You are probably familiar with the concept of decluttering. We often talk about how important it is to get rid of clutter from our homes, our closets and cabinets.
How often do you think about clutter? What about the clutter that gets into our email inboxes or cell phone notifications. The clutter that keeps us connected with the world but also disconnected from what is right in front.
This post has been drafted for A LONG TIME. I figured that I couldn’t be alone in my struggle with clutter.
While I always strive to keep our physical clutter in check, I’m finally ready to tackle digital clutter as well.
What is digital clutter?
I think that we don’t talk enough about digital clutter. It’s something I don’t think we understand very well.
It seems that because we are so digitally connected, we tend to ignore digital clutter in our daily lives. We don’t take the time to control or recognize it.
What is digital clutter then?
Digital clutter is anything that does not add value to our daily lives. This includes digital files, photos, notifications that are unwanted or unnecessary, unread messages you don’t intend to read and other digital distractions.
Why tackle digital clutter?
Why do we need to get rid of digital clutter, when it’s so easy to eliminate clutter from our homes? What’s the big deal? Why should we take action?
Digital clutter can also have a real impact on our daily lives.
Start today by tackling these reasons.
Digital clutter can cause stress and overwhelm.
Clutter in our digital lives can cause stress just as physical clutter does.
You may find it overwhelming to search through unread messages or files on your computer, looking for that one photo or document that you KNOW you have saved.
This wastes time, and adds to the workload.
Digital clutter is a major contributor to our inefficiency. We create extra work when we spend more time searching for things or when important alerts are lost in the shuffle.
This distracts us away from other important things.
Digital clutter is the last, but most important, thing that distracts us. How many times has your phone buzzed while you were talking to someone? Or your smartwatch?
We have become so accustomed to it that we check the notification frequently without even realizing. If your phone buzzes like mine do, then they are often non-urgent or even unneeded.
Every time I glance down, swipe, or read a new alert, it happens. Just a few seconds or minutes separate us from the moment. These minutes are adding up, I am beginning to see.
It all adds up. It can take away time from the things that are most important to you.
It’s time to get it under control.
How to get rid of digital clutter?
Are you ready? Here’s 7 simple, practical steps you can take to get rid of the digital clutter in your daily life.
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1. Subscribe to our Newsletter
Unsubscribe from any emails you don’t intend to read. You don’t need to keep deleting these messages when you could simply stop receiving them.
You don’t need to receive the emails that you still get because you registered to receive a 15% discount from a retailer once.
2. Unfollow
Unfollow is another option to unsubscribe. You may follow brands or people on social media because you’ve always done so.
Do not misunderstand me, I’m grateful for everyone who follows this blog and me on social media. If you don’t find any value, encouragement or anything useful in the posts of those you follow, especially if they make you feel bad, then you should unfollow them. Unfollowing someone is fine.
3. Remove apps that you don’t use.
Get rid of apps that you don’t need. Easy as pie.
4. Disable unwanted push notifications
I think that many apps are sending way too many notifications. All those buzzes, dings and other noises can be a distraction.
After you’ve decided which apps to keep and which to delete, you can decide if you want to receive any notifications.
5. Use folders to organize your digital files.
Next, get organized. Use folders to store documents, photos and emails.
Create a filing scheme that you can manage and will allow you to find the information you need, when you need it.
Email filters can be used to sort your emails automatically as they arrive in your mailbox.
6. Keep your inbox clean by setting aside regular time.
I don’t say that you should always have 0 unread emails. I do say that you need to know what’s in your inbox.
You may be able to do it more often than once a week.
Cleaning out your inbox regularly will help you to identify emails that you can unsubscribe and ensure that you do not miss any important information that might have been lost in the shuffle.
7. Unplug your devices and disconnect them.
Last but not least, schedule regular intentional time to disconnect. Put your laptop and phone on silent or away and spend some time being present.
Unplugging will have a positive impact on your mental health, whether you’re working on a new project, reading a good book, spending quality time with family and friends, or simply sitting down and relaxing.