First of all, no this isnt millenial bashing. This isnt bashing any generation. However, I was taught something at a reasonably young age… self reliance. There is only one person who is responsible for who you are… and thats you.

Im not gonna give people shit about $17 Smashed Avo’s on toast with a single origin short black as a breakfast staple. Nor am I gonna give you shit because your essentially a metrosexual lumberjack with literally no life skills outside self importance and the belief that the gig economy is the answer to your laziness.

If you aspire to be an “Social Media Influencer”, or think that you’re just one viral video away from Kardashian levels of fame… hate to tell you the bad news… You’re not! You will need to start at the bottom and work your way up. You wont get summers off to follow your bliss and most importantly… no one cares about your feelings. You want a safe space.. build a pillow fort. Soon as you step out into the big bad world… you’re just another person, going about their business.

So… what does this have to do with anything?

Basic life skills… how to cook, how to clean, how to be self reliant.

Sure we live in this hyper connected world where anything you want to know is just a Google search away, and you can just pay someone to do the shit jobs, but lets face it.. there are some problems that cant be fixed by outsourcing.

I figure there are some basic skills that every one should have (and no I am not discriminating on the basis of gender here)… there are no boy skills and girl skills… just life skills.

1. Changing a Tyre

So you find yourself having just blown a tyre. Sure you could call the Roadside Assist, but they could be hours away. You could call for a parent, but you think they’re gonna ever let you live it down?

Its not hard.. it just takes time.

2. Basic Cooking

No one is expecting you to be a chef, but believe me, if you dont want to starve, its a good idea to learn how to cook. Eating out gets expensive when you’re the one paying for it. With a little forward planning and imagination… get a piece of fish (salmon maybe), whatever spices you can find (Garlic Salt, Lemon, whatever)… wrap it in Alfoil (metal foil) and stick it in the oven on 200 degrees for about 40 minutes. Get a pre-packaged salad from the shops… and voila… you have yourself a somewhat healthy dinner with fuck all prep time and mostly sitting around waiting for it to cook…

3. Driving with a trailer

Remember how your Dad was some trailer backing wizard… you could be too. Driving with a trailer isnt hard. It isnt scary and it just takes practice. Just remember, your car is twice as long now and when you’re reversing, use your mirrors, whichever mirror has too much trailer showing, thats the way you turn the wheel. It takes time, it takes practice and it takes concentration.

4. Driving a manual transmission

Sure just about every car these days is an Auto, but you know what… you dont want to be stuck not knowing how to drive a manual if you need to. Get a couple of lessons. Get some practice… its a skill once practiced becomes second nature.

So yeah… basic life skills, or how to be a functional human being!