2026 is upon us, and what better way to start the new year than to do a digital declutter? If you are like me, you use your computer and phone daily. If those two devices are not organized, then it can often stress me out! So, in this guide, I’ll walk through how I manage my digital life with my favorite apps and external storage devices.
The Computer First: A Clean Desktop
The first, and arguably most important, step in achieving a truly decluttered digital life is to tackle the behemoth: your computer. This foundational cleanup lays the groundwork for improved efficiency and a less stressful tech experience throughout the new year.
Phase 1: Be Ruthless in Deletion
Begin your computer declutter by adopting a "less is more" philosophy. The objective here is to delete, not just hide, unnecessary files that are taking up space and mental bandwidth.
Desktop: This is often the most visible area of clutter. Aim for a desktop that is as clean as possible, with only the essential, actively used files or shortcuts remaining. Everything else needs to be moved or deleted.
Downloads Folder: This folder is a notorious graveyard for one-time use files, installers, and random documents. Go through it systematically and ask yourself a simple, yet powerful question for every file: “Why do I even have this on my computer?” If the answer isn't immediately apparent, or if you haven't accessed it in years, it needs to go. This step is a quick and effective way to reclaim significant storage space.
Phase 2: Don't Be a Psycho
Once you've purged the excess, the next crucial step is to implement a robust and logical organizational structure. A cleaned-up computer is only temporary without a system to maintain it! Whether you are a PC user or a Mac User (like me), folders are your best friend. A cluttered desktop, where files are scattered like confetti, is a source of daily anxiety and wasted time. You must create and utilize folders to contain your digital life.
A Simple Folder Hierarchy: Adopt a system that works for you, but generally, organizing files into broad categories works best. For example:
Work/School: (Subfolders for Active Projects, Archive, Admin)
Personal: (Subfolders for Photos, Finance, Health)
Temporary/To Process: (For files that need immediate attention or sorting later in the week)
The Samsung T7
The second step to a digital declutter would be to get either an external SSD/HDD or a NAS for yourself. We will go with the SSD route first, as it's much cheaper to start with. Samsung is the king of SSD manufacturers. There is a reason their SSDs are so popular: they are super reliable, fast, and reasonably priced. Unless you are doing content creation, you can probably survive with a 1TB SSD for several years. If you take 45,000 photos a year and/or make videos, I would recommend moving up to a 2TB at least, or trying the next solution I have for digital declutter.
The UGREEN NAS
The alternative to an SSD is a NAS. I have experience with UGREEN and the system we set up for my YouTube channel and personal photo collection (now approaching 100k photos, whoops). With UGREEN, you do not have to do as much tinkering as some other options. You order your NAS enclosure and HDD or SSD to put in it, then download an app on your phone or computer, and it walks you through the setup process. For my NAS, we have a 5TB HDD, but I am already planning to at least double that storage. You can find some reasonably priced HDDs on Amazon from good sellers. The nice thing about UGREEN is that the NAS has plugins that allow automatic backups from different devices, and you can add users who can access the NAS from anywhere as long as they have an internet connection, which you cannot do with just a regular SSD or HDD. I cannot recommend a NAS enough if you're interested in it.
The Phone: Google Photos & Drive
Now, if you do not have much on your computer or do not own a computer, you still probably need to clean up your phone. The same starting principles apply here; be ruthless with your deletions. If there is an app you have used once and never plan to use again, delete it. If there are random PDF files in your files app that you have not opened in 3 years, back them up or delete them from your device. If you do not own a computer, an SSD, or a NAS, I recommend using Google Photos/Google Drive. Both programs are simple and provide ease of access for anyone you want to share photos and files with. You can also use iCloud if you are an Apple user, but it is a little more cumbersome to share files and pictures with those who do not have iPhones.
Reclean
If you want to spend no money whatsoever but still declutter, the app Reclean is invaluable for cleaning up your camera roll. It is free with absolutely no paywalls (they make this a staple of their product), and it is pretty simple as well. The app helps you identify duplicate photos or screenshots, as well as multiple versions of the same image you may want to delete. It also shows you the largest video and photo files on your device, which can help you free up space on your phone.
Aiffro Magsafe SSD
Lastly, if you do not want to pay a monthly premium but are fine spending a little cash upfront, you can always purchase a MagSafe (works with PixelSnap) SSD that is easy to carry around. We were given one from Aiffro here at the Studio to test out, and it has worked quite well. It is reasonably priced and very convenient to attach to the back of your phone when transferring files to it. It also has rapid transfer speeds and comes with a nice cable that is the perfect length.
Are You Ready For 2026?
As you finalize your digital declutter, remember that this process is an investment in your peace of mind and productivity for the year ahead. With your computer streamlined, your important files securely backed up on a reliable external SSD or NAS, and your phone's camera roll cleaned, you've created a sustainable, organized digital environment. Enjoy the efficiency and clarity that this clean slate brings!
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