The social isolation resulting from Covid-19 rescued and popularized an already old technique. Known by the English acronym DIY ("do it yourself"), the "do it yourself" has gained strength and has become the new consumer motto at this time of pandemic.
By staying at home longer due to quarantine, people change their priorities looking for creative and useful alternatives to spend their free time. From fresh homemade bread to home repairs, learn more about this trend and how it profoundly changes our consumption habits.
What is DIY?
The term “do it yourself” has been used, at least, since the 1950s, after the Second World War. Quite literally, the phrase came to be used as a reference to a consumer trend based on the old motto: if you want something done right, do it yourself.
Currently DIY is recognized with a very wide meaning. From homemade confections and crafts to low-cost musical productions, this technique found in various sectors of society is a good way to reduce expenses and learn a new activity.
Plus, doing something you would previously pay someone else to do can be a fun and creative way to reframe everyday objects. For example, did you know that it is possible to create a garden watering can using just a hose and a PET bottle? Just drill a few holes in the bottle and place it next to the hose with an irrigation gun!
bakery at home
Out of distraction or out of necessity, people have been getting more hands-on in this pandemic period. Literally. According to a survey by the company NPD-Group, in March – the beginning of the quarantine in many western countries – there was an increase in sales of small appliances, such as pasta and bread machines.
Bread preparation has also become more frequent during quarantine. The success is so great that, according to Google Trends, the search for homemade bread recipes had a peak in popularity among Spanish people in May. Also, according to Nielsen, yeast purchases have skyrocketed in the US, up 650% compared to 2019.
Carpentry and home repairs
With more free time ahead, people in social isolation are also looking to do carpentry work themselves. Using the right tools, you can create chairs, tables, benches, beds and bookcases yourself for a cheaper price than you can find on the market.
The do-it-yourself mentality also gains traction in carrying out home repairs. Whether to unclog a sink or restore furniture, people have been looking for viable alternatives to perform these tasks themselves.
A quick YouTube search reveals a plethora of tips and tutorials that you can follow and do at home yourself! For example, did you know that you can use toothpaste to cover small holes in the wall, or use an iron to give a revitalized look to the varnish of a worn-out piece of furniture?
And the tips don't stop there! Unclogging a toilet using a metal hanger, changing a shower heater and installing wallpaper have been some of the tasks quarantined people have been looking to do on their own.
Esthetic
With the closing and restriction of beauty salons at the first moment of the pandemic, some of the most sought after DIY tutorials were aimed at aesthetic treatment. According to Google Trends, there was a jump of approximately 75% in searches for the term “haircut at home” compared to 2019.
It is possible that, with this new reality, the aesthetics market will undergo major changes in a post-pandemic world. It is stipulated that, after the end of confinement, people will start looking for faster, painless treatments with more natural results, prioritizing small touches over surgeries.
New consumption habits
Although it is not solely and exclusively a consequence of the new coronavirus pandemic, DIY has been rescued and democratized in our society throughout this period of quarantine and social isolation. Due to the restriction imposed on business hours and services provided, people seek more independence, learning new techniques.
This culture is also a good way to save. With the reduction of working hours, many people had their salaries also reduced. So, using your free time to learn a technique and perform an activity that you would previously pay to do can be a smart way to avoid unnecessary expenses.
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Plus, by learning a new technique, whatever it is, you can monetize it later, turning DIY into a profitable business. Discovered a new bread recipe? How about selling it in your condo? Did you build a piece of furniture following the techniques you learned in woodworking tutorials? Have you ever thought about starting to advertise your creations on the internet?
As mentioned above, the do-it-yourself culture is not only a creative way to save money, but also an opportunity for you to learn new techniques, customize your house or apartment in your own way and even earn extra income!
