Confessions of a FORMER DIY Enthusiast

The starter gave out in my van a couple weeks ago. So I'm annoyed, because having my only personal transportation device break down on me, especially when I'm 45 minutes from home (which I was) isn't exactly what I think of as a good time. So, now I have to figure out towing and a repair shop all in a town I'm almost 100% unfamiliar with and Hubby says "Oh! We can just buy a new starter and I'll change it myself!" 

Now, my husband is incredibly smart, and very talented in a lot of ways, including car stuff. I, on the other hand, am not. I figure it's probably better to let him decide these things since he was throwing out words at me that I didn't understand. Nod and smile, nod and smile. 

So, we buy the starter. My sister is lovely enough to take us to our vehicle and drops us off so Hubby can fix the van. I was given the task of "Youtube Tutorial Rewinder," a thankless job that consists of me going back to the same point in a Youtube tutorial video over and over again while Hubby watches trying to figure out what he's seeing. After a while Hubby gives up and I get promoted to "You See if You Can Get It," a promotion I didn't ask for, nor did I want, and came with no pay raise or benefits. 

I poked the thing Hubby pointed at a few times and said "Nope, couldn't get it!" before crawling out from under the van. We both stand there in the 40 degree weather, cold and wet, no closer to having the van fixed than when we started and that's when I realized it: I am no longer an advocate for anything DIY.

It's been a slow turn. Just a year or two ago I would see something and go "HA! I could do that myself for SOOO much cheaper!" But here's the thing: I never did it... And on the few occasions I would attempt a DIY project I was never happy or proud of the outcome. 

Since becoming a professional wedding planner and photographer I've seen first hand just how poorly DIY wedding projects can go. Brother-in-law "DJ's" who can't read a crowd of people so no one is entertained and everyone leaves early; asking anyone with a camera to be the photographer; family potluck style dinner with not enough food. And what about other things like creating favors or putting together invitations? That's just a scratch on the surface of wedding projects. They can be incredibly time consuming and probably won't turn out how you hope, no matter how crafty you are (especially by the time you reach your 294th wrapped bundle of silverware).

I've realized that professionals are professionals for a reason, to deny them the chance to provide the service they offer for you does a disservice to them, and a disservice to you- the one who has to live with your DIY fail. I've heard the excuse that DIY is cheaper, but it actually might not be. Professionals not only possess the knowledge to carry out the task or service at a great quality level, but already have the tools and skills needed. A foolish mistake DIYers make is purchasing $75 worth of equipment to do a job you didn't want to pay a professional to do for $50- usually it's equipment that they will never pick up again. 

So basically, my point is, save yourself time, energy, and probably money by seeking out professional services. Don't live with the frustration of trying to do something you know nothing about just to "save" a few dollars- your sanity will thank you.