Low points: and how to get out of them

[LSB]

Just found this and it really struck the situation.  At the moment we are laying about 2 blocks per day mainly due to the wet, but also health and apathy.

 

Somehow things never seem to move on as they should.

 

I'm part of the Suffolk meet up and that's good to have, another one being planned.

 

Sometimes I forget to connect to BH as I spend lots of time on the puter working and so don't want to spend more.

 

But, thanks to everyone who has helped us, particularly when we make another mistake and how to solve it.

 

I'm considering the GP route at the moment, but getting an appointment is like searching for cold and I can't bring myself to tell the 'care navigators' what my issue is.  That's why I want a doctors appt.

 

We went to Diss yesterday to TWgaze auction to view and it wasn't quite pitch black when we got back at 5pm so it is getting lighter.

Not that this makes us work any longer when it's cold and wet.

 

I would love to go away somewhere hot for a break, but trouble with building is that it takes all the money.

 

Take care everyone and ask for help if you need it.

[jack]

11 hours ago, Gus Potter said:

Looking ahead for the future of Build Hub.

 

Personally I would not want it to go the way the farming forum, paid advertising and so on. But for this to happen I think (I'm not party to the finances, the funding model) that BH may need to elicit more small donations and get new blood in? I just don't know.

 

Mods.. how do you see the way forward?

 

Thewre was a bit of a flag to me the other day when you announced to had dropped down the rankings. Please tell me this has nothing to do with you postioning yourselves to selling BH and making a killing on the data base. I have mentioned this before.. but if you do this then don't expect you will make a killing as your data base is not worth that much! Yes of course you have IP over what I have posted as an SE (under my own name) but.. that info has a shelf life!

 

We don't need more funds. When we run low, we ask for donations, and generally that gets us what we need to cover costs. All BH staff are unpaid volunteers and that won't change.

 

"New blood" isn't needed imo, but we don't have the advantage of lifelong endeavours like farming, gardening, or photography in terms of keeping members engaged over long periods of time. Many of our members join, hang around until their build is finished, then we never see them again (obviously for some *cough* @Pocster *cough that time could be measured in decades).

 

Over time, there'll occasionally be the need for a new mod or administrator, but we've handled that as needed. Most of the current staff have been here for many years and have no intention of going anywhere.  

 

I don't know why you think BH dropping down the rankings suggests we'd be trying to sell it. I can categorically state that there's not even the hint of a glint of an idea to sell. We have no income other than donations. I suppose someone could take over and try to monetise the site, but I don't think there's a lot of money in forums any more, plus any potential buyer would have to know that they'd lose a lot of the membership if they added advertising, sponsorship, or membership fees. I agree that the info in the site is of limited value, especially given it's publicly available to all.

[saveasteading]

re networking. it is a great way to share the burden.

I get the impression not many on BH are near me. I would describe our location as in the middle of the mass of Kent and Sussex.

 

Why do I use a pseudonym?

 

I don't want people wandering to our project(s) uninvited, and too many clues flags 'building site with stuff'.

It isn't for only me to decide, as the family is involved.

Pessimistically, what if I've done something to upset the authorities and some proof is on here.

If I give technical advice, the anonymity gives some protection against any repercussions, including simply getting hassled if someone disagrees or it doesn't go as planned.. and emphasises that there is a distance between me and them. eg someone showing my short advice on here to a BCO isn't going to go far.

Similarly nobody taking advice from here would be under the allusion that this was equivalent to proper, professional, paid for , advice.

 

 

[mike2016]

21 hours ago, ToughButterCup said:

Self-building is as big a character test as doing a PhD, or handling a long-term relationship break down, or surviving a major operation. A full-on build's knackering. 

 

This Winter has been a real struggle for me aswell. Moved in November and felt I've done little since. It's the little wins and even tidying up and moving stuff around, searching for that specific box of screws and keep chipping away. I've just finished the living room and will head over to my sisters to get my couch, kitchen table and chairs out of storage soon. Was hoping to put a push in this weekend but other family priorities have crept up. 

Vitamin D3 1000ug daily throughout the year (helps my immunity and fighting SAD), weekly Pilates and a bed to lie down on when I'm tired and watch a bit of YouTube/Netflix has helped but the hours can easily flow by and another day is over. Doing small things as others have said really helps. I've been trying to sell some tools but having mixed success but even 1 sold is money back in the pot. Also treat yourself to something you like doing not building related! I get a massage once in a while, haven't been out cycling or hiking since I started though but even a walk around the area can breath some fresh air into old heads and tired backs!! I'm lucky I usually work from home so I can sneak in some small jobs / planning during the day too when it's quiet. I've 10 years left though and the job scene is also a worry but what can you do?! 

I booked a holiday for two weeks in May, my first since I started building two years ago so there's a goal to aim for! 

Edited 1 hour ago by mike2016

[Nickfromwales]

6 minutes ago, saveasteading said:

Similarly nobody taking advice from here would be under the allusion that this was equivalent to proper, professional, paid for , advice.

I try to explain the difference, to folk who approach me (both here by PM or in “real life”) for ‘a bit of advice’.

 

I have to explain that me rambling on here has zero repercussion, because in reality nobody should listen to a word I have to say.

 

But, if someone asks me, specifically, to advise on their project, well that requires time, and time = £xxx

 

At that point I become liable or responsible for not overpromising or under delivering, so that’s now managed via my T&C’s (serves myself and the client very well if expectations are managed robustly, and then each party knows what’s been promised vs what’s getting delivered for what sum of money, payment plans agreed, and so on). 
 

It’s so much simpler when 2 adults can read the same document, perform an handover, and agree that’s all been done as expected and here’s your dosh.

 

BH has a massive wealth of information available for anyone to read and use, with their own caution needing to be in check, and due diligence performed, to avoid misadventure.

 

Reading a few bits on the internet is not robust enough to go spending your hard earned money on. It should be used to compile questions for your chosen contractor, or as a sounding board for your own informed decision making.

[Nickfromwales]

9 minutes ago, mike2016 said:

I've been trying to sell some tools but having mixed success

Are you aware of our marketplace?