We’re kicking 2020 to the curb and showing some love for 2021 with a January to-do list to help you launch a successful new year. Here are 10 tips to a healthy home and a healthy you.
- When packing up the holiday decor, resist the urge to quickly toss everything into tubs and haul it to the attic or basement. Do your December self a favor and take the extra time to organize and label, label, label. Take cellphone pictures of this year’s displays for quick and easy set up next year. Pack outdoor decor separately. Ready to purge a few items? Pack a donation box for next year and mark it clearly. Pick a date and set a reminder in your calendar app. (Donate now and you risk having items trashed by overwhelmed charities and thrift stores.)
- Once you’ve made a clean sweep of Christmas, get the broom out and do a literal clean sweep. Vacuum and mop floors. Dust and admire those newly cleared shelves and countertops.
- Set aside a day — or two — to find new homes for all the gifts you received from family and friends. If you’re having trouble finding the perfect spot, it might be time to purge. Donate outgrown clothing and toys. Or pass along to family and friends.
- Before tossing the holiday cards, update your address book or contact list.
- Get a jump on tax time. Mark a file folder “2020 taxes” and leave it in plain view for all the necessary documents as they arrive in the mail over the coming weeks.
- Tackle those piles of paperwork left lying on countertops and stuffed into dresser drawers. File important documents and purge and shred the rest.
- Launch a healthier household with a thorough cleanout of the medicine cabinet. Contact your local pharmacy or police department for proper disposal of both prescribed and over-the-counter medicines.
- Make appointments for everyone in your household for annual (or overdue) doctor appointments and tests, including major preventatives such as mammograms and colonoscopies.
- Take stock of any indoor exercise equipment you own. Now’s the time to make any necessary repairs and commit to using them on a regular basis or donate them to someone who will.
- Take stock of your pantry, freezer, and refrigerator. Toss the expired items and make a commitment to using up all those half-empty open boxes and bags of food. Donate any unwanted but still current goods to your local food pantry. January is typically a slow time for donations so your extras will be warmly welcomed.
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