Home repairs- losing interest in DIY

[Nathan]

I made my living for 50 years as some kind of mechanic. Started in the Army as a marine diesel engineer, primarily a diesel mechanic on harbor craft(landing craft, tug boats, tankers etc). Was an automotive mechanic after getting out of the service, then became an industrial maintenance mechanic(plastic manufacturing, steel mill) before working as a building maintenance mechanic(28 years) in jails & a prison. Alright so much for my resume.

I've always done my own repair work, whether it be car, computers or household. Saved tons of money, enjoyed the work. But....

now I don't care anymore. Burnout? Depression? Lazy or Unmotivated?

I CAN take my money with me when I die, just write a check and include with my remains when I get cremated, but it won't do me any good.

I make excuses, tell myself maybe I shouldn't climb on the roof anymore...maybe I'm right?

I drink a couple cups of coffee in the morning, but I usually have a lot more energy in the morning anyway. I just want to goof off in the afternoons, waiting until cocktail hour @5PM.

Q: How does one regain their interest and motivation to do those things that were once exciting and rewarding, when "one" just doesn't care anymore?

 

[MarciKS]

i used to have things i enjoyed but as i've gotten older i have new things i enjoy and i'm tired of always being on the go. i'm to the point now where i prefer to relax and take it easy and just enjoy whatever the day brings. if it only brings me a nap so be it. part of my lack of motivation is job related. i've spent too many years in food service running my fanny off and i'll be honest...i'm tired and not much excites me anymore.

i've been pondering a career change. if it works out...home will be my new office and i'm hoping i can have the time and energy to start taking better care of myself. mostly i just go with the flow.

 

[Aunt Marg]

I made my living for 50 years as some kind of mechanic. Started in the Army as a marine diesel engineer, primarily a diesel mechanic on harbor craft(landing craft, tug boats, tankers etc). Was an automotive mechanic after getting out of the service, then became an industrial maintenance mechanic(plastic manufacturing, steel mill) before working as a building maintenance mechanic(28 years) in jails & a prison. Alright so much for my resume.

I've always done my own repair work, whether it be car, computers or household. Saved tons of money, enjoyed the work. But....

now I don't care anymore. Burnout? Depression? Lazy or Unmotivated?

I CAN take my money with me when I die, just write a check and include with my remains when I get cremated, but it won't do me any good.

I make excuses, tell myself maybe I shouldn't climb on the roof anymore...maybe I'm right?

I drink a couple cups of coffee in the morning, but I usually have a lot more energy in the morning anyway. I just want to goof off in the afternoons, waiting until cocktail hour @5PM.

Q: How does one regain their interest and motivation to do those things that were once exciting and rewarding, when "one" just doesn't care anymore?

I can only relay to you what my husband and I do, but we usually take on one to two projects a year, one if it's big, and as the project unfolds and starts coming together, we get more and more excited about the end result, and when all is complete and we stand back and admire what we've done, it makes our hearts miss a beat.

Getting started initially is the hardest part for the both of us, but once past the - get the rag out stage, we dive in head-first and don't stop until we're done.

Do you have any projects that would light your fire that are in need of doing?

• Maybe a little landscaping where you plant a variety of new shrubs and trees?
• Maybe a little cabinetry or carpentry work inside the home?
• Maybe something as simple as reseeding your lawn and enjoying going out in the evening after it takes and watering/relaxing?

 

[MarciKS]

I made my living for 50 years as some kind of mechanic. Started in the Army as a marine diesel engineer, primarily a diesel mechanic on harbor craft(landing craft, tug boats, tankers etc). Was an automotive mechanic after getting out of the service, then became an industrial maintenance mechanic(plastic manufacturing, steel mill) before working as a building maintenance mechanic(28 years) in jails & a prison. Alright so much for my resume.

I've always done my own repair work, whether it be car, computers or household. Saved tons of money, enjoyed the work. But....

now I don't care anymore. Burnout? Depression? Lazy or Unmotivated?

