Chapter 1: A Cluttered Inbox

I recently took the plunge and unsubscribed from over a hundred email lists, and it has significantly improved my life.

The moment I noticed the notification count soaring into the thousands, I realized it was time for a major overhaul. Checking my email each morning had become a dreaded task; the situation had spiraled out of control, all because of my own choices. Over time, I had signed up for countless email lists using various addresses.

What led me into this predicament?

Like many, I created multiple email addresses to keep my life organized. Each address was meant for a specific purpose: one for shopping, another for home renovation inquiries, and separate ones for my voiceover and writing projects. You can see how this quickly became chaotic.

Remembering which address belonged to which purpose became a challenge. Consequently, I found myself subscribing to the same lists multiple times because I couldn't recall whether I had already joined or with which email.

I dedicated half a day to comb through my inbox and unsubscribe from the lists that I never engaged with. Initially, this task felt manageable.

Many emails went straight to the trash without a second glance. For instance, I had subscribed to receive discounts from certain retailers, including Williams-Sonoma—my wife loves their products. Each year, she adds something from their catalog to her Christmas wishlist. I stayed on their list, thinking it would help me stay informed about sales. However, she often shops there year-round, making my subscription unnecessary. The same went for women’s clothing brands.

I also opted out of any marketer who bombarded me with excessive emails, such as Sharper Image and Best Buy. Conversely, I appreciated those marketers who allowed me to adjust my email frequency.

As I continued to sift through my inbox, I found it harder to decide on emails related to topics I once enjoyed. Was I still interested? Had I just forgotten about them and might want to revisit later?

I realized this line of thinking could lead to trouble, so I made the decision to unsubscribe from anything I hadn’t engaged with in over a year. Out of sight, out of mind.

Then came the tricky part—dealing with emails from creators like writers and photographers. I preferred to retain these subscriptions, except for those who seemed focused solely on monetizing their lists. Instead of providing valuable content, their emails had turned into constant promotions for courses and services. I don’t mind an occasional link to their offerings, but I prefer that it doesn’t dominate their communications.

After a few weeks of this decluttering, I noticed several positive changes:

For one, I've reclaimed a significant amount of time. I hadn’t realized I was spending over an hour each day managing irrelevant emails. Now, my inbox only contains what truly matters to me.

I also no longer receive constant notifications on my phone, as I had too many email groups vying for attention.

Going through my email is no longer a daunting task; I know it will require less effort and will only feature topics I genuinely care about.

How do I prevent myself from slipping back into this chaos?

I’ve implemented a few ground rules. I will no longer subscribe to any email list unless I have visited the website multiple times. I find it irritating when a site immediately prompts me to sign up for an email list with a discount offer before I’ve even had the chance to explore.

If I do join a list for a discount on a gift, I must be vigilant and unsubscribe right after receiving the gift.

As for creators, I may subscribe if I have genuinely enjoyed their work multiple times. However, if the first email I receive is purely a sales pitch, I will promptly unsubscribe. Such emails often feel more like a ‘what can I do for you’ rather than ‘what can you do for me.’

Marketers often rely on the assumption that once you sign up, you won’t bother to unsubscribe. While that has been true for me in the past, I am hopeful that I can break this cycle, avoiding the wasted time, energy, and frustration that comes with it.

Chapter 2: Practical Tips to Declutter Your Inbox

In this video, learn effective strategies to unsubscribe from unwanted mailing lists quickly and efficiently.

This video provides a comprehensive guide on how to manage your Gmail subscriptions and take control of your inbox.