I still remember not knowing how often you were supposed to wash your gym clothes, and genuinely believing I was the only kid in the building who didn't know. That gap, and a dozen others like it, is what kicks off this new series.

The Gym Clothes Problem

Some gaps in knowledge aren't about intelligence or effort. They're about information nobody ever handed you, and they tend to surface at the worst possible moment in front of the worst possible audience.

More Gaps Than You'd Expect

From restaurant menus to hotel etiquette to Roth IRAs and 401ks, these blank spots show up in places you wouldn't necessarily connect to childhood. They're mundane enough that most people absorb them without ever noticing they learned them.

Why These Gaps Happen

A household can look completely normal from the outside, bills paid, kids on the bus on time, while the adults inside are too consumed with their own problems to teach the basics. That was true in my own house growing up.

Closing a Gap in Real Time

During the pandemic, I taught myself how to clean a tankless water heater from a YouTube video, one paused step at a time, vinegar all over my basement. It's proof that closing these gaps doesn't require anyone watching or grading you.

Thee Question Worth Asking

Instead of asking what's wrong with me for not knowing something, the better question is what am I beginning right now. There's no finish line where everyone else already knows everything and you're behind on all of it.

This is the first episode in a short series about the gaps we grew up with, not to blame anyone, but to name what we're missing and start closing it, one small step at a time.

You can find everything I do at jillfromthenorthwoods.com, and you can reach me directly at [email protected].

Jill’s Links

https://jillfromthenorthwoods.com/ - Find my podcasts, videos, downloads and ways to contact me

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/smallstepspod

https://x.com/NorthWoodsJill

https://www.youtube.com/@startwithsmallsteps

Email the podcast at [email protected]

By choosing to watch this video or listen to this podcast, you acknowledge that you are doing so of your own free will. The content shared here reflects personal experiences and opinions and is intended for informational and inspirational purposes only. I am not a licensed therapist, life coach, or mental health professional. Any habits, strategies, or suggestions offered should not be considered a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or counseling advice. Results vary — small steps look different for everyone. You are solely responsible for any decisions or actions you take based on this content.