Texts, emails, Instagram, the list goes on and on.
All of these are continually competing for our attention.
The little red notifications on our phone are dinging and alerting us to everything we’re missing out on. It’s hard NOT to have FOMO (fear of missing out) :). All of this digital clutter can make us feel like we’re carrying 100 pounds of bricks around with us every day.
So how can we feel less “alerted”?
4 small changes that will make a big impact in your digital life:
1. Turn off the notifications on your phone.
Does the thought of not having your notifications on make you cringe? Give it a try – you can always change it back! Spend a few minutes going through the settings in your phone and turning off the notifications of most (or all) of your apps. Merely eliminating the dinging and notifying will help you reduce stress and allow you be more present.
2. Unsubscribe from newsletters.
Take the time to unsubscribe at the bottom of newsletters or promotional emails that no longer apply to you. Rather than mass delete them remove yourself from their mailing list altogether. Taking a few seconds to do so will save you hours of deleting in the future.
3. Designate a time to check your email.
If you’re a habitual all-day email-checker, designate specific times throughout the day to review it. When an email pops in, and we rush to read it and respond we are taken away from the other things we are working on or those we are spending time with. Control when you interact with your email rather than allowing it to control you.
4. Use email folders to organize your inbox.
Create folders in your email. Use these as a place to store emails you may need to reference later. After you’ve taken action on an email, file it away or delete it. Email inbox clutter can be just as overwhelming and stressful as hardcopy mail clutter.
A bonus would be to reduce or eliminate looking at your phone before bed. (Guilty over here.) Spend those last few minutes meditating, journaling, praying, reading, or even just go to sleep (you know, good ‘ol self care for the win!)! This is one I’m constantly working on.
If you feel controlled by your phone or computer try a digital detox and see how it goes. Take a break from your phone or computer for a few hours, a day, or a weekend. Delete apps from your phone that you feel you spend too much time on. None of this has to be permanent – think of it as a vacation. You may find yourself subtly feeling lighter.
What other ways have you reduced digital clutter in your life?
