29 Aug Learning to be a handy-man has taught me a thing or two …
In recent years, I’ve been trying to learn how to be a bit more handy around the house.
Growing up, I didn’t really learn how to fix or repair things. But thanks mostly to YouTube, I’ve realised there are many fixit tasks around the house that really aren’t that difficult. In addition, I’ve also learned it can be very satisfying to learn, and master new challenges, not to mention see the tangible fruits of your labours.
But possibly the most important lesson I’ve learned, is that most tasks are much easier if you have the right tools.
And in this lesson is a pretty powerful metaphor for life …
Dealing with my depression has become easier (although still not easy) as I’ve learned to be more mindful of unhelpful thoughts and beliefs, and notably, as I’ve learned to challenge and change those that aren’t serving me.
Dealing with my anxiety has become somewhat more possible as I’ve learned to face up to my fears, rather than avoid or run away from them.
Dealing with anger and frustration has become slightly more achievable when I’ve been able to remember and to utilise tools such as the mindfulness based RAIN approach (e.g. Recognise, Allow, Investigate, and Nurture).
These, and many others, are the tools I’ve collected over the years, tools I’ve learned, worked hard to master, and constantly tried to utilise, even if imperfectly.
Which brings me to possibly THE MOST IMPORTANT tool of all; that of self-compassion. The tool that occasionally allows me to be kind to myself, when I’m unsure what to do or even when I know what to do and struggle to do it perfectly.