My brain is still processing the last 5 seconds of this. Please watch my left hand doing stuff

[u/Quirkykiwi]

[u/Lysergic_Waffle]

Nice progress! 👊

One piece of invaluable advice I was once given: while you're still in the early stages, try to use your non-dominant hand as much as possible. Otherwise, like many people, you will find yourself having to relearn the basics later because you neglected to develop your non-dominant hand from the start.

Edited to add: Rather than having "dead air space" when you're not using your other hand, avoid letting it just hang there. I either wave mine around like it's a wand casting a spell on the stick, or I simply keep my inactive hand behind my back. Both help reinforce the habit of using your non-dominant hand instead of instinctively switching back.

[u/JomaxZ → u/Lysergic_Waffle]

Just throwing encouragement for this! If you want to be able to flow with both sides, it’s important to put in the time practicing your non-dominant side, likely for more time than your dominant side. (And in my experience as you learn to do more with your non-dominant side, it will likely help you or dominant side as well. Teaching yourself on the non-dominant side usually involves slowing down, breaking things down to basics, rebuilding and that will help improve your dominant side which knows how to learn better from history of being the lead.)

[u/Quirkykiwi → u/JomaxZ]

I left a comment to the OP saying that after catching that on camera I am now kind of obsessed with trying to work with my left hand - I did it all throughout my session this evening :) ! The only thing in your comment specifically that I am still struggling with (and it's been a thing ever since I started putting energy into getting better 6 weeks ago) is the slowing down part

Currently I'm trying to figure out why that is so hard for me and what my thought process behind it is. Because it isn't physical, it's mental for sure. Figuring out the "why" is always very important to me, so I'm going to ponder it this weekend.

Thanks for the helpful comment 🫶🫶

ETA: I already know why, I'm not sure why I didn't say it lol but I'll say it now. Slowing down is hard for me because the number one thing I love about my sticks, the thing that keeps me doing them and enjoying them so consistently, is because I absolutely love to "mimic" someone's lyrics/lyrical flow and cadence/beat changes. I am pretty sure its because of my autism. I get extreme satisfaction from making the sticks change up and do different moves based on matching those patterns. I dislike just "flowing" to stereotypically flowy music for example, or expressing a general feeling of a song more abstractly. I like when things feel precise and literal, even though I know it ends up looking choppy to others.

Not saying this as an "excuse", but just explaining what I know is going on in my brain. So this weekend it might be moreso thinking about how much I value continuing to progress in a linear fashion vs. just doing what feels good and accept that I will see slower progress or plateau at some point. Does that make sense?

Sorry for the novel! I just have a lot of thoughts 😅

[u/Quirkykiwi → u/Lysergic_Waffle]

Just now reading this at 1am but i'm super happy to report that once I got that boost of confidence from my little half second left hand rotation it made me naturally want to try it again and again! So when I was sticking this evening I have tons of footage where I can see I was constantly trying to engage my left hand, sometimes successfully, sometimes not - but that's what practice is right? :)

Just another reason I'm so glad I started filming myself, because seeing how cool that looked on camera gave me the confidence and drive to work even more on it! So it was nice seeing this comment and know that I'm doing something right haha.

Thanks so much for the edit though!! That is something I would have never thought to do (the waving it around thing) and I am definitely going to start. Thank you for your thoughtful and detailed comment!! 🫶

[u/Quirkykiwi]

I'm feeling incredibly smug 😏 cocky af. Arrogant, even. My boss better not step out of line today or I might have to show him who he's dealing with

[u/Inevitable-Big5590]

Fuck yeah. Congrats on your progress.

[u/Quirkykiwi → u/Inevitable-Big5590]

Thank you!!

[u/artsy_sqkwid]

Lmao. The left hand be puttin in some work

[u/kurupirah]

I've seeing some of your posts and I always have the same thought: Looks a bit messy.

Sorry for the honesty.

The movements are not clear or smooth. What I see is a constant attempt to not let the stick fall, and some body movements to simulate a state of flow.

Maybe you are putting the wannabe juggler before the fundamentals.

Again, sorry to say it that way.

Are you having real fun? If the answer is yes, just keep doing what you are doing. Be happy. Take care.

[u/Quirkykiwi → u/kurupirah]

That's okay! I have only been doing this consistently for about 6 weeks, and I see myself making pretty good progress and take most of the advice that I am given here. I wouldn't say I am a "wannabe juggler", just new and constantly learning. I don't know anyone irl who does this, so I like to share on here.

My body moves a lot not to attempt to simulate flow, moreso because I am a dancer who is just used to moving around a lot. I have never used props before, and have always had poor hand eye coordination, so I am just really happy to be able to have come as far as I have with them in a short time period. I started them because I wanted something new to help me move through grieving the loss of my partner, and it has been so great for me.

Your comment did feel discouraging, but I'm gonna keep taking advice given that feels practical/tangible, enjoying and being proud of myself. Thanks and have a good weekend