The new year is here.
And with it… a lot of baggage from the last.
You’ll likely roll into 2023 with a bunch of items on your to-do list and backlog. You’ll have lots of things lingering, on your mind and placing a weight on your shoulders.
Let’s do something different.
Let’s start the new year fresh. Let’s get the year going by doing a digital declutter and purge.
Here’s how to do it…
Delete Old Emails, Apps, and Files
Take a few hours to clean up your digital space.
Delete old emails and apps that you don’t use anymore. Unsubscribe from newsletters filling up your inbox. Get rid of unnecessary photos, documents, and other files that are taking up space on your computer or phone.
A fresh inbox and lean digital workspace can do wonders for your psyche.
2023 will feel free and open to how you want it – not beholden to all those little things that are keeping you in the past.
Review Your Social Media (and Even Accounts)
Go through each of your social media accounts and delete any posts that no longer reflect who you want to be in the new year. This can also include deleting old comments, pictures, videos, or stories that you’d rather not be associated with anymore.
Not only will you leave those experiences in the past but anyone connected with you will have only the best highlights to dig through. All that muck of 2022 will be left behind, letting you have a fresh take on the new year.
Also…
You should consider outright getting rid of social media accounts you’re not really using. Either fully delete them or put them on hiatus by deactivating them.
There, you no longer feel obliged to update social platforms you don’t really enjoy using!
Clear up Digital Distractions
Here are three simple things you can do to digitally declutter your day:
- Put away digital devices when you don’t need them
- Set boundaries around how often and how long you will use devices
- Take breaks from social media, checking emails, and other digital activities that might be distracting you during the day.
Get back to the core of your activities… the things that bring the biggest wins.
Once you start detoxing from the digital distractions you’ll start to realize how silly they are – and how much time they’re sucking.
You’ll soon have hours of extra time throughout the day when you remove these digital distractions. You can then use that to knock out a bit more of your list, or take appropriate time away and really unwind after a long day of work.
Re-Organize Your Digital Files
Get organized by creating folders within your computer, phone, and other digital devices. This way, you’ll be able to find what you need quickly without going through a pile of documents or pictures.
This will also make it so you can easily access your files when needed without having to dig through everything, or assume you’ve lost it. Good digital archiving and structure are one of the many keys to using tech well, so make sure you’re spending a bit of time optimizing your workflow!
Update Passwords / Remove Unused Accounts
Take the time to update all of your passwords so your accounts are secure. Use strong passwords that include numbers, letters, and special characters. You can also use a password manager to help you keep track of all your passwords.
If you’re not going to use a password manager at least do this…
Create passwords based on a combination of words and numbers. Don’t use things that people could guess by looking at your social profiles.
For things you no longer use…
Completely delete accounts that aren’t in use such as old services or sites. Remnants of your activity could cause security issues such as someone trying to do a password retrieve and using that info to get into your main accounts if they happen to use similar password(s).
Backup Your Data
While you’re in there decluttering…
Go through and make sure that all of your important documents, photos, and other data are backed up. This will give you peace of mind knowing that in case something happens to one of your devices, you’ll still have all the information safe and sound.
You can also use this opportunity to…
Clean Up Your Digital Workspace
Take a few minutes each day to clean up your desktop, phone, tablet, or whatever you consider your digital workspace. This includes deleting old files, organizing folders, and creating shortcuts to the programs you use most often.
You can use this time to do those backups, too.
This will let you approach each week with a clear “digital desk” and mind.
Start Fresh, Start Strong
These are just a few of the things you can do to declutter your digital life. The goal is to start fresh so that the next time you need something, it’s easy and quick to find. So take some time to get organized today and you’ll be on your way to a stress-free, productive new year!
