If you don’t know me, I am a Drunk Elephant fanatic. I’ve exclusively used the entire line of skincare, hair and body products for almost a year now and it’s drastically changed my skin. I get embarrassingly excited at the announcement of a new product launch as I’m eager to add to my colorful collection. When the Drunk Elephant E-Rase Milki Micellar Water landed at my door, I jumped at the chance to write my own review. Turns out, the milky makeup remover is exactly what my extensive routine was missing.

Newbies to the land of cleansing waters may be wondering what micellar water actually does. Typically clear and scentless, the solution could easily be mistaken for legit water, but in reality, it’s powerful enough to siphon dirt and leftover makeup from your skin. Tiny charged particles called “micelles” act like a magnet, attracting and removing gunk without stripping skin of moisture. Whenever I need to take off my makeup in a hurry (and not dive deep into my usual double oil cleanse), I reach for micellar water as a no-rinse cleanse. It has definitely replaced makeup remover wipes for me—also a bonus for the environment.

Drunk Elephant.

E-Rase stands out from other clear micellar waters because of its milky, gel-like texture. It sweeps away impurities like regular micellar water, while also imbuing your skin with moisture (the “E” is in reference to soothing vitamin E), nourishing ceramides and wild melon seed oil. I can E-rase at night, I can E-rase during the day, and I can E-rase after a workout; my skin never dries out. At $28, it’s definitely on the pricey side compared to the other French pharmacy and American drugstore micellar waters. But for me, it’s well worth it to splurge on my skincare to ensure I’m feeding my skin healthy ingredients.

Source: Instagram

Previously, my morning skincare routine consisted of a splash of water instead of a full cleanse, as the latter dries out my skin and diminishes the healthy acid mantle my skin worked so hard on the night before. This morning rinse has been completely replaced. Now, I take a dime-sized amount (a little goes a long way) of E-Rase on a cotton round and apply all over my face and neck. I can just feel the extra nutrients gliding onto my skin while getting rid of any dirt or bacteria from my silk pillowcase.

Cierra Miller.

Even though I sometimes use E-Rase three times a day, I’ve barely made a dent in the bottle, so I’m convinced it’s a great value. Plus, the packaging is just as creative and fun as the rest of the line–with its rectangular shape and easy to use, bright orange top. Adding it to my rainbow-coordinated skincare shelf is just another exciting bonus.

Today, I want to talk about the importance of brain games for seniors. But, first, a little context. The last time I had to fill in a medical form, it asked me “How many hours a week do you exercise?” I had to laugh. Hours? Surely you jest!

My weekly exercise routine can be more accurately measured in “minutes.” And, what exactly counts as “exercise” anyway? Lifting a mug of tea to my lips? Turning the pages of a magazine? Typing?

After deciding to include my morning walk, I proudly answered two-and-a-half hours of “exercise” per week. But it was only after my video interview with Dr. Medina that I realized that I wasn’t even thinking about how much I was exercising the most important part of my body – my brain.

Keeping Your Aging Brain Healthy

Most Scientists agree that exercise, social activity and nutrition are key factors in keeping your brain healthy, and that when it comes to the aging brain the rule of “use or lose it” applies.

Humans are social creatures and when we feel lonely, our brains suffer in more ways than one. First, the stress that comes with social isolation impacts our brains directly. Second, a lack of social activity prevents us from taking positive steps towards living a full and active life.

But with 75% of the women surveyed in our community stating that they felt lonely and 81% stating that they sometimes feel like they have no-one to talk to, are there other ways we can also help keep our brain healthy?

One of the most popular trends in brain health over the last decade has been the explosive growth of the brain games industry. The genre was popularized by titles such as Dr. Kawashima’s Brain Training, and has reached the mainstream through sites like Lumosity.com and BrainHQ. Some studies have even suggested that playing free brain games like Sudoku might help people reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia as they get older.

Brain Games and Depression

With Mental Health America estimating that more than two million of us will suffer from depression at some point in our life, finding ways to keep our brains healthy is more important than ever. A good amount of research has recently looked into whether there are any benefits of playing games on boomers’ mental health. The results, ‘A lot!’

