As a society, we’re generating and consuming data at unprecedented rates. And much of this data – by some estimates, up to 90% – is never accessed three months after we store it. This digital clutter makes it hard to find what you need and adversely impacts digital performance, creating frustration and stress.
It’s time to make digital cleanup a priority.
Consider your own personal accumulation of data, continually expanding with each passing day, year after year. From selfies, screengrabs, photos and reminders, to apps, software and long-forgotten files. It’s out of sight, out of mind. That is until an “out of storage space” notification reminds us we have all manners of long-forgotten data cluttering our digital closets.
Surprisingly, many would prefer tackling a sink full of dirty dishes or tidying up their homes over purging old digital files. While ignoring the problem might seem like the easiest path, accumulating unnecessary data is not just detrimental to you, but also unfavorable to your wallet and harmful to the environment. It’s easy to forget that your flawed photos and silly screen grabs take up space on a server, in a data center, that requires electricity to run.
As a data center company, it may seem unconventional to be promoting mindfulness about digital waste, but the fact is, worthless data doesn’t serve the people who own it or the infrastructure that houses it. At Compass, we are resolute about zero waste. And this includes digital waste. From our headquarters to our sites, we believe tidy, sustainable spaces support productivity, safer worksites and positive outcomes.
It’s never too soon to start reducing your digital clutter. It promotes greater productivity, reduction of waste and, ultimately, peace of mind…
But What Exactly is Digital Clutter?
Digital clutter is that jumble of unused apps, duplicate files, ancient emails and unorganized folders that clog up our devices and our minds. And just like a cluttered desk, it can make it difficult to find important documents. Digital clutter can slow down our devices, increase stress and leave us feeling overwhelmed.
Examples of Digital Clutter
Some examples of digital clutter are:
- Unused applications and software
- Duplicate files and photos
- Outdated documents and emails
- Unorganized files and folders
- Old text messages and chat conversations
Benefits of Decluttering and Eliminating Digital Waste
Decluttering and eliminating digital waste can offer several benefits, including:
- Improved productivity
- Less stress
- Enhanced security and device performance
- Increased storage space and cost savings
- Better organization and accessibility
- Lower energy consumption
- Reduced environmental impact
Ready to kick your digital clutter to the curb? Here are some practical tips to help you declutter like a pro and transform your digital space into an oasis of productivity.
5 Tips to Reduce Digital Clutter
Manage your digital clutter and create a more streamlined and organized digital environment in five easy steps:
1. Uninstall Unused Apps
- Regular Audits: Periodically review the apps on your devices and uninstall those you no longer use. This frees up storage space and can improve device performance.
- Evaluate Necessity: Before downloading new apps, consider if they’re truly necessary or if you have existing apps that serve the same purpose.
2. Clean Up Files and Media
- Duplicate Files: Use tools to find and remove duplicate files, photos and videos taking up unnecessary space.
- Cloud Storage: Use cloud storage for files you access infrequently, but make sure to organize and clean your cloud storage regularly as well.
3. Manage Emails Efficiently
- Inbox Zero: Regularly clean your inbox. Unsubscribe from newsletters or promotional emails you no longer read.
- Use Filters and Folders: Organize your emails with filters and folders to keep your inbox tidy and reduce storage needs on your device.
4. Digital Minimalism
- Essentialism: Adopt a digital minimalist approach by only keeping content and apps you feel add value to your life.
- Quality Over Quantity: Choose quality apps and services that meet multiple needs over having numerous single-purpose tools.
5. Perform Regular Maintenance
- Disk Cleanup Tools: Use built-in or third-party tools to regularly clean up system junk, cache files and other temporary files.
Digital Cleanup Checklist
Promote zero waste by following this simple checklist to clean up your digital clutter.
Join our Earth Day Challenge and Delete Your #DigitalDustBunnies
In acknowledgement of Earth Day, if you have been searching for a chance to positively impact the environment, we invite you to join us in a digital cleanup mission. Contribute to a healthier planet and be free of useless data at DeleteDigitalDustBunnies.com.
