If you’re the average, saavy, technology user of this modern age, you probably have a million things going at once, even when you’re not plugged into your phone, TV, or computer. We can easily become over-stimulated with the over-saturation of information readily available to us (most of which, we don’t even want or need!)
I constantly feel internet burn-out, as do many bloggers and online personalities I follow. It’s easy to both get invested and lose interest in online communities that dynamically change at exponential rates. It’s exciting! It’s overwhelming! It’s…the Internet!
Here are 5 quick tips to help make your online life a little more manageable:
1. Evaluate
Take a minute and consider all of the regular technology- related items you engage in. Are there things you don’t use anymore and can’t foresee a use for in the future (Myspace? Old email addresses? Your VCR?) Are you a part of a message board or online group that annoys you or fills us your inbox with useless junk? What is still relevant to your life and adding value? Even if you need to keep a list for a week to think of the things you regularly access, make one. Think about it. What things are essential? Enjoyable? Extemporaneous?
2. Consolidate
If you have 4 email addresses, consider having your mail forwarded to one email address (or get fancy and use one of those master-programs/accounts). Use a blog-reader site so all of the latest posts from your favorite blogs and websites show up in one place (I like GoogleReader, personally). If you can make more information available in less moves, you will save yourself, time, stress, and the possibility of missing out on something really cool.
3. Edit
Do you know that you can organize lists in Twitter? This can help you wade through both the garbage and the good stuff more efficiently. If you have VHS tapes that are originals, pony up to have them digitized to DVD to save yourself space. Take an afternoon and clear out old files from your computer. Think of ways to de-clutter both your online space and your actual living space and you will feel less bogged down.
4. Record
Everyone should keep a lists of their accounts– handwritten on physical paper. And they should keep them somewhere safe AND easy to access. I can’t tell you how many blogs or websites I started on a whim in high school or college that I forgot the password to after several months. This is also true of regular accounts you use (water, cable, gas, etc). You will find your record of accounts helpful when you decide to become active on Good Reads for the third time and don’t need to make a new account.
5. Utilize What’s In Front of You
Obviously, you don’t want to keep very sensitive information in your email or phone at all times, but some tricks might come in handy (especially if your phone is connected to your email).
If you have to mail a rent or mortgage check every month, consider sending yourself an email with the mailing address so you have that information ready when you need it. If your doctor has a confusing office building number, put that number in that contact, in your phone, under an “alternate” phone number. If you are thinking of applying for a new job, send yourself a notated text message with information that might come up on an applications (years worked, salary, references’ phone numbers– these things are hard to recall quickly). I keep a list of important phone numbers in my email in case I lose my phone…and we’ve all been there.
By taking just a little time and consideration into improving our daily technology habits and information loops, we can enjoy ourselves more IRL.
