Sometimes the most valuable lessons about digital organization come from unexpected places – like that one day I DECIDED to lose > 2,000 Instagram followers.

I posted on Instagram announcing that if people didn't engage with that specific post, I would remove them as followers. I was essentially asking my followers to opt in or quietly exit.

The Digital Parallels

What started as a social media experiment revealed a universal truth about all our digital systems. Whether it's Instagram followers or Notion workspaces, letting things accumulate without regular review creates unnecessary bloat.

Here are some ways to consider:

• People from college who don't engage with existing content
• Outdated Notion pages you haven't accessed in months
• Task databases filled with completed projects from 2022
• Templates you created but never actually used

They're all forms of digital clutter that  slow down our systems and cloud our clarity (this hurts to use my favorite thing in the world as a negative, but here we are).

The Unexpected Freedom

After removing those 2,000+ followers:

• Several didn't even notice they weren't following me until we interacted in DMs later
• My content felt more focused and intentional
• The pressure to "perform" for an unengaged audience disappeared
• I felt refreshed and clear about my direction

Sound familiar? It's the same feeling you get after archiving old projects or finally deleting those "someday maybe" task lists.

The System Maintenance Lesson

Just as social media accounts shouldn't be treated as a never-ending accumulation of connections, our digital workspaces deserve regular, thoughtful curation. Here's what I learned:

1. Regular reviews matter: Whether it's followers or folders, regular audits prevent overwhelming buildup
2. Less really is more: Fewer, more relevant connections (or pages, or tasks) create clearer pathways to action
3. Intentional organization: Every piece of your system should serve a current purpose
4. Permission to delete: Not everything needs to be kept "just in case"

Practical Applications

Here's how to apply this thinking to your Notion workspace:

• Schedule regularly system reviews (annually or quarterly depending on how you work is
• Archive completed projects instead of letting them clutter active views
• Regularly assess if your current templates still serve your workflow
• Don't be afraid to delete or archive items that no longer serve you

The Bigger Picture

In both social media and Notion systems, clarity comes from curation. Just as I learned that a smaller, more engaged follower base makes me feel more at home than a large, disengaged one, you might find that a streamlined, well-maintained Notion workspace serves you better than an expansive, cluttered one.

Your Turn

When was the last time you did a thorough review of your digital systems? Whether it's social media, Notion, or any other tool you use daily, consider this your sign to embrace thoughtful digital minimalism.

Remember: Sometimes the best way to optimize is to minimize first. 💙

Need help auditing and optimizing your Notion workspace? Let's chat about creating systems that scale with intention. Book a discovery call and let's explore how to make your workspace work better for you. 💙

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