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Sherry Borsheim

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How to Set Up Your Smartphone Like A Digital Minimalist

By Blog, Digital Minimalism, Digital Organizing, Time Management No Comments


Ready to learn how to set up your smartphone like a digital minimalist?

 

Setting up a “Digital Minimalist Phone” may be your saving grace. If you often find yourself mindlessly scrolling through your phone, wasting hours of your day on unproductive activities… this is for you!

 

Modern Day “Doom”

 

“Doom-scrolling” is a common habit that leaves many of us feeling guilty and frustrated with ourselves.

 

In today’s world, our phones have become an extension of our own person. Levels of self-discipline are falling because that unhealthy digital attachment leads to anxiety and distraction.

 

Our whole digital world is oozing with content and we’re bombarded on the daily with beeps, pings, and buzzes. Targeted ads are tailored to our desires, and therefore, our attention is easier to grab and hold.

 

Digital addiction can come from many different streams. It is not always our own fault or even conscious doing.

 

Businesses obsessively honing in on their customers’ weaknesses to exploit them monetarily (or otherwise) is one of the deep roots of our digital addictions. And we ALL fall victim to this in one way or another.

 

As this isn’t going away anytime in the foreseeable future, our best way out of the cycle of digital depression is to take BACK control over how we spend time on our smartphones… with digital minimalism.

“Why am I so attached to my phone?”

 

Spending the past two years practicing as a Digital Minimalist has truly opened my eyes. For example, when I don’t monitor my screen time, a quick email check can easily waste an otherwise productive hour.

 

I have been writing many new chapters of my life these past few years, as well as learning a lot about human behaviour.

 

I first noticed this habit and impulse of mine to always be checking my phone. The cycle would begin with having feelings of anxiety and that I need to have my phone on me at all times, otherwise, I might miss something important.

 

This led me to ask myself, “Why am I so attached to my phone?”

 

 

When I noticed this phone-induced anxiety coming up, I started to question myself each time, “What is it that I’m avoiding?”

 

Is it going out for a walk? Is it reading a book? Procrastinating on deskwork?

 

I started consciously noticing HOW I was using my phone. As well as thinking about which distractions I could eliminate and what other things were causing me to feel “tied” to my phone.

 

In this blog post, I’m sharing more about the exact steps in my journey to becoming a Digital Minimalist. I’ll be guiding you through how to set up your phone so that it can intentionally support a more focused and creative life.

 

How to Set Up Your Smartphone Like A Digital Minimalist




Reset Your Digital Habits

 

Before diving into the setup process, it’s essential to acknowledge the habits that KEEP us tethered to our phones. The impulse to constantly check for notifications or escape into endless scrolling can take a toll on our productivity and mental well-being. By understanding WHY we’re so attached to our devices, only then can we begin to make lasting changes to our digital minimalist habits.

 

Create an Intentional Phone Setup

 

Setting up your phone for digital minimalism starts with organizing your home screen. By curating widgets and essential apps, you can minimize distractions and focus on what truly matters. Useful widgets (like a timer, calendar, and navigation tools) can help you stay on track with your tasks and appointments. All while decluttering unnecessary apps helps reduce visual noise and temptations.

 

Turn Off Distractions

 

To further enhance your digital minimalist setup, consider turning off features like Always On Display and Raise to Wake. These settings can create unnecessary distractions and drain your phone’s battery quickly. Just because we CAN be reached 24/7 does not mean we MUST be available 24/7. Protect your peace and set boundaries around your time by disabling them. You’ll be reducing interruptions and able to have more mindful interactions with your device.

 

Customize Your Environment

 

Changing your phone’s wallpaper to a calming and inspiring image can set the tone for a focused and intentional interaction each time you pick up your device. Organizing your apps into folders or using the app library feature can streamline your digital minimalist experience even more. Reduce app clutter and file them out of sight to lessen temptations and make it easier to find what you need, when you need it.

 

Digital Minimalists Aren’t Perfect

 

Practicing digital minimalism is a journey that requires patience and loads of intentionality. By gradually decluttering your digital life and simplifying your interactions with technology, you can reclaim your time, attention, and mental clarity. Remember, the goal is not to eliminate technology entirely but to use it mindfully and intentionally to support a more fulfilling life.

 

Taking the First Step

 

If you’re ready to simplify your digital life and embrace digital minimalism, I encourage you to download our
FREE Productivity Apps Guide.

 

With practical tips and application recommendations, this is your valuable resource for decluttering in the digital world, reclaiming your time, and enjoying your conscious daily presence. You can start becoming a digital minimalist today and experience the transformative power of intentional technology use by tomorrow!

 

 

 

Like this article?

