Spring Cleaning 101: Computer

Seems like an odd thing to spring clean, doesn’t it?

Odd enough, our computers tend to get so bogged down by everything that is on them because we fail to spring clean them regularly! You can probably name a few people who have lost MANY personal pictures, documents, etc. because their computer crashed and they failed to back it up.

I have often thought about this very thing. Yes, what I do on my blog, so much of it is “saved” in cyber somewhere, whether it is on a website, through a picture website, you name it. Though, to obtain everything from each of the websites I have things on, would be a big ole pain. That is why I try and spring clean my computer as often as I can remember.

Spring cleaning your computer doesn’t only mean pictures and documents. I also want to take this time to spring clean all the social media sites that you have accounts for as well. If you counted up the hours that you spend on social media sites, would you be okay with it? Or would you cringe? I have a hard time deciphering how I feel because part of what I do (authoring this blog) IS on the internet. I sometimes catch myself at the end of the day though, surfing Facebook or Pinterest for really no good reason.

1. Put all of your pictures into file folders on your computer (well-organized). Once in folders, put them on an external hard drive that you can put in your safe, or put them on cds or a thumb drive. Protect your memories!

2. Do the same as #1, for all of your documents as well.

3.Declutter your pinterest boards. Go through each board and decide if you need or will ever use all of the pins on each board. Are they a reflection of you? Are they out of your league so to speak? Only keep what reflects who you are.

4. Declutter your facebook and minimize your time on it. Facebook can be one of the biggest time killers out there, I think! Self-control is KEY! In order for you to gain control of your time, do you need to unfollow some friends? By unfollowing them, you are not completely knocking them off your friend list. Set limits of time as well – how much time do you really want to be spending on Facebook? Set a time limit and stick to it!

5. Run your anti-virus scan. Clear out any potential viruses!

6. Go through your programs (with caution) and remove any program you do not use!

7. Unsubscribe from emails from companies you could really care less about! Emails clutter your inbox everyday – try to minimize the number you get by unsubscribing!

8. Spend time wisely on the internet! Do you have more pressing things that you need to get done? Don’t get stuck on the internet, letting your priorities go down the drain.

Spring cleaning your computer can be one of the healthiest “cleans” of the season! You not only clean out the unnecessary on your computer, but mentally as well, you clean out the unused. Keep up on it so that each time spring rolls around, you don’t get stuck spending hours on this cleaning!

What do you need to declutter most when it comes to social media and/or your computer?