I recently discovered that typing on a mechanical keyboard does an excellent job of maintaining my desire to write.
Typically I use a Microsoft Sculpt ergonomic keyboard when I’m working at my desktop. I bought one only a few months after moving to San Diego to use at work. Once my hands got used to it, going back to a standard keyboard at home didn’t feel quite right. So, I now have two of these split ergonomic keyboards.1
Despite how lovely my arms and wrists feel when typing on them, the keys have little travel and are awfully quiet. That is great for an office environment, and physically beneficial since work takes up most of my computer term. However, this is not nearly as fun in casual use. So, I’ve broken out one of my several mechanical keyboards for use after-hours.
In addition to being more amusing, I’ve found it to be mentally helpful as well. The clicking and clacking of the mechanical switches creates a white noise to my brain, allowing me to focus in on what I’m writing. While I’m sure having the separation of tools between work and hobbies is part of the effect, I know I respond well to white noise. Having it self-generated is more desirable and satisfying than relying on my phone, for example. I’m sure once I move in with my fiance it won’t be a sustainable choice, but we shall see.
FOOTNOTES
- Working from home has made this duplicate purchase situation less great. ↩