Home economics and auto shop evoke imagery of another era.
Yet the abilities taught in those classrooms remain incredibly useful today.
In decades past, people often picked up skills like cooking, balancing a checkbook and fixing a flat from school courses or from family members.
Those kinds of courses are less commonly part of modern school programs, and many parents are stretched thin working multiple jobs just to keep food on the table.
For numerous households, there simply isn’t spare time to show kids how to select ripe produce or file their taxes.
How “adulting” classes can make a difference
None of us are born knowing how to hunt for bargains or manage finances any more than we’re born knowing how to tie shoelaces or use utensils.
Yet those are essential everyday competencies.
It’s no wonder that “adulting” workshops are appearing across the nation. They aim to close knowledge gaps and equip adults with the confidence to handle basic self-care tasks.
“When you see a group of people all feeling like they’re alone and wrestling with the same issues, you think, let’s bring them together so they can learn these things and not feel isolated or embarrassed,” Rachel Weinstein, co-founder of Adulting School in Maine, told NPR.
Weinstein’s programs start at $19.99 for a monthly subscription that grants access to multiple subjects.
Single-session workshops around the country can cost anywhere from $35 to no charge.
Build your own adulting curriculum
If paid adulting courses aren’t feasible or available nearby, you can assemble a DIY program to teach yourself the essentials.
Below are 10 practical life skills you can learn independently, largely thanks to online resources.
1. How to dig a hole
Mastering this hands-on skill can also alter how you relate to others.
2. How to change a tire
Practice this task a few times before you ever need it on the roadside.
3. How to protect yourself
Web-based classes offer an overview for self-defense, but contact your local police or community center to find in-person instruction where you can rehearse techniques in realistic settings.
4. How to cook
If you’re new to cooking, you don’t need gourmet ingredients or elaborate sautéing skills. Concentrate on fundamentals like making rice, roasting a chicken or chopping veggies safely.
5. How to make your bed
A neatly made bed pulls a bedroom together and makes a space feel orderly even if dust bunnies lurk beneath. A tidy bed has been shown to help improve sleep quality.
6. How to ace an interview
It’s natural to be nervous; the key is being prepared for your interview. And avoid making any obvious blunders.
7. How to tell when you need a doctor
There’s no reason to pay a high co-pay for every minor sniffle. But sometimes you genuinely need medical attention.
8. How to do laundry
You don’t have to own costly garments to look and feel put-together. Proper garment care matters, and doing laundry well involves more than dumping everything into the washer.
9. How to organize important documents
As we move toward a more paper-free future, many essential records will become digital. Until then, it’s crucial to create a system that stores items like medical files, tax forms and personal papers securely so they’re accessible when required.
10. How to make a budget
Arguably one of the most vital life skills is budgeting. Regardless of how much you earn, learning to manage your money effectively lays the groundwork for reaching other aims. So don’t delay.
Your turn: What’s the most useful life skill you’ve picked up?
Alex Rivera is a staff writer at Savinly. His signature life skill is laundry — he folds fitted sheets like a pro.
