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Putting some time aside every once in a while to have a digital declutter not only allows our devices to run smoother but this can also positively impact our mental health.
When it comes to decluttering, we mainly refer to the environments that we spend the most time in such as the home or perhaps clearing out the family car… but what about the devices that we spend time on throughout the day?
Our environment plays a huge part in our overall wellbeing and this includes our digital worlds too!
Organizing and clearing up our digital spaces can often slip our minds or easily be put to the back of the to-do list as a lesser priority.
So, to make the process more simple we put together this guide which takes you through how to declutter your phone, one step at a time! But first, let’s talk about some of the benefits of having a digital clearout.
The benefits of cleaning up your digital space
1. Improved performance quality
One of the common reasons for getting rid of clutter in your smartphone or digital device is so that they run smoother.
You may have noticed that when you have way too many images in your camera roll or a bunch of random old apps installed, your phone may start to lag. This can be superr frustrating, especially when you need to keep up with emails or have to quickly find something.
By having a digital spring clean, you’re allowing yourself to free up some extra storage space which not only improves the overall performance of your device but there also won’t be any rushing to delete old pics when you’re trying to capture something in the moment and you suddenly have run out of storage space.
Another thing that can cause lagging is when software updates are needed, I’m definitely guilty of hitting that ‘Remind me later’ button more times than I can count!
2. Better mental health & Reduced stress
As mentioned earlier, taking the time to have a digital declutter positively impacts our mental health for many reasons.
First things first, general ‘housekeeping’ duties such as tending to emails, closing out open tabs or unsubscribing from old email lists are going to give you a clearer focus when using your device leading to less overstimulation. No more scrolling through a bunch of random mail to find that one appointment reminder!
Although social media can be a wonderful thing that comes with a range of positive benefits such as:
- Finding community
- Learning new knowledge and skills
- Self expression
- Keeping up with recent events
It can have a negative impact when it comes to mental health too. Some negative experiences that people may have with it include:
- FOMO (Fear of missing out)
- Overly comparing yourself to others online
- Feeling pressured to keep up with trends
- Being overexposed to a lot of heavy news/sensitive topics without much warning
As with anything, balance is key! It’s important to check in with how you feel regarding your use of it.
You may find that your digital declutter involves wanting to unfollow pages that you no longer resonate with or even muting pages such as those that post a lot of sensitive topics if you feel like some downtime would be good for your mental space.
Which benefits do you appreciate the most when it comes to decluttering your phone?
Digital declutter guide
General
- Update phone/apps if needed
- Delete unused apps
- Organize apps into folders e.g. socials, finance, music etc
- Delete desired files and downloads
- Organize files and downloads
- Declutter notes app
- Cancel any unused subscriptions
- Clear browsing history and cache
- Close out any open tabs
Messages, Emails and Contacts
- Delete desired messages/emails/call logs
- Delete desired/outdated contacts
- Update contact information
- Unsubscribe from desired email lists
- Highlight any important emails so that it is easier to find them
Camera Roll
- Delete blurry pics/duplicates/old screenshots
- Backup camera roll
- Put any images/vids that you do not wish to keep on your phone onto a USB stick or an alternative device
- Organize folders
Social Media
- Unfollow desired pages
- Update two-factor authentication
For more decluttering-related content, check out our full home reset guide:
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