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Apr 04
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How to Set Up Your Smartphone Like A Digital Minimalist

By Blog, Digital Minimalism, Digital Organizing, Time Management No Comments


Ready to learn how to set up your smartphone like a digital minimalist?

 

Setting up a “Digital Minimalist Phone” may be your saving grace. If you often find yourself mindlessly scrolling through your phone, wasting hours of your day on unproductive activities… this is for you!

 

Modern Day “Doom”

 

“Doom-scrolling” is a common habit that leaves many of us feeling guilty and frustrated with ourselves.

 

In today’s world, our phones have become an extension of our own person. Levels of self-discipline are falling because that unhealthy digital attachment leads to anxiety and distraction.

 

Our whole digital world is oozing with content and we’re bombarded on the daily with beeps, pings, and buzzes. Targeted ads are tailored to our desires, and therefore, our attention is easier to grab and hold.

 

Digital addiction can come from many different streams. It is not always our own fault or even conscious doing.

 

Businesses obsessively honing in on their customers’ weaknesses to exploit them monetarily (or otherwise) is one of the deep roots of our digital addictions. And we ALL fall victim to this in one way or another.

 

As this isn’t going away anytime in the foreseeable future, our best way out of the cycle of digital depression is to take BACK control over how we spend time on our smartphones… with digital minimalism.

“Why am I so attached to my phone?”

 

Spending the past two years practicing as a Digital Minimalist has truly opened my eyes. For example, when I don’t monitor my screen time, a quick email check can easily waste an otherwise productive hour.

 

I have been writing many new chapters of my life these past few years, as well as learning a lot about human behaviour.

 

I first noticed this habit and impulse of mine to always be checking my phone. The cycle would begin with having feelings of anxiety and that I need to have my phone on me at all times, otherwise, I might miss something important.

 

This led me to ask myself, “Why am I so attached to my phone?”

 

 

When I noticed this phone-induced anxiety coming up, I started to question myself each time, “What is it that I’m avoiding?”

 

Is it going out for a walk? Is it reading a book? Procrastinating on deskwork?

 

I started consciously noticing HOW I was using my phone. As well as thinking about which distractions I could eliminate and what other things were causing me to feel “tied” to my phone.

 

In this blog post, I’m sharing more about the exact steps in my journey to becoming a Digital Minimalist. I’ll be guiding you through how to set up your phone so that it can intentionally support a more focused and creative life.

 

How to Set Up Your Smartphone Like A Digital Minimalist




Reset Your Digital Habits

 

Before diving into the setup process, it’s essential to acknowledge the habits that KEEP us tethered to our phones. The impulse to constantly check for notifications or escape into endless scrolling can take a toll on our productivity and mental well-being. By understanding WHY we’re so attached to our devices, only then can we begin to make lasting changes to our digital minimalist habits.

 

Create an Intentional Phone Setup

 

Setting up your phone for digital minimalism starts with organizing your home screen. By curating widgets and essential apps, you can minimize distractions and focus on what truly matters. Useful widgets (like a timer, calendar, and navigation tools) can help you stay on track with your tasks and appointments. All while decluttering unnecessary apps helps reduce visual noise and temptations.

 

Turn Off Distractions

 

To further enhance your digital minimalist setup, consider turning off features like Always On Display and Raise to Wake. These settings can create unnecessary distractions and drain your phone’s battery quickly. Just because we CAN be reached 24/7 does not mean we MUST be available 24/7. Protect your peace and set boundaries around your time by disabling them. You’ll be reducing interruptions and able to have more mindful interactions with your device.

 

Customize Your Environment

 

Changing your phone’s wallpaper to a calming and inspiring image can set the tone for a focused and intentional interaction each time you pick up your device. Organizing your apps into folders or using the app library feature can streamline your digital minimalist experience even more. Reduce app clutter and file them out of sight to lessen temptations and make it easier to find what you need, when you need it.

