4 Easy Ways to Organize Your Cell Phone
Anyone else on your phone all the time right now? I mean, even more than before? Communicating with loved ones, reading news articles, checking work email, and scrolling Instagram. Does your phone feel like it needs a bit of tidying up? Us too. Just like with life, a little structure and rhythm go along way on your phone.
1. Utilize Folders to Organize Your Phone Apps
Just like with anything we organize, the first step is laying everything out there and purging what is taking up unnecessary space. Let go of apps that are taking up your time or just space on your phone.
Then, group apps in a way that helps your life.
Be sure to keep the apps that you use the very most out - you’ll want direct access to those without a folder.
How you group your apps is up to you! I personally like to organize them based on action and keep it as simple as possible. This allows me to stay focused on the intent.
Choose simple, understandable folder names. And then keep out those daily favorites as a staple icon on your home screen.
2. Delete Daily As You Go
I feel like this one could get a little controversial! Ok, I’m a home organizer which means I’m probably type A (and a little bit neurotic), but any number over 15 for unread emails or texts gives me a straight panic attack. Can you relate??
To avoid the overwhelm caused by the daily rise of the unchecked numbers, set aside some time to go through unread messages & emails every day - and do so on your computer if you can! It will go so much faster this way.
Unsubscribe to undesired newsletters (but subscribe to Help You Dwells), respond to text messages, or even delete old threads. This will keep them from piling up!
3. Make it Beautiful
We all need a little levity in our life right now, something aesthetically pleasing to brighten the mood! Change your home screen background to a graphic or photo you LOVE. Check out these fun resources to change things up based on your style: Minimalist Wallpapers or Spring Wallpapers
4. Take Inventory of Your Emotional Space
Let’s all take a deep breath - in and out. It is daunting to read and take in all the news and opinions in the world right now. But how much is too much for us? A friend of ours, Meg, recently shared some wonderful insight on how to deal with anxiety and fear as she reflected on troubling times with their son in the hospital.
…When things are too much, and you feel crazy overwhelmed, the trick is to shorten the timeline to what you can handle. This month, this week, today, this hour... one step at a time.
As you consider your limits, let your phone aid you in that shortening timeline.
Switch apps or put the phone down all together. Take a break and come back to it. And remember, you are in control of how much you let in. You weren’t meant to bear the weight of all of that is going on.
Going Deeper
Can our phones be a gauge for how we’re doing? I know for me, my phone can act as a barometer in times of stress. It’s sort of an outlet when Im overthinking or needing connection or anxious or looking to zone out.
We encourage you not to feel shame or guilt for being on your phone, but instead to see it as a tool - a gauge for how you’re really doing.
Consider the time you are spending on different apps and how it could give you a sense for what you’re needing at that moment. Then maybe seek out a different outlet: snuggle up with a loved one, reach out on FaceTime or Marco Polo, go for a walk, or have a good cry.
While we would rather be in your actual homes this week, we are so thankful to have spent a few minutes with you virtually. Let us know in the comments how you are spending your time this week and how your phone can be a tool to help you get along!
