Your inbox doesn’t need to be a digital hoarder’s paradise. Here’s how to keep it trim:

The Big Space Killers:

• Attachments are storage vampires – Save important files locally, then delete the email
• Old sent items pile up fast – Most people forget about these entirely
• Trash folders aren’t really “deleted” – Empty them regularly (they still count toward your quota!)

Quick Wins:

• Delete emails older than 2 years – Be honest, you’re not reading that 2019 newsletter
• Unsubscribe ruthlessly – One click now saves hundreds of emails later
• Use search instead of folders – Stop creating 47 different folders you’ll never organize

Smart Habits:

• Reply and delete – Don’t keep emails just because you responded
• Archive to local storage – Outlook and most email clients let you save to your computer
• Clear trash weekly – Make it a Friday ritual
• Limit photo attachments – Use cloud links instead of embedding images

The 30-Second Rule: If you can’t decide whether to keep an email, ask: “Will I actually need this in 6 months?”

Usually the answer’s no. Delete it.

Pro tip: Set a monthly calendar reminder to do a 10-minute cleanup. Your future self will thank you.

Need help with any of these steps? Just ask!