This Diwali, don't just clean your home, declutter your digital space too

Diwali is here and it's time to declutter your digital space (Picture Credit: Pexels)

As the festival of light comes close you clean your home, donate old clothes, and rearrange crockery. You try to clean every nook and corner of the house. But one space often stays a mess, even after Diwali cleaning: the digital life. Overflowing inboxes, 17 versions of the same selfie, and apps you probably haven’t touched in years? Guilty as charged? Well! This year, make your festive prep feel truly complete by decluttering your e-clutter.

Digital clutter may not gather dust, but it definitely piles up, and slows you (and also the gadget) down. Just like physical mess, it eats into your time, focus, and mental space. Think of how often you've scrolled through your camera roll trying to find that one picture or got distracted by unnecessary app notifications. Diwali is about light and clarity—why not bring that same energy into your digital space? Here’s how to begin.

Also read: Décor upgrades with budget-friendly tweaks for a festive-ready corners

Here are 8 ways to declutter your digital life before Diwali:

Clear your inbox: Delete promo emails, spam mails, unsubscribe from newsletters you never read, and organise with folders. A clean inbox means a calmer brain.

Delete duplicate and blurry photos: Use photo-cleaning apps or manually go through your gallery. Save only what sparks joy, or makes sense. Free up GBs instantly.

Uninstall unused apps: Many a time you end up downloading an app impulsively but barely use it. The rule is, if you haven’t used it for 3 months, you might need it. So, say sayonara to all such apps.

Organise files and folders: Whether it’s your desktop or Google Drive, create folders by type or date. Label them clearly. No more “Final-Final-Presentation.”

Update passwords and enable two-factor authentication: Many people often forget the passwords. Are you among them? If yes, it’s time for a digital safety check. Use a password manager if remember password doesn’t come easy to you.

Back up your data: Want to prevent your phone from crashing? Put the photos, contacts, documents on a cloud or external drive. You’ll thank us later.

Turn off unnecessary notifications: All those pings from shopping apps and games? Mute them. It’ll give you mental clarity and save your battery too.

Also read: Build your own home toolbox: 8 must-have tools for every homeowner

Clean your actual devices: Wipe your phone screen, clean your keyboard, dust off your laptop. It’s literal cleansing with metaphorical satisfaction.

FAQs on how one can digital declutter:

1. What is digital decluttering?

Digital decluttering is the process of organizing, cleaning, and simplifying your digital devices and online presence to improve efficiency, reduce stress, and free up storage space.

2. How often should I digital declutter?

It's a good idea to digital declutter regularly—monthly or quarterly—depending on how frequently you use your devices and accumulate digital files.

3. What are some easy first steps to start digital decluttering?

Start by deleting unnecessary files, uninstalling unused apps, organizing emails, and clearing out duplicate photos or documents.

4. How can I manage my email inbox effectively?

Unsubscribe from unwanted newsletters, create folders or labels for organization, archive old emails, and delete junk or spam messages regularly.

5. Are there tools to help with digital decluttering?
Yes, there are apps and software like storage analyzers, duplicate file finders, and email management tools that can assist in cleaning and organizing your digital space.