Why I DIY
October 27, 2011
Last weekend we had some friends and relatives over and in mid conversation, one of the friends asked me out of genuine curiosity, "Why do you choose to make so many things by yourself? Why don’t you just buy these things, or pay someone else to do it for you?” The best short answer I could come up with at the time was “I just like it.”
The longer answer, and what I wish I’d explained much better, is that DIY projects give me a sense of accomplishment. It makes me feel good to design and create all kinds of things, whether I’m crafting or cooking, styling or decorating. Frankly I’m just one of those people who likes to dream up things in my mind and then make them with my own hands.
I’m not a fine artist or an especially skilled carpenter, but I love working with paint and building things and that makes me a creative. It took me over 30 years to finally acknowledge that fact, but then I realized I possess many of the attitudes of creative people. I believe in reinvention, perseverance, and I have an ongoing curiosity about how things are made.
There’s always a calculation I make before undertaking any DIY project. Do I have the time? Do I possess the skill? Will taking on this project teach me something new? How much money will I save? Will it look good in the end? If you’d asked me ten years ago whether I’d tackle a staircase remodel or install a new stone patio, my answer would have been “Do what? Heck no.” How did I end up taking on those projects? Because I’d read how others had gone before me, I was inspired, and had the desire to learn how.
As a creative, it’s important to surround yourself with people who share your passion so I feed off of the inspiration and knowledge that comes from others in the DIY community. When I read about other creatives using their hands to build something amazing, I can’t help but feel admiration for their skills and DIY savvy, which is why I began the ‘Best of the Blogsophere’ series so many months ago. Not everyone has the time, inclination, or skill to take on major DIY projects, and that’s fine. But I believe those skills can be learned if the ‘can do’ attitude is there.
It frustrates me when I hear people say “I’m not creative.” I don’t agree with that. Every person possesses the innate ability to be creative. The naysayers simply have yet to tap into their creativity. Perhaps they lack confidence. Perhaps they’re afraid they won’t be any good. Mostly I think they just haven’t tried. We’re all creative to one degree or another, it just has to be discovered deep within. Life hasn’t been the same since I tapped into mine.
That’s my long answer. What’s the short answer to the question, “Why do I DIY?”
Do you see yourself as a creative person?
Why do you or don’t you DIY?
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Tags: why i diy
GREAT post! I asked myself this same question about 45 times when I was creating our nursery. I made the curtains, pillows, bedding, and did lots of crafts to make the theme for the room come together. Most of my friends picked out a room design at Pottery Barn or Target and purchased everything together – pre packaged. But our nursery is unique, exactly what I wanted, and I’m so proud of the hard work my hubby and I put into creating a beautiful space for our new baby. Thanks for writing this post – it’s good to know I’m not alone!
When I was teaching, I would tell my students that it wasn’t a question of “How smart are you?” but “How are you smart?” I think we should ask ourselves (and encourage others) to ask ourselves not “How creative am I?” but “How am I creative?”
This post was exactly what I needed to read in order to put words to what DIY’ing does for me– it releases a sense of pride to know that I took an ugly piece of “something” or a set of raw materials, and turn it into something beautiful and valuable. My husband (and I’m beginning to think a LOT of husbands feel this way!) look at my interst and hobby as simply “being cheap” and I face the criticism from him that I should just “buy something new.” But it wouldn’t be as satisfying. I want someone to walk into my house and their eyes light up when they see a project of mine and ask, “Where did you get THAT?” and I can respond proudly, “I did that myself!”
I will add on to what other people have said, too– I don’t feel I am very creative in a sense of being able to just come up with random, new ideas for things. However, after submerging myself into the DIY blogger community over the last few months, I am proud to say that after removing some antique-y, old, ugly cabinets from my master bathroom before decorating, instead of wanting to just throw them out, I got a great idea to remove the mirrored fronts, and will be hanging them sideways in my new crafting room, as little cabinets for displaying small potted plants or something :)
I agree 100% with everything you’ve said here. The other day I was stressing over all the stuff I have left to do for my father’s surprise party. My boyfriend looked at me and said “Why do you have to do all that stuff?” I was so exasperated when he asked because he’s an artist and creator. I just looked at him and said, “Because I want to!” pause, ” Don’t you get it, I just like to create.”
He said he got it but just didn’t know why I had to do so much. Sometimes I just have a vision in my head, and I need to do everything possible to make that vision a reality. :)
Kate, I have to say that you are the main reason why I started DIYing. Your blog has so many good tips and instructions on how to do stuff and I stepped out of my comfort zone and started doing things I NEVER would have dreamed about doing. It has given me so much pleasure, relaxation, and just the learning has been really eye opening. I am now contemplating doing wainscotting for my dining room and my husband is a little fearful, lol, but I am “gearing myself up” mentally because it will be so rewarding once it is complete. If it fails, oh well, the worst that could happen is that I hire a contractor to fix up my mess, no harm done. Thank you! You have been a big inspiration to me.
