5 Things to Let Go of Before the New Year Starts

The New Year is almost here, and as they say, “Out with the old, in with the new.” A lot of us are ready to move on from 2020, and are excited to embrace the positive things that 2021 will bring. However, you need to create space for all the good that is about to come, and one way to do this is by letting go of the things that you no longer need in your home. Where should you start? Should you take out your old curtains? Should you sell your chest freezer and buy an inverter refrigerator? If you already have one, should you trade in that inverter ref for a no-frost refrigerator, or side-by-side refrigerator? Should you begin throwing out old pots and pans? If you don’t know where to start, then here are the five things that you need to let go of before the New Year starts!

Old clothes and accessories

Take a good look at your closet. It’s time to face the truth: You’ll never be able to wear all of those clothes. However, if this doesn’t convince you, then here are the things that you should consider. If a piece of clothing has stains that won’t go away, holes that can’t be mended, or a smell that doesn’t wash off, then it’s time to throw it out. Never mind the emotional attachment that you have with it, it’s time to do a Marie Kondo and say “thank you for your service.” Also, check for clothes that you haven’t worn for at least a year. Sure, you may think that the right occasion will come for you to wear that top, or that you really will slim down enough next year to fit into those jeans. However, if you haven’t worn something for over a year, then chances are, you may never be able to wear it at all. You should also consider that trends change rapidly, and it would be better to part with these clothes so that you can upgrade your style. You may dispose of the ones that cannot be worn anymore or bring them to recycling companies (some shops even accept textile in exchange for discount coupons), otherwise, it’s always a good idea to donate old clothes. Trust us, you’ll always want to have extra space in your closet.

Expired food and medicine

Check your medicine cabinet, fridge, and pantry. Check all medicine if they are past or near their expiration dates. Throw out expired ones, and also throw out those that will expire in about a month. Refill your medicine stock. If there is still some food left at the back of the fridge, throw them out if they are over four days old. Check your pantry and see if you have some extra canned food after the holiday festivities, you can consider donating them to charity. Also, see if there are items that are expired so can throw them out instead. While you’re checking your pantry, also see if you’re still hanging on to some mismatched food containers, or takeaway containers with missing lids. Throw out all that doesn’t function anymore, and donate the extras that are still in good shape. Oh, and before you go, just quickly look at your mugs. Throw away all the ones that are chipped or broken. You don’t have a reason to have too many of them.

Old pillows and mattresses

Pillows need to be replaced after a year or two. They may become dilapidated, the contents may begin to spill, or stains and odors may become difficult to take out. Mattresses, on the other hand, last only from 7 to 10 years. They may lose their shape and support, springs may become broken, and the inside may get lumpy. It’s easy enough to spot when pillows need to be replaced. Just take out the pillowcase and take a good, hard look at the pillow itself. If it looks like it’s already in bad shape, then time to chuck it out and get a new one. However, a lot of people are more reluctant to throw out old mattresses. This is probably because mattresses are more expensive, and are also harder to move around, which makes them more difficult to replace. However, here are the surefire ways to tell if a mattress needs to be replaced, and why you should do so immediately. If there is sagging, then that means that you may wake up with aches and pains. If there are lumps, then you won’t get a good night’s sleep. If there is some Hammocking (an area wherein sagging in one part is more pronounced, due to two people with different weights sleeping on the bed), then movements will feel magnified. If you can feel coils through the mattress, then you will not be able to sleep. If there are noisy springs, then the sounds will disturb you. However, mattresses sometimes also need to be changed due to lifestyle changes, such as moving in with a partner or having a large pet sleep on the bed, which means that it’s time to get a mattress that will support the additional weight.

Curtains, tablecloths, and ornaments

Take a good look at your curtains and tablecloths. If you see some that have stains that never seem to go away, then better get rid of them. Also check if you still have decoration pieces or ornaments that are broken, or haven’t been used for over two years. Fix the ones that you want to keep, and donate or throw away the rest. This also goes for the Christmas ornaments that you’ve been holding on to for a long time, but never really bring out.

Old or broken electronics and appliances

Do you still keep appliances that don’t function anymore? Do you still have a box of old electronics in your closet? If you don’t use them anymore, then they're only taking up space. You can try to sell the ones that are still working, or trade them in for newer models. You can also donate them to the less fortunate. For those that are beyond repair, it’s better if you call your local junk shop and see if you can at least get some cold cash in exchange for the metal. But if you’re still not convinced, then are a few reasons to chuck out old electronics and appliances. If you use an appliance and it emits smoke, sparks, or fills the air with burning smells, then it’s a no-brainer. You shouldn’t be using it anymore. Think to yourself if you still want to try and get it repaired. If you don’t, then unplug that piece of junk and take it out of your home. If an appliance or electronic device is still turning on but is not working properly, then think long and hard if you still want to get it repaired. Chances are, if you’ve gone a long time without using it, then you probably don’t need it in your life. Also, the repair costs may be equal to the price of a new model, so it may be better to just get a new one. If an electronic device is more than 5 years old, or an appliance has been with you for more than 10 years, then you should consider replacing it, even if it’s still working. Newer models usually are more efficient and come with better functions, so it’s always a good idea to embrace innovation and technology. Speaking of innovation, look no further if you want to find the best refrigerators in the Philippines. We at Condura only seek to provide the best products that suit the needs of Filipinos, and we call this passion for excellence “Filipinnovation.” Our refrigerators are not only of great quality, but also come with a ten-year warranty for compressor of Negosyo Ref (de-frost models) and three-years for the No-Frost Inverter board, which is better than the one-year warranty provided by other brands. With us, you can be sure that great attention to detail will be provided, and that our services will always be filled with malasakit. We do not only want to offer good sales service, but service that is filled with Filipino hospitality, and stems from the Pinoy heart. Are you ready to start the New Year? Out with the old, and in with the new! Let’s embrace change, creativity, and Filipinnovation for a positive 2021!