Is it really that big a deal though? Sure, it was nice when everyone helped out, but half the time it just meant more people getting in the way. Now you can actually learn to fix it right the first time with a video instead of just guessing together. That old workbench is a cool memory, but maybe the real problem is just being lonely, not the way we learn stuff.
Remember when my buddy tried to fix his sink with a video? He got it done, but said it felt empty without his dad there to argue with about which wrench to use first. The right part got replaced, but the wrong memory got made.