Delete first. Organize later.

Start by deleting everything you don’t need, then worry about folders. Most people waste hours organizing junk they should have just thrown away.

For photos: delete blurry, duplicates, and screenshots first. Use a tool like Gemini Photos or just do it manually while watching TV. You don’t need 17 versions of the same shot. Once you’ve cut the fat, move the keepers into a simple year/month folder structure. That’s it.

For general files: empty your Downloads folder. That’s your biggest mess. If you haven’t opened a file in six months, trash it. Keep only active projects in a “Current” folder. Archive the rest into an “Old” folder by year. No elaborate taxonomy. You are not a librarian.

Don’t overthink it. Digital clutter grows back fast, so clean it ugly. The goal is less stuff, not perfect labels. Your future self will thank you for the empty Downloads folder.