You’ll love this one 👇🏻
Organize + Level Up Your iPhone for Better Productivity

 

 

 

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5 Easy Tips to Get Started with Digital Minimalism

By Blog, Digital Minimalism, Digital Organizing, Simple Living No Comments

Before practicing these 5 easy tips to get started with Digital Minimalism, finding peace and productivity felt like an uphill battle.

 

Did you know that the average American checks their cell phone 344 times a day? That’s a jaw-dropping statistic, which highlights just how entangled technology has become in our daily lives.

 

But what if there was a way to break free from this cycle of digital dependency?

 

Over the past two years, I’ve been on a personal journey with Digital Minimalism.

 

I have dedicated these years to making significant changes in my digital habits and reclaiming control over my device use. It’s been small steps over a period of time as I ease into a new workflow and get clearer on my priorities and goals for my life.

 

In this blog post, I’ll share the insights and strategies I’ve learned along the way. These 5 easy tips to get started with Digital Minimalism are sure to help you declutter your digital life and find greater peace and productivity!

 

5 Tips to Get Started with Digital Minimalism

 

Step 1 – Delete Non-Essential Apps

 

The first step in embracing Digital Minimalism is to declutter your phone. We’re starting here because this device is the main time-stealing culprit!

 

Take a critical look at each app on your device and ask yourself:

 

Does this enhance my life or is it merely a source of distraction?

 

Organize your home screen with only the most essential apps that you use daily, minus social media apps. Shuffle over your less frequently used apps to the following pages. If you’d like to organize a step further, set up folders for different app categories.

 

By streamlining your app pages, you’ll reduce digital clutter and naturally create a more focused digital environment. Plus you’ll be helping yourself quit the tempting habit of doom-scrolling once the social media apps are out of sight!

Step 2 – Organize Your Computer

 

Most people who come to me for digital organizing come with the main concern of a disorganized computer. Your computer desktop can quickly become a dumping ground for folders, files, shortcuts, and visual clutter since we don’t always see it piling up.

 

Take the time to organize your desktop by removing unnecessary icons and creating a simple system for file storage and organization.

 

Utilize cloud storage solutions like Google Drive to store files and documents to keep your desktop clean and running smoothly.

 

Get your FREE Digital File Cabinet Planner here!

 

 

Step 3 – Organize Your Email

An overflowing inbox can be a significant source of stress and distraction from the moment we wake up.

 

Take back control of your email by unsubscribing from unnecessary newsletters, store flyers, mailing lists, and spam.

 

Create categorized folders to organize incoming messages. Add labels to your frequent incoming emails so they can auto-sort into their respective folders.

 

Set aside a few minutes each day to manage your inbox, archiving or deleting unneeded emails to keep it clutter-free.

 

Step 4 – Declutter Your Calendar

 

Your calendar is a powerful tool for managing your time and staying organized in all aspects of life. However, it can quickly become cluttered when we aren’t reviewing it often.

 

Take the time to declutter your calendar by reviewing upcoming events, tasks, and appointments. Remove anything that doesn’t align with your priorities or goals.

 

Create dedicated theme days, like content creation on Monday, filming on Tuesday, and blocks of time for specific tasks (task-batching!). With these in place, you will be able to save that 20 minutes lost to task-switching and minimize distractions.

 

Give yourself the time freedom for activities that truly matter to you!

 

 

Step 5 – Prioritize Personal Enjoyment

 

Finally, don’t forget to prioritize your own personal enjoyment and leisure time.

 

Embracing Digital Minimalism isn’t just about reducing visual clutter and distraction; it’s also about reclaiming your precious time and energy for activities that you love to do.

 

Whether it’s going for a walk without your phone, spending time with loved ones, or zoning in on a favorite hobby. Make sure you’ve always got time for the things that nourish your soul and bring meaning to your life!

 

Digital Minimalism is truly a journey of self-discovery and intentional living.

 

By decluttering your digital life and minimizing your technology use with these 5 easy tips to get started with Digital Minimalism, you will create space for greater peace, productivity, and personal fulfillment.

 

Take the first step on this journey today and start experiencing the transformative power of Digital Minimalism in your life!

 

Do you practice any habits for Digital Minimalism already? Drop them in a comment below!

 

 

 

 

Like this article?

You’ll love this one👇🏻
Simplify Your Business with Effective Systems

 

 

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Free Organizing Styles Quiz

By Blog, Free Articles, Quick Organizing Tips, Resources No Comments

The Four Organizing Styles:
Who Are You?

 

Organizing is more than just pretty bins and containers… It’s about designing your dream organizing systems so that you can find what you want, when you need it – with EASE!

Tally your answers from the quiz below to get clear on exactly where to start, how to declutter, and the best ways for you to organize your spaces.

Experience more joy and freedom in your life today!

 

 

I can never find my keys, to-do lists, or phone charger.

