Basic stuff you were taught to do but couldn’t do now…

[GwinGwyn]

I just moved house and bought a new lamp which didn’t have a plug, so I had to fit one myself. I had to look it up on YouTube as I couldn’t quite remember how to do it and didn’t fancy frying myself on my first night in my new place.

But it made me feel a bit regretful that I couldn’t remember how to do it, as my mum taught me when I was younger. A bit like changing a tyre, one condition of her paying for my driving lessons was that she taught me how to change a tyre… that said my car has locking wheel nuts that were last changed using a machine, so even if I could remember how to change a tyre (which again I would have to YouTube to remind myself) I physically don’t think I could undo something tightened by machine.

What other skills did you used to have but can’t recall anymore? (This is essentially a ‘please make me feel less bad for being a bit useless’ thread!)

Knitting

It's sewing for me. My granny worked for Jaeger and could make miniature, fully lined, couture clothing for dolls. My mum is pretty good. I can barely put in a zip, despite being taught well.

The things you didn't value at the time...

I can't change a tyre any more. The machines tighten the nuts so much I can't do it any more.

I did know how to wire a plug - it was actually taught at school but would have no idea now!

My parents didn't really teach me anything practical I learnt from YouTube videos mostly!

I used to be able to make good Yorkshire Puddings. Now I can only turn out things that have the consistency (and flavour) of damp flannel.

I blame the oven. It can't be me, surely?

Crocheting, I got about half way through making a poncho, got too busy with school and didn't finish it and now I can't remember how

Don't remember how to read music either, tried to learn again a few years ago but gave up after a while. Shame, would be nice to be able to play the keyboard sometimes (played piano until I was 13 or 14)

I could teach this! Can you sew?

Skimming stones

Never tried changing a car tyre. I can change an aeroplane tyre though Slightly different skill set though for that...

I’m loving the skill exchange! 😂

Quite a few things! In addition to wiring a plug and changing a wheel, I can no longer do these:

Quadratic equations
Trigonometry
Handstands
Write an essay
Write a story
Tennis
Pull myself up on a bar that's positioned above my head
Climb onto a 6ft wall
Press ups

So true! Yes actually knitting and sewing for me too. I remember my mum doing really pretty chain stitch initials on my PE kit… and taught me how to do it. I would struggle to do cross stitch on one of those pieces of fabric with the holes already punched in!

Fixing a bicycle puncture - it was a regular occurrence when I was young but I had to look up YouTube to fix my DC's bike. And now I've forgotten again 😫

I can't ride a bike anymore or crochet. Not sure if I can still play any of the instruments I played until I graduated. Can't remember how to wire a plug anymore either. I think this list could get longer and longer...

I thought about changing a plug when I saw the title!

I used to be conversationally fluent in 3 European languages (other than English). I don't think I could ask for directions in any of them now!

I was good enough on 4 different instruments to be paid for concerts etc. One I could barely get a note out of now, the others I could scrape by in getting through a fairly simple piece, but I don't think anyone who heard me would believe there were top-selling classical CDs with me playing on them (not as a soloist, admittedly).

I also used to be slim and fit and glamorous and now... well I occasionally attempt glamorous but I end up looking a bit like Ursula the Sea-Witch.

However, I'm now much happier and a lot wiser, so overall it's an improvement.

Crochet. I used to always have a hook and yarn with me for bored moments but I picked up the hook the other week and didn't have a clue what to do. Back to YouTube!

I could also read music but sadly I've forgotten how. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Great minds!

Yes languages is another one for me, I used to be almost fluent in German and French, but it’s mostly dribbled out of my ears now.

I have Grade 7 violin too - had forgotten about that - I couldn’t even bash out ‘Three Blind Mice’ these days.

But you make an excellent point - life wisdom cannot be underestimated, neither can feeling comfortable in your own skin (even though I definitely have more skin than I used to… hello middle age!)

Oh yes, reading music! Every Good Boy Deserves Fruit!

I’ve not responded to the posts on crochet because I couldn’t do it to begin with! A bit like French braids, never learned how to do that either, even though every girl in my primary school seemed to have been born with that skill baked into their actual DNA! Basic plaits? Yes, I can just about manage!

Languages, I swear if you go to the country, it comes back. Takes a few days but it does.

No! But I can knit - perhaps a skills exchange?

Tying a tie. Used to do it every day for school. Tried to show my son and couldn't do it.

Try doing it while talking about something else. Muscle memory is often better than actual physical memory. Well, mine is, these days. I can't remember my PIN if I have to write it down, but my fingers know it when I come to put the card in the machine.

Knitting, sewing, wiring a plug & reading music for me too!

I can knit @Vroomfondleswaistcoat

Crochet? Count to ten in Mongolian? Say the alphabet backwards? Mad skillz, me. Innit?

Reading and speaking French. I've forgotten it all.

I can't crochet. But I haven't forgotten how to, I never knew! I can count in Swahili though. Funny how I've retained the ability to do something I was taught once at about the age of four, but I can't turn out a decent Yorkshire, which I did almost weekly for most of my thirties!