40+ Tricks to Simplify Your Digital Life

File Management

1. Declutter your devices by removing unnecessary files and apps.
2. Reorganize your most-used apps and categorize them into easy-to-access folders.
3. Organize your PC’s files into folders that are sorted by category or date.
4. Back up your important files like birth certificates, bank statements, and your resume. Use encryption.
5. Embrace cloud computing by storing your files and folders via online storage.
6. Name your files and photos so you can easily find them.

Social Media

7. Remove the social media accounts that you no longer use or are easily distracted by.
8. Find offline alternatives to social media and arrange to socialize with your friends and family in person.
9. Stop reacting to posts on social media and step away from any potential arguments.
10. Unfollow people on your social media platforms you no longer have an interest in.

Desktop Customization

11. Tidy up your desktop by using a simple theme.
12. Install software updates and apps in one go to stop you from becoming too distracted.
13. Organize your desktop by adding only the necessary apps and programs.

Emails

14. Delete unused or unwanted emails once a day to stop your inbox from getting cluttered.
15. Unsubscribe from useless newsletters.
16. Make an effort to check your emails at specific times, removing the temptation to continuously check.

Mobile Phones

17. Turn off notifications that you waste too much time checking.
18. Hide your phone away or put it in a drawer for a small amount of time each day or week.
19. Go through your contacts and remove numbers that you don’t recognize or need.
20. Change your phone’s theme to black and white or grayscale to remove the enticing colors and vibrancy.
21. Download the right apps on your phone, like the Moment app which tracks your iPhone and iPad usage per day.
22. During your commute, keep your phone out of sight and enjoy the scenery or bustle around you.
23. Remove any work apps or work emails from your personal phone.
24. Train yourself to ignore the fear of missing out by not checking or responding to notifications so quickly.
25. Avoid starting and ending your day by checking your phone.
26. Use your phone for its purpose rather than to kill time.

Web Browsing

27. Keep track of all your passwords by using a password manager.
28. Minimize your website accounts and close any that you no longer use.
29. Track your time spent online with a useful tool like Toggl to make you more accountable.
30. At the end of the day or evening, close all of your tabs.
31. Set internet-free time aside by disabling your internet connection or sticking to a schedule.

Digital Detox

32. Take yourself away from the digital world for one day once a week, bi-weekly, or monthly.
33 Combine your digital chores and eliminate them in one sitting of one hour per day.
34. Place your tech devices in a different room so that you can turn off from technology.
35. List all of your digital devices and remove any that are not necessary.
36. Set an end time to step away from all digital material per day.
37. During the day, limit yourself to one screen at a time.
38. Limit your screen time and ensure your offer yourself a five-minute break every hour.
39. Take a walk in the fresh air once a day.
40. Make a list of your hobbies or new interests that you want to explore.
41. During quieter periods, indulge in an educational activity like reading.
42. Engage more in physical activities that allow you to relieve stress and promote a healthier lifestyle.
43. Hold yourself accountable and consider whether you really need to take your phone/tablet/laptop with you.

Become Your Own Gatekeeper, Digital minimalism is a continuous process. Like any clutter, it’s easy to remove unnecessary components from your life, but they quickly mount up again.