Digital Decluttering

A Simple First Step Toward Digital Asset Freedom

Jun 29, 2025

Ever feel like your digital life is a cluttered attic full of stuff you’ve forgotten but can’t let go of? You’re not alone. Most of us have dozens of old logins, tangled file folders, and cloud drives stuffed with things we “might need someday.” Honestly…don’t you think you’re beginning to sound like a hoarder (I can say that!).

Clearing digital cobwebs doesn’t just feel good. It can actually make your digital assets easier to manage, protect, and even profit from. Let’s walk through a few easy steps to get things organized, one small win at a time.

Before we do, I want to share my reasons why digital decluttering makes sense. If I keel over tomorrow, what don’t I want my daughter to find? What kind of messes am I leaving for her that she’ll resent me for? Can you make up something along those lines, too?

PS — big bonus today. After the wrap-up you’ll find a checklist that could help you get a start on your wayward files. Good luck!

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Step 1: Clean Up Unused Accounts

Why it matters: Every online account you no longer use is a security risk and a mental load. Those resources pile up, quietly leaking your info or causing password confusion later on.

How to start:

Search your email for “Welcome,” “Activate,” or “Reset Password” to find old accounts.
Visit justdelete.me to see if they can be deleted.
Use a password manager to track only the accounts you actually use going forward.
Ever visit the Wayback Machine and type in your name? Hm.

Mini-win: Delete or deactivate just one account today. That’s progress.

Step 2: Organize Your Cloud Drives

Why it matters: A cluttered Google Drive or Dropbox slows you down and hides important files like contracts, creative work, or income records.

Quick tips:

Start by sorting files by type (documents, images, videos).
Create three core folders: Business, Personal, and Archive.
Move files you don’t use regularly into Archive—you can still search for them if needed.
I always create a file named “Taxes + year” so I can drop any invoices or payments I see in the cloud into those folders.

Bonus tip: Add dates or categories to file names (ex: “poetry-book-contract-2023.pdf”).

Step 3: Simplify File Storage

Why it matters: If your files are scattered across old laptops, USB drives, and cloud folders, you’re now part of the “what do I do with this hard drive” club. But centralizing everything will save you headaches (and time).

Action plan:

Choose one main place for your digital files (Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.).
Back up essential files to an external hard drive or a second cloud account. Or both. It won’t hurt to have duplicates.
Label folders clearly, especially anything tied to digital income or legacy planning.

Don't overthink it: Start with your most-used files and go from there. This is a process, not a one-day fix.

Call to Action / Mini-Prompt:

📝 Try this today:
Make a folder on your desktop or cloud drive called “Keepers.” Move just 5 important digital files there—contracts, creative work, or anything you’d hate to lose. That’s it. You’ve started your digital decluttering journey.

Wrap-Up: Small Changes = Big Peace of Mind

Decluttering your digital life isn’t about perfection. It’s about control. When you know what you have, where it lives, and how to gain access to it, you’re already ahead of the game. And best of all? You’re laying the groundwork for everything else, like monetizing that blog, building an online store, or planning a digital legacy.

Next week, look for shorter snippets about digital assets. Summer heat demands light clothes, light drinks, light meals, and light articles.

✅ Digital Decluttering Checklist

A Simple Start Toward Managing Your Digital Life

🧹 1. Clean Up Unused Accounts

☐ Search your inbox for “Welcome,” “Reset Password,” or “Activate” emails to spot old accounts
☐ Delete or deactivate at least one unused account
☐ Start using a password manager to track only active logins

☁️ 2. Organize Your Cloud Drives

☐ Choose one cloud service to focus on (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, etc.)
☐ Create three main folders: Business, Personal, and Archive
☐ Move out-of-date or rarely used files into your Archive folder
☐ Rename a few key files for clarity (add dates or topics, like “poetry-book-contract-2023.pdf”)

🗃️ 3. Simplify File Storage

☐ Pick one central location for your essential digital files
☐ Back up important documents to a second source (cloud or external hard drive)
☐ Create a “Keepers” folder and move 5 important files into it today
☐ Label folders by purpose (ex: “Tax Info,” “Client Projects,” “Family Photos”)

🌟 Optional Bonus Wins

☐ Make a folder called “To Sort Later” for digital clutter you’re not ready to handle
☐ Delete duplicate downloads and screenshots from your phone or computer
☐ Review your bookmarks. Keep the helpful ones, delete the rest

👏 You’re Done (for Today!)
Digital decluttering is best done in small sessions. Check off what you can this week and your future self will thank you!

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