By Sami Grover
Chapel Hill, NC, USA | Tue Sep 08 09:00:00 GMT 2009
My editor emailed me a few days ago to ask me to write about the "DIY mindset". I laughed - to me DIY has always been about practical, efficient and organized people doing clever and craftsy things. I tend to think of myself more as the nerdy type. (I make a living writing for blogs, for heaven's sake!) But looking back on my posts for TreeHugger and Planet Green, I realized I've come a long way in learning important, practical skills that help me gain independence and reduce my fossil fuel consumption.
From growing shiitake mushrooms to brewing beer to keeping chickens to installing a beehive, I've definitely broadened my creative horizons in the last few years. Heck - I even chopped down some cedar to create my own fence posts. Now that did feel manly...
But how does one go about getting in the DIY mindset, especially if it doesn't come naturally. Here are a few hints:
Adopting the DIY Mentality
Try Something New: You'll never learn if you don't try, so keep an eye out for new and different experiences that might be fun to try out.
Play to Your Strengths: If you're not the craftsiest person on the block, maybe whittling a rocking chair shouldn't be your first project. Find activities that fit with your existing skills and interests. If you're a good cook, start out with food. If you like to garden, plant some seeds. That's not to say you should limit yourself, but it makes sense to start with something you are confident about, and work outwards.
Be OK with Failure: I've said it before, but it's important to allow yourself to fail. Whether you are in the garden or the workshop or the kitchen, you will mess up from time to time. Cut yourself some slack.
Self Sufficientish vs Self Sufficiency: The idea that you can become completely independent and self reliant is a myth - at least for most of us. So start small, and do what you can - but don't beat yourself up if you still indulge in the occasional frozen pizza, or you don't make every piece of furniture from scratch.
Seek Interdependence: Chances are you are not the only one experimenting with greener living. Find friends who are also learning new skills, learn from each other, and trade liberally. If you're making a huge batch of tomato sauce, and a friend is brewing beer - why not barter? Or you can organize DIY work parties and learn new skills together.
Get Back to School: From bee keeping to making hollandaise sauce, I'm often amazed at the courses available in my area. Check out community colleges, non-profits, agricultural extension agents and clubs and find out what courses are available near you.
Be Proud of Yourself: Most important of all, you've got to celebrate your successes. I'm often amazed at how little victories for me - whether it's the first harvest of squash, or a tasty beer - are also enjoyed by those around me. And sometimes those folks are inspired to try projects of their own.
Related Posts:
Growing Shiitake Mushrooms
Why Brewing Beer is Green
Backyard Chickens Provide Unexpected Bug Control
Installing a Beehive: A Nervous Beginners Experience
Need proof that it's possible to balance being green and still be a supportive partner and parent? See how Ed Begley, Jr. does it on Planet Green TV's Living with Ed.
No comments:
Post a Comment