My 30-Action Digital Decluttering Plan For a Fresh Start (Useful Every Year)
29 Dec 2025 #productivityI’ve tried resolutions. But they didn’t work.
On New Year’s Eve, excitement fills the air: holidays, dinner, and presents. But that excitement often becomes a to-do list we never complete.
Instead of resolutions and to-dos, I prefer to go with an intention.
Last year, my intention was “health.” I did something for my body, mind, and spirit every day. One simple idea that changed my life. A 15-min workout session, writing, and a moment of silence kept me sane.
For this year, I’m making “simplicity” my new intention. And to start, I’m decluttering my digital life. Here’s my decluttering plan:
Computer
#1. Before messing with anything, run a backup. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Plug in a USB drive and copy what you want to keep. I use FreeFileSync to automate backups.
#2. Keep the Desktop clean. All those temporary files looking for a folder: Gone!
#3. Clean the Downloads folder. Remove all those freebies you never read.
#4. Archive unused files from Documents.
#5. Uninstall unused software. If you haven’t used it in the last 6 months, it’s out.
#6. Delete old backups.
#7. Archive notes you no longer need or have already used.
#8. Remove screenshots you don’t need anymore.
#9. Clean your RSS reader. Unfollow dormant blogs or sites.
#10. Clean your password manager.
#11. Discard one-time coding projects or folders.
#12. Alternatively, run BleachBit, CCleaner, or similar apps.
For each browser…
#13. Remove bookmarks. I often use bookmarks as a cheap “Read for Later” app.
#14. Clear browser history, cookies, and saved data.
#15. Remove or change pinned tabs.
#16. Uninstall extensions you don’t need.
Online
#17. Turn off email notifications. I don’t need an email for every like, comment, or repost. Leave email for 2-factor authentication or security notifications.
#18. Unfollow people from social media accounts. If they haven’t published anything in the last 6 months, out. If their message doesn’t resonate anymore, out.
#19. Clear saved content from social media apps, like Medium, LinkedIn, or dev.to.
#20. Delete old email notifications. My bank sends me an email every time I buy something. If I still need them, I can generate a report from the bank’s website.
#21. Unsubscribe from newsletters.
#22. Archive reference emails.
#23. Clean Canva projects. Often I create multiple versions of the same design, but only the latest matters.
Phone
#24. Clean the homepage. Leave no apps or icons there. Group related apps inside folders on the second page.
#25. Remove social media and unused apps. Again, run the 6-month test.
#26. Remove memes and large files from WhatsApp groups.
#27. Remove “bad” photos. People in funny poses, with closed eyes: gone!
#28. Remove to-watch or to-read notes.
#29. Clean your browsers’ history.
#30. If you use YouTube, clean your search history and change Google’s Ads ID.
#31. Clear Cloud storage. I keep extra copies when sharing files between computers.
I thought about making a checklist on Gumroad, but that would just add clutter to your downloads. Instead, bookmark this post.