Part 1: Screens
Clutter is crazy! Whenever it gets out of hand in our homes, we inevitably find ourselves using only the top third of drawers, biffing out pantry items that expire before we get round to using them, and failing to read print magazines or newspapers while they’re still current. It’s the same with your digital life – clutter creates havoc – and so quickly! In this mini-series on digital declutter, we help you spring clean your digital devices so life gets easier.
Screens that make you scream!
One day your screen or desktop is a visual symphony, the next you can’t find what you’re looking for amidst a sea of apps and files. If this sounds like you, test drive the following tips for a digital spring clean that will make logging-in a pleasure.
App-solute madness
Digital life is supposed to make things easier, not harder, so if you’re sifting through a screen or desktop of apps to find the few you actually need, it’s time to do a cull! In some cases, your device will put seldom-used apps into storage for you, and send you a notification it’s done so. Be aware of these notifications, and take advantage of the reminder to uninstall apps you won’t want again. In the meantime, check for apps that can be ditched right away.
Space-saver
Be mindful, there’s a difference between ‘hiding’ an app (which means it still remains on your device even though you can’t see it on your screen) and ‘uninstalling’ it, which is clearing from your device in a final way. If you really don’t want an app any more, choose the ‘uninstall’ option. It will create more space on your device, and has the potential to help your home screen or desktop open more quickly.
Folders fanatic
Create app order by grouping apps with a common theme (such as ‘travel and transport’ or ‘social media’ or ‘shopping’) into individual folders. In most cases, you can do this by holding your finger on the app you want to move, then dragging it on top of another app in the same theme). This initial action creates your themed folder, and from then on, you can drag other relevant apps into your chosen folder.
Sorted
No one is perfect, which is why we all have tasks to attend to ‘later.’ Instead of having random non-urgent files and images cluttering up your screen, create a ‘To Sort’ folder and shift these files into it.
Bar bliss
Blitz your screen of clutter by pinning your frequently used apps (such as your default browser, Facebook, and Teams) from your desktop to your taskbar (the line of apps at the base of your screen).
Keep it clean
Whether it’s a shot of your pooch, your latest grandchild, or a favourite destination, screen savers don’t help with finding apps. Keep your screen clean with a plain, light colour background which helps highlight your apps.
First things first
Your phone offers several screens. Keep your most frequently used apps on the ‘home’ screen so you see them as soon as you open your phone. Shift less frequently used apps to ‘subsidiary’ screens.
Spray and wipe
It wouldn’t be a real spring clean without a little muscle action, and a physical screen-clean will make everything more visible and easy-on-the-eye (but before you do, always check the instructions on this procedure which come with your device). Where advisable, skip the non-disposable wipes and plastic containers, and make your own screen cleaner.
Just as decluttering your home brings a sense of calm, a digital tidy-up of screens and desktops will make life so much easier. Take time to do it now. You won’t regret it!
