Handiwork
I have my first conclusion from reading Shop Class as Soulcraft: I’m going to spend more time working with my hands.
I’d been feeling uneasy about this. I make enough money now that I can easily pay other people to do things like tune up my bike or install a faucet. And because free time always feels scarce as a parent of two kids, I should pay people to do that stuff, right?
The book helped me justify investing my time in handiwork, particularly when it involves skill building, learning how something works, solving a mechanical puzzle, etc. As a happy consequence, I properly indexed my bike’s rear derailleur for the first time. I’ve long considered that a milestone in bike repair skills, and now I’ve reached it. It felt great!