have you done a digital declutter?

One of my goals in 2025 was to face a tedious task: sort, purge, and backup digital media. I capture both personal and client project photographs and videos on my phone, and up til now, I’ve had an okay album system for sorting them. In 2023, I started my Instagram account and wasn’t prepared for the VOLUME that comes with producing content.

Digital media is the area I feel most disorganized in, and it’s had an increasing impact on my mental well-being. I access photos on my phone every day, and know countless minutes (ugh, hours) have been lost to a system that no longer works. When I get stuck trying to find that image I need, it affects my mood and creative flow. It’s a daily frustration fueled by time anxiety…a chronic fear of wasting time, and feeling behind or guilty about not doing what I'm meant to.

Have you ever felt this way?

Whether physical or digital, the stuff we bring into our homes and lives influences us. Sometimes it’s good (joyful, inspiring). Other times it’s triggering (a stress, distraction). Being aware of how stuff affects you is really informative. You might not yet know how to deal with those uncomfortable feelings, but simply noticing when it happens and what behaviors or sensations it stirs up inside is a strong starting point. 

Recognizing how digital disorganization made me feel, was the nudge I needed to tweak my system. The thought of sorting through THOUSANDS of photos and videos was scary. So, like any organizing project, I approached it slowly, reviewing a small batch of photos whenever a pocket of time (like waiting in the carline at school pickup) would arise. I've been doing this over several months, still have hundreds to go, but without the pressure of a deadline, it feels relaxed not dire. 

A couple weeks ago, I took on more, backing up all of my client before + afters, then narrowing down what remained on my phone. Emptying the trash was so satisfying, and the new album/folder system I created makes sense AND feels organized. It gave me the urge to purge more. Bye-bye forgotten files and apps I don’t use! My phone can't literally get lighter, but this digital declutter, letting go of things not serving me, has been a mental load off. It’s like finally ridding the catch-all closet of the extras you didn’t need but kept just in case, leaving you with plenty of space and easy access for what you truly do.

have you done a digital declutter?

While living in a digital age has many incredible conveniences, some innovations (like online shopping and social media) can quickly fill our homes and heads with immense overwhelm. The good news: it's in our power to take control over our devices. With self-awareness, we can create healthy boundaries and systems that support our goals, and allow us to engage and enjoy the upsides of a growing digital world. You've got this!

Always,