I CAN take my money with me when I die, just write a check and include with my remains when I get cremated, but it won't do me any good.

I make excuses, tell myself maybe I shouldn't climb on the roof anymore...maybe I'm right?

I drink a couple cups of coffee in the morning, but I usually have a lot more energy in the morning anyway. I just want to goof off in the afternoons, waiting until cocktail hour @5PM.

Q: How does one regain their interest and motivation to do those things that were once exciting and rewarding, when "one" just doesn't care anymore?

maybe it's time for some new interests Nathan.

 

[mellowyellow]

I made my living for 50 years as some kind of mechanic. Started in the Army as a marine diesel engineer, primarily a diesel mechanic on harbor craft(landing craft, tug boats, tankers etc). Was an automotive mechanic after getting out of the service, then became an industrial maintenance mechanic(plastic manufacturing, steel mill) before working as a building maintenance mechanic(28 years) in jails & a prison. Alright so much for my resume.

I've always done my own repair work, whether it be car, computers or household. Saved tons of money, enjoyed the work. But....

now I don't care anymore. Burnout? Depression? Lazy or Unmotivated?

I CAN take my money with me when I die, just write a check and include with my remains when I get cremated, but it won't do me any good.

I make excuses, tell myself maybe I shouldn't climb on the roof anymore...maybe I'm right?

I drink a couple cups of coffee in the morning, but I usually have a lot more energy in the morning anyway. I just want to goof off in the afternoons, waiting until cocktail hour @5PM.

Q: How does one regain their interest and motivation to do those things that were once exciting and rewarding, when "one" just doesn't care anymore?

You should feel proud of your past skilled working life, but it's now time for a rest, and the minute you think you are being lazy and unmotivated, forget it, it's okay.

 

[Chet]

Sounds like a classic case of burnout. I'm the same way but some things have to be done whether you like it or not. I won't spend the whole day on it though. I too am a morning person. After lunch, the day is mine.

 

[JonDouglas]

Q: How does one regain their interest and motivation to do those things that were once exciting and rewarding, when "one" just doesn't care anymore?

If I knew the answer to that, I'd tell you and then we could both make a lot of money telling others who're in the same boat. As a kid, I used to help my father, a construction electrician, and learned enough to later rewire old homes kind of has a fun hobby to help others. Now I don't even want to hastle with adding a new shop outlet to an existing circuit, let alone make a new run from the service entrance. Same thing for wrenching on the bike. I want to ride, not work, on it. Same thing has happened to a number of my hobbies and professions. The only answer I have is to say don't worry about it and move on to something new that you might be interested in. It's what's worked for me.

 

[Ronni]

I don’t mean to come across as trite, if you’ve read many of my responses here you’ll know that that’s not what I’m about.

Q: How does one regain their interest and motivation to do those things that were once exciting and rewarding, when "one" just doesn't care anymore?

If you’ve read my responses on this forum you’ll know I don’t typically engage in trite responses. I’m saying that because I don’t want you to think that my response is trite, because it’s not.

My short answer to your question is you don’t. You don’t regain your interest and motivation about things that you used to care about. That ship has sailed.

What you DO instead is to become involved in things that you DO care about at this stage of your life.

Interests change. Focus changes. It doesn’t matter what you become involved with, just THAT you do. It’s an exciting time of your life when you can do whatever the hell you want to. You can engage in whatever the hell appeals to you. You can focus on whatever the hell interests you.

SO DO IT!! And let us know what you’re having fun with now!

 

[Jules]

You’re not alone Nathan. Our energies change as our bodies age. We never really expect it. It sure does happen. Enjoy what you’re doing and have no guilt about it.

It took me awhile to convince DH to stop changing the seasonal tires, hiring someone for this or that. Everyone & everything changes with time.

 

[jujube]

I think the year of Covid has made a lot of us a little more "numb" (for a loss of what else to call it) to what excited us before (otherwise known as the New BC [Before Covid]).

