Around the age of ten, students at my primary school got to earn their pen licence. If their pencil-based handwriting was clear and neat enough over a sustained period, the teacher would give them an official piece of paper that said they were allowed to use a ball point pen.
Looking back now, the whole thing was a bit odd. But, I tell ya, it felt big at the time. I think it was the permanence of the pen. Permission to use a pen was a sign that you were self-assured, disciplined, careful, and controlled.
It got me thinking that perhaps us adults should have to earn our pencil licences. Maybe it’ll help us feel like it’s okay to make mistakes, or that using an eraser is acceptable, or that some days we’ll be sharp and others we’ll be blunt.
Here’s to the pencil. Let’s bring it back.