 

Digital Minimalists Aren’t Perfect

 

Practicing digital minimalism is a journey that requires patience and loads of intentionality. By gradually decluttering your digital life and simplifying your interactions with technology, you can reclaim your time, attention, and mental clarity. Remember, the goal is not to eliminate technology entirely but to use it mindfully and intentionally to support a more fulfilling life.

 

Taking the First Step

 

If you’re ready to simplify your digital life and embrace digital minimalism, I encourage you to download our
FREE Productivity Apps Guide.

 

With practical tips and application recommendations, this is your valuable resource for decluttering in the digital world, reclaiming your time, and enjoying your conscious daily presence. You can start becoming a digital minimalist today and experience the transformative power of intentional technology use by tomorrow!

 

 

 

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Organize + Level Up Your iPhone for Better Productivity

 

 

 

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Oct 30
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Tips for Working From Home Effectively

By Blog, Business Organizing, Time Management No Comments

Whether you’re new to or have experience with working from home, there are similar challenges we have all faced at one time or another. Working from home has become more prominent than the typical “office lifestyle” now more than ever.

 

But that’s great! This opportunity can give many of us more freedom and a less stressful workday.

 

However, it takes a lot of adjusting to work from home. Especially for those who are just beginning their first transition! This is also where self control and accountability come into play.

 

I’ve got your productivity covered 😉

 

Below are my top practices for how I plan and execute my productivity goals when working from home.

These tips also double as mental health tips for working from home!

1. Balance Family Obligations

There may be times when younger kids are home from school during your work week. For parents who work from home, caring for kids can make staying productive even more of a difficult task.

 

If this sounds like your life, it’s important to create a schedule that works to balance your family and work commitments effectively. This might look like one partner waking up to work earlier while the house is quiet and the other working later in the day afterward, or sharing the responsibility of taking the kids to/from child care. Having a plan ahead of time can eliminate a lot of stress from having to make in-the-moment decisions.

 

2. Prepare Meals

It can seem convenient to have the ability to make nice meals for yourself during the day, but you don’t need to waste productive time on this every day. Preparing food ahead of time ensures you are using your meal times to eat.

Have your meals ready the night before. To avoid wasting time, cook and prepare all of your meals ahead of time just like you would for a day at the office.

3. Be the Early Bird

It’s tempting to sleep in when you’re setting your own hours and not having to rush away to the office. But if you’re struggling with consistent productivity, challenge yourself to get up anyway.

 

Set an alarm for yourself an hour before your partner and kids wake up. Make a cup of your favorite morning beverage and start tackling one of your more unfavorable tasks. You’ll be surprised at how much you get done when you give yourself a little extra quiet time to be productive.

4. Batch Time for Emails

Do you find yourself going back and forth between a task and each ping of your email? If your work doesn’t require you to be on top of every email all day, set times to check and follow up with your emails.

 

Use these email breaks to sort through your inbox and reply to any that need your attention. Multi-tasking might sound like a good strategy, but dividing your attention between multiple tasks will spread you too thin. You gain productivity by accomplishing one whole thing at a time.

5. Set a “Finishing Time”

It’s easy to get so wrapped up in your work that you lose track of time. Working from home seems like a positive work-life balance attribute, but be careful not to get caught up in the relaxing environment and workflow too often.

 

Make a clear boundary for your work and personal life. Use an alarm to remind you when your work day is over. This doesn’t mean you have to quit at that moment – but use it as a guide to know when you should start to save and tie up any loose ends from work.

6. Trick Your Brain

Who doesn’t love a pajama day? Working from home offers the convenience of comfy clothes and alleviates the pressure of “getting ready” for work at the office.

 

Pretend you are getting ready for a day working in the office. Just changing clothes to something more formal will give your brain a signal to get work done throughout the day. It gives you a boost in the back of your mind throughout the day to be more productive and often energizes you as well.

7. Use a To-Do List

Working entirely from home can feel like you’re taking on a lot all by yourself. Keep your work organized in a paper or digital list.

