Have you ever met someone who treats things as if they were disposable?
Cars, phones, people
It’s like everything is replaceable. But that’s a very toxic attitude that will inevitably cost you a lot in the long run. And while it’s true that some things are replaceable, we should do what we can to maintain the things we have.
There are five things that especially need care and maintenance to keep them well-preserved — because these aren’t all things we can easily replace.
Here are essential items you’ll always want to keep well-maintained.
1. Car
It can be easy to let your car maintenance lapse over time, but this is one thing you can do to keep your car well-maintained. Routine maintenance is important to keep your car running like new. If you keep up on oil changes and service appointments, you can prolong the life of your car and keep it running like new. Additionally, when you take care of your vehicle’s exterior paint and interior upholstery, you can keep it looking like new for longer. Over time, dirt and debris can eat away at your car’s glossy exterior, which will make it look dull and lifeless.
2. Mattress
You probably don’t think much about your mattress, but it’s a good idea to flip or rotate your mattress every so often to keep it wearing evenly. If you don’t, you run the risk of it sagging or getting damaged only in the spots where you sleep. So if you have a memory foam mattress, you can create an indentation that’s difficult to get rid of.
If you have a spring mattress, flip it every three months. And if you have a memory foam mattress, rotate it around the same timeframe.
And look for the signs you need a new mattress to know when to replace it. Even diligent flipping or turning won’t stop your need to replace a mattress eventually.
3. Health
We only get this one body, so it’s important to take care of it by eating right and exercising. If you don’t take care of your body, you can bet it won’t be around as long as it could. When you eat a diet of junk food and live an inactive life, you increase your risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. These chronic diseases are very likely to shorten your lifespan, so your body is undoubtedly the most important thing you can take care of.
4. Computer
You might replace your computer more often than the other items on this list, but don’t let that stop you from taking good care of it. Not only should you keep the memory free of clutter, but you should keep the anti-virus software and firewall up-to-date. Run any computer software updates and security patches to help ensure that your systems remain current and protected.
5. Home
If you’re a homeowner, you know how quickly repairs and maintenance can add up. And even though you might be tempted to let something like a minor a roof repair slide, it’s best to take care of each issue as it arises. This way, they don’t cause major issues that end up costing more in the long run. For example, if you ignore that minor roof repair, it could easily become a larger problem that leads to water leakage that will damage your home’s interior. Even something simple like weekly yard work can feel insurmountable when you let it go for too long.
It’s a good idea to take care of all the things (and people) in your life, but there a few things that seem to be more important than the rest. If you need something to last for more than five years, it should go on the list of things to maintain. And, yes, that includes friendships and family relationships.