Signs It’s Time For A Digital Declutter
January 28, 2025 | Lifestyle
Just as a messy room feels overwhelming, a disorganized digital space can hinder efficiency and cause frustration, as excess files and outdated apps can slow down devices and lead to crashes. By decluttering your digital environment, you can improve device performance, enhance mental clarity, boost productivity, and focus on what matters.
Metro Self Storage is here to assist you with digital decluttering by providing tips on cleaning up your social media, freeing up space on your phone, and even organizing your email.
How To Organize Your Digital Life: A Digital Declutter Checklist
There are several signs it’s time for a digital decluttering of your phone, tablet, or computer, from slow device performance to difficulty finding files. If you notice any of the following signs, it may be time for a digital declutter:
- Overflowing email inbox. Do you have hundreds of unread emails? Are spam and newsletters crowding your inbox so you can’t find important information?
- Disorganized desktop. Is your desktop filled with random files, shortcuts, and folders? Do you have trouble finding specific documents or apps quickly?
- Outdated apps. Do you have apps you’re no longer using or duplicate apps serving the same function? Are there apps that haven’t been updated in years or are incompatible with your device?
- Low device storage. Are you struggling to download updates, new apps, or files due to lack of space? Do you receive regular notifications about insufficient storage space?
- Slow device performance. Is your device running slower than usual or taking longer to start up? Have you noticed your apps freezing or crashing more frequently?
- Cluttered photo library. Do you have thousands of photos, many of which are duplicates, accidental photos, and screenshots? Do you have insufficient space to take more pictures?
Did you answer yes to any of these questions? If so, it’s time for a digital declutter.
Email Organization Best Practices
A cluttered inbox can cause dread every time the number of unread emails increases. Inboxes often become overwhelmed with automatic newsletters and spam, making it difficult to find the important emails that require immediate attention.
Reducing email clutter can streamline your communication and lower stress, allowing you to open your emails with peace of mind. Follow the instructions below to learn how to unsubscribe from multiple emails at once.
How To Unsubscribe From Emails in Bulk
- Log into your email account. Open and login to your account on your phone, tablet, or computer.
- Search for unwanted emails. In the search bar, type in keywords, such as newsletters or specific company names or domains, to locate them in bulk.
- Select emails to unsubscribe from. Check the box next to the emails you want to delete or unsubscribe from.
- Unsubscribe directly. Open one of the emails and look for the unsubscribe button or link. Click on it and follow the on-screen instructions to remove you from the sender’s list.
- Choose a bulk email management tool. Use a third-party app, like Unroll.me, Clean Email, or Mailstrom, to help manage your inbox.
How Do I Free up Space on My Phone?
As smartphones age, they struggle more with the increasing data and media stored on them. Smartphone batteries break down more quickly each year as internal chemical components degrade, leading to slower loading times, more frequent app crashes or freezes, and a rapid decline in available storage space.
By decluttering your device and deleting apps, you can enjoy a faster phone with extra storage, relieving the stress of not having enough space to download your favorite songs or audiobooks before a flight. Read on to learn essential tips for creating phone storage!
Delete Apps To Simplify Your Digital Environment
Unused apps can take up significant space, particularly if you’ve downloaded several large games but only played one. Here are some simple ways to identify which apps you actually use and which ones are just occupying space, causing your phone to load slowly:
- Check your frequently used apps. Go to your phone’s settings to see your most and least used apps. Identify apps you haven’t used in the past three to six months or ever.
- Sort your home screen. Examine your home screen and remove apps you rarely use, duplicates with the same function, or outdated apps that developers no longer support.
- Identify apps that take up too much space. Check your phone’s settings to see how much storage each app uses, and consider deleting any apps that take up a lot of space and aren’t frequently used.
- Evaluate subscription-based apps. Go through apps you have to pay for with a subscription and eliminate ones you don’t use anymore. Make sure you cancel the subscription before deleting the app.
Delete Photos To Clear Space and Preserve Memories
Duplicate or unnecessary photos on your phone can quickly consume your phone’s storage space. Focus on deleting forgotten screenshots, accidental photos, and duplicate images. To delete in batches, press and hold a photo, then select additional photos to remove. You can also search specifically for screenshots to target those first.
Are you looking to start over with your photos? Before you clear out your library, make sure to back up your important images to digital photography storage, such as the cloud.
How To Create Digital Space With Cloud Storage
The concept of cloud storage has been discussed since the 1960s—it functions like renting a virtual locker online to manage and store your phone, tablet, and computer files. Popular cloud platforms such as Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud, and Microsoft OneDrive help keep your files safe from loss and damage while also freeing up space on your device. You can manually back up your files or enable automatic cloud backups through your settings.
Easy Tips for a Desktop File Organizer
A cluttered desktop can make using your computer stressful and slow it down. Unorganized files, folders, and photos highlight the need for a desktop file organizer. The first step in creating an effective desktop file organizer is to establish main folders on your desktop for broad categories, including:
- Work
- Personal
- Photos
- Downloads
Create additional subcategories within each main category and use consistent file and folder names to help easily identify items. Avoid leaving files untitled or using ambiguous names like Document1.
What Is Digital Minimalism?
Do you ever feel stressed out by technology and social media? Do you find yourself constantly checking your work email or scrolling through Instagram? If so, it might be time to consider adopting digital minimalism.
Digital minimalism is a strategy individuals have adopted to optimize their technology use without feeling overwhelmed. The concept focuses on establishing boundaries, particularly between technology use for work and personal life.
Digital Decluttering on Social Media: A Social Media Clean-Up Guide
Excessive notifications and irrelevant content can be mentally and emotionally draining, making you feel like you need to check your phone constantly. To create a more curated feed and improve your focus, consider unfollowing inactive social media accounts, muting unnecessary notifications, and deleting or archiving outdated posts.
Start Your Digital Declutter Today With Metro Self Storage
Engaging in digital decluttering significantly enhances your productivity, sharpens your mental clarity, and boosts the overall performance of your devices. By following our practical tips, you can achieve a more organized and stress-free digital environment.
Metro Self Storage is here to support our customers through all phases of life, from moving into your first apartment or welcoming a new family member to downsizing after your kids move out. When you need additional space in your home or need to relocate physical files and photographs, turn to a Metro Self Storage facility near you! If you have any questions, call Metro or contact us online.
