Opposite Hand Activity
Materials Needed:
To Support Feeling:
Judgmental
How to Do It
Choose a simple task you usually do with your dominant hand, such as brushing your teeth, writing, or eating, and do it with your non-dominant hand. Pay attention to the challenge and frustration that arises. Reflect on how this exercise forces you out of your comfort zone, similar to how being open to different perspectives can feel challenging but ultimately beneficial.
Why It Works
This exercise forces you to approach a familiar task in an unfamiliar way, helping you to understand the value of different approaches and perspectives. It also builds patience and empathy for situations that are outside your comfort zone.
Guided Practice
Before beginning, find a comfortable place to sit or lie down. Close your eyes softly if that feels right and take a few deep breaths.
Take a pen in your non-dominant hand and prepare to write your name or a short sentence. Feel the difference in your grip, the unfamiliar sensation of holding the pen in your opposite hand. Notice the tension or awkwardness in your hand and arm as you begin to write. Focus on the sensations of using your non-dominant hand. Feel the slow, deliberate movements as you write each letter, the unfamiliar coordination needed to form words. Stay with these sensations, allowing yourself to explore the challenge of this exercise. Notice any emotions that arise — perhaps a sense of frustration, a feeling of curiosity, or even a bit of playfulness. Allow these emotions to guide your experience, noticing how they affect your writing. As you continue to write, visualize your brain forming new connections. Imagine the neural pathways lighting up, expanding as you engage in this unfamiliar task. See if any images, memories, or beliefs come up — maybe a memory of learning to write as a child, a belief about learning new skills, or a feeling of vulnerability. Let these thoughts inform your understanding of the exercise, noticing how they affect your body — perhaps a lightness in your head or a tension in your shoulders. When you feel ready, gently place the pen down, and take a few deep breaths, noticing the sensations in your hand and arm. Notice how your body feels now — perhaps more aware, more present, or simply more open to new experiences. Gently open your eyes, carrying this sense of curiosity and openness with you, feeling ready to approach challenges from a new perspective.