10 Essential Life Skills Every Woman Should Master

An independent woman chooses which cities to explore, where to rent an apartment, and how her interior should look. Life seems simple when there’s a man by your side ready to help, a smartphone at your fingertips, and a kitchen appliance to make chores easier. However, true independence is about relying on yourself in any circumstance. We’ve compiled a list of essential skills for self-sufficient living and tips on how to master them quickly.

1. Painting a Room

If you’re a fan of the loft style, painting walls will be a breeze. However, for a more refined and elegant finish, you might need to call in painters or even an interior designer.

Tip: I believe that excellent tutorials can be found on any hardware store’s website. They might not be the most engaging, but they provide clear instructions, explain the specifics of the process, and share secrets for working with each type of paint.

2. Car Maintenance

Ensure your car has a long life. Who said maintenance is only for men? You can monitor your vehicle’s condition, change parts on time, and check oil and coolant levels.

Tip: If your car breaks down during a trip, try not to panic. Move the vehicle off the road and use emergency signs like reflective triangles. Assess the situation and try to identify the problem—whether it’s a flat tire, transmission issues, or blown fuses and lamps. Remember, even serious problems can often be temporarily fixed on the spot to get you to a service station.

3. Time Management

Even if there were 25 hours in a day, we’d still feel like we need more time. The issue isn’t that modern women are too busy; it’s about properly distributing tasks and knowing how to relax.

Tip: Write down all your tasks by importance and set priorities. Structure your tasks: identify those that can be done anywhere. I read useful literature on my way to work, and while waiting in line, I memorize texts or unfamiliar words from my favorite songs. Any waiting time can be used productively.

4. Grilling

Men have monopolized grilling! I’m not disputing that they’re experts, but is there really some magical element in this dish that only an experienced man can recognize?

Tip: Find a classic grilling recipe in family archives or online. Prepare the perfect marinade (that magical element), and learn which parts require special cooking conditions. Don’t overlook vegetarian recipes. Grilling opened up a new world to me after I watched a series of videos on “Elementary Cooking with Gordon Ramsay.” I never thought of grilling anything other than meat before that.

5. Making the Perfect Bed

Putting a duvet cover on a comforter makes me want to scream. The corners disappear, the comforter waves around, and it just won’t fit into the cover. By the end of this short drama, I’m exhausted.

Mom always said that a beautifully made bed is the calling card of any hostess. And it’s much nicer to sleep in an aesthetically pleasing environment.

Tip: Watch this tutorial, and following its instructions, you’ll be able to make a bed worthy of the Hilton every day. Don’t forget your favorite pajamas!

6. Gardening

You don’t need a garden like the ones in juice commercials to enjoy gardening. You can start with items from IKEA and a couple of hardy plants that will thrive in your apartment.

Tip: Plant tomatoes or carrots. Place a small box of soil on your windowsill and sow herbs that you can use for cooking. Utilize not only horizontal surfaces but also vertical ones like lattice frames where you can hang pots.

7. Unclogging a Drain

You don’t need to call a plumber every time there’s a problem with the pipes. You can often clear a drain clog without chemicals.

Tip: Try pouring a bucket of hot water (not boiling!) with half a box of baking soda dissolved in it down the toilet. Wait a couple of minutes, then try to clear the clog with a plunger or simply flush it with water. If that doesn’t work, you can try using a special drain snake available at any hardware store.

8. Cleaning

The problem with cleaning is that no matter how much you keep up with it, there’s always more to do. Spend a couple of nights away from home, and the chores you’ve put off start piling up and making your life difficult.

Tip: I recommend adopting the Kaizen system: Sort, Systematize, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain. The principle is based on softening unpleasant actions and your brain’s reaction to them. It takes some effort to train yourself to follow the plan instead of just grabbing the vacuum cleaner right before guests arrive, but this method will help you approach cleaning with a positive attitude.

9. Clothing Repair

A lost button or a hole in your favorite dress shouldn’t ruin your day. Keep an emergency sewing kit on hand, and emergencies won’t be so daunting.

Tip: It should include threads, needles, thimbles, and pins of various sizes. My kit also has a few special adhesive tapes that help align fabric pieces. Old, worn-out jeans can be revived by decorating them with permanent markers, and a favorite faded t-shirt can be refreshed by dipping it in a basin of diluted fabric dye.

10. Budgeting

Tracking income and expenses is one of the most valuable lessons we’re never taught in school.

Tip: Divide your income into specific categories to avoid overspending and falling into debt. Track your balance using tables, online programs, or apps. I’ve tried apps like EasyFinance and Monefy.

Never be afraid to learn something new, even if it means diving headfirst into dirty work. By mastering these skills, you become a more confident and independent woman, capable of handling any challenging situation.

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