During my teenage years, the only place where I felt a true sense of belonging was in shop class. Yes, you read that correctly—shop class, often viewed as a haven for misfits and those deemed to have no future. This was where we learned practical life skills with tools that could one day help us secure jobs in trades. However, I never shared the stigma associated with this class; to me, shop class represented a tangible source of joy amidst the abstract lessons of mathematics, history, and language.
With a piece of lumber, a saw, and some power tools, my worries and insecurities faded away. It was just me and the materials: cut here, drill there, apply some wood glue, and from seemingly nothing, something substantial would emerge—a simple box, a bird feeder, or a shelf for my collection of glass animals. The satisfaction of crafting these items with my own hands was unmatched.
Fast forward 35 years, and I found myself in a challenging place—newly separated from my husband, moving my kids from a spacious family home into a smaller rental that desperately needed shelves, pegboards for coats, and updated shower heads. Surprisingly, these tasks didn’t intimidate me; they excited me, thanks to the skills I had gained in shop class.
In our previous home, the closets lacked hanging bars and shelves, so I decided to take matters into my own hands. After researching various closet companies that were unfortunately out of our budget, I measured the spaces, ordered the necessary materials, and enlisted the help of a 26-year-old neighbor to assist with the heavy lifting. On my own, I transformed the kitchen and made significant renovations, all stemming from that one seventh-grade shop class experience.
It’s unfortunate that shop classes are disappearing from education, as every child should learn how to perform basic repairs, hang shelves, and use essential tools. I recently came across an Indiegogo campaign for the “Coolbox”—a futuristic toolbox equipped with Bluetooth speakers and a whiteboard, which made me realize how much I still love working with my hands.
During the five years I lived in that renovated home, the shelves I built remained steadfast, even as my marriage fell apart. Each morning, taking out my clothes or cereal bowls gave me a secret sense of pride—I crafted these! I thought. If I could create shelves in this home, I could certainly rebuild my life from the ground up in a new space.
Just recently, I purchased wood for an art project involving mixed media flowers on plywood—an avenue of healing for me. By mistake, I had the lumber yard cut the plywood into 2’ x 4’ slabs instead of the 2’ x 3’ I needed. However, armed with a saw, measuring tape, and pencil, I was undeterred. Channeling my shop class days, I carefully assessed what needed to be trimmed, marked a straight line, and set to work cutting it down.
As I reflect on these experiences, it becomes clear that the lessons learned in shop class extend far beyond woodworking. They are about resilience, creativity, and the understanding that with the right tools and mindset, we can build not only physical objects but also our lives anew. For anyone interested in exploring home insemination, you can find helpful information and resources on related topics at Make a Mom, Intracervical Insemination, and Women’s Health.
Summary
This article reflects on the importance of practical skills learned in shop class, emphasizing how they contribute to resilience and creativity in life. The author shares personal experiences of crafting furniture and navigating challenges after a separation, illustrating the profound impact of hands-on learning.