Effective Ways to Digitally Declutter in the New Year
As the new year kicks off, many of us look for ways to refresh, reset, and reorganize our lives. It’s the perfect time to refresh not just your physical space, but your digital space as well. Digital clutter can build up just as quickly as physical clutter, making it harder to stay organized, focused, and productive. Thankfully, with a few simple steps, you can digitally declutter and create a more streamlined, productive online life. Here are some effective ways to digitally declutter in five key areas:
1) Email: Clear the Inbox
Your inbox can easily become a breeding ground for stress and disorganization. Start the new year by tackling your inbox and setting up a system for better email organization.
Unsubscribing from unnecessary newsletters or promotional emails that no longer serve you.
Creating folders or labels to sort emails by category—work, personal, bills, etc.
Archiving old emails you don't need right now but might want to refer back to later.
Responding to or deleting any lingering messages that have been sitting untouched for months.
By taking control of your inbox, you’ll reduce overwhelm and make it easier to stay on top of important messages.
2) Computer: Organize Files & Folders
Your computer is probably home to a myriad of files, screenshots, and documents that may no longer be relevant. Here's how to tidy things up:
Clean out your desktop—the more you clutter it, the harder it is to stay productive. Aim for a desktop with minimal icons for easy navigation.
Create folders and sort your files by categories like work, personal, photos, and more, using clear and consistent naming conventions.
Remove Unnecessary Files — go through your desktop and downloads and delete files that are outdated or irrelevant.
Backup important files to an external hard drive or cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox to keep your computer running smoothly.
Uninstall unused software or programs that take up space without serving a real purpose.
Clear Browsing Data —go to your browser’s settings and clear your cache and history to free up space and improve performance.
With a clutter-free computer, you'll work more efficiently and reduce distractions.
3) Phone: Declutter Your Apps & Data
Your phone may hold countless apps, photos, and messages that only add to the digital chaos. Streamline it with these steps:
Uninstall apps you no longer use or need. and
Create folders and organize the ones you do use into folders (e.g., Social, Productivity, Health).
Update Apps You Use Regularly so they run efficiently and securely.
Delete old text messages or conversations that are no longer relevant.
Organize contacts by merging duplicates and deleting old numbers.
Manage notifications to reduce distractions by turning off non-essential notifications and organizing the ones that remain.
By keeping your devices decluttered, you’ll enhance their performance and ensure they stay in top shape for the year ahead.
4) Photos: Clean Up & Organize
Our photo libraries can quickly grow out of control, with thousands of photos scattered across devices. Here’s how to reclaim order:
Delete blurry, duplicate, or irrelevant photos—it’s okay to let go of images that no longer serve a purpose.
Regularly delete screenshots and random photos taken in the moment that don’t need to be kept long-term.
Create albums or folders based on events, trips, or milestones for easier navigation.
Use cloud storage (Google Photos, iCloud or Amazon Photos) to back up and organize your photos automatically, freeing up space on your device.
By taking the time to clean up your photo collection, you’ll have a more organized and meaningful library to enjoy.
5) Social Media: Tidy Up Your Accounts
Social media can quickly become overwhelming with constant updates, notifications, and accounts to manage. A digital declutter of your social media presence can help improve your online experience. To regain control, try:
Unfollowing accounts, friends or followers that no longer align with your interests or values and removing connections that no longer serve your current lifestyle.
Reviewing privacy settings on each platform to ensure you're comfortable with the information you're sharing.
Organizing your saved posts or creating new lists and boards to categorize content that you want to reference later.
Archiving old posts that no longer reflect your current self or goals, or deleting them if necessary.
Limit Notifications: Reduce distractions by turning off non-essential notifications on your social media apps.
By decluttering your social media, you can focus on what really matters and feel more connected to the content that adds value to your life.
Conclusion: Embrace a Digital Decluttered Life in the New Year
Decluttering your digital life at the start of the year is an easy yet powerful way to boost productivity and reduce stress. By making small, manageable changes across your email, computer, phone, photos, and social media, you can create a cleaner, more organized digital space to help you achieve your goals in the year ahead. As you implement these strategies for digital decluttering in the new year, remember to set aside time regularly to maintain the organization. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s about creating a more efficient and stress-free digital environment that works for you.
Are you ready to digitally declutter in the new year? Let us know your favorite tips and tools for digital organization in the comments below!
xo, Shelby Taylor 