I love being able to take something apart and learning about its construction, then putting it back together again, which is why I love reupholstering chairs. They are giant puzzles.
There are some people who brag about how much they spent on something. Then there are those, like us, who brag that we found stuff on the side of the road or thrifting and redid it!
I’m the same way – I would much prefer to take the time to make something myself than to spend the money on something which can often be outrageously costly. But it’s not always a matter of money. I just like how it feels to look at something and know that I created it. Maybe it wasn’t my idea. Maybe I followed a tutorial step by step. But it was my hands that made it. People are always telling me how creative I am and what a DIY personality I have, but I honestly believe that everyone is equally as capable if the inspiration is there. Can I just say THANK GOD FOR PINTEREST? haha
I diy because many times, I know what I want, but either can’t find it or can’t afford it. When you make it yourself, you know the quality/strength of the material that went into it and it will always come in the color you want.
I DIY partly because I am thrifty, partly because I like to keep my hands busy and partly because that’s the way I was raised. My mother, who says she is not creative (!), taught me to crochet, knit, sew, embroider, lay floor tile, cut in paint, repair toilets, so small electrical repairs, make candles, cook – you name it. Her parents were like that too. They would only hire someone to do a job if they could not do it themselves. I like to DIY if I have the time and skills for the job and I’m willing to try something new if it looks like I might be able to do it. My DIY childhood taught me to be confident that I DO have a lot of skills.
The only thing better than this post are the comments. Your blog has the best comments. Starting with Grace right to Amanda and every single one in between. They are all so awesome. I’ve been involved with DIY for nearly 40 years and love it. I look at hundreds of homes each year and have come to dislike totally store furnished homes. Your home is part of you and should reflect your tastes and character. Hand crafted furnishing, curtains, paint and more all accomplish this. After all, this is also how families lived for most of history. Thank you Kate for all your great writing and inspiration. Another great post.
I have nothing to add to that. My long answer is the same as yours! Great minds think alike…..;-)
Great post! My husband and I bought ourselves a fixer-upper for our first home 8 years ago. Over the years, we haved loved fixing it up and decorating it… although the tasks were often completely overwhelming, the pride we felt when we were done was sensational. My parents, who are huge DIY’ers would be so impressed with our results, and my mom would always say “Leanne! You are so creative!” Over the years, I began to realize, “Yes, Yes I Am!” When baby #3 came along, and budget got tighter, I came across amazing blogs like yours, that made me realize, hey! I can do that too! Now DIY’ing has become my favorite hobby… perhaps even an obsession! I then began my blog appropriately named “Because (I Think) I Can”. Thank YOU and all the other amazing bloggers out there who inspire and teach people like me!
Well Said! I DIY for all those reasons though I really need to take two of your calculations into consideration.
One ~ I tend to spend more money on many of my projects because I’m trying to make it better than what I could have bought.
And two ~ Because I think I can do almost anything (ha, ha) I tell myself “I can make THAT!” But it ALWAYS takes more time than I plan. Maybe I’m just REALLY SLOW – lol!
Do I DIY anyway, you bet! It’s in my blood; can’t help myself and it fits perfectly into my ADHD mind – lol!
I am a dancer. I majored in dance education in college and currently teach and choreograph at a dance academy in Texas. I love to sew and bake and build and paint and glue and cut and drag-n-drop and make things with my hands, BUT I sometimes let others’ great abilities deter me from trying things… I’m afraid of being inadeqate. But when it comes right down to it, making something from nothing (or perfecting something that already existed) makes me happy, and that is why I DIY.
One of my favorite talks ever given addressed this topic of how all humans (and he especially directed it to women) are born with an innate desire and ability to create. The speaker encourages us to not be intimidated or feel that we have to do big and beautiful things to create
something worthwhile. Check it out here (the specific part of the talk begins in the section titled “The Work of Creation”): http://lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/happiness-your-heritage?lang=eng&query=create
Short answer: Its the best way to get the exact outcome that I want. If I imagine an outfit, a pillow, a quilt, a piece of art work, I can probably do better making it than trying to find it. Also, its less money to make custom art work, than to buy it!
You hit the nail right on the head for me. Although I consider myself a very beginner DIYer, I have realized that my kids think we are cool when my husband and I DIY things ourselves. I realized it the first time I heard my kids say to someone “Mama made that!” with such pride. So it turns out that I’m already teaching them that not everything has to come from the store. :)
Bingo!! I ask myself the same questions that you do as well before tackling a project. Now that I’m retired and have the time, the most important question I ask myself is, “Do I want to spend my time doing this?” Quilting is my favorite creative outlet but I sure like home decorating as well. Thanks for such a interesting post.