I think we'll get it back. At least I hope so.

 

[Butterfly]

I think the year of Covid has made a lot of us a little more "numb" (for a loss of what else to call it) to what excited us before (otherwise known as the New BC [Before Covid]).

I think we'll get it back. At least I hope so.

I think there's a lot of truth in what you say. There are a number of things I was interested in and participated in BC that I have little interest in rejoining. I hope this sort of apathy will fade as the world reopens, but I'm not sure it will.

 

[Don M.]

I've been fixing things all my life, and I enjoy doing so, However, as I age, I find myself having to really pace myself, and taking extra precautions so I don't injure myself. A few days ago, I changed the oil and filters on my vehicles, and the oil filter on the truck is in such a hard to get to place that I may seriously think about taking it to a shop the next time its due.

 

[Old Dummy]

I made my living for 50 years as some kind of mechanic. Started in the Army as a marine diesel engineer, primarily a diesel mechanic on harbor craft(landing craft, tug boats, tankers etc). Was an automotive mechanic after getting out of the service, then became an industrial maintenance mechanic(plastic manufacturing, steel mill) before working as a building maintenance mechanic(28 years) in jails & a prison. Alright so much for my resume.

I've always done my own repair work, whether it be car, computers or household. Saved tons of money, enjoyed the work. But....

now I don't care anymore. Burnout? Depression? Lazy or Unmotivated?

I CAN take my money with me when I die, just write a check and include with my remains when I get cremated, but it won't do me any good.

I make excuses, tell myself maybe I shouldn't climb on the roof anymore...maybe I'm right?

I drink a couple cups of coffee in the morning, but I usually have a lot more energy in the morning anyway. I just want to goof off in the afternoons, waiting until cocktail hour @5PM.

Q: How does one regain their interest and motivation to do those things that were once exciting and rewarding, when "one" just doesn't care anymore?

Hahaha, I could have written that -- with a few detail changes. Me, DOB 1950. Learned as a little boy how to take a lawnmower engine apart, and Dad explained how it actually worked. Went on to cars and motorcycles, although I've been a toolmaker since I was 18 for a living.

I was always ripping engines out of cars and swapping them around when I was still home. I had 5 motorcycles during my life and all of them were modified to one degree or another. I learned some carpentry from my dad and other guys, also concrete work including learning decorative concrete from books.

I was constantly building or fixing things. I loved the challenge and I suspect a lot of it came from being a toolmaker (moldmaker actually).

At 57 I built an exposed-aggregate patio on my creek bank; I did it all by myself including mixing the concrete (with a power mixer). After I finished the woodwork the next year it kinda hit me -- I'm done doing this. Getting up and down countless times per day, shoveling sand and gravel, it's hard work for anyone and got harder at that age. And that was the last concrete project I did. I've gotten lazier and lazier since then, as far as mechanic or construction goes.

I recently have been forced to close my tool shop that I had for the past 36 years in my backyard and retire. That I had not lost interest in doing. I've always wanted to do it until I physically couldn't, and that time has come (severe arthritis in wrists).

At any rate, I'm looking at 71 in August, and have less and less interest in doing anything. Although I did work on my vegetable garden a bit today. And I always seem to find the energy to have 2 hour lunches with my two buddies. Ha, it's nice to get out of the woods and see other people every day.

And I think this is all a natural part of the aging process, which of course varies from person to person. My oldest sister, who is 80, does not do outdoor flower gardening much anymore, although she is still physically able for the most part. She told me it just doesn't matter to her that much anymore.

 

[Judycat]

This is good to hear I'm not the only one who doesn't enjoy a regimented life anymore. I think it's because I spent most of it doing for others. Now it's just me and I've found I'm not that demanding.

 

[RnR]

I think there's a lot of truth in what you say. There are a number of things I was interested in and participated in BC that I have little interest in rejoining. I hope this sort of apathy will fade as the world reopens, but I'm not sure it will.

