You don’t need to give up your platforms for weeks on end to feel refreshed. These are tips to clean your social channels and feel refreshed while online and a guide on how to do a digital detox without going off the grid.

Helpful Tip: Start With The Basics
Identify your technology
Access your devices
Clean each device

How To Do A Digital Detox Without Going Off The Grid

1. Assess The Platforms You’re On

Do you like them all? Do you use them all? Which can you delete? Find what you like and who cares about the rest!

2. Go Through The Accounts You Follow

Take this time to examine who you have in your life online. Be honest with yourself and make sure the people coming up on your feed have earned that “follow” endorsement from you. Your online life still impacts your day-to-day life- despite wanting to admit it. Each social platform is an extension (to whichever degree we choose) of our life. This is our space to share our best moments, document life, and reflect on them in the years to come. Social media is essentially our digital scrapbook. Unfollow people and businesses who you no longer support or talk to. Unfollow people who are toxic sharers- those who post things you don’t believe in or agree with because they may be rude or offensive. Unfollow people who just don’t interest you. Unfollow people who do not bring you joy, happiness, and positivity.

Tip: If you can’t unfollow people because you think it may cause drama, mute the account. They won’t be notified.

3. Examine Your Posts

Make sure your profiles are an honest reflection of who you are and make you feel proud to show the people you love, along with new people who may enter your life. Archive or delete any posts that you’re embarrassed of, dislike, or if you want to—that include people no longer in your life—things you do not want to see or be reminded of, etc. Delete posts that you think are offensive or those you have outgrown.

4. Clean Out Your DM’s

When was the last time you checked your phone or device’s storage? Take a peek right now to see how much storage your social media platforms- and your favorite ones for that matter, are taking up. Now, I bet a good amount of that is due to your messages. Start fresh and clear out your inbox. Delete old chats and start fresh- then, pop back over and see the new space you have. Not only is this making room for other apps or new photos/ videos, but this is a great way to feel mentally organized and hit that “refresh” button.  

You Might Like: 6 Ways To Reset Your Mental Health This Season

5. Be Strategic

Now that you’ve made the time to unfollow and deep clean your account, main this! As you’re using your platforms to add friends and follow accounts, think to yourself “is this beneficial to me?” before adding or accepting this account into your online world. Be picky about who is in your life- both in person and online. Make sure the people you are surrounding yourself with are of like mind and growth-oriented. Sure no one is perfect, but that’s not what life is about. Who cares if your favorite account doesn’t have an “aesthetic”, the point is to surround yourself with accounts and profiles that aren’t vampires- draining your energy when you log onto your platforms.

6. Maintain Your Inbox

As new emails come in, stay on top of them. It’s as simple as these suggestions.

Photo: Styled Avenue

Bonus: 5 Tips To Maintain Your Inbox

1. Unsubscribe on the spot

Don’t let your email build up again. You’re most likely NOT going back and re-read that email later… no matter what you tell yourself.

2. Reply when you open

If you can’t reply, mark “unread” so the email isn’t lost

3. Try different organization methods

Utilize the built-in inbox folders and tags. Try third-party platforms such as Trello integration or CRM software.

4. Utilize the star feature strategically

Decide how you want to determine “important” emails. Are they the ones needing a reply? Ongoing projects/ communication? Find what works for you and stick to it.

5. Take 5 minutes a day (or at least on work days) to tidy up your inbox

Most of the time it won’t take this long, as long as you keep up regularly with them and your own organization. Unless you receive millions of emails daily, this should be a piece of cake!

How do you detox your inbox for good?
1. Go through each email
2. Unsubscribe to every single email you do not open regularly

Cellphone Detox Checklist

  • Go through each app and delete unused ones
  • Backup your camera roll and remove files from the device for extra space
  • Permanently delete images in the deleted folder for extra space
  • Update any apps, iOS, or other settings
  • Backup notes and voice memos
  • Update any in-app information—including the health section, if you use it
  • Turn off unwanted notifications
  • Delete old alarms
  • Download any apps you need/ want but haven’t gotten around to
  • Delete old calendars and import current up-to-date ones
  • Block and delete any unwanted or old contacts
  • Clean out your text history
  • Make sure all mobile payment/ wallet options are current
  • Delete any/ all old reminders or task lists
  • Backup and transfer or delete unwanted and old voice memos
  • Delete old or unwanted podcasts, audiobooks, or other audio downloads, etc.
  • Close all unused browser tabs
  • Set social media usage limits

Tablet/ Computer Detox Checklist

  • Make sure all software is up to date
  • Transfer files to a hard drive or cloud-like storage
  • Repeat the applicable cell phone checklist steps for this device
  • Turn off old or unwanted notifications or auto-updates
  • Clear cache/ cookies
  • Go through your browser’s bookmark tab and delete anything old or unused

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