square enough
My family has a history of "handy" men, but I did not inherit this trait. It is a deficiency I am attempting to remedy.
Since retiring, I have successfully fixed a toilet, touched up the dryer with appliance paint, installed a rock garden, and built a workbench.
I'm not sure why I need a workbench. My wife would suggest that it provides additional space for me to pile things. But it felt like the next step in my progression as a skillful person, so I hashed out a plan (with the help of AI) and built a bench.
The hardest part of this project? Committing to the purchase of the materials. While relatively cheap, I knew that once I bought the wood and hardware, I was obligated to see the project to completion. Even my four-year-old nephew, who went with me to the lumber yard, seemed a bit perplexed when he saw I had turned our purchase into something that resembled a workbench. It made me proud to know that I had won the approval of a preschooler.
I had to dismiss concerns about what others might think of my bench (excluding the necessity of impressing my nephew—a low bar). The bench is aesthetically pleasing (for a workbench), it is relatively square and sturdy, and I am happy with it. Enough.
When I started, I was unsure why I needed a workbench, but now I can see that it is developing as a space dedicated to creating. And, when you have a space for a dedicated purpose, it becomes that much easier to accomplish the given intention. In my case: making things.
It feels good to start something (the hard part), finish it, be pleased with the outcome without concern for what others think (except Asher). And then put it to use.
Now, repeat.
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