With more and more daily use of smartphones, the smallest screen is a good place to start a #digital #decluttering, says The Lifestyle Files. Sort apps into folders and delete those rarely used. Limit your home screens to one or two and place the most-used apps on the first. Delete duplicate photos or those of poor quality. Clean up your contact list by eliminating any you don’t recognize or keep in touch with. Stream podcasts and music rather than storing “native” files. Limit notification access to only the most important — texts from family members, for example — and eliminate stored alerts often. #DigitalDecluttering
Tag: declutter
Start a Digital Decluttering With Your Email Inbox
If you want to #declutter your #digital spaces, start with your #email inbox, says Life by Deanna. You might have thousands of emails in your inboxes, read and unread. Start with the inbox you use most. Unsubscribe from emails you tend not to open; you can look at those offers, alerts and blog posts when you feel like it. Search your email for brands or people that send a lot of emails, delete the ones you don’t need and empty the trash. Finally, make folders for old emails that you do want to keep #organized, whether they include financial information, notes from friends, picture attachments or receipts. #DigitalDecluttering
Is It Time for a Digital Detox?
With social media algorithms pushing content to your accounts and demanding attention constantly, you may need more than a #digital #decluttering — you may need a digital #detox. Create boundaries, says Simple Thread. Schedule screen time and a time when you can be tech-free. Turn off notifications. Delete unused or rarely used apps. Leave your phone in a different room or somewhere other than your pocket to ensure you won’t check it. Plan tech-free activities. Finally, get an alarm clock to wake up rather than using your phone to ensure you don’t get sucked into screen time first-thing. #DigitalDecluttering #DigitalDetox
Create a System to Cut Your Digital Clutter
It’s easy to gather #digital #clutter — thousands of photos, downloads, emails and other files that just get in the way of what you’re currently working on, eat up storage space and slow your operating system. To keep phones, laptops and other equipment running smoothly, create a system to handle those countless bits of data, says Be More With Less. Use your apps or operating system to find files and sort them into places you can access quickly. Delete duplicate files, old emails and inessential photos. Archive the stuff you might need “someday.” The goal is an intuitive system that keeps useful files front-and-center and digital clutter out of the way. #DigitalDecluttering
How to Help Your Aging Relatives Declutter and Downsize
As people get older, they often enter a paradox: They have collected a lifetime of memorabilia and possessions, and they may only use a tiny fraction as their needs, interests and health circumstances change.
The problem isn’t limited to the elderly; people of all ages keep substantial amounts of things they don’t necessarily need. But the older one is, the more one is likely to have amassed a lot of #stuff — and the more likely that life changes will demand a #downsizing.
If one of your parents, relatives or friends is “getting up there” in age, they may need some help #decluttering. It can be physically, mentally and emotionally challenging, says The Homes I Have Made, but the effort will be worthwhile.
#Clutter affects physical safety and mental well-being. Once thoroughly #decluttered, a home is easier to navigate and keep #clean if a relative plans on aging in place. And if they are planning on moving to a smaller space or a sunnier location, it will be easier to pack up and go.
The whole family can get involved if an aging parent has a lot of stuff — sharing memories and making new ones. Take your time, but have everyone involved target specific areas for decluttering. Have boxes and bags ready and take frequent breaks to enjoy one another’s company.
When you help a family member shed cherished furnishings and accessories, you can ensure that those things go to a good home. Someone in the family may need that antique armoire that’s been in the family for decades, for example, or want to give that dining-room set a new home.
Any unwanted goods can be #donated to a worthy charity. ClothingDonations.org accepts used clothing, furniture, appliances, housewares, kitchen items, media, toys and many other items, for example, and will pick them up to make #decluttering convenient. Those #donations will be resold to help fund valuable #veterans programs throughout the country.
It’s never easy to #declutter or #downsize, but your aging relatives don’t have to go it alone — or worse, suddenly have to make a life change that’s hindered by a lifetime of stuff. Start today to make their golden years happy, healthy and #clutter-free.