In a few weeks, 2015 would be coming to an end. I am sure most of you can relate when I say, “Where did the time go??” I can only hope you all have wonderful memories of this year and if you were faced with many challenges, I hope you learned how to overcome them and realize how these trials make you smarter and stronger. I have had my share of the good and bad as well but I am pretty excited to see and experience what the next year has to offer all of us. I am personally looking forward to new adventures, meeting more people and haha… writing more columns. Another thing I am also looking forward to is a better home and environment.
When we talk about resolutions, we usually talk about losing weight, exercising daily or traveling more. I think another staple we should include in that list is our home. We sometimes forget in the midst of all that excitement that the home is the place we spend most of our time in, a place we certainly should learn how to improve for the next year. No, I’m not talking about investing in a million peso kitchen showcase or doing a major renovation. Simple, practical tips like the ones we will discuss can go a long way without breaking the bank.
Tip #1: Get rid of that JUNK!
Yes, we have all heard it before but do we do it? I always feel great after a good detox. If there are clothes you have not worn this year, get rid of them or donate. Yes, we all have that one dress we tell ourselves we would fit into one day but it hasn’t happened for years. I’m not saying it isn’t great to have a goal to be fitter but it takes more than just having that piece of clothing hanging in our closet. I got rid of so many clothes two years ago that I had to organize 10 garage sales for them. With the sales, I was able to purchase a roundtrip ticket to Hawaii to attend a wedding and I still had some extra money to spend! This doesn’t apply to just clothes either. Sometimes, we accumulate a lot of items for the house because of an impulse. Go room to room and carefully assess the items. Share them with someone who may need them more. For example, if you have three scientific calculators lying around (guilty!), share them with students or friends. Also, get rid of items that bring negative energies like pictures that remind you of a bad or sad memory. Throw away everything that is broken. Next year, think twice before buying an item for your home. Will they add to the positive energy or will they contribute to more stress?
Tip #2: Less wastage equals less expenses
Not all of us can invest in solar panels for our home but in our little way, we can still make a difference and lower the bills through a little work and minor adjustments.
Try using the fan instead of air-conditioner at night. My Meralco bill went down from P4,000 to P1,800 because of this habit. For cool nights during the rainy season and also “ber” months, it should still feel comfortable enough to sleep. Just remember to let some natural wind in as well.
Install compact fluorescent bulbs and LEDs. When I get scared at night (Yes, I get freaked out by the dark sometimes), I leave my LEDs on and my electric bill still remains low. Switch off all lights at night when everyone is asleep.
For home computers, make sure you switch off your power or set it to sleep mode when it is not being utilized.
Dry your clothes the old fashioned way if you have space. If you live in a condominium, fill up the washing machine fully before running them.
Tip #3: Bring in easy updates for parties
After detoxing your place, keep or invest in a few pieces to update the look of your interiors. During the holidays, there will be several guests or parties so this is the perfect opportunity to upgrade. Bring in freshness by adding plants to the interiors. They not only bring in new energy, they also help clean the air. It is a great addition for a few pesos. To bring a little drama, choose an exciting pot to add more character to the home and make it more personal. Make sure it flows with the existing interiors, of course. For parties, create spaces and rearrange furniture in such a way that guests have the chance to engage with one another. Make them feel comfortable and pave the way for new friendships to start this coming New year.
That didn’t hurt too much, right? Hope these resolutions will help in welcoming a better and brighter home for everyone! Wishing all in advance a very Happy New Year!
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