Are you decluttering your home, too? I’d love to share your success story with other KOAB readers! Please consider submitting the before & after pictures of your decluttering project — you can sign up HERE.
It’s Day #7 of the 31 Days of Decluttering Challenge and today I decided to face my computer desktop. (It’s been an office-related couple of days around here.)
I just got a new computer — my first new laptop since starting KOAB — so I wanted to do one final back-up of my old computer’s “Time Machine” before I transferred all my stuff to my new computer.
Problem: There was a lot of “clutter” on my computer. And while I’d mostly managed to ignore it on my old computer, the thought of moving it all to my shiny new computer suddenly reminded me what a jumbled mess it was.
I started by emptying out my “Downloads” folder, which had thousands of files of various things I’d downloaded from the web — going back over two years! Emptying the trash alone took over 4 minutes.
Then I streamlined my Documents file, creating four mega files – home, money, kids and KOAB, each with sub-folders. Purty!
Finally, I cleared everything off the desktop — I figure if I like my desks clean, why not my desktop? Most of it got trashed, but some of it get “filed” into my new Documents set-up.
I had also let my inbox get away from me. Two years ago, I went on a mission to clear out the email clutter. It was a very successful campaign — and until November, I managed to keep my two inboxes (I have a blog email and a personal one) at 20 or fewer unread messages by the end of each day.
Then, the 2014 Black Friday season hit and my inbox got away from me. This morning I had 196 unread messages in my blog inbox. And since I use my inbox as a virtual “to do list,” all those unread messages were majorly stressful. I cleaned up the blog inbox, challenging myself to just respond quickly to the emails that were still outstanding. (I’m embracing the ethos that any response — even a brief one — is better than no response at all). It took a good hour to get through all the emails, but wow, I feel like I’ve lost 20 lbs!
If you want to clear your virtual clutter, you may want to start by checking out my post on 3 Time Saving Email Tips. I’m also a big fan of Unroll.me — I use it on my personal inbox with great ease.
When it comes to decluttering, public accountability helps, my friends. So please: Leave a comment below and let us know what you have decluttered today!
Do you, too, feel the need to get a handle on your house? Join me for the 31 Days of Decluttering challenge! Maybe you’re willing to take on one project a day (remember: small ones count!). Perhaps you’d rather pick four projects, and give yourself a week to work on each one. Maybe you just want to tackle your basement for once and for all. It’s all good! Everyone is welcome to join.
Day One: Decluttering the Toy Storage Closet
Day Two: Decluttering the Top of a Bedroom Dresser (Finish What You Start!)
Day Three & Four: Decluttering the Master Bathroom
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