Digital CHAOS:
Is your screen suffocating you?


The Weight Of The Invisible CLUTTER
“Last week, I was chatting with a good friend about all sorts of things, and we totally went off on a tangent about how overwhelmed we both feel with digital hoarding…it really struck a chord with me and got me thinking. I’m on a mission now to change this.” Nic, creator of maison 1973.
We’ve all experienced it—scrolling through a long list of unread emails, going through many photos on our phones, or keeping 47 tabs open to look at later. Unlike physical mess, digital mess sneaks up on us. It doesn’t stack up on the kitchen counter or block the hallway, but it does take up space in our minds. This invisible build-up can make us feel overwhelmed, even if we don’t notice it.
So, why do we do this? Why do we keep files, emails, photos, screenshots and bookmarks like they’re valuable treasures? More importantly, how can we lighten this digital load?
Let’s look at why we hoard digital items, the stress it can cause, and how we can choose to have a clearer, more organised digital life.
“We curate our wardrobes, our homes, even our friendships—so why do we let our digital lives become a chaotic mess? Maybe it’s time to stop hoarding and start choosing what truly adds value. Less noise, more clarity. Less saving, more living.”
maison 1973 creator, Nic Tierney.

Why Do We HOARD Digital Clutter?
Digital hoarding isn’t just a bad habit—it’s deeply psychological. It’s the modern-day version of keeping stacks of magazines “just in case,” or stuffing drawers with things we might need.
Here’s why we do it:
Fear of Losing Something Important
What if I need this email later? What if I forget this brilliant idea? The fear of losing information keeps us holding onto things long past their usefulness.
The ‘Just in Case’ Mentality
We believe we might someday need that screenshot, that saved article, that old resume file. And so, we keep it all.
Emotional Attachment
Photos, old messages, even past projects hold memories. Letting go of them can feel like erasing a part of our history.
The Illusion of Productivity
Saving things makes us feel like we’re staying on top of things—even if we never actually go back to them.
Endless Storage = Endless Hoarding
Unlike physical spaces, our digital world doesn’t force us to clean up. There’s no urgency to declutter when space seems infinite.
The “Save & Forget” Trap
We hit “save” on Instagram posts, Pinterest pins, and TikToks all day everyday, telling ourselves we’ll come back to them—but do we? Our saved folders become digital black holes of forgotten content. Instead of endlessly saving, create a habit of revisiting and actually using what you save.
Try a weekly “Saved Scroll” session to clear out what no longer inspires you. We’ve started this and it works.
FOLLOWING FATIGUE
The more accounts we follow, the more our feeds become cluttered, making it harder to see what truly adds value. If you find yourself scrolling past the same content without engaging, it’s time for a social media detox. Unfollow accounts that no longer align with your interests, mute distractions,
and curate your feed like you would a wardrobe—only keeping what truly fits your mindset and goals.
Ok so what else can we do? Well, we have come up with the following and have implemented this already into our daily digital lives:
TRY THIS: Mindful Digital Consumption
- Regularly clean up downloads and delete duplicate or unnecessary files. The key word here being regularly!
- Before you hit “save,” we are now asking ourselves: Will I really use this? Can I find this elsewhere if I need it? It’s ok, you will always be able to find it again (or something similar) in this digital world we live in. It’s just a click or search away – no need for FOMO!
- Set a limit for things like open tabs or saved articles (e.g., a 10-tab rule). Set a limit and stick to it. Be disciplined/
- We’ve limited our saved posts to a manageable number (e.g., max 20 before reviewing).
- Unfollow or mute 5-10 accounts each month that no longer serve you.
- Use folders or boards to organise saved content by theme (fashion, wellness, inspiration) so it’s actually usable.

The HIDDEN Stress Of Digital Clutter
While digital clutter might not be visible, it has very real mental and emotional effects.
It drains our focus, increases stress, and fuels decision fatigue.
Decision Fatigue
The more digital clutter we have, the harder it is to find what we need. This constant micro-decision-making (Do I need this? Where did I save that?) adds up.
Inbox Anxiety
A cluttered inbox feels like a never-ending to-do list. Even unopened emails take up mental space, making us feel perpetually behind.
The ‘Always On’ Effect
Too much digital content = information overload. Our brains struggle to process and prioritise, leading to burnout.
Distraction Overload
Multiple tabs, notifications, and digital noise reduce our ability to focus on one task at a time.

TRY THIS: The Digital Declutter Method
- Limit digital intake – Set boundaries on content consumption, like no screens before bed or a digital detox day.
- The One-Touch Rule – When an email comes in, deal with it immediately: reply, delete, or file it away.
- Unsubscribe ruthlessly – If it doesn’t spark joy (or value), let it go.
- Turn off notifications – Reduce unnecessary distractions that keep pulling you back into digital clutter.
How We De-Clutter And create A ‘SLOW TECH‘ Mindset
Just like slow fashion and slow living, we need slow tech—a more intentional, thoughtful approach to digital spaces. Here’s how to reclaim control:
Declutter Your Devices
- Delete unused apps that clutter your phone – often and be brutal!
- Organise photos into albums (or, like us – let go of 5,000 random screenshots! 🙃).
- Regularly clean up downloads, desktop files, and cloud storage.
TIDY UP YOUR INBOX – WEEKLY (OR DAILY IF YOU CAN!)
- Archive old emails and use folders strategically.
- Ruthlessly edit all the emails you receive and unsubscribe daily from businesses, influencers etc that you do not engage with.
- Adopt “Inbox Zero” (or at least Inbox Manageable). We aim to have no more than 20 emails in our inbox at any one time – it’s working.
Rethink Your Digital Habits
- Limit social media scrolling—set app timers if needed.
- Close unused tabs and avoid multitasking across 10 different windows.
- Prioritise quality content over mindless consumption.
Use Digital Minimalism to Your Advantage – OUR TIPS
- Be intentional with saving content—if you haven’t used it in a month, it’s probably not needed.
- Consider adopting a minimalist phone setup—only keep essential apps on your home screen.
- Set a “digital reset day” once a month to clean up your online spaces.
Our research on daily digital habits shows that the key is not just to declutter once, but to develop habits that avoid digital overload. A clean digital space, like an organised closet or home,
can feel freeing and refreshing. And at the end of the day, that’s how we want to feel.
“Clutter is the physical manifestation of unmade decisions fueled by procrastination.”
best-selling author and Reiki Master, Christina Scalise.

The Maison 1973 Takeaway:
Our final thought? We’re taking control of the digital excess – not it taking control of us.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the content. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional before making any decisions based on this information.






