I just love being able to say “I made this”. Whether it’s to myself, or someone else, it is so satisfying to know that I did it on my own. I think a good question would be “why would you pay someone to do it when you can do it on your own?”
I recently wrote this on my about me page: “There is a sense of accomplishment that is so powerful when you can say…”yes, I made that…” A sense of pride is always a good thing. I am a firm believer that you are never supposed to stop learning. And the best part about learning something new is to share it with someone else. I am always sharing…whether it is a recipe, project, decorating tip, photography skill, the list goes on and on. My hope is that you enjoy learning too…and you pass it on. ”
I too…would have answered “because I like it”…not wanting to “bore” people with my complete obsession with DIY. And also because I think sometimes too many people just assume they can’t before they even try–so they may just not get it. I have been so inspired by your blog over they past year…and it really was what motivated me (along with Sarah TDC) to start documenting all my little projects. Thanks for everything Kate :)
That is totally me. I have always been creative and would spend hours creating things in my mind. I never really did it in real life. I guess I was scared to fail. This summer I discovered blogs and that flipped a switch inside of me that opened my creativity to the real world. I have been creating ever since like on a daily basis! I have had failures but mostly triumphs. I don’t think that I will ever stop! Thanks for sharing!
Wow Tracie, that is so kind, and so true!! I see my friends eyes glaze over whenever I start to talk DIY but then I go out into the blog world and we all love it, that’s what’s so cool about the internet, connecting people with similar passions who would ordinarily never meet!
xo
Kate
Kate,
You explained it perfectly! It is so rewarding when you start out not knowing, research and find an answer and then accomplish it yourself. And then your creative side kicks in when you see someone else’s idea but you put your own twist on it. It’s an extra bonus that you saved money too! Your blog is one of my favorites. I love your style!
Thank you for your inspiration.
After encouraging my own children and family that they’re creative, I’ve decided that yes, I’m creative too.
And I think it’s partially genetic in this case – my grandmother would always say, “I can make that for less!”
:) Someone told me recently that creative people are happiest in the planning and process, and that completion eventually leads to grief…so ya gotta start that next project! I am not happy if I’m not being creative.
1) I just adore you!
2) I find it to be a HUGE form of therapy for me. It helps me destress. The hubs never really cared for our house.. it was HIDEOUS. Truly awful. It was a foreclosure and everything was done poorly and just eww. He couldn’t see the potential in it, but I can, and after getting SO sick and tired of waiting for him to do SOMETHING with it, I decided I would. So slowly, I just started tearing the place apart and reusing what we had to make it beautiful. A friend of mine passed along a DIY blog she thought I’d be interested in, which was SO inspiring, and then that blog led me to this one, and so on. Anyway.. I never considered myself a creative person. I had no interest in decorating, and I HATED to paint. Yes, HATED. Sometimes creativity is born out of necessity, I guess. But I am so proud of my house, and I don’t kind of look like a deer in headlights when somebody wants to come over. I redid the trim in the great room entirely myself – staining, cutting, all of it. I would have never dreamed I would be capable of doing anything like that. I didn’t even know what a miter saw WAS last year. Seriously. And now I probably have more home improvement tools than the mister. Anyway.. yeah, I totally related to your post. :)
There is nothing as boring or uncreative as a person who looks at a rejected object (or a dilapidated house, or a dismal return on an investment or a failed public policy) and decides the best course of action is to dispose of it, sneer at it, curse it or whine about it.
Creativity is what gave us our great nation. Creative people abound here. Just look at the number of entrepreneurs springing up around sites like yours, Kate.
How timely that this post comes just before Thanksgiving, when we all reflect on the creativity of those who laid the groundwork for us to invent and explore. Fantastic piece!
I love this post! I DIY for many of the same reasons you wrote about. And because I love looking around and seeing what I’ve created. I love saving money, so that’s a bonus. And I love that when I show my husband my finished projects, he makes a big deal out of it. (silly, I know) Besides, who wants a house full of things that everyone else has??? Not me! I have to say that your blog has put me in high gear to make/do/redecorate, so thanks!
