China-based brand Bambu Lab makes an effort to move closer to everyday consumers in the Philippines with a new retail partner by holding a media and creators roundtable in the Philippines. This was a bid to reshape how consumers perceive and use 3D printing technology.

Established in Shenzhen, China in 2020, Bambu Lab aims to make 3D printing more accessible, practical, and relevant to daily life through printers and other supplies.

The goal is to support practical home use, creative hobbies, product design, and even specialized tools, while putting emphasis on ease of use.

With such optics, Bambu Lab is trying to make consumers feel that there is less deep technical knowledge required and that they can actually create physical objects with 3D printing.

One of their products is the entry-level Bambu Lab A1 mini, which is compact enough to fit on a small desk.

The brand also has more advanced models which are capable of printing multiple colors and materials on a single run.

To complement the hardware ecosystem, Bambu Lab’s open platform MakerWorld lets users browse, select, and print from an extensive library of shared 3D designs directly from their own desktops.

The platform features a wide variety of objects across multiple categories. There’s household items, DIY tools, children’s toys, props, and educational materials.

In the Philippines, Bambu Lab will open its first concept store at One Ayala, Makati City. The concept corner will give mallgoers the opportunity to see the range of 3D printers and consumables firsthand.

I’ve always loved the idea of independence and the romance of having a place that was entirely mine.

What I did not anticipate was how exposed I would feel once I was alone with my thoughts and everything I was trying to carry forward after a difficult season.

There was no one else to absorb the discomfort when things felt off. Every decision landed squarely on me, and I had to figure things out while I was moving on after life took a lot from me and gave me multiple heartbreaks.

I moved out because I needed distance from what hurt and I needed room to heal in my own time. But living alone also made me more honest about my needs.

When you come home tired and emotionally spent, there’s no distraction from how your space makes you feel.

That was when it clicked for me that comfort is not indulgent. It’s essential, especially when your body works hard and your mind never fully switches off.

This is how an air conditioner became a bigger decision than I ever thought it would be.

Choosing things that fit my life

In my new place, every item felt like a small commitment. I wasn’t just filling a room; I was building a routine and a home that felt safe enough to rest in.

I wanted things that really worked with me. Practical, yes, but also gentle in the way they existed in the space.

Out of plenty of air conditioning units, choosing the Samsung Compact Window-Type Inverter Air Conditioner, 1.5 HP, immediately felt right.

The size made sense for condo living, especially in a room where I’m constantly aware of how much space I have left.

It fits neatly into the window and stays visually quiet, which I appreciate more than I realized I would.

There’s something comforting about an appliance that doesn’t ask to be noticed. It feels like a calm roommate that shows up, does its job, and never gets in the way.

Instant relief for a worn-out soul

Training days take a lot out of me. There are days when my body feels heavy and my thoughts move slower than usual.

On those days, heat and humidity feel personal, like another thing asking more from me when I have nothing left to give.

What I noticed right away was how quickly the room changes when I turn the air conditioner on. The relief is immediate!

My space becomes breathable and balanced within minutes, and suddenly I’m not fighting the environment while trying to recover.

The airflow reaches the entire unit, which matters more than people think in smaller spaces. The temperature stays consistent through the night, and that consistency has quietly changed how I sleep and how my body recovers.

This unit stays quiet, even on humid nights when I expect it to struggle. There is no disruptive hum and no sudden noise that pulls me out of sleep.

I started getting uninterrupted eight hours of sleep, with my sleep score averaging around 90.

That kind of rest felt healing in ways I didn’t know I needed.

When you start thinking long-term

Living alone also means facing your monthly bills without sharing the responsibility.

It changes how you think about energy use very quickly, especially when you are trying to rebuild your life with intention.

The inverter technology helps keep electricity consumption consistent, which gives me peace of mind over time. I rely heavily on the timer feature, especially on days when my schedule revolves around training and recovery.

I like knowing I can come home to a cool space without leaving the unit running unnecessarily. It feels thoughtful, and I have learned that thoughtful appliances make solo living feel far less overwhelming.

They remove small worries before they grow into bigger ones.

Making a place feel like home

What I love most is how this air conditioner supports the routine I’m slowly building for myself.

On recovery days, it keeps the room comfortable enough for my body to reset properly. On some evenings, it helps the space feel settled, making it easier to disconnect and just be with myself.

In a season where I am learning how to heal, that sense of calm feels grounding. Living alone has taught me to pay attention to how my environment affects my energy.

When your space supports you, everything feels more manageable. The Samsung Compact Window-Type Inverter Air Conditioner has become part of that support system.

It no longer feels like an appliance. It feels like one of those quiet decisions that made this new chapter easier than I expected.

For anyone living solo and trying to build a home that feels calm, functional, and genuinely supportive, the Samsung Compact Window-Type Inverter Air Conditioner 1.5 HP fits naturally into that story.