Researchers from the University of Georgia reported that residents in China who played Mahjong (a tile-based strategy game) were less likely to report feeling depressed.

Whether this is down to the game itself or the social aspect is unclear, but it’s a good indicator that playing games, particularly those that require multiple players such as Chess, Cards, Checkers and Backgammon, can only be beneficial for our aging brain.

Certain computer games have even been found to be just as effective as the antidepressant Lexapro, with positive results showing in four weeks rather than the twelve weeks it usually takes the medication to work. You might therefore just want to grab a console the next time your grandkids are playing!

Looking to give your brain a boost? Try our very own FREE Sixty and Me brain games!

What Are the Best Brain Games for Seniors?

Fortunately, keeping our brains healthy does not have to be boring, repetitive or time-consuming. In fact, one of the best ways to keep our minds in great shape at any age is with brain games like Sudoku, Mahjong and Chess. Here are thirty-five brain games that will keep you entertained whilst giving your brain a great workout!

Sudoku – Boost Your Pattern Recognition and Decision Making

Sudoku is a game of logic where you have to spot patterns, think strategically and solve problems. The benefits of playing Sudoku also include getting a sense of accomplishment from unravelling a problem, creating order and finishing tasks. If you enjoy bringing order to a situation of uncertainty and experiencing the feeling of accomplishment that comes from completing tasks, Sudoku is for you! Play online, or play on paper – a range of Sudoku puzzle books are available on Amazon.

Mahjong – A Great Brain Game for Older Adults Who Love Puzzles

A straightforward tile-matching game that has long been popular with the elderly in Asian countries, Mahjong is also a great way to socialize as you can play the table game version with multiple players. It is a fun game for people of all ages, but it’s especially popular with older adults who are looking for unique and challenging ways to keep their minds sharp, have fun, and be connected to a global culture. Beautifully crafted Mahjong sets start from under $25.

Chess – Boost Your Brain with One of the Oldest Brain Games

First played in the 7th century by kings in India, Chess is now a global phenomenon, played on giant outdoor chess boards and at competitive events where computers challenge the brains of brilliant chess masters! It encourages concentration and focus around “if then” thinking, which is useful when making decisions. Choose from a wide range of sets here.

Jigsaw Puzzles – Find Peace and Calm with this Visual Meditation

Jigsaw puzzles are introduced to us as babies and the act of matching pictures to shapes is the first brain game most of us play. Working on puzzles can also help to lower our rate of breathing and reduce our heart rate and blood pressure. With thousands of different designs and sizes to choose from, you can pick one up for under $15.

Crossword Puzzles – Build a Better Vocabulary, while Having Fun

For those people who are not fond of math brain games, crossword puzzles are a great alternative. Crosswords are challenging but in our super stressed world, they are also a great way to relax. You can start a puzzle on Sunday and pick it up throughout the week, since there is no pressure to finish in one sitting. A long-term study by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that seniors who did crosswords four day a week had a 47 percent lower risk of dementia than those who only did them once a week. Play online with SixtyandMe or pick up a puzzle book on Amazon for under $10

Qwirkle – Simple to Learn, Strategic and Exciting to Play

Mix and match tiles with different shapes and colors, scoring points by completing or adding to lines of the same shapes or colors. Qwirkle can be enjoyed by all ages making it great fun to play with your friends or your grandkids! Become part of the community of more than four million people who have already purchased this game!

Ticket to Ride – Careful Balance of Greed and Fear

Dreaming of long train rides or visiting cities across North America? Look no further! TIcket to Ride is a board game that requires tactical thinking whilst being forced to balance greed – adding more cards to your hand, and fear – losing a critical route to a competitor. Easy to learn and guaranteed to keep your brain engaged, purchase the original box set here.

Word Search – Relaxing Way to Keep Your Brain Ticking Over

If you don’t fancy a numbers game and you’ve hit a brick wall with Crossword clues, a word search could be the perfect game for your brain. Search for the words listed in a scramble of letters – a great activity to relax with whilst challenging your brain to find all the hidden words. There are plenty of word search books available for under $10.

Lumosity – Online Platform to Truly Train Your Brain

Lumosity is dedicated to not merely playing “games,” but to improving your brain performance, enhancing memory and attention, and living a better life. Lumosity lets you build a personalized brain training program based on which mental skills you want to get better at, whether it’s remembering names after the first introduction, learning new subjects quickly, or solving problems.

