I've been living in Canada for a few years after moving from South Asia, and I can't shake the feeling that I'm somehow less capable because I'm not skilled in DIY projects. My Canadian friends and neighbors are always discussing their home improvement projects like basement renovations and plumbing fixes, and I feel like they've grown up with a natural understanding of home maintenance. Back in my home country, we just hire professionals for these tasks since labor is affordable. Now, in Canada, I feel like a total beginner when it comes to home repairs. I even tried a YouTube tutorial for installing a shelf, but it was a mess and I ended up hiring someone to fix it. It's making me feel insecure, like I'm missing an essential skill that everyone else has. Fellow immigrants, do you feel the same way? And for Canadians, how did you get so good at this? Is it taught in schools, or is it just part of growing up here? Should I start trying to learn these skills or just accept that it's not for me?
3 Answers
Most Canadians aren't as handy as you might think! Many people are just proud to share their projects when they succeed. If you didn't grow up around DIY culture, it can definitely seem intimidating, but remember that there are plenty of people who hire professionals too. It's all about who you hang out with, and if you want to become more handy, don’t hesitate to ask a friend for guidance or even work alongside them on their projects. You’ll pick up skills in no time!
It's totally okay to feel that way, but the key is to start learning! Most DIY skills aren’t about being talented; they just come with practice. Think of it this way: you didn’t need these skills before, but now that you're here, it's a great opportunity to pick them up. Everyone starts somewhere, and you have access to tons of resources like YouTube to guide you. Just take small steps, build your confidence, and don't be too hard on yourself if things don’t go perfectly at first. That’s how you learn!
Absolutely! Nobody's born with this knowledge. Start with simple projects and gradually take on more challenging ones. You'll learn and improve over time. Plus, many DIY videos are made for beginners, so you'll find plenty of guidance!
Honestly, most of us learned from mistakes and YouTube videos. Don’t feel bad if you mess something up – that’s part of the process! In fact, some of the best DIY people I know gained their skills from trying, failing, and then figuring out how to fix their mistakes. Just remember, tackling DIY is about learning your limits and gradually pushing past them!
Exactly! And you’ll be surprised at how many people just dive in without prior experience. It’s all about giving it a shot, researching, and not being afraid to ask for help when you’re stuck!
That's a great point! It might help to learn from someone who’s experienced. I’ve gained most of my skills just by helping friends with their home projects!