It brings ease into everyday routines and helps turn a new space into something that finally feels like home.

Moving Out, Moving In is a Match Home series that features hands-on stories and reviews of appliances and home technology that support everyday living, comfort, and the process of settling into a new space.

New Year’s resolutions don’t always have to be extreme to be meaningful. Sometimes the most impactful changes come from scrolling less and just being more present. What if you leaned into healthier routines, making your environment better, and small side quests? This guide focuses on building habits and routines that feel good even after January.

1. Build strength and cardio

Getting more active at the start of the year doesn’t have to mean drastic routines or intimidating gym memberships. The most sustainable fitness habits are the ones that fit naturally into your day.

The NovaRow R50 Air Resistance Rower from Merach offers a low-impact workout that blends strength and cardio in one efficient motion. Exercises like rowing makes it easier to show up, even on your busiest days. It’s accessible at any fitness level because it’s easy to pick up and is gentler on the body while still offering a full-body workout.

The best part is you’re getting a professional-grade rowing machine so you can do your workouts at the comfort of your own home; you get to engage 86% of your major muscle groups even when the weather isn’t cooperating.

Speaking of comfort, the NovaRow R50 is thoughtfully designed with adjustable footplates and an extra cushioned ergonomic seat. When paired with the Merach app, workouts feel more engaging thanks to interactive games and scenic rowing routes.

Once you’ve built the habit, you can increase your workout intensity. It’s got a 10-level air resistance system that offers up to 110 lbs of peak resistance to support long-term progress.

It’s available on Amazon as well as merachfit.com, with an extra 10% discount using the code GADGET.

2. Track your progress

Moving your body more is one of the most universal New Year’s resolutions and one of the easiest to abandon when life gets busy halfway through the year. The key to sticking to a fitness resolution isn’t intensity, but awareness and consistency.

A smartwatch like the Amazfit Balance 2 helps track steps, workouts, sleep, and recovery.  Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced HYROX athlete, it’s got over 170 workout modes to support you.

Want to try golf next year? It has 40,000 downloadable maps of golf courses. Got scuba certification on your bucket list?  The Balance 2 has pro-grade waterproofing and certification for that too.

With up to 21 days of battery life, it can keep you accountable without being intrusive. It also tracks your rest and recovery to help you understand your body better without overdoing your workouts. Being aware of fitness metrics makes progress visible and more tangible, so you get more motivated to keep going.

As a bonus, it’s casual enough that you can wear it even when you’re not working out. It’s currently 10% off on Amazon.

3. Train anywhere

Showing up is often the hardest part of any fitness goal, especially when travel interrupts your momentum. Centr’s Home Workout Kit is an all-in-one resistance training system that adapts to your lifestyle and environment.

Whether you’re at home, at the gym, on a work trip, or on vacation, progress continues, no excuses. Each kit includes 3 fabric bands, 5 tube bands, 2 ankle straps, 2 D-handles, a dual-hook bar, and a door anchor, and a travel-friendly carry bag. It retails for $66.99 on shop.centr.com.

4. Hydrate

Staying hydrated sounds simple, yet it’s one of the most commonly overlooked wellness habits. Studies show 75% of Americans are actually dehydrated. Maybe it’s because tap water doesn’t always taste great or because we worry about what’s actually in it.

The LARQ PureVis 2 helps turn hydration into a habit by tracking your intake and reminding you to drink throughout the day. The built-in UVC light eliminates most contaminants by automatically activating every two hours and the Nano Zero Filter removes common pollutants.

Apart from making sure you’re water’s clean it also keeps it cold, making it more enjoyable to stay hydrated. Using a reusable bottle like the PureVis 2 also means fewer plastic bottles headed to landfills — an impact you can also track on the LARQ app. Get one on bylarq.com/gadgetmatch

5. Sleep better

Everyone wants better sleep, yet it can feel frustratingly out of reach. While you can’t control everything, improving your bedroom environment is one simple change that can make a real difference. Clean air and gentler mornings can dramatically change how you feel throughout the day.

The BlueAir Mini Restful Sunrise Clock Air Purifier creates a healthier sleep setup that supports deeper rest and calmer wake-ups. By combining air purification with a gentler wake-up helps you feel more rested and less rushed in the morning. It’s a resolution that starts at night and pays off all day.

It’s $200 and is available in two colors that easily blend in with your home decor: Coastal Beige and Midnight.

6. Read more

Doomscrolling is one habit we should all leave behind coming into the new year. Reading, on the other hand, slows the mind, builds focus, creates space for deeper thinking, and oftentimes, sparks imagination.

If getting physical books feels intimidating, an e-reader like the Kindle Paperwhite and apps like Libby make it easy to browse and borrow titles from public libraries. One lightweight device and zero notifications make it easy to pick up a book whenever you have a quiet moment.

