I read the The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo last year. It’s the book behind the KonMari Method, which encourages you to only surround yourself with objects that bring you joy.

I didn’t buy a lot of what Kondo was selling. I don’t believe objects have “feelings.” And there’s no way I was going to completely empty my purse every night like some kind of monster. But it did help assuage my guilt about getting rid of books I’d never read, clothes I’d never wear, and gifts I’d never use.

Over the course of a few months, I methodically combed through my apartment. I filled more than a dozen trash bags for Goodwill. And it felt good. I didn’t just have more physical space – I had more mental space as well.

It also got me thinking about what else I could apply this philosophy to. And nothing needed more attention than my online life.