Yahtzee – The Classic Dice Game

The dice game for high rollers, this classic game is still as popular as ever. Although it may be down to luck as to what numbers you roll, you will be using quick thinking, numerical and tactical skills to decide your strategy and help you come out on top. Pick up some dice or score cards from under $10..

Scrabble – Creating Words and Scoring Big

Add to existing words or strategically form new words whilst trying to score the maximum number of points. If you enjoy taking a random set of letters and making words whilst ensuring you are getting the highest possible score, scrabble will keep you thoroughly entertained. Take your pick from beautifully crafted wooden sets to smaller travel sets on Amazon.

HAPPYneuron.com – Procrastinate Productively!

HAPPYneuron is another brain game site that offers a variety of brain training exercises focused on a range of cognitive skills, including memory, attention, language, reasoning, and visual-spatial skills. These games are a great example of how to use mobile devices to “procrastinate productively” – instead of playing mindless games or scrolling through your friends’ Facebook updates, you can build a better brain, one game at a time.

Scattergories – Find the Words Your Opponents Can’t

Defeat your competitors by coming up with creative answers that all match a specific category, contain the same first letter, but won’t be thought of by your opponents. Do you go for the obvious options hoping they won’t, or challenge yourself to think out of the box. Starting from under $20, this is a game the whole family will love.

Gin Rummy – Two-player Game of Strategy

All you need to play Gin Rummy is a standard 52-pack of cards, with the objective to score points and reach an agreed number – usually more than 100. It’s a simple game of strategy played around the world, encouraging concentration, focus and basic numerical skills. Standard playing cards can be purchased for under $5 a deck!

UNO – Get Rid of Those Cards as Quickly as You Can!

The classic card game of matching colors and numbers, players take it in turns to get rid of all their cards by matching a card in their hand with the current card shown on top of the deck either by color or number. Special Action cards deliver game-changing moments but require strategy and tactics to decide exactly when to use them. Don’t forget to shout “UNO” when you only have one card remaining – available for under $10 on Amazon!

Bridge – Popular Card Game Since the 1930s

Around since the 1930s, Bridge is now one of the most popular card games in the world. Players attempt to score points by defeating their opponents hands by making bids and winning tricks. Predicting movements with a good strategy will keep your brain working! Standard playing cards can be purchased for under $5 a deck!

Old Maid – Don’t Become the Old Maid!

A favourite with children, making it the perfect card game to play with your Grandkids, the aim is to discard your cards as quickly as possible, laying down pairs of matching cards until just one person is left holding a card – the Old Maid! All you need is a standard deck of cards – available for under $5!

Snap – Quick Reactions Are the Key to Winning This Game

You’ll need quick reactions to win this game, so concentration is key! Win every card in the deck by being the first to yell ‘Snap’ when a matching card is placed on the deck. Another card game that is great fun to play with all ages! If you don’t already own some, pick up a deck of cards here.

Bunco – The Portable Game You Can Really Play Anywhere

Sometimes, all you need to have fun are a few dice, a pencil and a pad of paper. Win Bunco by earning as many points as possible by rolling numbers that match each numbered round of play. There is nothing more satisfying than rolling the dice and watching them land exactly how you had hoped! A wide range of sets are available.

Where’s Waldo – Hiding in Plain Sight

With one of the most recognisable faces in the world, Waldo has been hiding in plain sight for over 25 years! Trying to find Waldo and his friends in a different scene on every page is a great way to exercise your brain, and sure to cause a little frustration as you scan the page for the hundredth time! With plenty to choose from, pick which adventure you want to start with here.

Solitaire – A Great Game to Play Alone

A tabletop game using just a standard pack of 52 cards, Solitaire is a great game to play alone to keep your brain sharp. It requires pattern recognition and strategy, sometimes you must make one step back, just to make two steps forward later. Play this game enough and you might find that the more you do that, the more comfortable your brain is with this decision-making concept in everyday life. If you don’t already own some, all you need is a standard deck of cards.

Catan – See What All the Noise Is About!

