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Arizona Community College

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Ruby Santos
Arizona Community College

Practical Skills to Learn During the Quarantine

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on all of our lives. Many are feeling stressed and fearful as they try to best navigate this unfortunate situation. Life is put on hold. Many of us have been furloughed from our jobs. Others are working from home, while it’s business as usual for those of us in the essential positions. No matter what group you find yourself in, this is a large adjustment. Events are being canceled and many businesses remain closed. We can’t just make a trip to the mall for a shopping spree, go out to eat at our favorite restaurant or visit some of our friends and family. A feeling of hopelessness can set in, but that is far from the case. While this is a very trying experience, there can be a silver lining. This time at home presents a unique opportunity and give you the time to pursue a passion or take on some house project. You also now have the opportunity to explore some practical skills to learn.

Some of us are just naturally handy and know their way around a workbench. Others have trouble with household projects. They may have grown accustomed to always “calling the guy” whenever a repair was needed. Unfortunately, the pandemic has made projects such as these trickier. Depending on what state you live, they may be prevented from working right now. A simple trip to the auto repair shop may be out of the question during quarantine. While some projects are too large and require a licensed professional, there are some where you can do it yourself. Some of these practical skills to learn are not that complicated. In this crisis, many families are struggling financially. They may have to postpone projects until they can afford to hire a contractor. This could further complicate matters. For smaller projects, you can do it yourself and save the money you would’ve spent on “the guy.” By doing it yourself, you can also save on materials. If you’re working on your car, some used car parts can still work just as well as new parts.

Home repair resources

Electrical installations and plumbing work are some of the life-sustaining businesses that still must go on while the rest of the world is on hold. However, now is a time when they have to prioritize. They may have a project in a hospital or grocery store right now or some large-scale project in someone’s home. They may not have the time to take care of your issue. For small and simple projects, now might be the time to put on your toolbelt and get your hands dirty.

practical skills to learn

You might ask yourself, “Where do I start?” There are many different ways to do research. One of the simplest is books. There is any number of home improvement, craft, and DIY books that you can peruse. Pretty much every home improvement project has been mastered by some handyperson and you will likely find the solution in a book. Some books are more specific such as plumbing repairs, electrical installation, or even water purifier installation, but others are whole encyclopedias of handiwork. Some of us are not big readers and prefer more technological methods. YouTube can be a great resource if you’re looking for practical skills to learn. There are numerous handiwork enthusiasts have built up a large online following by making how-to videos of their projects on YouTube. These can be extra helpful for someone who is more of a visual learner. They can guide you step by step through the entire process.

Choosing the video or book method doesn’t need to be a hotly contested debate. You can use both simultaneously. Follow the steps outlined in the book, while consulting the video as a visual reference.

Residential painting

Another home improvement project that can be accomplished during quarantine is painting. This is another one of the highly valuable practical skills to learn. Inside painting jobs are most often reserved for the fall and winter months since inclement weather is irrelevant. Residential painting jobs are usually much smaller than commercial painting jobs. During this time home, you can take on a painting project like this.

Your local home improvement store should have all the necessary supplies you will need. There you will find a large selection of colors to choose from. Employees can help you make the right decision. There are a number of important preparation steps you should take first. If you are a member of a homeowner’s association, you will likely need approval from the governing board before beginning any home improvement project. You will properly need a work permit from your city or town. Ignoring these steps will leave you in a mess of legal trouble and paperwork. For large-scale painting projects, a professional team is for the best, but you can accomplish a smaller one yourself with the right ingenuity and planning. While we’re home, we can use this time as a fresh start. Give your home a fresh start, too.

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Ruby Santos
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