The do-it-yourself revolution started in the late nineties when people were looking to be more involved in the production of various items they use daily, and move away from the capitalistic separation of the self from the product. Knitting circles started popping up everywhere, as did woodworking and carpentry workshops, bookbinding, and so on.
Nowadays, there is a DIY method or workshop for pretty much any hobby or craft you can think of. This is because the DIY approach comes with many benefits, and it’s not just for the lovers of niche interests anymore. If you’re about to pick up a new hobby, or you’re curious to learn about why so many of your friends have taken a shine to DIY, then read on for more information.
Save Money
One clear benefit of learning to take on DIY projects is that you will learn to save money. When you know how to do things yourself, you can eliminate the cost of labor that you typically pay other vendors, which is built into the price tag of whatever you’re buying.
With this understanding, you’d be excited about getting into a new hobby because you know that you will save money while doing something that you – ostensibly – enjoy. For example, you may need to remodel your home.
But, the costs of doing so seem incredibly prohibitive. The biggest expense in remodeling is paying the contract workers their wages. If you’re working within the parameters of a strict budget, that may very well be a cost that you simply cannot incur.
Therefore, doing a lot of the remodeling work yourself, and learning how to do so, will actually save you a lot of money; maybe thousands of dollars. This can allow you to reroute your financial resources into purchasing the appliances you really need, for instance. Basically, you’ll have more freedom as to how to manage your finances.
It’s Fun
One important benefit of the DIY ethos is that it provides numerous opportunities to engage in fun activities. Learning new tips and tricks is wonderfully fulfilling. You will feel incredibly satisfied knowing that you can finish something with your own two hands, without having to ask others for help or pay them. Besides, you will have a healthy way to reroute your energies, and picking up a new skill can help curtail your craving for traditional retail therapy.
It’s also a healthy way of managing your feelings of anxiety or depression. There’s nothing quite like finishing a DIY project and reveling in that sense of satisfaction and pride that can only come from being able to do something with your own two hands.
New Career Opportunities
While the prospect may seem far off at first, you may surprise yourself with how easily you can pick up a new skill and excel at it. In fact, a DIY project more often than not transforms into a verifiable side hustle for many. If you’re looking for a compelling way to earn money, then developing a new skill is one good way of improving your income.
When you take on a new DIY skill and take the time to cultivate it, you will not only earn a side income but will also be able to diversify your income revenue streams. It’s also something that can help you in your traditional workplace since you will be able to better advocate for yourself and request a promotion. In short, the more skilled you are in different areas, the more likely it will work towards your benefit.
Keep Your Brain Sharp
Learning a new skill is a way of keeping your brain in tip-top condition, and staying sharp. Otherwise, you may become stagnant, working a regular nine to five, coming home to eat dinner, or imbibe some whisky before vegging out in front of the television – this routine will eventually turn your brain into mush.
On the other hand, tackling different projects and learning new skills can make your cognitive abilities that much better, while providing you with a keen sense of enjoyment that you won’t find elsewhere. Learning new things at any age will always keep you on your toes, and you’ll feel both fulfilled and smarter, as opposed to bored out of your mind.
DIY projects may seem like they’re mostly for the crafty individuals who know their way around a toolbox, but that isn’t true. Picking up a new craft has so many benefits, from allowing you to save money and work more with your hands to offering you different career opportunities and giving you a sense of pride in the small things you’re able to accomplish on your own.
That being said, there’s no reason why you should put off learning something new and fun any longer. Who knows, you may surprise yourself!
Keep being AllDayChic!