One of the most popular board games of the last decade, Catan requires you to track resources, strategize against the other players and plan exactly how you are going to win. Not only fun, it also provides plenty of opportunities to exercise your brain and if you get bored of the original, extension packs can be purchased to increase the difficulty! Join the fun by purchasing your own box set today

Clue – Hone Your Note-Taking and Decision-Making Skills

The classic detective game, Clue requires you to use all the skills you have to identify who murdered the victim, where it took place, and the weapon they used. At its heart, it is a simple puzzle game, but it requires concentration, decision making and note taking skills, using the clues you gather and your opponents give to solve the mystery. Sets start at under $20.

Monopoly – A Classic Game with New Modern Twists

A board game classic enjoyed by all the family, tracking your money, counting your dollars and deciding exactly what to buy and when is all part of the game. Have fun with your friends or family whilst exercising your brain and trying to avoid getting sent to jail. Buy the original or find one of the many new themed sets that are available.

Telestrations – Draw, Laugh, and Try to Guess the Answer

A great game to get your creative streak flowing, Telestrations requires you to sketch out concepts and scenarios to be guessed by your opponents. Once you are done, it’s your turn to guess there’s! Guaranteed to make you laugh, it’s a brilliant way to have fun with friends and practise those stick man drawing skills! Grab your set here.

Connect4 – A Great Pattern Spotting Game

A simple and quick game, Connect4 involves dropping coloured pieces in a grid, aiming to be the first to, you guessed it, connect four! You need to look for patterns, plan ahead, and make decisions about where to put your pieces, so not only do you build up possible connections, but block your opponent from doing so. Sets start from under $15.

Backgammon – Enjoyed by All Ages for Centuries

One of the oldest known board games, Backgammon can be traced back over 5000 years to archeological discoveries in Mesopotamia. While not the most strenuous game, Backgammon relies on arithmetic and strategy to beat your opponent (and maybe some luck) with the aim to move your fifteen pieces between twenty-four triangles according to the roll of two dice. A wide range of set choices can be purchased on Amazon.

Checkers – A Great Workout for Your Brain

What links strategic thinking, concentration, focus, problem solving and analytical skills?  They are all needed for a game of Checkers! A two-player game that is simple to learn and simple to play, it is a great workout for your brain. Beautifully crafted wooden sets, to smaller travel sets are available from $15.

Duolingo – Challenge Your Brain and Learn a New Skill

We are breaking the rules slightly with this one, as it technically isn’t classed as a game, but is there any better workout for your brain than learning a new language? Using the Duolingo app you can learn almost any language you want and advance at your own pace whilst taking part in interactive games and lessons.

4 Pics 1 Word – Fun Mobile App to Keep Your Mind Sharp

If you want a good brain game to play on your phone or tablet, 4 pics 1 word could be just it. Each round you are shown four pictures that all have something in common and you just have to guess the word that links them all together. Sounds easy, but trust us when we say some rounds can be harder than it sounds! It is available on both Google Play and the App Store.

Jenga – the Classics Party Game Enjoyed by All Ages

The classic party game enjoyed by all ages, Jenga requires you to remove rectangular blocks from a stack and place them on top. The game ends when someone removes a block that causes the stack to fall. A great social game that also requires problem solving and decision making when it comes to choosing which piece to remove. Standard sets are available from under $15.

The Tray Game – Test Your Memory with This Very Simple Game

This game can be played absolutely anywhere – all you need is a tray and between 10-20 random items placed on it. Put it on the table and spend 5-10 minutes trying to memorise all the items. Take it away, and try to recall them by writing down what was on the tray! The great thing about this game is it can be played anywhere, with any number of people, and is great for working on memory recall and keeping your mind sharp.

Taboo – The Game of Unspeakable Fun

A great brain game for those who like linguistics, Taboo will keep your mind sharp as you describe the given object or scenario whilst avoiding the list of forbidden words – usually the ones you really want to use! This game requires quick thinking against the clock to identify words you can use so your opponents can guess the answer. Available online for under $20.

