Let’s be honest—digital clutter is just as stressful as physical clutter. And if I’m being really honest, I struggle with this too. It’s way too easy for my inbox to spiral out of control, my desktop to turn into a chaotic mess of random files, and my phone storage to be clogged with screenshots I don’t even remember taking.

But I’m working on it. And if digital clutter is making you feel scattered and overwhelmed, here are a few simple steps that don’t take much time but can make a huge difference.

1. Clear Out Your Inbox First Thing in the Morning

Instead of letting unread emails pile up, I’m tackling my inbox first thing in the morning. The goal is to delete what I don’t need, respond to anything quick, and move important emails to designated folders (more on that below). Starting the day with a clean inbox helps me feel less overwhelmed.

Quick Action Step: Set a 5-minute timer each morning to delete or sort emails before they take over your day.

2. Unsubscribe Ruthlessly

I used to think I’d eventually read that newsletter I signed up for six months ago. Spoiler: I won’t. If an email doesn’t add value to your life, unsubscribe. It’s amazing how much lighter your inbox (and brain) feels when you cut down on the noise.

Quick Action Step: Search “unsubscribe” in your inbox and go on a mass unsubscribe spree. Or use a tool like Unroll.Me to manage subscriptions in bulk.

3. Create a Simple Folder System

This is where I’m still figuring things out, but having a system for saving important emails and documents makes life so much easier. The key is to keep it simple—don’t create so many folders that it becomes another cluttered mess.

What I’m Trying:

A folder for receipts and important purchases
A folder for anything related to my business
A “Follow Up” folder for things I need to address later

Quick Action Step: Create 3-5 folders based on the types of emails you frequently save. Anything that doesn’t fit those categories? Delete it.

4. Declutter Your Phone & Desktop

Screenshots, random downloads, and apps you never use are cluttering up your devices. I’m making a habit of cleaning up my phone and desktop once a week so things don’t get out of control.

Quick Action Step: Delete 10 unused apps or files right now. (Go on, I’ll wait.)

5. Set Up Digital To-Do Lists That Actually Work

Instead of scribbling notes in ten different places, I’m testing out a digital task manager to keep everything in one spot. I just downloaded Todoist, so I’ll see if it works for me! If you’re looking for other options, some people swear by Notion or Google Keep for organizing their tasks.

Quick Action Step: If you’re using sticky notes or scattered lists, try a digital task manager for a week and see if it helps.

6. Automate Where You Can

If something can be automated, why waste time doing it manually? I’m slowly setting up systems to make my digital life easier—like auto-archiving emails, setting recurring reminders, and using password managers.

Quick Action Step: Enable one automation today—whether it’s an email filter, a scheduled backup, or auto-sorting receipts.

Helpful Tools & Products:

Unroll.Me – for easy email unsubscribing
Google Drive or Dropbox – for organized cloud storage
LastPass – for safely storing and managing passwords (this is what I use, but other people swear by 1Password)

If digital clutter is stressing you out, you’re not alone! Start small, take a few minutes each day, and watch how much more peaceful your digital world becomes.

What’s your biggest digital clutter struggle? Drop a comment—I’d love to know!

Digital Decluttering: Simple Steps to Reduce the Overwhelm