Of all the different methods out there for finding key personality traits, graphology, the analysis of handwriting, seems to make some sense. Think of how much handwriting varies from one individual to another; even the difference between signatures—legible versus illegible, signed with flourish or indistinct—suggests something about the person.
Our scrawls, whether chicken scratch-like or similar to computer font in their consistent neatness, are unique to us. Not even identical twins with their identical genetic makeup have the same handwriting, so there just might be something to the argument that our writing styles are somehow tied to our personalities. After doing some research, I came across a few principles of graphology that seemed easiest to analyze so that even us non-experts could see what our handwriting potentially reveals.
Put the Pen to Paper
Unlocking the inner workings of our identities via graphology only requires two items: a writing utensil and an unlined piece of paper. If you’ve got old letters or notes with at least a couple paragraphs’ worth of text, the bulk of the work’s already done. If not, just find something to copy and try to write as naturally as possible. Remember, trying to have the best penmanship possible doesn’t win you any points with graphology; it will only give you insight into the kind of person you’d be if you had different handwriting.
Handwriting analyst Gary Thomas believes that studying handwriting involves looking at both small details, like the space between letters, and bigger ones, such as the amount of pressure used when writing. Each characteristic implies something different about the writer’s personality.
Spacing
Space can operate in a variety of ways when it comes to handwriting. There are two main things to consider: space between words and space between sentences. That’s why using an unlined piece of paper is essential—just how much space we put between sentences can provide insight.
Spacing Between Words: According to graphology, this represents your comfort level when it comes to socializing. Having very little space in between words, like in the photo above, suggests that you are a people-person who craves social contact. A large gap indicates that you have trouble relating to others and might prefer being solo. Those with an average amount of space fall somewhere in the middle.
Spacing Between Sentences in Paragraphs: If it’s difficult to determine one line from another (i.e., there’s almost no space separating them), your thoughts might be a bit jumbled and confused. On the other side of the spectrum, large spaces are associated with sharp perception and meticulousness. Average spaces represent a balance between the two.
Line Levels
Another reason to use unlined paper is to analyze the direction your lines travel naturally, such as if they ascend across the page or remain steadily straight. Supposedly, the baseline tells us about our emotional health.
Straight: Someone who writes in an exactly straight line could be rigid and methodical, to the point where he/she sees being emotional as having a lack of discipline. Mostly straight lines speak well of a person’s level of self-control and success in a variety of trades.
Ascending/Descending: If the baseline slopes upward as you write from left to right (as it does in the picture below), graphologists would say that you have a positive outlook and are generally enthusiastic and determined. If it slopes downward, that suggests depression, lethargy, or a tendency toward moodiness.
Very Wavy: When lines look like the outline of a roller coaster, it might mean that the writer feels emotionally unstable. However, having a slight wave for a baseline is common and generally indicates a balanced emotional outlook.
