An Old Dog Learning New Tricks (Plus, My First Video of the Year)

This 12 months, I’ve determined that I have to problem myself by studying new issues. I’ve by no means had an issue with studying new issues which can be DIY-related. I really like making an attempt out these new issues, whether or not it’s a brand new instrument or a brand new course of. Dwelling-related DIY is my ardour, so studying new issues in that space is simply good enjoyable to me, even once I make errors. These errors assist me to develop and broaden my DIY abilities, and whereas some errors do frustrate me alongside the best way, the general problem of DIYing and studying new issues excites me.

However in different areas, I resist studying new issues in any respect prices. I’ve been running a blog for 17 years now, and whereas others have expanded into different issues (primarily “influencing” and making movies), I made a decision way back that I’d simply keep on with running a blog. The written phrase and nonetheless pictures are my jam. I really like the method of sitting down and writing down my ideas, writing directions for DIY initiatives, and many others. There’s one thing very cathartic about this course of that I’ve been doing nearly each weekday morning for the final seventeen years.

And but, once I personally wish to be taught one thing new, I don’t go to blogs or web sites. In reality, I keep away from written directions in any respect prices. As a substitute, I am going to YouTube. I personally be taught from movies a lot simpler than I be taught from written directions.

In reality, it’s a joke in our household (as a result of all of us appear to have that downside) that written directions are ineffective. It’s been a working joke all of my grownup life that once I buy one thing that must be assembled, I get all the things out of the field, assess the undertaking, and provides it my greatest effort. Provided that it doesn’t work out the primary time (or truly, the fifth or sixth time), or if I run into bother that I simply merely can’t determine irrespective of how a lot effort I put into it, do I lastly get the directions out of the field and peruse them simply sufficient to seek out out what I did mistaken. However I don’t suppose I’ve ever learn a set of directions via, from starting to finish, for any merchandise I’ve ever bought. I’m a “determine it out your self” sort of particular person. Written directions are simply there as a backup when all else fails after a number of makes an attempt.

I’ve made movies previously, however they’ve been sporadic. One of many causes is that I’m an previous canine, set in my method. For seventeen years, I’ve been doing initiatives, taking footage of the method, and sharing these footage and directions. Going from that to truly taking movies of the method appears so overseas to me. Forcing myself (and reminding myself) to take movies utterly messes up my workflow that I’ve labored on perfecting for seventeen years now. Plus, when I attempt to take movies, I discover that I overlook to take pictures of the method, so then I discover myself on the finish of a undertaking with out the mandatory pictures to doc the method.

Plus, discovering the right video modifying software program to make use of, after which spending hours and hours studying all of the ins and outs of that program, looks as if time that I might be spending (and would moderately spend) on truly making and constructing issues.

We’ve had actually chilly, moist climate for the previous couple of days, so this was the right alternative for me to spend hours on finish at my desk and pressure myself to be taught new issues. I wished to begin with video modifying. I bought Adobe Premier Professional, and I’ve spent the final three days making an attempt to be taught that program. The fundamentals had been straightforward, however that program can accomplish that a lot! That’s factor, however these extras have a reasonably steep studying curve. However as of final night time, I’ve lastly completed my very first video. And by the point it was completed, I felt like I had a reasonably good grasp of this system (the fundamentals, at the very least), so I don’t really feel like giving up. I really feel enthusiastic about doing extra.

This primary video isn’t nice, but it surely’s a begin. And similar to studying the way to use a brand new DIY instrument or course of, I do know I’ll get higher as I do extra. Belief me, I wished to surrender two days in the past. There have been little issues that I simply couldn’t determine. However you realize what I did? I went to YouTube to learn how to do them. 😀 So the truth that I maintain going again to YouTube signifies that I have to maintain urgent ahead in studying these things. I don’t adore it, and when it will get actually difficult, I’d a lot moderately hand over and go work on a DIY undertaking for my workshop or our bed room. However a part of being an grownup is forcing ourselves to don’t solely the issues that we love, but additionally the issues that we don’t like however are crucial.

And with that mentioned, right here’s my first video of 2025. Once more, I’ve a lot to be taught, not solely on the subject of modifying movies, but additionally on the subject of truly videoing the method of my initiatives. I’ve a ton to be taught this 12 months, however all of us have to begin someplace, proper? It’ll be enjoyable to look again on this primary video on the finish of the 12 months and see how (or if) I’ve improved in my abilities of videoing and modifying movies. However this can be a start line.