How To Apply The KonMari Method To Digital Spaces
The KonMari Method has taken the world by storm. Marie Kondo's organizational system is simple, easy to implement, and offers no magic solutions. The method relies on the realization that you only need the items you find dearest and that by cutting down on the number of belongings, it'll be easier to stay tidy.
If the method works so well for physical spaces and items, why not apply it to digital clutter? Physical clutter affects our anxiety levels, sleep, and ability to focus, so it makes sense digital clutter can also affect our mental health and productivity. By tidying our digital workspaces, we give ourselves clearer minds and better efficiency.
Here's how the KonMari method translates to digital spaces:
1.Commit yourself to tidying up.
The KonMari Method emphasizes setting an intention from the outset to get rid of the clutter in your life for good. Transformation takes significant time and energy, so there's no point in starting if you're not truly invested. If you're not committed to making changes, then you'll inevitably slide back into your untidy ways. Promise yourself you'll work the entire process from beginning to end.
2. Imagine your ideal lifestyle.
What do you want your digital spaces to look like? An empty inbox every day? Your daily tasks neatly laid out for you in an email or on an app? Do you want clean spaces with calming color schemes? How do you want to start and end each workday? Don't limit your fantasies. You'd be surprised at how many tools are out there to help you optimize your digital workspaces.
3. Finish discarding first. Before getting rid of items, sincerely thank each item for serving its purpose.
Old files, photos, and unnecessary apps bog down computer memory and make finding important things more difficult. If it's bookmarked recipes you never got around to making, maybe decide if you want to take time to transfer the recipe to a document. If not, then it's probably not very important. This also applies to photos, files, and emails. If it's not very important, and it doesn't elicit joy, then it's probably time to part ways.
Thanking each item before discarding may seem silly to some, but it does serve a purpose. By showing an object gratitude, you’re releasing yourself from any guilt or obligation you may have that might persuade you to keep it.
4. Tidy by category, not location.
Are your work files mixed in with personal files? Do you still have those old email accounts you keep open in case an old friend reaches out? Are there photos stored in old computers and phones you haven't yet uploaded to the cloud? Tidying by category forces you to consider all the possible places items may be. You'll also see how much of specific category you have, and it'll give you a better understanding of how to organize it.
5. Follow the right order.
The KonMari Method relies on a specific order of tidying, starting with the easiest (clothes) and ending with the most difficult (sentimental). This can apply to digital spaces as well. Start with the easiest to sort, which will most likely be files and emails, and end with the most sentimental areas, such as photos. This means you’ll be less likely to get bogged down by old memories as you move through the process.
6. Ask yourself if it sparks joy.
Besides photos, it's probably strange to think items stored on your computer can spark joy for you. Your financial documents from three years ago you keep on hand in case of audits are unlikely to spark any sort of joy. That said, if it's vital to your work or personal life, keep it. If not, then ask yourself if it sparks joy. That one recipe app on your iPad you haven't opened in months? Probably time to toss.
Tidying digital spaces is a significant step towards living a simpler, more efficient life. Once you eliminate the clutter from your computer and mobile devices, you'll be able to focus on what truly matters.