Skills Are the Only Currency I Trust
When I moved to Alberta at 19, I had zero practical skills 😂
I couldn’t change a tire.
Didn’t know what half the tools were for.
Couldn’t tell a crescent wrench from a pipe wrench.
To be fair, I didn’t really grow up being taught a whole lot of anything useful.
I wasn’t lazy or incapable I just wasn’t shown.
Growing up, my “helping” looked like:
• holding the flashlight
• reading part numbers to someone without glasses
• standing nearby being told “no, not like that”
None of which I enjoyed 😆
What I did leave New Brunswick with was a strong work ethic and a willingness to try.
And honestly, I think that’s what’s gotten me this far.
Along the way, good people in Alberta were willing to show me
to answer questions, teach me, correct me, and let me learn.
I met people who didn’t gatekeep skills.
They just passed them on.
Look at me now:
I can weld.
I run a welding shop.
And I have zero fear of trying new things.
I realized young that skills are the currency I value most.
They can’t be taken from you.
They travel anywhere.
And they compound.
And now?
I’m jumping in head first into quilting.
No one handed it to me
but enough people were willing to show me the way that I learned how to figure things out for myself.
Which somehow led me to buying my first sewing machine 🤣
Skills aren’t always inherited.
Sometimes they’re shared and then reclaimed.
Pic of the vintage machine I snagged and a starting panel of my quilt! 🤠
Skills truly are an invaluable currency because they represent capability, independence, and the ability to adapt to new challenges throughout life. Practical skills, such as welding or quilting, not only offer tangible benefits but also boost confidence and creativity. Many people grow up without receiving hands-on training, much like the author’s experience. However, the process of learning these skills often involves a supportive community where knowledge is shared openly without gatekeeping. This sharing is essential to breaking down barriers and encouraging more people to develop valuable competencies that can serve them in many areas. The image showing a "PRECISION MANUFACTURED SEWING MACHINE DELUXE" and the phrase "noell COWBOY BY CHOICE" highlights the blend of tradition and personal identity in embracing new skills. Vintage machines like these symbolize craftsmanship and a connection to the past, while the "cowboy by choice" sentiment reflects the independence and self-reliance gained through learning. Moreover, skills compound over time. When you learn to paint a wall, weld a pipe, or sew a quilt panel, each new ability builds on previous knowledge, opening doors to more complex projects and opportunities. This compounding effect means investing in yourself through skill acquisition is one of the wisest long-term strategies anyone can take. Starting from not knowing a crescent wrench from a pipe wrench to running a welding shop shows how perseverance and the willingness to step outside your comfort zone can lead to remarkable personal transformation. It’s about embracing the journey, learning from mistakes, and being open to guidance. Quilting, a traditionally communal craft, also reflects how skills can be reclaimed and reinvented for modern life. Whether it’s stitching together pieces of fabric or pieces of a life story, the act connects generations and enriches personal expression. In today’s world, where change is constant, holding skills as your 'currency' ensures you remain adaptable and valuable. It is a form of empowerment that no economic downturn, relocation, or unexpected circumstance can easily diminish. Skills travel with you, grow with you, and become an enduring asset. If you’re contemplating picking up a new hobby or skill, consider the long-term benefits: self-reliance, creativity, and the joy of making something with your own hands. Skills are not just about doing; they’re about becoming. And that makes them truly priceless.
