‘My Place Is Going to Resemble Swiss Cheese!’: A First Drill at 58
At the age of 58, I finally purchased my first drill. This yellow tool represents more than just a hardware item; it symbolizes a personal quest to overcome decades of DIY hopelessness and self-doubt. As I approach my 59th birthday next month, I realized it was high time to challenge the notion that I am inherently impractical.
A Lifetime of Practical Inadequacy
For nearly half a century, I have resigned myself to being the unhandy one. My younger brother excelled at practical tasks and Lego, while my own strengths remained ambiguous—perhaps reading. This dynamic solidified over time, leaving me reliant on others for even basic fixes. I grew weary not from emasculation, but from sheer boredom with my incompetence and the constant need to hire help.
My goal is modest: to master drilling a simple hole. In the shop, when asked about my intentions, I humorously confessed to addressing lifelong self-esteem issues, settling for hole-drilling in the short term. The salesperson, albeit puzzled, sold me a yellow drill and a case with a hundred bits. The prospect of using them all made me envision my home turning into Swiss cheese.
The Messy but Empowering Start
For a week, I admired my new drill and cautiously opened the bit case, only to close it promptly. To force action, I bought a wall rail requiring installation. Panic set in upon its arrival, prompting me to call Gary, a seasoned DIY friend. He demonstrated the process and provided special screws for hollow walls that expand like umbrellas—a fascinating innovation.
I succeeded in attaching the rail with three screws per plate, only to discover misplacement. Removing it proved impossible due to the umbrella screws’ design. Thus, my debut was chaotic, leaving a terrible mess and using just two of the hundred bits. Yet, it marked a beginning.
The Deeper Impact of DIY
This experience underscores that DIY is not merely about home improvement; it is a journey of personal growth and reclaimed agency. Despite the initial setbacks, owning a drill instills a sense of empowerment and possibility. It challenges long-held beliefs about capability and opens doors to newfound confidence.
As I reflect on this venture, I recognize that the value lies not in perfection but in the attempt. With 98 bits remaining, the path ahead may be fraught with errors, but it promises liberation from self-imposed limitations. In a world where practical skills are often taken for granted, taking this step at 58 is a testament to lifelong learning and resilience.
