SideQuest 02: The Magic of Trim, Toilet Levers & Why We DIY

Welcome back to the Sidequest! In these bonus episodes, we step away from the classroom curriculum to share stories from the field, chat about what drives us, and get to know the How to Handyma’am crew a little better.In this episode, Samantha, Arly, and Emily dive into the "why" behind home repair. We talk about breaking the cycle of "inherited male skills" and the power of choice—like knowing how to swap a $5 wax ring on your toilet so you can save your budget for the things you actually want to pay for (like a house cleaner!).Plus, we reveal our personal favorite projects. Arly geeks out on the satisfying magic of trim carpentry—specifically that moment when caulk and paint make all the imperfections disappear. Meanwhile, Emily shares the success of her first full design project and drops a massive design secret: it’s all about the toilet lever.Tune in for a dose of motivation to tackle that one nagging task in your house, and learn why "making it beautiful" is just as important as making it work.In this Sidequest, we cover:The "Nagging Task" Rule: How to pick your first project to get that dopamine hit.The Power of Choice: Why DIY isn't just about saving money; it's about not getting taken advantage of.Arly’s Trim Obsession: Why painting, caulking, and wood filler are the ultimate magic tricks for a professional finish.Emily’s Design Sense: How to "see things that don't exist" and the tiny details (like matching hardware) that elevate a room.Links & Resources Mentioned​Community: Join the⁠⁠⁠ How to Handyma’am Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠ to ask questions and post your project pics!Blog Post: https://www.myhandymaam.com/handymaam-blog/sidequest-02-the-magic-of-trim-toilet-levers-amp-why-we-diyProducts We Love: Find the tools mentioned in this episode at our storefront:​⁠⁠⁠Shop the Handyma'am Favorites on Lowe's⁠⁠⁠Connect with Us!​Web:⁠⁠⁠ myhandymaam.com⁠⁠⁠​Socials:⁠⁠⁠ @howtohandymaam⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/howtohandymaam⁠⁠⁠Credits Host -Samantha Pearl​Host- Arly Streed ​Host - Emily Pearl Reist ​Music- Thomas Streed