Home DIY

DIY is one of those funny things in that a lot of people don't try it because they are scared of it. TV, unfortunately, has betrayed a generation of men for comic reasons as being inept. It is slapstick comedy that has perhaps indoctrinated a whole generation from trying to think & do things for themselves. The Institutions, it seems want us to laugh at these people rather than encourage any individuality.

DIY is a basic need for quite a few people, both men, and women, as it reconnects us to a basic need, that being to create or invent. To change or adapt what has existed before, for whatever reason, we wish to change it.

I am terrible for tinkering. If something confounds me, I take it apart to see how it works. I find that if you follow methodology, most things are logical.

There are dangers like electricity, but I have done a fair share of electrical work to be reasonably confident. Where the perils increase, I find double-checking or triple checking to be always beneficial as when you do things by yourself, it is best to be as self analytical as you consider reasonable. Things like YouTube, forums and the Web, are always full of people aching to impart guidance and wisdom.

Also, dangerous is Gas, and I don't recommend anyone try that unless they really know what they are doing. Electricuting yourself is bad, blowing up the neighbourhood is not something anyone should risk! Water is another misconception in that while you can be charged a fine for certain things maybe bordering a property, replacing a faulty ballcock or fixing a dripping tap are generally not illegal, or worthy of a £100/hour plumber if the job can be done yourself.

Also with a design or idea, it is quite often hard or expensive to realize. The only remaining action is to Do it for yourself! It is at this point when self-doubt creeps in. If you are in a relationship, others concern or terror may not help matters. The main thing to remember is most aspects of anything human designed or engineered are logical, and while a lay-person cannot know everything a professional does - they don't necessarily have to. The basics and the perils, or what could go wrong, are the most important things to be aware of and consider from the offset.

Even in trying and failing, we can often learn and get better. No-one is born a genius, they become one. We remember the Greats as Great, but all of them had problems and failures.