All the Important Life Lessons I Learned From Shop Class

home insemination Kit

You know, the only time I ever felt genuinely at ease as a teenager was during shop class. Yep, you heard me right: shop class—the place where we were told all the misfits and slackers would end up, learning how to wield power tools just to scrape by as manual laborers. But honestly, I never bought into that stigma. For me, shop class was a joy-filled escape from a day filled with abstract equations, historical dates, and grammar rules.

When I had a piece of wood, a saw, and some power tools in front of me, all my fears and insecurities faded away. It was just me and the materials: cut here, drill there, add some glue, and voilà! A simple box, a bird feeder, a shelf for my glass collection. I created these things with my own hands, and it felt amazing.

Fast forward 35 years, and here I am, navigating a new chapter of my life after separating from my husband, moving my kids into a smaller rental that desperately needed shelving, pegboards, and new showerheads. But instead of feeling overwhelmed, I found myself excited to take on these tasks. Thank you, shop class!

In our previous home, the closets were bare and basic. I did some digging into fancy closet systems, but they were way out of my budget. So, I measured the space, ordered the supplies, and enlisted the help of a young neighbor to lift heavy stuff. I tackled the kitchen renovation solo, all thanks to those lessons from seventh grade shop class.

Honestly, power tools shouldn’t scare anyone, and it’s a real shame that school shop classes are becoming a thing of the past. Every kid should learn how to hang a shelf or drill a hole in the wall. And let’s be real—everyone should own at least a basic toolset. Just the other day, I saw this cool Indiegogo campaign for the “Coolbox,” a toolbox with Bluetooth speakers and a whiteboard. It got me all excited!

For the five years we lived in that family home I renovated myself, those shelves stood strong, even as my marriage fell apart. Each morning, as I grabbed my clothes or cereal bowls from them, I felt a sense of pride: I made this! If I could build shelves, I could rebuild my life.

Recently, I bought some wood for an art project I’m working on—mixed media flowers on plywood, which I think is a form of therapy. I accidentally had Midtown Lumber cut the plywood too large, but it was no big deal. Armed with my saw, measuring tape, and pencil, I approached the project just like I did in shop class. I measured, drew a line, and without hesitation, I started cutting.

So, whether it’s about home improvements or life changes, those lessons from shop class stick with you. And if you’re interested in learning more about home insemination, check out this excellent resource from the CDC. You can also find some helpful tools for your journey at Make a Mom’s site for at-home insemination kits.

In summary, shop class taught me invaluable skills that have shaped my life, giving me the confidence to tackle challenges head-on. From building shelves to navigating personal transformations, those lessons continue to resonate.