Why Do I DIY

I know people ask why should I DIY?  It’s so much easier to just go to the store.   There are more and more organic choices all the time and there’s so many more farms these days where you can buy fresh garden vegetables and even meats, milk and eggs.

So, why do I DIY?

In my opinion, there are a ton of reasons to DIY, but here are my top 10 reasons to DIY.

1. Taste!!  Nothing taste better than homemade.  You can use fresher ingredients and it’s not set on a truck for days or weeks on end going from factory to the store shelf.

2. Knowing what’s in my food, lotions and cleaners makes me feel better about eating or using them.  Have you ever read some of those labels?  You can’t even pronounce most of it.   When I make these things myself, I know every ingredient that’s in it and I never have to wonder what those unpronounceables are.

3. I can adjust a DIY recipe to suit me and my family perfectly.  Sometimes it takes a bit of trial and error, but I can adjust foods, body products and cleaners to suit my own tastes, smells and needs.  I can personalize anything.

4. There’s no unnecessary chemicals, preservatives, or coloring in your DIY stuff. I hate all the extra stuff they put in the stuff you buy.

5. When I attempt a new DIY, I’m learning something new.  I love learning new things, it just feels good.

6. Some DIY skills I’m learning are becoming lost or forgotten skills in our new modern world.  I like the idea of keeping these skills alive to teach to my grandkids.  You never know, someday some of these may come in handy again.

7. You get to choose where your ingredients come from.  While they don’t always have to be organic, you still want to know where they come from.  You can research the companies you buy from or maybe you can source them locally, near where you live. 

In any case, whatever you are making, you have the choice from where you would like to purchase the ingredients to make whatever it is you are making.

8. When I make a new food item like butter or sauerkraut or breads, I always have such a sense of accomplishment.  I figured it out, I was able to do it and it tasted good.  I like that feeling.

9. When I make something, whatever that might be, I tend to appreciate it a bit more.  I know the work and thought that’s gone into it. 

Likewise, if I know someone else has put that same kind of work and thought into a product that I buy locally, I will appreciate that product just a little more than something I would pick off the shelf at a grocery store.

10. Last but not least, every time I make something new, I build a bit more confidence in what I can do.  Even if a project doesn’t work exactly as I wanted it to, I learned from it and will try again.  The next time I’m one step closer to where I want to be. 

It was Thomas Edison that said something like, “I didn’t fail, I just found 10,000 ways it didn’t work.”  I don’t know if I have that kind of patience, but I agree with his sentiment.  You got to try or you’ll not get anywhere.

When I DIY, Making Mistakes Means Learning Lessons

I told my grand daughter when she was very young and just learning to color and draw pictures, that I didn’t like perfect.  The imperfections of what we do is what makes them unique to us.  That’s what makes them special.  She remembers that, and to this day will remind me of that if a project we make doesn’t come out just right.  Because her imperfections are perfect for some, especially me.

I know sometimes it’s easier to go to the store and just buy the things I like to make and post about here.  And sometimes I do that, but when I have the chance and the supplies to make what I need, I will try every time to make it.  But if I can’t then that’s okay too.

In my opinion, if you can do it yourself, know what’s in it or how it’s built and potentially make it to your particular liking, then why not?

Why do you DIY?  I’d love to hear what makes you want to make it yourself instead of buying at the store.   Let me know in the comments below, what you’re working on.

Thanks for dropping by. 

Until next time – Health, Wealth & Blessings ~ Tracey