Happy New Year, everyone! I hope 2025 is treating you well, and that you haven’t broken your New Year’s resolutions already.

Since Tidying Up with Marie Kondo was released on Netflix on New Year’s Day in 2019, I’ve spent every January decluttering my house, resolving to not accumulate more stuff that year.

If you’re in Kondo mode over the summer, remember there are lots of great organisations that may accept items you no longer need.

One charity I’ve recently come across is We Care Connect, a volunteer-run organisation which works directly with case workers to help local children living in poverty, providing tailored packages to meet each family’s needs.

We Care Connect accepts donations of quality preloved children’s essentials at several drop-off locations around the Hunter and Central Coast (find out more at wecareconnect.org.au), and its dedicated volunteers put in thousands of hours a year to sort, pack and distribute these donations.

If your New Year’s resolution was to get more involved in your community, volunteering at a charity is a great way to achieve that.

There’s no doubt 2024 was a tough year for many as the cost-of-living crisis escalated, as shown by the growing needs of welfare organisations like We Care Connect.

Small businesses were also hit hard and while I’ll be actively trying not to acquire more unnecessary stuff in 2025, I’ll also be supporting local businesses and urging others to do so.

Pop into that cute little boutique that you’ve always been meaning to check out; try a local service provider instead of a big name.

Support the businesses who support your kids’ school or sporting team. Take a walk down your main street and see what’s new. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Out Cessnock way, it’s usually pretty quiet at this time of the year, when half of the town heads off to Forster or Fingal Bay for the summer.

But, for those who are sticking around town, there are plenty of opportunities to be play tourist in our own backyard.

With 150 cellar doors and so much more at our doorstep, why not try somewhere new this month? Now that’s a good New Year’s resolution.

For more lifestyle stories:

• Lauren Parker: Newcastle’s ‘golden girl’ eyes off new challenges
• Matt and Brett: East or west for summer best?
• Beauty and bliss: Six of the best day spas in Newcastle

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