Order from Chaos of the Past
Gmail has given me 7 GB of free space. My iPhone has 16 GB. I do not even know how many my laptop has, but it is getting slower so I realize I am getting close – dangerously close – to the limit.
A lot of space gone – because of clutter.
I don’t know about you but I still keep emails from circa 2008 (I have 20,000+ in my Gmail to date) and have tons of unread mail. But I had to take notice when Gmail started flashing me her threat, er, promise that I can have more space – 20 GB – for $5 per annum.
(I know I have to have Gmail – or some free mail – because the AOL, Telus and AT&T e-mail addresses of this world only last as long as you subscribe to them – that is, all emails will be gone to cyberspace black hole never to be seen again when you switch from one provider to another – I know, cause it’s happened to me – on second thought, maybe that’s not too bad…)
But wary of committing myself to paying Gmail long-term, here is what I did (there is no magic wand, so pay heed):
- Delete all unimportant emails – like Facebook, LinkedIn, Groupon notifications BUT to make sure you weed it all out, open a message and look at the email address of the source. Type that address in the search box and all similar emails will appear. Click the trash box icon and voila. All of it – gone.
- But not truly gone because they have just been moved to Trash. You still have to go to Trash and empty it. Yesss, click that Empty Trash button with glee. Delete all of it
- Never let clutter pile up again. Declutter at every opportunity.
Same goes for your laptop or iPhone. Delete all unimportant documents, especially the big files – like videos or audio recordings or some random useless photos your right hand took that your left hand didn’t know. Do this at least once a week.
With your online life, so goes your offline life. Here is what you can do:
- Go paperless – for bills, notifications, any documents. You will be surprised at how beautiful your table looks clear of clutter.
- Empty the (literal) trash bin – every day. While at it, clean – everyday – so you will have something to empty.
- Tackle one project every week – the drawers, the closet, the hidden recesses of your house. In the words of Zen master Leo Babauta, be merciless. Throw away what you need to throw away, and then give some. That thing languishing in your closet may be treasure to someone else.
Because life feels wonderfully better when you live in uncluttered space – both online and offline.
P.S. There’s more decluttering tips from BlogHer, where we all celebrate a life well-lived. Do enter BlogHer’s current Life Well Lived Sweepstakes and win some cool prizes!
Article by Issa. Art by Danvic. Copyright 2009-2012.
website: www.YouWantToBeRich.com
email: issa@youwanttoberich.com
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Pingback: Melissa Briones
I am a serial decluterrer. I used to keep a lot of memorabilia, but I then realized that they all eat up a lot of space. So I declutter my stuff at least twice a year. Feels good to just purge the unnecessary and create more space for the new
I should do that regularly too – I mean, for the big stuff. And big stuff takes a big space, once we are done, that big breathing space is available for us to enjoy. Thanks, Didi.
Clean unnecessary mails and keep enough of space available. Declutter your staff whenever it’s necessary. Always keep spam box empty.
We do it during the Holy Week break and Xmas breaks since there’s time. Not sure how you will do that over there since there are hardly any luxurious breaks like in the PH. hehehe!
And wait, don’t you have lots of space to fill at this point in time?
I actually have less space than I had before so I have to unload, and I have got to do it soon mare! 🙂 (you are right about the lack of luxurious breaks hay)
Great tips! I love throwing things away (and donating!)
Me too!