I’ve been a late bloomer in some areas of my life: ok, a late bloomer in most areas of my life.
But, a really late bloomer when it comes to my home life.
I figure this was partly due to not having a father figure after high school, as well as not becoming a home owner until my mid 30’s.
I never thought I had the skills to do homeowner type projects like the usual improvements of painting, woodworking, wallpapering, or even deck building.
It wasn’t until I was in my early 40’s that I began to develop these skills that some people have by that age.
I’m here to tell you today that it’s never too late to develop these skills. I am living proof that you can learn how to do these types of things late in life – even if you’re in your 40’s, 50’s and, yes, even you, (John)!
I want to share with you my story: After getting married in my early 30’s, I moved into my wife’s house – I was renting at the time, and she was already a home owner.
We lived in that house for 5 yrs and during those yrs, we never picked up a paint brush, or hung any wall paper.
The only thing we did, was change some curtains into vertical blinds, and maybe changed a light bulb or two.
A golden opportunity occurred I was 36, when we bought a new home.
With any existing home, it needed some work.
Since we didn’t have any experience with painting or wallpapering, we hired it done – my wife’s reasoning was she was busy going to school, as well as having a new job.
My excuse was simple: “I don’t know how to do stuff like that!”
Around the first spring in that home, I decided that a deck should be built in the back yard.
So I developed this “great plan” for a multileveled deck.
The problem was: I had no clue how to start to build it, much less what materials to buy, or even what tools would be needed.
Fortunately, I knew a handyman and he of course knew how to build decks, among other things.
I helped out as best as I could, but I didn’t know a hammer from a circular saw.
I thought I was doing ok with the post-hole digger but he commented to that first day: You really don’t know what you’re doing, do ya?
So, during those five years of living there, I didn’t do a whole lot of home improvement projects, other than that one.
I even hired out the staining of the deck every couple of years.
A few years after this, with a new partner in my life, I bought a newer house.
I finally felt the need and confidence to increase my home improvement skills.
During the first few years there, we (that is, the “royal” we)
• Painted several rooms, even doing some faux painting
• Changed some light switches to use sensor lighting – either coming on at dusk or when a person enters a room
• And hung some wall paper in a few rooms
• Lastly, we installed pre-built cabinets in the laundry room, and a walk in closet
About a year after moving into the house, I decided to finish the unfinished basement.
So, with the encouragement and support of my new partner, I once again developed this “great plan”.
Not only where to put up the wall partitions, but the electrical and plumbing plans as well.
But, this time, I was determined to do it myself.
You see, I was now the same age as my dad when he finished my family’s basement when I was a youngster.
I now had a goal and needed to prove myself: I wanted to finish a basement!
Over the next couple of years, I put up the studs for the walls, installed the electrical switches and
outlets, laid the tv and internet cables, installed the ceiling lights, even the wall sconces.
I even hung the drywall, a suspended ceiling and added subflooring on top of the concrete floor.
I also hung the doors and did all of the molding.
Lastly, I built a bathroom, installing a shower, sink, vanity, and water closet.
The only thing I didn’t do was to tape/mud the drywall – I left that for the experts as well as the installation of the carpeting.
So, I was only in my early 40’s at the time of this project and I was now capable of doing major home improvement projects – PRAISE THE LORD – halalueh!
Fast forward to my 50th birthday.
My partner and I are now empty nesters, living in a townhouse, and due to the “great recession”, I was laid off for 9 months, and I, of course, had a “LOT” of time on my hands.
My GF had mentioned to me on several occasions she wasn’t really happy with all of the white walls, so with some arm twisting, I painted walls in the living room, kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, etc.
So, over time, and with practice, I’ve now figured out that I can very easily paint any wall thrown at me.
But, the following is what I’m most proud of:
Several yrs before becoming unemployed, I saw a magazine that had plans for a built-in bookcase, and I kept it around, dreaming of having someone build it for me, or – can I be so BOLD: maybe – build it myself?!!
I wanted to build it myself, but again, I didn’t think I had the skills.
I had never done any woodworking projects ever in my life, except for that one time, in 7th grade shop class when I nearly cut off my head…but that’s another story.
Anyway, I had these plans, and they basically told you what materials you needed, what tools to use, and it even gave you step by step instructions.
I’m please to share, I started this bookcase project after labor day, cutting the shelves, and other stuff and had it sanded, stained, varnished and finished before our Thanksgiving family dinner a few short months later.
Everyone that had seen the bookcase is amazed with it – and amazed that I had done it myself!
So, in summary, I’ve shared with you that for the majority of my adult life, I didn’t have confidence with doing home improvement projects.
But, when given the right opportunity, the right motivation, and having the right people behind you, to support and encourage you, with practice, and even more practice, at first doing small projects and then ramping up to bigger and bigger projects over time, I now feel confident enough to tackle almost anything that comes my way.
And, I bet, if you are like I was 10-15 yrs ago, with similar encouragement and support from your loved ones and friends, you could also bloom into a do-it-yourself-er!
