Digital Decluttering: Tips from Professional Organizers

Experts share how to tidy up your devices and reduce digital distractions

Feb. 1, 2026 at 7:15pm

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Professional organizers Beata Kozlowski and Tonia Tomlin offer advice on decluttering your digital life, from clearing out unused apps and old documents to organizing photos and emails. They recommend tackling one device at a time, focusing on specific categories, and setting regular maintenance reminders to prevent future clutter.

Why it matters

As our lives become increasingly digital, it's easy for our devices to become overwhelmed with clutter. This can lead to frustration, distraction, and difficulty finding important information. By adopting the decluttering strategies shared by these experts, readers can regain control over their digital spaces and improve productivity and focus.

The details

The experts suggest starting with your phone, as it's the device we use most frequently. They advise tackling one category at a time, such as photos, apps, or emails, rather than trying to declutter everything at once. Specific tips include deleting unused apps, merging duplicate photos, unsubscribing from unnecessary email lists, and setting up a basic folder system for computer files. The organizers also recommend implementing regular maintenance, such as weekly email cleanups and quarterly app/photo reviews, to prevent digital clutter from building up again.

  • Declutter your phone's photo library and delete unnecessary screenshots and duplicates.
  • Uninstall apps you no longer use on a weekly basis.
  • Review and organize your computer files, including documents, images, and videos, every three months.
  • Sort through your email inbox and unsubscribe from unwanted mailing lists on a weekly basis.

The players

Beata Kozlowski

Professional organizer and founder of Tidy Step by Step.

Tonia Tomlin

Professional organizer and founder of Sorted Out.

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What they’re saying

“Your phone is usually the best starting point, since we use it daily.”

— Beata Kozlowski, Professional Organizer

“Think of it like cleaning — start in one room, rather than trying to clean the whole house at once.”

— Beata Kozlowski, Professional Organizer

“Uninstall apps you no longer use to free up space and reduce visual clutter.”

— Tonia Tomlin, Professional Organizer

“Customize your notification settings to minimize distractions. Enable alerts only for essential apps and messages, helping you maintain focus and reduce digital noise.”

— Beata Kozlowski, Professional Organizer

“Review your online accounts and delete or deactivate any you no longer use. Consider using a password manager to keep track of important logins without cluttering your memory.”

— Tonia Tomlin, Professional Organizer

The takeaway

By adopting the digital decluttering strategies shared by these professional organizers, readers can regain control over their devices, reduce distractions, and improve productivity and focus in their daily lives.