Inner Child January - Non Dominant Hand Exercise

Back in 2018, I broke my right hand and had to temporarily learn how to paint as a lefty. It was an intimidating proposition at first, but over time I grew comfortable enough with it that I able to make some meaningful work despite my limitations. This period also proved very healing as I learned to let go of expectations and just enjoy the challenge. In conjunction with my Inner Child January prompt list, I wanted to return to my left hand for an exercise where I allow myself to feel both vulnerable and safe. Inner child experts (see resources below) use this non-dominant hand exercise to promote dialogue with your inner child as a way to contend with past traumas. In these two drawings, I use my left hand to record 1) a time I felt happy, loved and safe and 2) my dream practice. Resources for Inner Child @The.Holistic.Psychologist (Dr. Nicole LePera) @somaticwitch (Andrea Glick) “Recovery of Your Inner Child” (Lucia Capacchione, Ph. D) “It Didn’t Start With You” (Mark Wolynn) “My Grandmother’s Hands” (Resmaa Menakem) “The Body Keeps The Score” (Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D.) “Adult Children Of Emotionally Immature Parents” (Lindsay C. Gibson)