How to Write with Both Hands in 5 Easy Steps ( 2020)

How to Write With Both Hands in 5 Easy Steps

Who wouldn't want to write with both hands? Almost 99% of us are one hand dominant, either left or right. How awesome would it be if we could utilize our non- dominant hand more? Is it possible?  Because of the excessive free time due to COVID-19, I started the experiment to write with my non-dominant hand. I have shared my results plus tips or steps that might help you if you enter this voyage. I will try to keep it as simple as possible so that you can experiment yourself. 

I am pretty sure almost everyone or most of us, had few of the above questions at some point in life. I had these questions while I was in school but  didn't do anything about it until now. I think it's been around 2 years since I started playing around with my non-dominant hand. First, I started brushing my teeth with my non-dominant hand, and now, I am writing one page every day with it. It's very embarrassing and awkward at first. I still remember I had to move my head instead of my non-dominant hand to brush properly for a week or so. But after a year or so, I was able to brush with my non-dominant hand with ease. This is actually like exercising (mental exercise) or creating a new habit. Then I thought, "Why shouldn't I try writing with it?" I have always wanted to do so. This lockdown has provided ample time to think and act on it. Then, I started writing with my left hand (non-dominant) and I will share my journey in this article.

Before jumping to why and how to do it, I want to make some things clear. I am more focused on writing with the non-dominant hand than being ambidextrous. Ambidexterity is the ability to use both the right and left hand equally well [1]. 10% are left handed and only 1% of the total population is ambidextrous. Most of them are by birth. In this article, I am not guiding you to become ambidextrous. This only guides you to become more efficient with your non-dominant hand in one skill i.e handwriting. Musicians mainly pianist have to be good with their both hands but they are rarely ambidextrous. High profile names such as Leonardo da Vinci, Pete Rose, Richard Feynmen, Greg A. Harris, Michelle Kwan, Shigeru Miyamoto, Paul McCartney, Benjamin Franklin, Nikola Tesla and Harry Truman are reported to be ambidextrous [2].

Why?

Why you should try this especially during this time; here are some reasons to get you started:

• Makes your weaker hand more reliable : This might be a good reason to start. Who doesn't want a boost in their strength? Writing with your non dominant hand is like an exercise , the more you do, the better you get at it. It's time to utilize the less utilized muscle.

• Kills time and learn something new: This will consume about half/one hour of your day. I am pretty sure most of us, who are not Working from Home, have more than enough time to do anything we want. This is like "Killing two birds with one stone". Kills time plus you will challenge yourself to learn something new, something which you have never done before

• Challenges your mind: I have to say, it will test you mentally. You will force your brain to do something that it doesn't want. When we do something new, our brain grows and we grow. By challenging or by leaving your comfort zone is the only way to achieve growth.

• Mental Growth: Some research suggests, using your opposite hand will strengthen neural connections in your brain, and even grow new ones. It’s similar to how physical exercise improves your body’s functioning and grows muscles. New brain cells will start to grow and connection between the two hemisphere of your brain will be much stronger. [3]

• Cause it's fun: I have to say this has been something very new for me in many ways. The moment you feel stupid and awkward simultaneously in your first few attempts are rare moments we experience in life. Along the journey, you'll start to think differently about yourself and this whole process. Once, you do it, you'll be able to feel it yourself.

Many people do this because they fear they might lose a limb in an accident or something tragic might occur. But I don't suggest you go down this road which is fueled by fear. I would like to suggest everyone do this as a hobby or experiment and enjoy it. Feel that embarrassment which you don't remember when you were a child. Take pride when you make a tiny improvement. Dance with joy or do whatever you like, this is your second chance to relive childhood in some way, so have fun!

My Journey so far

It wouldn't be fair to give any tips or advice on a topic or a thing which I have not tested or done myself. So, here is the progress that I have made in 35 days:

Still, a long way to go to match my dominant hand's speed and ease but it gives a sense of triumph when I flip through the pages.

So, if you want to try this out. I am more than happy to share the tips or steps that I have followed. Here they are:

Steps: (How to Write with Both Hand in 5 Easy Steps)

Let's dive in then, How to write with both hands in 5 easy steps: 

1. Select a topic/book/article that you like

It's a very important step because if you pick something that you don't like, you'll be bored immediately. Another thing is, our brain is already telling us to stop doing it, don't give it a reason to stop by selecting a poor topic. As Robin Sharma said "Brain is a wonderful servant but terrible master", command your brain, don't serve it. I would like to suggest you pick an article or a book which you have already read. This helps in 2 ways: First, with this, you can focus more on the stroke than the content while writing, secondly, it'll also be a quick revision or could make you remember or see something you might have missed in the first reading.

2. Start immediately

Sounds very simple but must of us fail to act immediately. As said by Aristotle "Beginning is Half done" So, if you really want to do it, start now. Start by writing with your non-dominant hand, copy the text from the book/article that you have selected.

3. Create a routine/timetable

Allocate time. Morning, noon, evening or night, it doesn't matter but try to stick with that time. It will help your brain to know that it's time for you to write a page with your non-dominant hand. It helps in creating consistency. Try to dedicate half an hour/hour each day.

4. Persevere

I will be honest with you, you'll feel like quitting and your brain will tell you this is useless. But before quitting, look back and find the reason why you started. This is the only way to get that change you've always wanted and always remember, part time commitments only delivers part time results. So, commit completely! 

5. Enjoy the journey

 Every time you'll sit down to write with your non-dominant hand, enjoy the experiences and different kinds of thoughts that induce. This is your second chance to experience your childhood. We can't remember how we developed our handwriting with our dominant hand but with this experience, we'll create memory which we will treasure. 

"Small daily achievement when done consistently over time definitely do lead to stunning results " - Robin Sharma (5 AM Club)

Learn something new everyday. You'll have something good to remember when you'll look back at this Lockdown due to COVID-19.

What are you doing in this lockdown? Have you learnt or tried anything new? Challenge yourself!

Have you tried using your non-dominant hand? If so, please share I would like to learn what you've done. How was the experience? 

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Thank you for your visit. I hope everything was clear, if not please do not hesitate to contact me for suggestions or queries regarding this topic. Honest feedback is highly appreciated. You can contact me via “ashishworks2020@gmail.com “. Thanks again.