I'm the same and I hope old enthusiasms or new ones will happen if and when things improve.

 

[Nathan]

...at this point I'd like to thank all that have replied....by no means do I suggest that the topic is closed- will welcome additional responses.

I guess part of what I'm feeling here is guilt. For crying out loud- "guilt", really, for what? The self judging gremlins must be busy....

It's hard to let go of the past, particularly one's working past. Almost every night I dream of people and situations when I was at work.

I try not to be hung up on nostalgia, in my mind the 50s & 60s are over and done. My service in the Army and Vietnam are turning into ancient history. My life means "something" in the present, and my' involvement in our fitness business is a big part of that.
Still, I find my soul adrift and seeking more...

 

[MarciKS]

...at this point I'd like to thank all that have replied....by no means do I suggest that the topic is closed- will welcome additional responses.

I guess part of what I'm feeling here is guilt. For crying out loud- "guilt", really, for what? The self judging gremlins must be busy....

It's hard to let go of the past, particularly one's working past. Almost every night I dream of people and situations when I was at work.

I try not to be hung up on nostalgia, in my mind the 50s & 60s are over and done. My service in the Army and Vietnam are turning into ancient history. My life means "something" in the present, and my' involvement in our fitness business is a big part of that.
Still, I find my soul adrift and seeking more...

well...go find out where it's floating off to.

 

[Jeweltea]

I agree with Ronni. Interests change. There are things, I was interested in doing in the past that I have no desire to do now, even things I really loved. Fortunately a new hobby or interest has always come along. Sometimes it takes awhile to find it though.

 

[squatting dog]

...at this point I'd like to thank all that have replied....by no means do I suggest that the topic is closed- will welcome additional responses.

I guess part of what I'm feeling here is guilt. For crying out loud- "guilt", really, for what? The self judging gremlins must be busy....

It's hard to let go of the past, particularly one's working past. Almost every night I dream of people and situations when I was at work.

I try not to be hung up on nostalgia, in my mind the 50s & 60s are over and done. My service in the Army and Vietnam are turning into ancient history. My life means "something" in the present, and my' involvement in our fitness business is a big part of that.
Still, I find my soul adrift and seeking more...

Ditto. Wife and I have been super active all our life. Building and racing cars, re-modeling every house we've had. Raising a family, fur baby rescues, motorcycling, Building a house from the ground up. converting a Greyhound bus, boondocking, wrenching anything and everything mechanical. The list goes on and on. Recently though we are suffering from burnout. Seems like we're stuck in some kind of rut. It's like there are no more mountains to climb. Can't blame covid because we have never been locked down and only moderately inconvenienced by it.
I'd like to turn my Vietnam experience into ancient history, but the "black snake" won't let me be.

 

[Aunt Bea]

I took an active interest in solving my problems when I was young, short of funds, and still had hope for a bright future.

These days all I do is write checks or pull out the plastic and it's done and dusted.

 

[Geezerette]

Nathan have you thought about donating your skills or passing them on to interested younger folks? Here and in many places there are volunteer groups that help Sr Citizens with home repairs, fairly simple car problems, helping improve handicapped access for veterans and others with disabilities. If you belong to any organizations, sometimes they and other community groups would love to have competent repairs done with maybe just paying for the parts..
A lot of high schools have “vocational” classes that might benefit from having a volunteer with real-world experience. Community centers and Sr centers often like to offer DYI classes but have no one to teach them.
Can be a great feeling to share knowledge.

 

[fuzzybuddy]

Nathan, I kind of agree with you. I admit that I'm no where near the type of DIYer as you, in the skill dept. I used to want to do everything myself, and save a buck, too. Today, I have no problem writing a check. Like you, it's no fun any more-it's work. Plus stuff isn't as simple as it was 50 years ago. My old furnace had a pilot light, and a thermostat. The guy, who just fixed my furnace had a diagnostic computer.. Today, it's never just a loose screw, it's a computer scan, and replacing , not a mere part, but a complex "module".