There are so many reasons why I DIY, and a lot of reasons why you should DIY, I though I'd start a list.
Savings: Although not a hard truth, doing something yourself can save a lot of money. This isn't always true. I used to sew and make most of my own clothes; unfortunately with all the options out there today (most non-USA made), it's easier to just pick up clothing that to buy the fabric, then adding in the cost of your time. I still love to DIY sew other things, mostly curtain panels, pillows and other home decorating projects. You can pick a shape, size, and then find the perfect fabric for the project.
Choice: I have things in mind when I go shopping; those things don't tend to materialize in person, and I get frustrated. Take my table for instance: My mom and I shopped for a full day, I shopped online for hours and still did not find what I wanted for her. In a few minutes at Lowe's I bought the materials I needed, and made the table in the exact size and finish I wanted. I got exactly what I wanted and saved a bundle in the process!
Time and stress: Shopping is stressful to me, especially when I can't find what I want. Sometimes it's just quicker to DIY, and spend less time out fighting traffic.
Payoff: There is no better feeling than being able to say "I made that myself"!
Necessity: I had an awesome Father-in-law who passed away in 2004. He was someone you could talk to, about anything, without judgement. He was someone I went to for advice, he always had time, and his advice was usually right on target. He never met a stranger, and would make a new friend anywhere, sometimes to the embarrassment of his family! But people loved him for his outgoing nature.
He told me once "I'm sorry to tell you, but I taught my son everything I knew". He was talking about anything and everything to do with fixing anything and everything. He didn't have a DIY bone in his body, knew it, and was honest that he passed along all of that knowledge to his son. And boy, is it true! My husband is a great person, and a great dad, and he got a lot of who he is from his dad. Including his inability to fix anything!
He knows it; Our friends know it; Our son knows it (and he'll often say "I'll just go ask mom"). He doesn't have the interest to try or learn either; he works hard, plays hard with our son, and would rather spend his time doing anything other than fixing, making, cutting or sawing! So some of my fixit attitude comes from necessity. And I'm glad I have the attitude of trying, because it is a lot harder to try to find someone to do small jobs than it is to just DIY (case in point: the door that fell off the hinges: quick fix, easy, and he thanked me!).
JOY: I love making things! I love lumber, craft ideas, a new recipe, a new pattern, fresh fabric...it all is fun to me. Being an accountant by education and mindset, I love using these ways to express my creative side.
The downside, you may ask? Well, the biggest for me is size. My own. I was exhausted building the tree house. Hauling 12 feet of lumber last week and 2x4's takes it's toll when you're not a well-muscled person.
So this week I'm taking a building-hiatus. Not to say I'm stopping, because I have other projects in the works. Just this week, it will be different projects. Stayed tuned!
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