An Previous Canine Studying New Methods (Plus, My First Video of the 12 months)

This yr, I’ve determined that I must problem myself by studying new issues. I’ve by no means had an issue with studying new issues which are DIY-related. I really like making an attempt out these new issues, whether or not it’s a brand new device 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 develop my DIY expertise, 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 persist with running a blog. The written phrase and nonetheless images 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 need to study one thing new, I don’t go to blogs or web sites. Actually, I keep away from written directions in any respect prices. As a substitute, I’m going to YouTube. I personally study from movies a lot simpler than I study from written directions.

Actually, it’s a joke in our household (as a result of all of us appear to have that drawback) 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 every little thing out of the field, assess the challenge, 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 hassle that I simply merely can’t determine regardless 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 flawed. However I don’t suppose I’ve ever learn a set of directions by, 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 prior to now, however they’ve been sporadic. One of many causes is that I’m an outdated canine, set in my manner. 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 fully 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 images of the method, so then I discover myself on the finish of a challenge with out the mandatory images 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 slightly 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 power myself to study new issues. I needed to begin with video modifying. I bought Adobe Premier Professional, and I’ve spent the final three days making an attempt to study that program. The fundamentals had been straightforward, however that program can accomplish that a lot! That’s an excellent 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 identical to studying learn how to use a brand new DIY device or course of, I do know I’ll get higher as I do extra. Belief me, I needed 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 preserve going again to YouTube implies that I must preserve urgent ahead in studying these items. I don’t adore it, and when it will get actually difficult, I’d a lot slightly surrender and go work on a DIY challenge 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 essential.

And with that stated, right here’s my first video of 2025. Once more, I’ve a lot to study, 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 study this yr, 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 yr and see how (or if) I’ve improved in my expertise of videoing and modifying movies. However it is a place to begin.