Brain Yoga – Pat Your Head and Rub Your Tummy

Harder than it sounds, Brain Yoga is a simple task that you carry out with the aim of improving your hand-eye coordination, motor abilities and neural pathways. Activities can be relatively simple such as raising a different finger on each hand, to complex such as patting your head whilst rubbing your tummy. A great brain game to improve muscle memory and mental abilities. See what you can come up with and challenge your friends!

Keep Your Brain Alive – A Unique Brain Exercise Program

“Keep Your Brain Alive: 83 Neurobic Exercises to Help Prevent Memory Loss and Increase Mental Fitness” is a book written by Manning Rubin and Dr. Lawrence C. Katz, professor of neurobiology at Duke University. A unique brain exercise program, it’s based on the latest neuroscience with the deceptively simple exercises stimulating brain nutrients to help new brain cells grow. Available on Amazon as paperback, audiobook or E-book.

Do you enjoy playing any of these free brain games for seniors? Which one is your favourite? Please join the conversation.

Writing your memoir is a profound gift to yourself and to those with whom you’ve shared a walk down difficult paths.

You live and learn as a wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Wanting to share epiphanies, revelations and heartfelt experience is human nature. But how many of us are equipped to construct a complete memoir, no less want to share it with a wide audience?

So, let’s think small for a moment. Small and short. Whether called flash memoir, short memoir or memoir essay, short-form memoirs can accomplish the goal of interpreting the past – through your eyes – for an audience of loved ones.

Let’s start with a quick review on why well-told, short storytelling can provide the desired impact.

Pushing the Refresh Button on Lasting Impressions

The storylines of our lives are often cast and spun by others. Refocusing on a key event from the past can reframe the experience with insight not previously obvious or understood. Learning or relearning – as well as teaching or reteaching – by story is native to the way we think.

Here are two examples of story types that continue to have wide appeal and impact:

While technically not memoir, Bible stories focus on events that significantly alter the lives of their characters. Prime examples are Jonah and the Whale, Cain and Abel, The Last Supper, and Joseph and His Brothers.

Fairy tales and fables like Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, and The Tortoise and The Hare have an equal influence.

These crafty narratives serve to expose us to a sense of truth, ethics and morality. They leave audiences with a refreshed point of view. Even when our ultimate memories of these stories turn toward the visceral, we’re somehow more complete for having heard or read them.

They have sticking power! Your first-hand reflections on events can provide similar guidance and mentorship to readers.

The Value Received from Sharing Your Voice

Catharsis. Gratitude. Completion. Redemption. Memoirist, writer, lecturer and educator Patricia Hampl says, “Our capacity to move forward as developing beings rests on a healthy relationship with the past.”

Brush-stroke memories from the past can benefit from re-examination through more experienced, sophisticated eyes. Finding the truth in shared memories can be as important to the writer as it is to the reader.

In an earlier article Writing A Memoir Can Help Exorcise Your Childhood Demons I discuss how the vetting of memories can help redefine the truth north of your past.

Joan Didion, the writer responsible for mainstreaming the genre of personal essay, a close relative to memoir, says, “I write entirely to find out what I’m thinking, what I’m looking at, what I see and what it means… what I want and what I fear.”

Didion’s examination of memories critical to finding an okay place to live among them is, arguably, the epitome of the memoir process.

It was most notably used in the exhaustive recollection of her husband’s death in, The Year of Magical Thinking. It defined her process of grieving and threw a merciful light onto grief for those who can’t articulate such pain on their own.

The Value of a Memoir to Those Hearing It

Nothing can replace getting memory directly from the lips of the source itself. Through inspiration or insight, hearing the voice of a loved one describing backstory to shared critical moments in life can bring peace, build character and offer hope.

My father was not a communicator. Had he left some view onto his puzzling actions, we, his children, could better understand his motivations. A great deal of hurt could have been avoided by those left in the wake of his behavior. Without memoir or at least frank discussion, everything is left to guesswork.

On the Road to Short-Form Memoir

If your message doesn’t feel important enough to survive even the briefest process of memoir, remember this: Everyone’s life forms a unique metaphorical fingerprint onto the universe. And like fingerprints, no two lives are exactly alike. The unique story of your life is your story to tell.

