When I went through my divorce, my focus was on maintaining stability for my kids. That meant keeping them in the only home they had ever known. I was so consumed with the buying process—the negotiations, the paperwork, and the loans—that I completely overlooked what it really meant to manage an almost century-old house by myself.
Though I’ve always prided myself on being independent, the reality was that I had lived with my parents until college and then in various apartments. When things broke, we called the landlord, and it got fixed—eventually. In my previous life as a homeowner, my husband handled repairs, whether it was him doing the work or hiring someone. I was no DIY expert.
Once the paperwork was finalized and spring arrived, I was officially the owner of this charming old house that my children adored. But soon enough, I faced a dilemma: our sole outdoor faucet was leaking so badly that the water had been shut off since the previous fall. It needed fixing, and fast.
“Just hire a plumber,” my well-meaning brother insisted. But I just couldn’t justify the expense for a dripping faucet, especially after spending $150 on an electrician to flip a fuse switch just weeks earlier.
So, I did what any resourceful mom would do—I turned to YouTube. If there were videos on how to open blind bags, surely there were tutorials on fixing a leaky faucet!
That’s how I found myself one afternoon sitting on the grass, phone propped up against a flagstone, ready to tackle my plumbing challenge. I didn’t need a partner; I had a whole community of experts to guide me. If one video didn’t resonate, I could easily skip to the next—no arguments or frustrations about whose methods were better.
Eventually, I found a video that featured the same type of faucet I had. Armed with just one very old wrench—likely used for stirring paint—I began to follow along. The guy in the video was patient, pausing when I needed him to and repeating instructions as often as I required. It was the most supportive relationship I could have asked for.
I managed to disassemble the faucet and, just as instructed, took the rusty piece to a plumbing supply store, not a big-box retailer. I was pleasantly surprised to find a team of friendly guys willing to help. They asked me questions about my pipes and tested different washers on my old faucet. One gentleman, a plumber, even offered his number in case I got stuck. But I felt confident. YouTube and I were a formidable duo.
After some trial and error, I finally made the last adjustment to the faucet. I went down to the basement, turned the main water line back on, and rushed outside to test my handiwork. Holding my breath, I turned the handle. Water flowed! And it stopped completely when I turned it back. I was so elated that I screamed, catching the attention of my neighbor, who paused his gardening to check on me.
This was about more than just fixing a faucet; it was a significant victory. I realized I could handle my home on my own. That moment propelled me into a new relationship with YouTube, leading me to assemble a gas grill, install storm doors, thaw frozen pipes, and tackle a variety of other home improvement tasks—all things I never imagined I could do solo.
While having someone in my life to help would be wonderful, I’ve discovered that my capabilities extend far beyond what I initially thought. Embracing this new chapter has been empowering, and I now have an additional form of support: YouTube. Until the day comes when I’m no longer the only one responsible for this home, I know I can rely on it for more than just children’s toy reviews.
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In summary, YouTube has transformed my life as a single mom, empowering me to handle home repairs and challenges I once thought were impossible. It has become an invaluable tool in my journey toward self-sufficiency, allowing me to embrace my independence fully.
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