Coffee Talk #223: Spring Clean Your Desktop

It’s SPRING CLEANING time at FWA and I want to get into some of those hard-to-reach spaces. Especially since we’ve been glued to our computers and devices, I want to take some time to refresh these spaces.

Today’s topic: Clean your Desktop

So, maybe it started small. You added a screenshot to your desktop or you created a ‘to do’ file. Then, next thing you know – there are docs EVERYWHERE. There’s no rhyme or reason to the madness, it just exists. And you get a little anxious every time you look at it. You with me?

It’s time to take a deep breath and dive into the mess. Let’s develop a system! Here are my top tips for decluttering that desktop.

1. WTF do I have here? First, and I know this will be hard, take a look at what you have on your desktop. Is there any semblance of themes or categories? Is it mostly word docs or screenshots or pictures? Take note of what you have. I recommend looking at these items through ‘Finder’ or ‘File Explorer’ instead of directly into the sole of your desktop the desktop screen.

2. Create temporary folders. Once you’ve identified what is there, let’s start the clean-up process. I recommend up to 4 folders:
   • Word/Work docs
   • Pictures/Screenshots
   • Application Shortcuts OR ‘Frequently Accessed Files’
   • IDK or ‘potpourri’

Ahhh, now that they are in folders we can tackle one folder at a time

3. Choose a Naming Convention/system. I like folders inside folders. My main folders are usually ALL CAPS and the interior folders are Title Case. I like to name my files based on the name of the folder. For example, ‘CHALLENGES’ is the main folder, and ‘Winter Shape Up’ is a sub-folder. In the sub-folder, I have all the documents that pertain to that challenge. Each document in each subfolder of ‘CHALLENGES’ contains the same items. This is how I keep track of what I need to create for each challenge (also saves time as I create something new!).

4. Delete LARGE or OLD files. You know, the ones you’re holding onto for ‘that special day.’
   • About this mac > storage > manage allows you to see what files you have and the size. If you have really large files, it’s time to think about storing these items somewhere besides your computer!

5. In Process Docs. Once items are in folders, I will allow some docs on the desktop. These are usually ‘in process’ docs that will be deleted that same day or during the week. For example, right now, I have ‘Lunch Orders’ as a doc for an event I’m hosting later this week. It will get deleted after I call in the order. Since my desktop is not full of cluttered files, I can find it easily. I’ll also create a doc on my desktop each week for the current Coffee Talk notes or blog. Again, this item gets deleted each week.

BONUS: Empty your recycle/trash bin. So simple, yet so effective when that thing is empty.

Are you ready to declutter? Do you have tips to share?