From Self-Doubt to Success: Finding Confidence Through a Bucket Handle Build

There is a satisfying sense of achievement when you overcome hesitation and embark on a DIY project you haven’t tried before, and it actually ends up working out! Even if it’s just something simple like attaching a cord to a bucket to make a handle. It does require, of course, a sturdy enough rope and figuring out the right knot that can handle up to 20kg. It’s also a deeply personal matter. The collision of self-doubt, self-esteem, the lack of belief that “I can do it!”, and finally overcoming these challenges of the comfort-seeking mind to go through the journey, reach the end destination, and feel happy about yourself: I made it! It is an experience I kindheartedly wish for you too. It is a journey of self-discovery and growth in its own nuanced ways and mysteries.

I set out on this DIY adventure, and first came the buckets. These were gifted to DITO’S GARDEN by Bees with Stories. These 20L buckets initially contained honey and were made in Madagascar. It even says so right under the bucket. It feels special to have a bucket from Madagascar in hand. When I sent out a message on social media that I was looking for used 20L buckets, Madvee from Bees with Stories answered our call. We use these buckets to fill with vermicompost and biochar, and we work with them in our composting processes.

By the way, we also use Mokarana Honey from Bees with Stories in our JUN Kombucha at DITO’S KOMBUCHA.

After receiving the buckets, I quickly noticed that they didn’t come with handles. I checked on AliExpress, and the price for 10 handles with shipping was close to the price of a few brand-new buckets, so that wouldn’t be worth it nor work out. I started to look for a solution in my mind. Then, I discussed my ideas with AI. My first idea was to attach zip ties through the holes and then run cords through the zip ties. However, the zip ties wouldn’t hold for long, and it didn’t really make sense to go that route. AI suggested some knots and ways of attaching the cord. Even with sketches, I didn’t really grasp the suggestions on how to get it done. I then looked up tutorials on YouTube to see if there were some really easy videos on how to use a cord to make a handle, but I couldn’t find any. There were only complicated tutorials that were nice to watch. I gave that a break.

In the evenings when I was tired from work, I would relax and put together a playlist for “Knots.” I started looking at videos on how to make certain types of knots and saved them. I would have my naps on the sofa while visualising for solutions in my mind. I finally settled on the Fisherman’s knot, or a version of it, as there seem to be a few variations. It took me only one try to grasp it! Here comes also the self doubt part, I didn’t think it was going to be …this intuitively easy!

And then I tried it on a bucket. I tested it with a full bucket of water (close to 20kg) to see if it would hold, and it worked perfectly. While other videos suggested melting the ends of the rope and using a piece of hose or PVC pipe to make a grip to go along the rope, I took that idea and applied it to my setup. Finally, a very old hose (probably older than 30 years) that had been put aside found a new use case! And some rope that was also put aside and not in use found a utility with the buckets too.

Having a few tools like a pipe cutter was very handy, and my mum’s suggestion to use a candle to melt and seal the ends of the ropes was also incredibly practical. I didn’t think of that, I saw on youtube people using gas cans with strong flames. I was close to believe that I would need that too haha! The candle is way more safer too!

What I also came to notice is that the experience you gain from other DIY builds, tinkering, and fixing things really adds up. It gives your brain plasticity, and you start to see things and solutions to problems (or opportunities) differently.

The rope with the hose part is way more comfortable to lift the bucket with than the metal handles they usually come with. And there is a satisfying, rewarding pleasure from embarking on such a project and completing it. It definitely adds points to the happiness account 🙂

I’ve made a short video where I showcase the Fisherman’s knot that I use, and as an illustration example, I attach it to a carabiner. The video also shows what the end result looks like on the bucket: the rope plus the knots plus the hose. I lift a full bucket of vermicompost a few times to show that it holds up. In the video, I do not show how I attached it to the bucket. It’s basically the same method as with the carabiner, which you just replicate twice at the left and right holes of the bucket. You’ll have to see which rope length you want to go for and adapt accordingly. I used a coiled 3-strand nylon rope at around 5mm. After I was done with the knots, I cut the excess part of the ropes and sealed the ends with a candle so that the strands wouldn’t break apart.

Making these knots was also a way to reconnect with my childhood memories when I had a magic box with ropes and tutorials on how to make all sorts of fancy knots that can come loose on their own. Just like a magician doing a presentation! I didn’t manage to make most of those knots by looking at the illustrations in the booklet that came with the ropes, and I found it frustrating. Back then, there was no internet to ask. Now that we have YouTube, it’s so practical to review knot-making videos over and over again, and in slow motion if need be. Do you still remember when someone showed you how to tie your shoelaces when you were small?

Enjoy the video and the photos! This build was fun, and so is making knots!

Ropes and knot pass the 20 Kg lift test.

Labeling the buckets.

Packing the Nutrient Boost Fresh from the harvest! In this step, we are filling up the buckets with our rich DITO’S Vermicompost. Once packed, these buckets are ready to go straight to your garden to do their magic.

Premium Vermicompost for Healthy Growth This rich vermicompost is the ideal choice for medium-term fertilization in your garden. It works wonderfully as a nutrient-dense dressing for both soil and roots, and it is absolutely perfect for getting your seedling trays off to a strong, healthy start.

The Base for Charged Biochar This raw charcoal is the perfect starting point for long-term, root-level fertilization across all types of plants. Right now, the bucket pictured is filled 3/4 of the way with charcoal. Next, we will top it off with 1/4 vermicompost. From there, it is ready to be inoculated directly in your garden to create powerful, nutrient-rich charged biochar!