There’s an app for… everything! And we don’t need them all.
Simplicity involves unburdening your life,
and living more lightly with fewer distractions that interfere with a high quality life,
as defined uniquely by each individual..
– Linda Breen Pierce, 1947
Our phones and tablets are useful tools for communicating, staying up on current affairs, capturing memories, and more. Because of their innovative and strategic design, they keep us “connected” and engaged with them on a regular basis. They also distract us constantly. How often do you go to your phone with a specific intent only to be pulled in a different direction by a notification, email, or text?
SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT.© is the 3-step organizing process that works for all the areas of your space and life, including digital. Let’s use it to clean up apps (on phones and tablets).
SEE IT – Take a look at where you are now. Taking the time to answer the questions below will help you consciously realize how your phone affects you daily.
- What’s working? You can be specific or general.
- How do you feel when you look at your phone? Or when it demands attention?
- What isn’t working? What don’t you like?
- How many apps do you have, a little or a lot?
- How long does it take you to find an app?
MAP IT – Make a plan for what you want. For how much time and energy our devices take from us, it’s important to go through this step.
- What’s not working?
- How do you WANT to feel with your phone or tablet?
- Do you prefer your apps to be in categorized folders? Would you like them all in one and do a shortcut search for what you need?
- What kind of wallpaper makes you happy, a solid color or a picture?
- Determine 5 labels that all the apps fit under (i.e., Social, Financial, Smart Home)
DO IT – Take the steps to make it happen. Schedule time to get it done!
- Set the stage: Put your phone on Do Not Disturb/Focus.
- Turn on some happy tunes.
- Create 5 folders for the labels you decided on.
- Move all your apps to the appropriate folder and move all the folders off the first screen so you can enjoy your wallpaper.
- You determine how and when you engage with your devices, not the other way around. Consider turning off most notifications outside of phone calls and texts. Whether we realize it or not, incoming emails chimes and lighting up screens with every social media happening, distract and fragment us. It is liberating to have as few disturbances as possible. Don’t worry, all the interactions will still be accessible to you in the apps.
This is a practicing ground. You can try things out and change them up as works best for you.
Your Guide, Kate Fehr. I am passionate about teaching people the skills of clutter clearing, organizing, and simplifying.