Nice article, thanks, I DIY alot, love it, and i do sometime ask myself why i just don’t go and buy ? But it is the sense of design and achievement for me, to make something that started out just as o though or a solution to a problem can be very satisfying. I’ve been studying mindfulness also recently and making things certainly fits well with these teachings. Helps alot. Keep creating ! x
I can’t NOT create. Whether writing, paperworks (scrapbooking, handmade cards), or refinishing a room, or refinishing furniture, I am constantly evolving. I feel awkward when there isn’t at least 1 project going. I’m awfully hard on myself though. I don’t like to make mistakes because it feels like wasted time and wasted money, so sometimes I’ll procratinate and procrastinate and then finally I’ll get SO tired of this idea living IN MY HEAD that I’ll just jump in. However, I don’t always take the time to do things the right way (ahem, grass wallpaper hanging!) and then it annoys me forever. Or until I change it. :)
I’m also the type where I can build an entire room off one object: a lamp, a piece of fabric or furniture, a color. Anything. And then as soon as one thing changes, the rest starts to speak to me (am I the only one who hears those voices? I’m not! lol) that they want to be updated or repaired or facelifted, and off I go…. my wallet doesn’t appreciate it but my sanity sure does.
So glad you’ve followed your heart because YOU inspire me almost every day of the year! You are amazing!
It’s great when we listen to that voice that says ” I can make beauty here”. It’s great you’re not wasting your talent in a stuffy office somewhere!
Well said Kate and all readers! I’ve been creating things since I was a little girl and it has given me such joy, pride, a sense of accomplishment, and confidence. It also gives me a sense of independence because I know that when the caulk needs to be redone (last week’s project) or the drywall patched (because the dog chewed holes in the wall) or a slipcover made (because the dogs trash the furniture) I can tackle these jobs myself. Creativity and making things feeds my soul and makes me a happy person.
Hi Kate, I wanted to take a moment to answer your question, since you took the time to really think about your own answer and ask for feedback from your readers!
I DIY because making something by hand gives me a sense of accomplishment that shopping never will, because I can’t imagine finding something in a store that perfectly matches what I’ve imagined for my home and my friends & family, and because there are so many pieces in my local thrift store that with a little TLC still have a lot of use left in them.
No, I’m not a trained artist. No I’m not a master crafts person, but I’m learning all the time and I love it! Who knows, budget permitting I might enroll in a few courses and become a skilled upholsterer over time.
And finally, I love that the hiccups in my DIY work can turn into amazing discoveries. Did I intend to use a marker that would bleed when making some DIY wall art, no, but it turns out I like the effect. Did I expect the dog to bark, causing me to jump, and paint the edge of the light switch? Not exactly, but I went with it and I actually prefer my light switch disappearing into the wall, rather than standing out and seeming to show, “look at me!”
What’s not to love about DIY?
Wow Kate, this is why I love the Internet! Finding other like-minded people. Because I couldn’t draw in the high school art class sense of drawing I didn’t think I was creative when I was younger. As I grew up though, I blissfully realized that there are SO many ways to be creative. I DIY because I love to see something become real and tangible that I could see in my head. I also DIY because I know there are so many things I can create for much less than it costs to buy them. Now I cannot imagine what life would be like without the daily release of creativity!
xo,
Shannon
Great post! I get very inspired by what I see out there on the internet as well. In fact, I redid my laundry closet with color and new shelving just because I saw great ideas on the internet. But I have to say, my biggest DIY inspiration is my grandma, who is no longer with us unfortunately. She made everything, she re-purposed everything, she hung every photo, painting herself, she switched her kitchen decor when the mood struck her. And she even made my brother a make shift basketball hoop out of a circular laundry basket in the 80s so he could shoot hoops in her garage. When I’m working on a project, trying to organize or doubt myself, I say, “what would grandma Hilda do?” Grandma would figure it out and make it work!
Mysty
Love this post…and the comments everyone had. Here’s my reason for DIYing:
http://homemademodern.blogspot.com/2011/10/why-i-blog-love-letter-to-my-grown-up.html
Great post, Kate! I agree… everyone is creative to some extent. I do projects for similar reasons and ask myself the same questions before embarking on them.
I am continually inspired by you and your blog…. thank you!
here is why I DIY
http://youtu.be/RhLlnq5yY7k
Well, I am one of those people that would say I am not creative. But, after I got divorced with with 2 little kids, I wanted to buy a house and make us a home. I found a realtor that firmly believed two coats of paint could take care of any problem an old (affordable) house could have. I already knew how to sew. There was an ancient neighborhood hardware store nearby with several old guys that knew how to do anything and everything else. They got involved in my house re-do, they had a wobbly sort of faith in me, loaned me all sorts of tools and gave me tons of advice. I can never ever pass a hardware store without thinking of them and all the help and all the arguments and discussions. I learned how and when to sand, prime and paint and caulk and rewire and sheet rock and re-do floors and to think about politics and change a flat and it was a wonderful time. They were the best father-figures a girl could have. My only regret is I didn’t get my kids more involved. And that all these blogs weren’t around, no telling what I would have done with all this inspiration!!!