How to Hang Something Heavy Without Asking Anyone for Help

you've been moving that mirror from room to room for three weeks because you can't decide where it goes. you've decided. it goes there. on that wall. today. here's what you need to know.

1. Find the stud first. Always.. knock along the wall with your knuckle until the sound changes from hollow to solid. that's the stud. that's your best friend right now. a stud finder works too but honestly your knuckle is free and already attached to you.
2. If there's no stud where you need it, use the right anchor.. not all wall anchors are the same. the little plastic ones that come in the box with the thing you bought are usually garbage. get a toggle bolt or a threaded drywall anchor rated for more weight than whatever you're hanging. double it. trust nothing.
3. Use a level.. i know you think you can eyeball it. you cannot. nobody can. use the level. spend the extra forty seconds. you will stare at that thing every single day and you will know.
4. Pre-drill the hole.. don't force the screw straight into drywall. pre-drill a pilot hole slightly smaller than your screw. it goes in cleaner. it holds better. the wall respects it more.
5. Hang it. Step back. Don't touch it.. hang the thing. step back. look at it for ten seconds before you decide it's crooked. it is probably not crooked. you are just not used to it being there yet.
6. The victory moment.. it's up. it's level. nothing fell. you did not ask anyone for help and you didn't need to. that's the whole thing.