What is self-improvement?

This word phrase that we have been hearing and seeing all over social media platforms is a concept deeply intertwined with personal growth and development. It holds the key to unlocking our potential and achieving a more fulfilling life.

Definition of Self-Improvement:

Self-improvement is when we actively engage in the process of learning new skills or making positive changes in ourselves. These improvements can be as simple as acquiring culinary skills, enhancing our cleaning abilities, or even refining our communication skills. The beauty of self-improvement lies in its simplicity, for it is about making progress in areas we genuinely want to grow or change within ourselves. Often, people may not realize the significance of this process in their lives.

Self-Improvement: Learning new skills

Let me share a personal story that embodies the essence of self-improvement. Recently, my family and I embarked on a remarkable journey of renovating our second home nestled deep within the woods, surrounded by nature's wonders – wild animals, wildflowers, fresh crisp air, and only a handful of neighbors. This humble 800-square-foot house required a considerable amount of love and attention.

We started this endeavor with limited knowledge of essential skills like electrical work, plumbing, tiling, and more. However, we were undeterred. After assessing the condition of our new little house in the woods, we compiled a list of tasks that needed to be tackled. This list was our blueprint for the renovation journey. We knew what we wanted to accomplish and it was time to get to work. Our first priority was the bathroom, which had a gaping hole in the wall. But before anything else, the stained and dirty carpet had to go first.

The first night in our newly acquired house was a night to remember. We set up a sleeper couch for our kids in the living room and a bed for us in one of the two rooms. Excitement and fear filled the air. We were thrilled about this new adventure, our first home with actual land where I could garden. It was quite the opposite of what we had in the suburbs of Philly, a townhouse, that didn’t need a renovation. This was September 28th, 2021.

Our journey began with the daunting task of cleaning the crawl space. It was a gruesome ordeal, filled with the grim remnants of dead mice, damp insulation, and various items the previous owner had left behind. To be completely candid, it was traumatizing. I confess that I nearly gave up the first time a lifeless mouse fell before me. My husband, Denis, pressed on, and I helped by disposing of the trash. Before we knew it, the weekend had passed, and we locked the door behind us, returning to our townhouse in Langhorne, back to our regular day-to-day life. This marked the beginning of our journey.

From that point onward, until July 5th, 2022, we embarked on a ritual of driving two hours and forty-five minutes each way every weekend, even during holidays.

Before Thanksgiving, we managed to clean the crawl space meticulously. I scrubbed every beam, removing the stubborn residues that clung to them. We straightened the support beam of the house, added support rafters where needed, and commenced the installation of the hydronic floor system, diligently weaving plastic between each rafter.

By Christmas, we had completed the heated floors and connected them to a propane source, which we had also introduced. We strengthened the sagging floor with an additional support beam, and mixed concrete for the footings.

On New Year's Eve, we wrapped up insulating the floor and began the laborious task of raising the ceilings, which measured a mere seven feet. Something had to be done about the height. So, the solution was the removal of the old ceilings, revealing more dirt-laden insulation and unwelcome rodents.

Four months later, we finally turned our attention to the bathroom, following the completion of the first room. Although the floors remained unfinished, we made significant changes. We replaced windows, reconstructed exterior walls, reinsulated, added a built-in closet, installed new lighting, and applied drywall and paint.

At this point, we opted to renovate both the bathroom and the adjacent room simultaneously, as it would streamline plumbing-related tasks. I vividly recall that it was 4 a.m. when we finally installed the tub and the shower unit. Witnessing all the pieces aligning as we had envisioned was immensely gratifying, and we learned the valuable lesson of ensuring we had extra tiles on hand.

Our work continued, and with each step, we acquired new skill sets. Each evening, we gathered in our living room to meticulously plan the next weekend's project, delving into the details of execution and the supplies required.

By the summer of 2022, we made the daring decision to move into what we affectionately called "The Treehouse" – our charming little house in the woods. At this point, we had successfully renovated the rest of the house, including the kitchen, living room, and dining room. We had removed dividing walls and added a support beam, unifying the entire space and vaulting the ceiling.

On July 5th, we took the leap and officially moved into The Treehouse.

The journey of renovation awarded us with invaluable lessons and skills that I will forever carry with me. It taught me the art of effective communication, the value of being a dependable team player, and the confidence to trust in one's capabilities. How capable a person is at learning new skills, all you have to do is try. While the initial lack of expertise may seem daunting, the act of learning by doing is a transformative experience. I also gained a profound respect for those who engage in this line of work daily; it is undeniably demanding, both physically and mentally.

Self-improvement, as we discovered through our renovation journey, often entails hard work that is not always beautiful, enjoyable, or effortless. However, as we persevered, we gradually overcame the most challenging obstacles. In return, we gained a wealth of knowledge and experience, opening doors to endless possibilities.

In closing, self-improvement is not merely a concept but a profound journey of personal growth, and it is within the realm of this journey that we unearth our true potential.