From Hobby to Hand-Lettered Passion

Throwback to 2020, when we were all just trying to find little hobbies to keep us sane. I spent way too much time watching YouTube videos when I stumbled across the world of bullet journaling. It was right up my alley: doodling, tidy handwriting, and organized chaos.

Might sound weird to some, but I've always been the kind of person who geeked out over stationery aisles, 0.35mm pens, and the thrill of perfect handwriting. I'm still questioning those strangely specific interests.

Soon after I discovered bullet journaling, I found myself at the local bookstore picking out my first journal and a handful of pens to add to my already over-the-top pen collection. That night, I was nose to the grindstone designing my first journal pages. They were filled with meticulously planned layouts, cute (and slightly cringey) quotes, and color-coded trackers.

Turns out, I loved making the pages far more than actually using them. My habit trackers sat blank, my gratitude lists unfinished, but my lettering? That part I couldn't get enough of. I started spending hours creating hand-lettered quotes, doodled borders, and homemade holiday cards for fun.

At one point, a childhood friend and I even launched a calligraphy Instagram account to show off our "work." (You can probably guess how long that lasted). Still, I was snapping photos, editing them, and thinking about how to present them.

I wish I could say I found those old photos for this post, but sadly, they've been lost to time. However, I did dig up a few pieces from those early days.

Warning: cringe ahead!!!!

8/30/2019

11/24/2020

When It Clicked: More Than a Hobby

Somewhere between doodled quotes and countless crash-outs over imperfect letters, something shifted. What started as a creative escape slowly turned into something that felt...purposeful.

The turning point came when I started noticing how people reacted to my work. A friend would comment on a handmade card, or someone would ask me to letter a sign for them. Suddenly, I realized that these small, personal touches matter to people.

That realization stuck with me: good design, even something as simple as a handwritten word, makes people feel something. It can make a space warmer, a message clearer, or a moment more memorable.

When I started working at a shop in downtown Missoula, everything came full circle. The more I created, the more I realized how much those early experiences had prepared me for real-world design. This opportunity gave me the chance to rediscover an old hobby, but this time, I was using it in a way people actually interacted with.

Chalkboards, window displays, and small in-store signs became my outlet for experimenting with lettering and design. I quickly noticed how much impact a small handwritten message could have:

• A bold, eye-catching sign outside could make someone pause mid-step. Sometimes even pulling them into the store when they hadn't planned to stop.

• Seasonal signage sets the tone and mood before a customer even walks through the door. Making your space feel more inviting and intentional.

• Even something as simple as a handwritten thank-you card can make a customer's experience feel more personal, creating a genuine connection that brings them back.

  
  

  

That's really where this whole journey began. With messy pieces, a lot of trial and error, and the realization that lettering is more than just pretty handwriting. It's a first impression. A way to stand out before the initial interaction.

In my next post, I'm diving into that idea a little deeper, how thoughtful design and custom signage can completely change how people see your business (and why those small details matter way more than you think).

Key Takeaways

• Your "cringe era" is usually your creative origin story. Don't skip the messy, experimental phase.

• Small creative habits often turn into unexpected career skills. Those hours spent on "pointless" hobbies? They're teaching you composition, patience, and problem-solving in disguise.

• Handwritten signage stands out in a digital world. In an era of printed perfection, hand-lettering feels authentic, personal and human—qualities that build connection and trust with customers

• First impressions happen visually. Your signage is often the first interaction someone has with your business. Make it count.