Last week my washing machine broke. Again. About six months ago, I paid a guy to come fix it, so I wasn’t really keen on paying again so soon. Now, I’ve always had a DIY attitude. I roast my own coffee, repair my own mics and mic cables, I’ve built my own guitar amp, I got one of my current video production gigs in part by repairing a Tascam field recorder on the fly with just a screwdriver (the day before embarking on a week at sea without a backup).
Yet, for some reason when it comes to projects outside the realm of music, recording, and other pet hobbies, I immediately default to “I can’t do this on my own.” My car needs an oil change. My bike needs new tires. The washing machine breaks. I let someone else do it for me.
It’s become the norm for all of us to believe we can’t do things on our own. We’ve let ourselves be dumbed down into thinking we’re not creative, we can’t do-it-ourselves.
Well with a little help from Google, in about 30 minutes I was able to figure out there was a problem with the lid switch on the washer, disassemble the machine, find a loose connection, and have the whole thing back together and working.
I share all this not to toot my own DIY horn, but to say that we’re all more capable and creative than we give ourselves credit for.
Disclaimer 1: I’m thankful for talented repairmen, handy-men, and mechanics, and I know there will always be tasks that are above my head.
Disclaimer 2: If you’re going to try your own repairs, do it safely! Unplug it before you service it!