5 Empowering Skills Every Woman Should Master Now

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On a bright winter morning, my phone buzzed with a text from my friend, Tara. After a fit of furious cleaning, she had accidentally shoved a piece of furniture too hard, resulting in a sizable hole in her wall. Not wanting to deal with her husband’s playful teasing about her newfound strength, she reached out to see if I could lend a hand with the repair. Since I’ve had my own run-ins with wall damage thanks to my kids and our overly enthusiastic dog, I grabbed my spackle and trusty spackling trowel and hurried over to help her cover up her little mishap.

As I sanded and applied the spackle to the impressive hole, we chatted about all the household chores we often delegate to our partners—either because we’ve never learned how to do them ourselves or because they just seem too gross. While we waited for the spackle to dry, I realized Tara isn’t alone in her lack of DIY skills. Sure, most of us can manage to unclog a toilet or navigate our partner’s complicated remote setup, but many of us lack basic knowledge about cars and home repairs.

And let’s face it: Knowing how to tackle these skills is empowering. Trust me, there’s nothing quite like jumping a dead car battery with a friend, all while wrangling four kids—it’s a total confidence booster (and yes, I’ve done it). So, don’t sell yourself short! Just because you Google something doesn’t mean you can’t handle it. Men often do the same thing without hesitation.

Here are five essential skills every woman should have in her toolkit:

  1. Changing a Tire
    While flat tires are less common today due to advancements in tire technology, it’s still a good idea to know how to change one. Imagine being stranded on the highway—AAA might take ages to reach you! Familiarizing yourself with the car jack, lug nuts, and where your spare tire is stored could come in handy. Plus, it’ll make for a great story at your next girls’ night out. “So, there I was on the highway, changing my tire, when some guy pulls over and says, ‘You sure you know what you’re doing?’ Of course, I did. Bye, felicia!”
  2. Controlling the Power and Water Supply
    We’ve all heard horror stories about burst pipes flooding basements or electrical fires. If an emergency struck while your partner was out, would you know how to minimize the damage? Familiarizing yourself with your circuit breaker and main water shutoff valve now will help you keep a cool head when disaster strikes. You’ll thank me later when you save yourself from a massive repair bill.
  3. Dealing with Household Pests
    Put on your big-girl pants and be prepared to tackle that creepy crawly! If you can handle your toddler’s epic tantrums or clean up after a sick child, you can surely squash a bug or reset a mousetrap. Let’s agree to summon some bravery! If your partner runs away at the sight of a spider, it’s up to you to save the day—just grab a shoe, take care of business, and launch the little intruder outside with a witty farewell like, “Tell your friends what happens when they enter my domain, you eight-legged menace!”
  4. Using Power Tools
    I can’t help but feel like a total boss when I whip out a power drill. Seriously, it’s like a superhero cape! Being able to hang curtains or embark on DIY projects gives you a sense of independence. And trust me, you can assemble a mountain of IKEA furniture in record time with a power drill. Just try not to get too carried away with the radial arm saw—it’s a game-changer!
  5. Basic Car Maintenance
    Marrying a car enthusiast has helped me pick up some essential skills, but every woman should know the basics. Whether it’s checking your oil levels or replacing your windshield washer fluid, these simple tasks not only keep you safe but also give you peace of mind. Picture this: it’s a snowy morning, and you’re running late. Knowing how to top off your washer fluid or handle an overheated engine can save you time and money. And when the attendant at the gas station asks if he can check your oil, you can confidently reply, “No thanks, I did it yesterday!”

As for my spackling escapade, I might not be ready for a career in home repair, but I did a decent job helping Tara out. In the medical field, there’s a saying: “See one, do one, teach one.” Now she’s equipped to save her friends from embarrassing wall mishaps too. Just to be clear: no matter how many times my husband “teaches” me to mow the lawn, I’m just not interested (sorry, honey). I’ll stick to the gas blower; it makes me look like a total badass in front of the neighbors.

If you’re interested in more empowering tips, check out this post on navigating home insemination and boosting your fertility with these supplements. For even more insights, head over to Kindbody’s blog, a fantastic resource for all things related to pregnancy.

Summary:

Empowering yourself with practical skills not only boosts your confidence but also prepares you for unexpected challenges in daily life. From changing a tire to managing household emergencies and pests, these abilities can make a significant difference. Embrace the opportunity to learn and grow!