  1. Every day
  2. Occasionally
  3. Often
  4. Rarely

 

I have a few things on my kitchen counter to put away, I’ll do it…

  1. Why do I need to put them away? They’re not in my way
  2. Later – probably after work tomorrow or when I have time this weekend
  3. Tonight – I like to tidy up before bed
  4. Right now – why wait?

 

I have a good system for planning, prioritizing, and achieving my goals.

  1. Not really and I don’t really know how
  2. I think so, but I struggle with following through
  3. Somewhat, yes
  4. Absolutely, I crush my goals

 

I delegate tasks to others whenever possible and I am able to let go once I have delegated a task.

  1. Not often, I prefer to do things myself
  2. Yes all the way, take it off my shoulders please!
  3. As long as they follow my directions precisely, then yes
  4. No way – I’m very specific in how I complete my tasks

 

When focusing on an activity or work task, I can work without getting distracted by other projects, people, clutter, etc…

  1. I don’t know the last time I was distraction-free
  2. Not very often
  3. Most of the time
  4. Always

 

I can restrict myself from spending too much time on social media.

  1. No and I don’t really want to, it’s a tool and how I stay connected
  2. If I realize I’m spending too much time I will usually log off for a few hours
  3. Yes, and it’s a very important thing to do
  4. I’m pretty good at it or I don’t use it much

 

I make my bed…

  1. Only if someone is coming over and they might see it
  2. Most days, but sometimes I’ve got to run if I’m busy!
  3. If I wake up feeling motivated in the morning
  4. Immaculately every morning, it’s the first thing I do!

 

Once I identify a habit that works against me, I adjust how I do things to improve my productivity.

  1. I do try, but I find I always end up back where I started
  2. I really want to but sometimes I don’t know where to start
  3. I try my best to change bad habits
  4. Totally, I am constantly improving and proud of it

 

Do you clean up your workspace often?

  1. It’s not perfect by any means, but it makes me comfortable
  2. I like to do it at the end of each work week
  3. I straighten things up when I’m finished for the day
  4. Yes! I appreciate a bright, fresh start each day

 

When I start a book, magazine, or other reading material, I am able to finish it in a timely manner.

  1. Sometimes
  2. Hardly ever
  3. Usually
  4. Always

 

I have a systematic method for naming electronic files, sorting digital photos, and organizing emails.

  1. Not really, I have too much to organize alone – but it’s all in one place does that count!?
  2. Kind of but I’m often too busy to categorize these things to where they belong
  3. Yes but it’s not as intricate as I’d like
  4. Yes and it is very specific – I can recall any information I need at a moment’s notice

 

I stick to a schedule for watering my plants, feeding my pets, meal prepping, etc.

  1. I’m happy with my consistency, it may not be perfect but it’s enough
  2. I get around to it eventually, I know I could be better though
  3. I do it when I remember, usually I group a bunch of tasks to do in a row
  4. All of the time, I love a routine and planning my whole day out

 

I can find anything I need in my home within 5 minutes.

  1. Hardly ever
  2. I know the general area
  3. Most of the time
  4. Always

 

I either immediately fix or get rid of things that are not in good working condition. My appliances and car work well.

  1. I usually just replace the thing right away – but I’ll keep the original to repair someday
  2. I’m the type to use something until it’s dead, and then replace it
  3. I want to do it immediately so I’ll put the item by the front door or the issue on my to-do list
  4. Absolutely – but I need to find the best price or place for it first

 

I enjoy my home environment and find it a relaxing and nurturing place to spend time.

  1. My home is a comfortable space that displays a lot about who I am
  2. I have a vision for what I’d like but I haven’t found the way I want to do it yet
  3. I do my best to achieve what I envision but it’s always a little off
  4. My home is my oasis and I organize/decorate to maintain exactly that

 

Everyone in my household knows where things belong and they put things away.

  1. Not really, we don’t have a designated place for each thing so sometimes items are in random spots
  2. Yes, but we don’t always get around to doing it as frequently as I’d like
  3. We don’t have many systems in place but the house is organized to some degree
  4. They do, however it’s never perfect unless I readjust it

 

I have gone through my closets and drawers within the past year and gotten rid of anything that does not fit me currently, or that I no longer like or want.

  1. No I like to keep clothes and items in case I change my mind and might need or want them in the future
  2. I’ve done this once or twice, but I struggle with distractions and end up with piles out for days instead
  3. I do this sometimes, but often the to-go items find their way back before they go out
  4. I do this often, I don’t have anything that isn’t useful to me in the present

 

To live a more balanced life where my physical, mental, spiritual, social needs are met, one area I’d like to improve in is…

  1. I would like to improve my perseverance
  2. I would like to improve my motivation
  3. I would like to improve my productivity
  4. I would like to improve my stress levels

 

Quiz Score

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