The Kindle Paperwhite starts at $135, while both the Libby app and a public library card are free.

7. Grow your food

Who says growing your own food has to be complicated? Spending time around plants has a calming effect, yet many people don’t even try because they assume gardening requires space, sunlight, or experience.

The Auk Mini is a smart indoor garden that removes the guesswork with automated lighting and watering. This makes it easy to grow your own food even when you live in a small apartment.

While the bundle comes with basil and parsley seeds, it supports anything that sprouts and grows, with other herbs and leafy greens thriving especially well, along with tomatoes and chilies. You can use their Auk-certified seeds or your own so you’re not locked into the system.

Most herbs and salads are ready to harvest in 4–6 weeks, while tomatoes and chilies typically take 8–12 weeks. Like a lot of indoor plants, pruning and harvesting from the top encourages new growth, keeping your plants productive.

Maintenance is also intentionally minimal. You only need to refill water and nutrients and harvest regularly. If you want to start a new crop, you can simply remove the old plants, clean the unit, and replant.

The Auk Mini Bundle is $219 with free shipping.

8. Make more sustainable choices

Living more sustainably doesn’t require perfection. Small swaps, especially for everyday essentials, can make a meaningful impact over time.

Switching to cotton-lined diapers like Kudos is a big step in itself. While still disposable, it offers a more eco-conscious option by using 100% cotton lining instead of plastic. They’re also made without lotions, fragrances, latex, parabens, phthalates, or chlorine.

Kudos’ award-winning DoubleDry technology also ensures 12 hours of leak protection, making them reliable. Designed by an MIT engineer and responsibly made in the US, these diapers prove that choosing better-for-the-planet options doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort or peace of mind.

A monthly subscription is $84, with 120-210 diapers in each box depending on the size.

9. Invite more light into your home

Your environment plays a huge role in your mood more than you realize. Small upgrades that improve light and cleanliness can make your space feel calmer and more intentional.

The Ecovacs Winbot W2 Pro Mini takes care of one of the most neglected chores. By keeping your windows clean, you’ll let in more natural light into your space. Designed for effortless, one-pass cleaning, it features an upgraded three-nozzle wide-angle spray system that easily dissolves dirt and grime quickly. Its WIN-SLAM 4.0 intelligent path planning also adapts to different window types.

It’s got a 10-level protection system, including multiple layers of fall prevention, intelligent safeguards, and accidental damage insurance. The upgraded steady-climbing system ensures stable, slip-free movement even on wet surfaces, while ultra-fast edge detection adjusts cleaning paths in real time for seamless coverage in any lighting condition.

The result is brighter, cleaner windows, and more natural light. It’s a simple way to elevate your home and uplift your mood, with very minimal effort on your part.

The Ecovacs Winbot W2 Pro Mini is currently under $300.

10. Ask for help (without hesitation)

Many New Year’s goals fail not because of lack of effort, but because they’re too vague. Clarity and accountability make progress feel achievable.

A strawberry.me life coaching subscription pairs you with a coach who helps turn manifestations into more concrete steps. Even when you think you don’t need help, getting an outsider’s perspective can help you see what you can’t see for yourself. After all, even the most successful people get help.

Try it and get half off your first session using https://strawberry.me/GadgetMatch

11. Be more introspective

Taking time to reflect after each day can help turn experiences into lessons, and goals into actionable plans. Journaling doesn’t need to be time-consuming or intimidating.

While it still adds to your screen time, Apple’s free Journal app for iPhone makes reflection more approachable with simple prompts and quick entries. Whether you jot down a quick thought, something you’re grateful for, or something that annoyed you, it helps you slow down and process your day. Building this habit add up to greater clarity and emotional balance over time.

13. Try a new side quest

Not every resolution needs a measurable outcome. Trying a new side quest is about curiosity, creativity, exploration, and doing something simply because it’s fun.

That can mean getting crafty with pottery, punch needle or embroidery. Or you can choose something with a tangible end like baking or candle making.

If you’re craving a creative outlet, trying watercolor or photography can open up new ways of seeing the world and testing your patience. Looking to learn new skills? Consider signing up for a language class or trying a new sport.

If you feel like you don’t have extra time or budget for side quests, you can also build it into your daily work commute. If you drive to work, try leaving earlier on a Wednesday, parking somewhere different, and walking the rest of the way. Not only will you discover new neighborhoods, walking different routes also keeps your brain sharp and alert.

If you take public transportation, you can bring knitting materials, write poetry about the people you see, or play the New York Times Crossword.

Starting something new helps break routines and even build confidence over time. The great thing about side quests is there’s no pressure to be good at it or to keep doing it. You can do it by yourself, with a friend, or a big group. The only requirement is that you try.