As a left-handed person, I have found myself navigating a world that is predominantly designed for right-handed individuals. From school desks to kitchen utensils, the everyday objects that most people take for granted often pose unique challenges for me. Being a lefty in a right-handed world has shaped my experiences and taught me valuable lessons about adaptations and perseverance.
From an early age, I realised my hand dominance set me apart from the majority. In school, I would struggle to find a desk that accommodated my left-handedness, often having to awkwardly contort my body to write comfortably. The ink on my page would smear as my hand glided across it, leaving a trail of smudges on the paper. It was a constant battle to keep my notebooks clean and legible.
I also faced challenges in the realm of sports. Most equipment, such as cricket bats and gloves or golf clubs are predominantly designed with right-handers in mind, left-handed players need to search for specific left-handed equipment or have them custom-made. But playing badminton is always fun because the opponents are not used to playing with lefty players and they sometimes do not understand the strategies.
A desire to learn a musical instrument being a lefty was such a big hassle. I wanted to buy a guitar and the shopkeeper gave me a guitar and told me to strum with my right hand. I refused and told him to get me a guitar for lefties. He told me that there is no such thing and for that, I had to buy a round-shaped guitar and the shopkeeper would attach the strings upside down. That gave me fewer choices, nevertheless, I got one.
One of the most significant struggles as a lefty occurred in the culinary world — knives and peelers, even can openers are mainly designed for right-handed users. As I clumsily manoeuvred these tools, I often found myself yearning for the left-handed version that would make the task at hand easier. Despite the challenges, I embraced my basic cooking skills and sought out utensils and appliances for left-handers whenever possible.
Apart from that, social situations also presented their own set of unique challenges. As a lefty, I would inadvertently bump elbows with those sitting on my left during meals if I eat with the spoon or a fork, because I can’t hold them with my right hand and eat.
Also while writing in crowded places, it took conscious effort to adapt and find ways to position myself to avoid these encounters. While it may have been an inconvenience at times, it taught me the importance of awareness and consideration for others, regardless of their handedness.
Being a lefty in a predominantly right-handed world has taught me resilience and adaptability. It has made me appreciate the small victories that come with overcoming these everyday obstacles. Despite the inconveniences, I have come to embrace my left-handedness as a part of my identity, a unique characteristic that sets me apart from the crowd.
In recent years, I have witnessed a growing recognition and acceptance of left-handed individuals. More products and tools are being designed with the needs of lefties in mind, acknowledging our existence and catering to our unique requirements. It is heartening to see the world becoming more inclusive, breaking free from the limitations that were once imposed by right-handed dominance. Ultimately, being a left-handed person has taught me that our differences should be celebrated rather than seen as obstacles. It has made me more compassionate, understanding that everyone faces their own set of challenges in life.
My left-handed journey has shaped me into a more resilient and adaptable individual, capable of navigating a world not designed with me in mind. And for that I am proud to be a lefty, embracing my uniqueness and forging my path with my left hand leading the way. I will stand tall and remember that I am left-handed and unstoppable — I redefine the rules with my dominant hand.
Published in Dawn, Young World, September 16th, 2023
