The mess in our physical spaces is often easy to spot, whether it’s clothes thrown into a corner or a closet bursting at the seams. While we might ignore it at times, we still know it’s there. Digital clutter, however, tends to go unnoticed until it causes issues—like a sluggish device or a missed important email.
Much like physical clutter, it’s beneficial for both our mental well-being and our devices to perform regular “digital decluttering.” Below, we’ll explore what digital decluttering involves and share tips to keep things organized moving forward.
So, what exactly is digital clutter? Essentially, it’s the state of disarray on a device. Whether you’re using a phone, computer, or tablet, this disorder can slow down both the device and the user, as navigating through excessive information becomes a challenge. Digital clutter can manifest in various ways, such as a bloated email inbox, a cluttered desktop, or outdated apps gathering virtual dust. Research indicates that the stress of managing this digital chaos can be just as overwhelming as dealing with physical mess.
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Fortunately, there are numerous strategies to tackle digital clutter. A good starting point is using a tool or service designed to streamline the process. For instance, backing up and transferring important files to cloud storage allows you to delete them from your device without losing valuable information. You can also use hardware like external hard drives or flash drives to store old photos and documents, reducing the digital load on your device.
Another effective method is simply deleting or clearing unwanted clutter. Most web browsers offer functions like “Clear Browsing Data” and “Clear History,” which can remove unnecessary data. Regularly clearing your browser’s cache and cookies, as well as uninstalling unused apps—especially preloaded ones—can significantly free up space and speed up your device.
Keeping your device’s software and apps up to date is another “messy” task, but it’s crucial for maintaining security and performance. Updates help protect against the latest cyber threats, and outdated apps can slow down your device. You can avoid these issues by regularly checking for updates in the app store and system preferences or by simply accepting update notifications.
Finally, email inboxes are a common source of digital clutter. All those emails, whether read or unread, take up space and can cause various problems. To quickly clear a full inbox, select all messages and use the “Archive” function. Then, create folders or labels to categorize incoming emails, making it easier to manage them. Also, unsubscribe from newsletters and services you no longer use to reduce future email clutter.
Digital Declutter & Minimization Guide, was provided by Great Plains Communications, a provider of business internet solutions
