Microsoft once did a study that showed that Americans spend an average of seven hours a day at a computer, and “Accountemps” provided data showing that their employees spend an average of six weeks a year on social networks. These numbers apply to almost every modern person.

If you think that's not true, count how many messages you’ve gotten today on different messengers. How many unread e-mails are left unopened in your inbox? How many files are usually opened at the same on your computer? How many do you really need right now?

All of the above are open tasks that demand your attention, sometimes literally tearing your mind apart even if you don't notice it.

But that's not all.

The virtual (digital) environment is your mirror, all the files, applications, and programs you use regularly, all the blogs you subscribe to, the pictures, music, and movies you save are an imprint of your personality. Everything is just like your home.

If you free your digital environment of the unnecessary, imposed, superfluous, and obsolete, only what is truly yours remains. That which is to your liking, when you stop consuming all the trash that's offered to you, you'll be able to direct your focus to what's really important to you.

By the way, you're bound to encounter resistance. If you've had the habit of hoarding digital junk for a long time, then you can't just up and delete everything unnecessary. However, here is what I read in Anastasia Ryzhina's book, “Digital Minimalism. How to put your digital environment in order, stop depending on gadgets and do what you like”.

“The question, “What do I want to delete?”. Usually, you would rather not delete anything because it's pathetic, because you’re used to it, because, “what if it comes in handy?” In the end, because it's laziness. If you change the question to “How do I use this?” you'll delete several times more information — both on your devices and in your head, more free space. Make a memo, draw a sign asking, “How do I use this?” and hang it up or put it in a prominent place for the duration of the decluttering. In time, it will become familiar, but at first, it won't be a bad help in the revolutionary struggle for thought fuel.”

Try following this advice.

I know that modern computers are programmed with more memory each year, but that's not a reason to keep everything on your hard drive, especially things you’ll never use again. Here’s a list of what exactly you need to get rid of:

• Files that contain irrelevant information.
• Empty folders, or ones you never use.
• Old drafts of documents that have an updated version.
• Unnecessary photos.

When you get rid of all the old and unnecessary stuff, create your own system. Storing files on your computer is not much different from what we use to store paper documents.

Valuable but rarely used folders and files can be put away. Those that are needed daily — keep them in plain sight. Try creating an “At Work” folder on your desktop to save everything you need at the moment and find it quickly.

Be sure to get a handle on the bookmarks in your browser and delete unnecessary ones. There are probably dozens of irrelevant sites that you're not going to open anymore.

Since we're talking about the digital order, I'll give you a few tips on how to use your phone, so it doesn't take up too much of your time.

Delete unnecessary apps.
I want to ask you a question, and I want you to answer honestly; do you really need all the apps that are downloaded on your phone?

No, I'm not worried about your phone’s memory, I'm worried about your RAM, those flashy app icons that take up several screens are just begging: “don't delete me, you can use me!” but personally, I think that if you always type a word in your browser out of habit to translate it from another language, you don't need the translator app, for example.

Change the layout of the apps on the screen.
I bet you often click on an app (like Instagram or TikTok) without even realizing it. It's an action of inertia, try temporarily deleting your favorite app — you'll immediately realize that you're unknowingly tapping where it was every time you turn on your smartphone.
Make it harder for yourself and move distracting app icons to the farthest screen or hide them all inside a folder. The more finger swipes you have to make, the less likely you are to hit Instagram unknowingly.
Your computer, tablet, and smartphone are your work tools, you can use them 100% if you regularly get rid of unnecessary stuff, keep them in order, and structure all your digital information logically.


Please take care of yourself.

Love, Clea.