How to Write a Memoir

• Select a key moment that created major change or misunderstanding.
• When feeling unstressed and unencumbered, jot down all related memories of the event.
• Seek to understand your state of mind at the time.
• Determine the universal theme or themes running through the narrative.
• Reframe the experience based on those universal themes. The use of a theme is a galvanizing vehicle to move your story forward.
• Determine how you might judiciously tell the story to enable greatest understanding and impact.

How to Convey Your Feelings

The medium used to convey your findings need not be overly complicated. Here are some suggestions:

• A written narrative just long enough to cover the topic.
• A recorded reading of the narrative.
• A free-style talk with loved ones using notes taken from your work.
• A video to describe your contemporary understanding of the subject matter.
• A drawing or series of drawings with annotations.

What’s Next?

If pleased with your effort, pick another moment or event that could benefit from similar treatment. Begin to build a small library of memoir. You can share the results with loved ones in the short-term, or have the material released, posthumously.

It you decide there’s no better time than the present, good planning will be necessary. And remember, if your work is done without judgment or rancor, you can only be responsible for the message – not how it’s received. Memoir can sometimes be a contentious exercise.

Here’s a place to go for hints on how to have challenging talks with loved ones, from The Family Dinner Project.

What key life experience would you like to re-examine? Who is your audience and what do you hope to accomplish? Please share your thoughts so we can have a fruitful discussion.

It’s easy to wait until the big Ulta sales, such as the iconic 21 Days of Beauty. But you don’t need to hold out the rest of the year when you need to stock up on a few products. Take this Ulta sale during summer 2020. It’s basically just pages and pages (in-store where open, too) of discounted haircare, makeup, beauty tools, skin care and accessories. This isn’t castoffs and discontinued items (though, there are a few of those) but actually best-selling brands and everyday staples you’ll want to keep around.

Looking for the Clarisonic brushes before the company goes out of business? Ulta has them on sale, as well as our favorite Juvia’s Place foundation and It Cosmetics face powder. There are really great gifts with purchases, too. Grab some free travel-sized lipsticks and primers with your purchase. Or, you can grab BOGO deals, such as E.L.F. skin care products at buy one, get one 40 percent off and Sugar Rush by Tarte deluxe minis at 5 for $25.

Don’t forget to check your Ulta app for coupons. Right now, you can score $3.50 off $15 until July 18. And if you miss this one, there will be more. There are so many ways to save at Ulta, why would you go anywhere else?

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Image: Benefit.

Benefit Cosmetics Brow Contour Pro 4-In-1 Defining & Highlighting Pencil

In one ’90s-style pen, you get a lighter brow shade, deeper brow shade (for depth and dimension), plus an edge definer and arch highlighter. Plus, score a free Porefessional Face Primer Deluxe Sample with a $35 Benefit Cosmetics purchase until July 18.

Image: Ulta.

Redken Extreme Conditioner

Strengthened damaged hair with the brand’s “RCT Protein Complex.”

Image: Ulta.

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation Powder

This powder foundation gives skin a natural matte finish that doesn’t feel fry thanks to botanical extracts and antioxidants. It comes in 14 shades.

Image: Ulta.

Juvia’s Place I Am Magic Foundation

There are a whopping 42 shades of this natural and soft matte foundation.

Image: Ulta.

Hempz Sweet Pineapple & Honey Melon Herbal Moisturizer

Give your skin a burst of hydration with this hemp seed oil-enriched lotion.

Image: Ulta.

T3 SinglePass Curl

It’s not often this popular curling iron goes on sale. Choose from the 1″ or 1 1/4′ barrel.

Image: Ulta.

M.A.C. 70 Lash

These dramatic winged-out lashes are ultra-glam. Plus, get a complimentary Mini Lipstick with a $40 M.A.C. purchase until July 25.

Do It Yourself, or DIY, has gained popularity in the past few years. Basically, these are projects for making or repairing anything and everything – by yourself. DIY Projects offer a set of instructions, guidelines, steps, tasks, and so on, for making something.

From crafts and home improvement, to baking a cake, wiring our house and re-doing our plumbing, there are DIY projects readily available for just about anything. Go ahead and Google it or search in YouTube, you’ll see what I mean.

DIY Project Opportunities

A couple of summers ago, my condo complex needed the front decks painted, but we couldn’t find a painting company that could do it before the fall. I tried to help by going around to the paint shops, asking them if they knew any available painters.

