When it comes to being a more practical man about the house, there are few tests of your skill that are quite as concrete as fixing something that’s broke. While DIY isn’t necessarily for men, it is necessary for men to learn a little DIY as far as most are concerned. If you’re not as handy as you would like to be, here are a few ways to improve your skills and feel a lot more competent and confident.
Take a course
Sure, there are some guys who seem able to do all of their own DIY by seemingly communicating with the Spirits of Handiwork, but the truth is that everyone learns somewhere. Most guys learn as they’re growing up but if you didn’t have that opportunity or luck, there are plenty of DIY courses you can take online, not to mention a slew of video tutorials to help you get to know what you’re doing. No matter how much of a novice you are, there are always opportunities to learn.
Join a DIY community
Just as there are people willing to show you the ropes, there are also communities who are tips, projects and talk about all the finer points of DIY. It’s a good idea to get a bit of learning under your belt so you’re not completely left behind when people start talking about the specifics of their own projects. Furthermore, there are even online communities out there that talk about specific products from a manufacturer and what methods they undertake to repair their appliances and machines, so if you’re looking for more specific ideas, then you’re likely to find them, as well.
Try replacing stuff yourself
There are few better ways to learn the basics than to get hands-on with them. Putting up shelves, bleeding radiators and the like are easy, but replacing parts of a leaking tap or bath sealant might be easier than you think, as well. Learning how to do some DIY washer repair can help you become a lot more confident when it comes to dismantling things around the home. There are obviously some appliances you don’t touch without training, such as anything gas-powered, but for most of them, getting over your fear of opening them up can help you become a lot more competent.
Get to know your tools
One of the better reasons to do more DIY is to get to know how to use a variety of tools that can better serve you in later life. As such, it’s worth taking the time to look at online lists of what the most versatile and reliable tools you should have in your arsenal are and try little projects that get you more comfortable with those tools so that when bigger repairs come along, you know what you’re doing with them.
You don’t necessarily need to fix things to prove your worth as a man, but there’s no denying that being a more capable and handyman can help you feel more confident and save a lot of money.
