. (2020). Only three-year-olds show like activation in prefrontal brain regions during early handwriting. Frontiers in Psychology, 11. https://doi.org
- Statista Research Department. (2023). Usage of paper planners among Gen Z in the U.S. https://www.statista.com
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