The Complete Digital Decluttering Guide
- Jessica Globe
- Aug 19
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 18
My list of passwords kept expanding.
My photos were scattered across the galaxy.
And important documents? Good luck finding those.
Most of us are carrying around this invisible weight without even realizing how much mental energy it’s draining. We tell ourselves we’ll organize it “someday,” but someday never comes because the task feels overwhelming.
Overconsumption doesn’t just impact our physical spaces, but our digital spaces too. Your digital life has been designed to accumulate and overwhelm.
Technology companies profit when you stay scattered across multiple platforms, when you can’t find what you need, when you feel too chaotic to make intentional choices about what deserves your time and attention.
But you have more control than you think and it doesn’t have to be so hard. This guide will walk you through my simple process for organizing and decluttering passwords, digital photos, and files.
Why Digital Decluttering Matters
Digital clutter isn’t just about storage space or organization. It’ll also free up your mental space, so you’ll have more energy to make clear decisions, do deeper work, and creatively problem solve.
When your passwords are chaos, your photos are everywhere, and your files are impossible to find, you’re carrying a hidden mental load that saps energy from the things you actually care about.
The 3-Part Decluttering Process
Getting Started
Pick your starting point. Password chaos keeping you stuck? Start there. Photos feel overwhelming? Begin with Part 2. Have files out the wazoo? Head to Part 3.
Set aside time. Don’t try to do everything at once. Start with step one in the process. Even 20 minutes spent decluttering will make a difference.
Remember why you’re doing this. Connect back to your values. What do you want more time and mental space for?
Be gentle with yourself. This process can bring up emotions about time wasted or opportunities missed. That’s normal and human.
Part 1: Password & Account Management
Everything else becomes easier when you’re not battling password chaos.
What You’ll Learn:
Why the “same password everywhere” approach isn’t great
How to transition from overwhelming account lists to a system that actually shrinks
My password management setup
The annual declutter process that feels like spring cleaning for your digital life
Key Takeaway: Those “free” accounts aren’t free — they cost you time and mental energy. Delete the ones that no longer serve you.
Part 2: Photo Organization & Storage
They’re often the most emotionally charged digital clutter.
What You’ll Learn:
How to gather photos from across the galaxy (SD cards, old phones, multiple clouds)
My two-place system: local drive + selective cloud storage
The “social media framework” for choosing which similar photos to keep
Why moving first, decluttering second saves your sanity
Key Takeaway: You don’t need to keep every photo to preserve memories. Keep the ones that spark joy and let go of the rest.
Part 3: Files & Documents That Actually Work
This is where organization pays off in real-world scenarios.
What You’ll Learn:
Essential documents to keep accessible on-the-go
The honest conversation about creative projects you’re never going back to
Energy-conscious storage: what belongs in the cloud vs. local drive
Key Takeaway: Ask yourself, are you keeping this out of fear or out of hope and love?
Values-Based Approach
This isn’t about following someone else’s system or achieving digital perfection. It’s about creating a digital life that serves what you value. Whether that’s creativity, meaningful relationships, or simply having mental space to focus on what matters most.
You don’t have to delete everything or go completely offline. Simply be intentional about what you keep and why. The rest will follow.
The Bigger Picture
Personal digital choices are political choices. Every platform you delete, every intentional boundary you set, every moment of presence you reclaim is a quiet rebellion against systems designed to exploit your attention.
You’re not just organizing files. You’re modeling a different way of living for everyone around you. As a mom, modeling simple and sustainable online choices is important to me.
Want personalized support?
Book a free 15-minute Digital Declutter Focus Call with me.
If you’re feeling stuck on where to start or need help customizing this approach to your specific situation, I’m offering a limited number of short coaching calls tied directly to this guide. We’ll spend 15 minutes getting you unstuck on your biggest digital decluttering challenge: whether that’s finally tackling your password chaos, organizing thousands of photos, creating a file system that actually works, or something else entirely.
This isn’t a sales call. It’s a real coaching session where you’ll walk away with a specific, actionable next step for your digital life.
Available to email subscribers only, limited spots available, only one call per person every 6 months.
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