 

Visually seeing everything you need to do can calm your mind and you are less likely to forget the small things. Use this method to cross off completed tasks for a sense of accomplishment, and jot down any notes or new tasks that come up throughout the day. You should also include any meetings or calls you’re participating in.

How do you keep yourself focused throughout the day?

Comment below!

 

 

Like this article?

You’ll love this one👉 7 Psychological Benefits of an Organized Home

 

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May 23
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Simplify Your Schedule: 4 Tips for a Smooth Week

By Blog, Quick Organizing Tips, Time Management 2 Comments

Life can be crazy busy. It’s no secret that things can get overwhelming in the chaos of daily life! That’s why I’m here to share some valuable insights on simplifying your schedule with 4 practical tips (plus a bonus😉) to help you achieve a smooth, productive week.

 

With countless personal responsibilities, family demands, social obligations, and a never-ending to-do list, it’s no wonder we find ourselves questioning if 24 hours in a day are truly enough.

 

In the following tips, I’ll reveal the secrets to mastering a productive week, embracing effective planning techniques, and implementing essential strategies that will help you bid farewell to stress… and say hello to a more organized and fulfilling life! Get ready to simplify your life and regain control of your time.

 

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How to Plan a Productive Week:

 

1️⃣ Task Batch Your To-Do’s

At the beginning of your week, put your to-do tasks into categories. It’s easier to use blocks of time to get a bunch of similar things done than it is to bounce back and forth between unrelated tasks. This method of planning will keep you productive and on-topic through everything you do!

2️⃣ Create a Relaxing Bedtime Ritual

Integrate regular relaxation practices like yoga or mindfulness meditation into your nightly routine for a productive week. A soothing relaxation exercise or two can work wonders in calming your mind before bed and promoting quality sleep. You’ll also be practicing how to calmly manage any stress and anxiety that may come up during your week.

3️⃣ Escape the Indoors – Get Outside!

It’s too easy to keep ourselves confined indoors for the majority of our day, which only holds us back from an otherwise productive week. So whenever you have the opportunity, resist the temptation of your couch and instead make an effort to step outside and immerse yourself in nature. There are countless benefits of spending time in the great outdoors for your overall health and well-being, so take your parents’ advice and “Go play outside!“

4️⃣ Allow Yourself to Delegate

Most of us naturally want to do everything ourselves and it’s not always easy to ask for help. But don’t be afraid to ask for help or delegate tasks when possible. A productive week requires planning with and support from others, too. Recognize that you don’t have to do everything on your own and that having support from others can lighten your load.

 

…bonus tip! 👇🏼

 

5️⃣ Simplify and Declutter

Simplifying your environment and minimizing clutter will improve not only your physical spaces but your mental ones too. Make sure to go through both physical and digital clutter. Remember – a clean and organized space contributes to maintaining an aura of calm. Choose joy in the process of decluttering, organizing, and planning. Know that you’re doing great work toward a more productive week and a simplified life!

 

Now you can begin planning your week and seizing the full potential of each day!

 

It’s time for you to take action and finally embrace the opportunities that await you! Remember, these small changes and preparations will lead to BIG improvements in your daily routine. By implementing these small planning changes and dedicating some time to maintenance, you will see remarkable improvements in your daily routine and stress levels. I believe in you and I know you can do this!

 

It’s not easy to start, but once you do get into the swing of things, trust me, it will be even more difficult to quit! Remain focused on and dedicated to your goals so you can enjoy your free time with loved ones without worry in the back of your mind. Allow yourself “me-time” as often as you need and remember to stay committed to your new form of a productive week for continual results.

 

You have all the tools and capabilities to conquer your week now, so there are no excuses! Start planning the upcoming week and make each day count – you’ve got this! 👍🏼

 

Let us know in the comments below which tip is your favorite!

 

 

 

 

 

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Work-Life Balance vs. Work-Life Negotiation