When I'm learning to do new things that require some coordination, why do I always want to use my left side?

I was running a chainsaw yesterday and my husband of TEN YEARS asked if I was left handed! I’m not. He said I was holding it wrong. I was using my stronger right hand on the bar and using my left hand to throttle the trigger. He showed me how to hold it the ‘right’ way, with the left hand on the bar. Man, I felt like I was twisted up like a pretzel. I felt NO coordination, which, of course, made me feel very insecure using the saw that way, so I continued using it “backward.”

When I shoot a gun, I use my right arm, but at some point it hit me that I was trying to sight using my left eye, which meant I was leaning across the barrel. It just felt right. I’ve tried sighting with my right eye…but it just isn’t there.

Playing basket ball, my coach had to correct my stance. I was shooting with my right hand, but I had the wrong foot back. Changing it was uncomfortable, and I still have to consciously correct my stance when I shoot.

Why is this, Dear Abby?