This 12 months, I’ve determined that I have to problem myself by studying new issues. I’ve by no means had an issue with studying new issues which are DIY-related. I like making an attempt out these new issues, whether or not it’s a brand new device or a brand new course of. Dwelling-related DIY is my ardour, so studying new issues in that space is simply good enjoyable to me, even after I make errors. These errors assist me to develop and broaden my DIY expertise, and whereas some errors do frustrate me alongside the way in which, the general problem of DIYing and studying new issues excites me.
However in different areas, I resist studying new issues in any respect prices. I’ve been running a blog for 17 years now, and whereas others have expanded into different issues (primarily “influencing” and making movies), I made a decision way back that I’d simply keep on with running a blog. The written phrase and nonetheless images are my jam. I like the method of sitting down and writing down my ideas, writing directions for DIY tasks, and so on. There’s one thing very cathartic about this course of that I’ve been doing virtually each weekday morning for the final seventeen years.
And but, after I personally wish to be taught one thing new, I don’t go to blogs or web sites. Actually, I keep away from written directions in any respect prices. As an alternative, I am going to YouTube. I personally be taught from movies a lot simpler than I be taught from written directions.
Actually, it’s a joke in our household (as a result of all of us appear to have that downside) that written directions are ineffective. It’s been a operating joke all of my grownup life that after I buy one thing that must be assembled, I get all the pieces out of the field, assess the undertaking, and provides it my finest effort. Provided that it doesn’t work out the primary time (or truly, the fifth or sixth time), or if I run into hassle that I simply merely can’t work out regardless of how a lot effort I put into it, do I lastly get the directions out of the field and peruse them simply sufficient to seek out out what I did unsuitable. However I don’t suppose I’ve ever learn a set of directions by means of, from starting to finish, for any merchandise I’ve ever bought. I’m a “determine it out your self” form of particular person. Written directions are simply there as a backup when all else fails after a number of makes an attempt.
But when a video is offered, I’ll watch that. If the packaging of the merchandise I’ve bought comes with a hyperlink or a QR code to a video exhibiting the best way to put the merchandise collectively, I’ll at all times make use of that. Movies are how I be taught finest. If I can see another person doing one thing, I can be taught it in a short time.
I’ve made movies previously, however they’ve been sporadic. One of many causes is that I’m an previous canine, set in my approach. For seventeen years, I’ve been doing tasks, taking footage of the method, and sharing these footage and directions. Going from that to really taking movies of the method appears so overseas to me. Forcing myself (and reminding myself) to take movies fully messes up my workflow that I’ve labored on perfecting for seventeen years now. Plus, when I attempt to take movies, I discover that I neglect to take images of the method, so then I discover myself on the finish of a undertaking with out the mandatory images to doc the method.
Plus, discovering the proper video modifying software program to make use of, after which spending hours and hours studying all of the ins and outs of that program, looks like time that I could possibly be spending (and would fairly spend) on truly making and constructing issues.
So right here we’re at the beginning of a brand new 12 months, and that at all times motivates me to make modifications. Final 12 months, I made an enormous private change (the no sugar factor, which I plan to proceed this 12 months in a modified, not-quite-so-strict method), and I did rather well with it all year long till we acquired to December. In January of final 12 months, I dreaded making that call. It truly made me panic a bit to make that decision and put it on the market into the world for different folks to see, however I challenged myself and made myself do it. So this 12 months, I made a decision that my new private problem for the 12 months could be to push myself to develop and broaden my data in how I share info. I’ve chosen two various things that I wish to be taught and develop on this 12 months, beginning with making movies.
We’ve had actually chilly, moist climate for the previous few days, so this was the proper alternative for me to spend hours on finish at my desk and drive myself to be taught new issues. I wished to start out with video modifying. I bought Adobe Premier Professional, and I’ve spent the final three days making an attempt to be taught that program. The fundamentals have been straightforward, however that program can achieve this a lot! That’s factor, however these extras have a reasonably steep studying curve. However as of final night time, I’ve lastly completed my very first video. And by the point it was completed, I felt like I had a reasonably good grasp of this system (the fundamentals, not less than), so I don’t really feel like giving up. I really feel enthusiastic about doing extra.
This primary video isn’t nice, but it surely’s a begin. And identical to studying the best way to use a brand new DIY device or course of, I do know I’ll get higher as I do extra. Belief me, I wished to surrender two days in the past. There have been little issues that I simply couldn’t work out. However you realize what I did? I went to YouTube to learn the way to do them. 😀 So the truth that I preserve going again to YouTube implies that I have to preserve urgent ahead in studying these items. I don’t like it, and when it will get actually difficult, I’d a lot fairly quit and go work on a DIY undertaking for my workshop or our bed room. However a part of being an grownup is forcing ourselves to don’t solely the issues that we love, but in addition the issues that we don’t like however are mandatory.
I discussed two issues I wish to be taught this 12 months, and taking movies and modifying them with Adobe Premier Professional is simply the primary one. I’ve additionally bought a course to assist me be taught the fundamentals of utilizing Sketchup, which is a program that’s used to attract illustrations, undertaking plans, and a lot extra. I’ve dabbled in Sketchup previously, however ended up getting pissed off, and at all times resorted to going again to my previous methods of doing hand-drawn sketches of rooms and tasks that I wished to construct. However I’m decided that that is the 12 months. The time is now to broaden my data, to press myself to be taught new issues, and to not quit when issues don’t instantly work out completely. My first purpose with Sketchup is to do an in depth drawing of the structure of my walk-in closet earlier than I truly begin constructing out that room.
So actually, that is my private New Years decision for 2025, despite the fact that it’s business- and blog-related. It’s very a lot a private purpose to make this a 12 months after I push myself past my consolation zone, do the onerous issues, and be taught new expertise, regardless of how irritating the training curve can (and can) be. I don’t wish to be an previous canine who refuses to be taught new tips. Irrespective of my age, I wish to continue learning, increasing, rising, and difficult myself. I’m grateful that our terrible climate these previous few days has given me the proper alternative to start out on this journey.
And with that mentioned, right here’s my first video of 2025. Once more, I’ve a lot to be taught, not solely with regards to modifying movies, but in addition with regards to truly videoing the method of my tasks. I’ve a ton to be taught this 12 months, however all of us have to start out someplace, proper? It’ll be enjoyable to look again on this primary video on the finish of the 12 months and see how (or if) I’ve improved in my expertise of videoing and modifying movies. However it is a place to begin.
Addicted 2 Adorning is the place I share my DIY and adorning journey as I rework and enhance the 1948 fixer higher that my husband, Matt, and I purchased in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do bodily work, so I do the vast majority of the work on the home on my own. You can learn more about me here.