One shop told me that I should do it myself. The guy said it was easy as pie. “Just slap that paint on with a brush, and Bob’s your Uncle,” he told me. I did just that, and our condo decks look amazing. But best of all, it was done when we wanted it done and at a fraction of the cost.

A friend just sent me a DIY video on how to change a flat tire. It only took me a few seconds into the video to identify a major problem. They made it look so easy to take the spare out of the truck, simply unscrewing the bolt holding the tire in place.

No way! My tire is in so tight, I need a strong set of hands to unscrew it. I didn’t even watch the rest of the video!

How Do I Know If a DIY Project Is Right for Me?

There are six questions to ask yourself before you begin any DIY project. Honestly answering these questions will help you decide which DIY project is right for you.

Is This Something You Really Want to Do?

If you really want to do a project, then “Yes!” should be your quick response. It could be something you want to do, something you want to use or have in your home. It should be something you’ll enjoy making and having.

If you answered ‘No,’ then you really need to reconsider this project. If it’s something you don’t really want, then why do it? There are other ways to pass the time that are much easier.

Are the Instructions Reasonable and Easy to Follow?

Have a look over the instructions. Make sure you can access them, especially it they involve multiple files and, possibly, some videos. Then briefly review them to see if they are easy to follow, logical, and easily understood.

If they are complicated or present you too many challenges, you need to think about doing another project. If you haven’t even begun, and the instructions are not extremely clear and accessible, your project will not be successful. It is possible that the project hasn’t been properly tested to make sure it works.

Are You Comfortable with Both the Estimated Time and Cost of the Project?

All DIY projects provide estimates for time and cost. Often, they will include time frames for both the experienced and inexperienced. You have to take heed of these estimates, however, as they could be very generous.

This means, it could take you 20%+ longer to finish a project. If you expected a weekend project, are you okay with it spanning two weekends?

Costing is a similar consideration. Where you buy the materials may be more expensive than what was costed in the project.

Additionally, the items could be fragile and break during your build and may need replacement. You may have to bend something and it cracks instead. Or you may have to mix a few things together in a specific order and you mistakenly reverse the order.

Also, you may find you want a different colour or texture, or possibly, a more expensive finish. All of this has to be taken into account when you consider your comfort level for cost and time. If you are not comfortable with these estimates, this project is not for you.

Will You Be Able to Perform the Tasks?

Seeing things on video makes it all look so easy. In 3 minutes, you can make a widget. In 5 minutes, you can make a double-sided one.

But do you need specific tools, specific skills? Are you strong enough to do the tasks? Do you need special protection, magnified eye-sight, superb balancing, or maybe the ability to be bent or be hunched over for a long period of time?

The steps in the project may be easy to follow, but if you can’t easily perform them, the project should be scrapped.

Do You Have the Space to Do the Project?

Some DIY projects require a large space for things to be assembled, to dry, or even to lay out all the components. Make sure you have a location where you can do the project without having to accommodate other things that are going on.

If you are using your kitchen, will you be able to make your meals and not disturb your project? Trying to build something in a confined space may be extremely challenging and impact your ability to do it properly.

Will You Be Okay with a ‘Wonky’ Looking Finished Item?

Once you are finished with the project, you could end up with an item that isn’t perfect. This is a serious consideration that shouldn’t be taken lightly. If you end up heading to the Mall to buy the item, the DIY project was not successful.

If you are a perfectionist, or only like quality, you need to be truthful when you answer this question. Your closet or store room shouldn’t be the end result of your project.

Do the Math

If you answered ‘No’ to any of these questions, you should seriously reconsider the project. If you answered ‘No’ to two or more questions, the DIY project is really not for you – it is a pathway to disaster.

There are so many DIY projects to pick from that you will never be at a loss for a project. Do some more research, and find a DIY project that passes the ‘Yes Test.’

On the other hand, if you answered a resounding ‘Yes’ to all six questions, you should definitely do it. This does not guarantee that the project will be successful, but it does mean that there is a good chance it will be.

Have you undertaken a DIY project recently? Have you been happy with the results of a recent DIY project? Please share your experiences in the comments!