The ability to store everything away in 'the cloud' - something completely intangible that we can't ever see, touch or feel, often gives us the false sense of storage, and security, when really we are just hiding things away.

 

Out of sight, out of mind. 

 

And therein lies the problem.

 

More often than not, you are storing just because you can - because it's automatic - because you don't even think about it - because you don't even know. 

 

You may not even aware of what you are digitally hoarding.

 

Or of how unsafe most data storage actually is. 

 

Here are some easy steps you can take to minimize your digital clutter and simplify your life.

Are you more inclined to store magazines, movies, or photos away just because you can? 

 

Are you storing data just because you have the gigabytes to do it?

 

Using up your allowance?

 

Getting your money's worth?

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."

Leonardo Da Vinci Minimalist Travel Quotes

For media files, would you keep them if they were actual physical objects like dvds, books, magazines, photos?

 

If the worst happened, if you lost all your data, how detrimental would it be to your life?

 

What if someone steals your laptop or hacks your cloud?

 

And the ultimate minimalist test: Do you need it? Do you love it? Does it make you money?

 

If not, get rid of it!

Check your desktop.

 

Check your laptop.

 

Check your tablet.

 

Check your phone.

 

Check your apps.

 

Check everything.

 

Then delete, clear, organize, minimize.

"Truth is ever to be found in simplicity, and not in the multiplicity and confusion of things."

Isaac Newton

Reset to zero.

 

Clear everything completely out, if you can, or at least clear out the unnecessary junk and only keep what's absolutely essential.

 

Re-assess.

 

Re-prioritize.

 

Can you stand to do some de-cluttering?

 

Get a little safer and a little leaner?

 

Zero out your mailbox.

 

Your messages.

 

Watch the movies and then delete them.

 

Listen to the podcasts and then delete them.

 

Contacts of people you don't talk to? Delete.

 

Old photos? Do something with them and then delete them.

 

You can't see them if they're in the cloud anyways.

 

Grocery lists? Delete.

 

Instead, use your brain to remember things. 

 "We have lost contact with reality,

the simplicity of life."

Paulo Coelho

Storing so much information is actually hurting your brain because you're not actively remembering things anymore, so you're not creating new neural pathways.

 

Do you even know anyone's phone number anymore?

 

It's the age of digital amnesia. 

 

Digital reliance is not healthy.

 

The devices themselves are not healthy.

 

But since they are a necessary evil in modern life, we can at least be cognizant of our usage and limit the control they have. 

 

Limit your devices and instantly gain even more control over your life.

 

Help your brain actually be smart instead of stupid.