Let’s face it, we all rely heavily on digital technology and this is an area we often forget to declutter and organize. A lot of time can be wasted sifting through digital photos and documents. We have also all had that moment where we deleted a really important file or photo and did not have a backup—it’s the worst feeling. Here are three digital areas to assess and declutter, that will in turn improve your life and reduce stress. —Jane Stoller
make cloud storage and digital drives your best friend. Gone are the days of shedding tears because you think you lost all of your photos! Having backup systems in place will save you a huge headache if you ever lose your phone, or your computer completely crashes. The biggest advantage of cloud storage is that you can access your files anywhere on most devices. Plus, you reduce storage on your hard drive. Many computers today do not even have USB ports to link to an external hard drive, so that is not even an option. The key to making the cloud super-efficient is to sync all the data you store. If you don’t do this already, take some time to research as your cloud storage needs depend on the devices you use and how much stuff you want to store. Also, the level of security and how tech savvy you are can help you determine which type of cloud storage is best for you. Mac versus Android products will also affect your choices. For work-related files, create a Google Drive account if you do not have one already. It makes it easy to store files and share documents with your team members. Most people are familiar with this system, and it is user friendly. For photo sharing however, consider Dropbox as most graphic designers and photographers use this system for their larger files.
declutter your phone. First, assess what apps you have on your phone and keep only those that you use on a weekly basis. Delete all of the others. Next, sort through all of your music and videos. These take up a lot of storage space so consider deleting what you do not watch or listen to. Photos are a bit different. Go through your photos monthly and make albums based on events and dates. You do not need to completely backtrack, just start when you read this. Use an app like Remo to find and delete duplicate photos. Finally, turn off notifications or put your phone on do not disturb mode. If you’re scared to do this, let your customers know via an email auto response and let your friends know the times you check your phone. This will really help declutter your mind, and also lower screen time.
digitize receipts: no more paper clutter or panicking when it is tax season. Get an app like NEAT for scanning receipts. Use your phone to take a picture from the app, and it to automatically upload to software and be stored in the cloud. NEAT actually further connects to the QuickBooks accounting software. The Google receipt app is also a great choice. Once you find an app, the key is to create a system and declutter receipts regularly.
Jane Stoller aka Organized Jane is a keynote speaker and the author of Decluttering for Dummies.
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