The expert gave advice on decluttering: 5 unnecessary things in 2023

Economy and ecology go hand in hand

In recent years, decluttering has become a New Year’s tradition for many people – following the principle “To let something new into life, you need to get rid of the old”, we take out bags with things that have become unnecessary from our apartments. The tradition, by the way, is international: for example, in Italy it has long been customary to throw junk out of windows on the evening of December 31 (southern temperament, what to take from them!). The question is different – what kind of “new” to take on the vacant seats? The trend towards minimalism tells us to be extremely careful in this matter – and the Russians were named at least 5 things that will not have a place in 2023.

The economic situation and the difficulties caused by the departure of many foreign companies from Russia are the best position to try to declare 2023 the “year without shopping” – a favorite pastime of minimalists and those who strive to follow the principles of reasonable consumption. Why buy if there is nothing to buy, and there is no extra money? This may be too radical – but it will be a good idea to take the first steps towards minimalism anyway. The correspondent of “MK” talked with an expert in the organization of space Alina Efimova about what things definitely should not have a place in the New 2023.

bottled water

Two in one: both ecology and economy! Experts urge you to think: how much money do you spend if you buy at least one half-liter bottle of mineral water every day? And how much plastic grows in landfills? Meanwhile, the solution has long been found: reusable bottles. Well, in coolers with drinking water, fortunately, in our city there is no shortage.

Paid subscriptions

The past year 2022 demonstrated in the best possible way how ephemeral any means of communication can be – and, for example, you can be disconnected from subscribing to your favorite online game just because your payment card is no longer supported by the system. Is it worth the risk, or is it better to bet on those entertainments that are available for free?

Travel souvenirs

It’s one thing – when a person purposefully and consciously collects fridge magnets, bells, plates, tiles, hedgehogs or donkeys. It is completely different when, succumbing to general euphoria, he buys “something” in a souvenir shop that he will never use. Throwing away these things is almost always a pity – it seems like a memory! – but they take up space in the apartment. Give preference to useful souvenirs: unusual spices, local wine, accessories, etc.

Paper books

A modern person builds a home library, guided by completely different principles than his grandparents. Of course, the beauty and importance of a good print edition cannot be overestimated, but today we have a wonderful opportunity to first read the book online (or watch the demo for illustrations) and only after that decide to buy the paper version. There is no need to drag everything that seemed interesting to the bookshelf – as well as to store everything that was once bought. Fortunately, unnecessary books are now readily accepted at bookcrossing counters.

Endless kitchen appliances

Even 15 years ago, on a wave of euphoria (finally abundance!) People bought yogurt makers, ice cream makers, bread makers, juicers, waffle makers, toasters and deep fryers, without even thinking about whether they would use them all. Time perfectly knows how to put everything in its place – including in the kitchen. Understanding whether you really like french fries and fry them often, or whether the deep fryer just takes up half the kitchen cabinet, is not at all difficult. Or, for example, if you bought a yogurt maker for a small child who today has already grown up and began to live separately – will you ever make homemade yogurt again?