Clutter causes overwhelm.  It stops us thinking clearly; it creates anxiety, stress and takes away our focus.   The good news is that getting rid of things can improve your wellbeing and create space in your life to increase productivity, creativity and enable you to have more time to do the fun things in life.

But clutter is not just physical.  As Decluttering Guru Peter Walsh says, “Clutter is not just the stuff on your floor – it’s anything that stands between you and the life you want to be living.”

In an age where the information coming into our lives is growing at an exponential rate through many different mediums, we need systems to sort this information so that it doesn’t overwhelm us.  Are you wasting time looking for files, getting distracted by notifications and messages on your phone, missing bill payments as didn’t see the email, or having to pay for greater email storage?  The problem with our digital items is that they aren’t tangible so they feel like they are less accessible and most of us don’t know where to start to sort them out.

Before embarking on any organisation project, the number one rule is to declutter first and here are some top tips that you can put in place today to sort all things digital.  

Clear your desktop

• In the way a clear desk helps creates focus, a clear and well organised computer desktop will have the same impact. Are you guilty of downloading or saving files to your desktop?  Create a designated folder for downloads that is easy to find and will help you maintain this going forwards.

Go into the cloud

• Most of us have multiple machines (phone, tablet, computer all needing to access the same files, photos, messages and emails).  Having all your files on the go, and in one place, is a game changer. Also, it helps stop duplicate files and remembering which is the most recent version.

Create a robust filing system

• If you are currently not filing items with good habits, review what you have set up; its’s either nonexistent or too complicated.   Create good file names when saving or downloading anything ALWAYS!  Giving the files good relevant names will enable you to use the search function and this will save you time.  Just as we are less productive when cluttered, our computers slow down when they are too full.  Regularly maintain your computer through scans and deleting downloads to help create space.  

Work your Emails

Overwhelmed by your inbox and dream of an empty one?  Managing emails has to work for you and deciding whether you are going to create suitable folders or rely on the search function is your first decision.  With each email consider the following 4Ds to decide what to do with it Delete, Delay, Delegate, or just Do it.  For those emails you are delaying create a system that flags the important ones, such as bills for payment or forms to complete. Set aside time to review your inbox each week to action missed emails and file those you need to keep.

Your Phone

• On most phones you will able to see which apps you are no longer using – delete them to free up memory space (yours and the phones!) plus don’t forget the ones that zap your time or make you feel bad. It’s ok to do!   Delete your contacts, including connections on social media, of ex partners, bosses, friends that create bad memories. You are being reminded every time you scroll past them or when they pop up in your feed.

• Organise your apps to make it easier to find them and it will save you time.  If you are visual and love rainbows, sort in colours, or go for subject matter such as money, home, socials.

Subscriptions

• When did you last go through your bank account and check your direct debits? Reviewing what you pay for on a regular basis is a great habit to adopt and also helps limit choice.  Subscription TV is a classic, if you are signed up to Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney Plus there is so much to choose from, consider cancelling the ones you don’t watch or swap them around for a few

months which in turn saves money.

Simplify the incoming

• Unsubscribe from email newsletters – a quick search in your inbox for unsubscribe will bring up lots and you can simply click on the links.  Next time you receive an email you don’t need anymore – unsubscribe.  Consider using a dedicated email address for shopping/newsletters that you do want and set a regular time a week to check in on these to limit your distractions.  

• Choose one system – for example with your calendar. Having a paper diary and a digital one only creates more work.  

• Deleting notifications helps us be intentional with our choices and our time.   Time is the most valuable resource, use it wisely.

The secret to all decluttering and organising success is good habits!  Even just starting today with one habit will get you on the right path.  As the saying goes, 20 years ago was the best time to plant a tree; the next best time is TODAY.   What action will you take today?

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