Flipped!
What is it about writing in reverse cursive that’s so therapeutic?
I started writing in "mirror-image" when I was about 13 or 14. My sister, Chickee (who can do a double-whammy by writing upside-down, reverse cursive), showed me how and once I wrapped my mind around it and figured it out, I was completely hooked. I practiced whenever I could and even convinced my friend, Karen, to use it whenever we passed notes in class and wrote each other letters. Though I became quite good at it, to the point where I am able to do it without much thought or effort, I did it less and less. E-mail became the mode of communication of choice and scented stationeries with matching stickers and envelopes became a thing of the past.
But recently I’ve picked up the habit again and, curiously enough, I noticed that the urge to do so is strongest when I am upset. Sure, I do it every once in a while when I’m bored and doodling in a meeting or some other similar situation (thank goodness my supervisor isn’t reading this - or is he?), but more often than not, it is something I find myself doing when I’m pissed off. And what’s even more interesting is that I find that it calms me down significantly. I’m not sure if its because my mind is somewhat concentrated on flipping letters that I’m able to stop myself from actually flipping out (and flipping someone the finger), or if it has something to do with being able to rant and swear and let off steam without fear of someone reading it over my shoulder. In other words, is it the actual writing or is it was is being written? Well, whatever it is, I find that it really works for me. Leonardo Da Vinci used reverse writing for more practical reasons (he was left-handed and writing right-to-left was more ergonomic and didn’t make the ink smear as much), but for me, its more of a pacifying thing.
You should try it sometime. I highly recommend it.
Sample of Da Vinci’s penmanship:
Here’s a page from my note book:
