I am 79 yo and tired, why do I need or want to do it myself?

  18 answers
  • To Work With My Hands To Work With My Hands on May 23, 2017

    There is so much satisfaction to be gained from doing things yourself. But...it doesn't have to be big or complicated. Some of my best and favorite projects have been small and simple.


    When you do things yourself, you know how it's done, you can choose from all kinds of materials, and can really express your own personal creativity. You end up with a one-of-a-kind unique item or project that you can be proud of because it's all yours and you did it yourself - maybe even surprising yourself in the process.


    I'm not 79 years old, but am often tired. DIY is so recharging to me. It fuels my creative side and the more I do, the more inspired I become. Perhaps you don't NEED to DIY for practical reasons, but the personal benefits are tremendous. Best wishes to you!

  • William William on May 23, 2017

    There may be simple things that you may be capable of doing. But it's not just doing it yourself it's also knowledge. Many people especially the elderly get ripped of by unscrupulous contractors and repairmen. Just knowing how something is/should be done will prevent you from being taken for a ride. Also if you ever hire someone you will know what to ask, what is being told, and advise them. Just having the basic knowledge will protect you when you need it. Its also about saving money by not having to pay someone else for their labor.

  • Tammy Tammy on May 23, 2017

    You don't need to do it yourself, Barb, but because you are on Hometalk and asking this question I get the sense you are seeking something. Doing things yourself can give you a sense of satisfaction and projects can give you a feeling of excitement and purpose. It can help you connect with others and keep your mind active. I spent a year and a half recovering from having my leg amputated and I know how long days can be. Planning and thinking about what projects I would do once I could walk again kept me going. Hometalk and other websites have me a vast knowledge of how to complete them. Even if you never complete a project, just planning them and stretching your imagination of what you could do can lend satisfaction. I would also bet that after being blessed with 79 years on this planet that you have a wealth of information in your head that could help others. By stretching out you may not feel younger but it may help you feel less tired. God bless you, Barb.

  • Diana Deiley Diana Deiley on May 23, 2017

    Not sure what you want to do, but a sense of accomplishment is top on my list! Even the small things count: organizing kitchen cabinets, folding laundry, writing a personal letter to a friend, cooking a meal for a neighbor, volunteering at a school. Everything you do is appreciated. Just sharing kindness with a stranger is so rewarding. Buy a stranger a cup of coffee, buy lunch for a veteran or a person in need. You are important and have love to give, so why not ? Blessings to you.

  • C. D. Scallan C. D. Scallan on May 23, 2017

    I am not elderly but I am disabled as well . I watched my children move out with pride . I went back to college with pride . As a retired nurse, I noticed a recurring theme in almost all of my elderly clients . The hardest thing to let go of is independence . Don't . As long as you can , keep moving and doing as much as you can , even if its just the little things and you're supervising the bigger things . It will keep you young . Best wishes !

    • Chaya L Chaya L on May 24, 2017

      Best wishes, Barb - may you go from strength to strength! You have so much to offer the Hometalk community


      @C. D. - I absolutely agree that one shouldn't let go of independence! My grandmother is 90 years old and has been living on her own for the last 30 years or so. She is fiercely independent - she only stopped driving a few years ago when the doctors made her stop, and she keeps her mind sharp by doing the crossword every day. She even has a computer and emails all of her kids and grandkids nearly every morning. She also has a great sense of humour, which I think is another key to living a long, happy, healthy, and productive life!

  • Jewellmartin Jewellmartin on May 23, 2017

    If you have done all sorts of things and made things or cleaned them, or organized them, then you have lots of DIY information to share. I am 67 and am mostly disabled, but I love to share my experiences and expertise with people from all over the world in Hometalk. If you don't feel able to type very much, just read and interact in your own home. Whose business is it if you argue or advise someone who posted something on Hometalk? It will keep your language skills and mind engaged. If you've run out of things to talk about with some boring relative, maybe just say, "I read what some silly man said about using baking soda instead of baking powder in his angel biscuits. I could teach him a thing or two about making biscuits." And just continue until the boring relative offers to go get you a Whopper at Burger King. You have won! Best wishes, and keep on kicking. 😇

  • Kathy Kathy on May 23, 2017

    All of these comments are encouraging and correct. A body or mind in motion stays in motion.

  • Kathy Kathy on May 23, 2017

    Your life knowledge will always be needed. I have young people asking me for information about my life all the time. They all seem to be interested in how to make a relationship work.

  • Sylvia Sylvia on May 24, 2017

    Well I don't know about you but I am 82 and try to do everything I can otherwise I hire help. Activity keeps one happy and healthy don'tcha know. God Bless and have a happy and long life

  • Sylvia Sylvia on May 24, 2017

    Be sure to take B complex and vitamin C 1000 units will help get rid of bruise spots if you have them. B complex great for energy and another thing might perk you up is volunteer and get out of the house sounds like you might be bored and need something fun to do

  • Barb Schillinger Barb Schillinger on May 24, 2017

    I thought i was being funny, sorry it came across as sarcastic or bitter; I have a masters degree, take vit.B and D, keep my 3 grandkids on off school days, swim daily, and do daily crossword , suduku, facebook and on line quizzes and puzzles. Pllus caregiver to my cancer surviving husband. Not bored!

  • John John on May 24, 2017

    I am only 68 and asked the same question.....I joined the local seniors group just for fellowship....now they have talked me into teaching self defense martial arts (I'm a retired marine and have 4 different style black belts)...in exchange, they teach me how to bake, how to quilt, how to use a sewing machine (yes real men can bake and sew)....we always have a great time together and a whole lot of laughs....like the time I sewed a collar on upside down....laughter is the best medicine.....by the way, my oldest martial art student is 92 and she kicks like a mule, punches like a pro boxer.....devil will never get her.....she's one tough old bird......the point is get out, enjoy life, and laugh--there is a void somewhere waiting for you to fill it...

  • Gin29247127 Gin29247127 on Oct 28, 2017

    Because you can

  • B. Enne B. Enne on Oct 28, 2017

    Share you wealth of info with others...That in itself is a sense of accomplishment. You may find in time, that some of these projects are contagious.

  • Edean Edean on Dec 08, 2017

    DIY projects keep you active mentally as we'll as physically. If you stay active you will not veg or get board😴 and possibly live longer!😀

  • Landsharkinnc Landsharkinnc on Dec 24, 2017

    you don't; unless you just want to! that's the fun of DIY - it's not always a 'have to' project ... it's simply a way to express your creativity - or not.

  • Janet Panos Janet Panos on Dec 28, 2017

    Many senior cutizens are strapped for cash and are do-it-yourselfers because it saves them money. Others are continuous learnera and enjoy the challenge of trying something new. Still others have always liked to work with their hands and want to continue to do that even after retirement.

  • Jana Jana on Feb 19, 2018

    Do for someone else. If you knit or crochet or sew - do it for others. It is amazing how it makes you feel.