While most view spring cleaning as a ritual to attract good luck, Feng Shui consultant Paulynne Cheng pointed out that it also has practical value.
“It’s meant to reinvigorate the quality of Qi in the house,” she said when contacted by StarLifestyle.
What’s that, you may ask?
“Qi, aka air! Imagine a cluttered house. When you walk in, do you feel uncomfortable? Does it feel like you’re stuck and the air feels stagnant? That’s the feeling of stale air. So when we do a physical spring cleaning, we’re allowing fresh air to circulate into the house again,” she added.
Cheng said that at its core, Feng Shui is about ensuring a smooth flow of energy or Qi in the house.
So when it comes to cleaning and sprucing up your living space for Chinese New Year, consider adding digital decluttering into that list. Cheng said she typically meets clients seeking advice to improve business or career prospects in the new year.
“Sometimes when I do Bazi (astrological reading based on birth information) consults, I do suggest digital decluttering which can be done at any time. But doing it prior to the festive season can have a psychological benefit of approaching the new year with a refreshed and clean slate of mind,” she said.
The impact of digital clutter on mental well-being is supported by an article on the US-based Cleveland Clinic website, where psychologist Dr Susan Albers said studies show that it can be “just as toxic” to mental health as physical clutter.
“It triggers high levels of stress and anxiety,” Dr Albers said, explaining that because the human brain generally favours order over chaos, people can feel overwhelmed when bombarded by clutter.
How to declutter emails
One way to start decluttering emails is by managing subscriptions. For the web version of Gmail, go the left panel and click More > Manage subscriptions.
Users will see a list of senders with the number of emails sent recently. Click on the symbol on the right to unsubscribe. Google noted that it may take a few days for the sender to unsubscribe the user, so don’t be alarmed if messages continue to show up.
Google also posted on its website that users can manage incoming emails by using the filter feature to help archive, delete, or label emails. In the search box at the top, click Show search options. Enter search criteria such as sender’s name > Create filter. Do note that this will only impact new messages.
For peace of mind
When contacted, computer specialist Kevin S. from YP Mac said that digital decluttering is always recommended.
“When your device is organised and running smoothly, it naturally reduces stress, especially during busy seasons like Chinese New Year,” he added.
He sees more clients seeking digital decluttering advice ahead of the festive season. He believes one of the main reasons is the need to free up storage space for more photos and videos.
“Many tell me they’ve run out of storage on their phones or tablets, and some even say they keep buying new devices with larger capacity,” he said.
Kevin suggested uploading photos and videos to cloud storage, which allows users to keep their files online and access them later without taking up space on their phones or tablets. Some popular options are Google Drive and iCloud.
“But not everyone prefers monthly subscriptions. Another option is to export your photos or videos to an external hard drive,” he said, adding that users are also advised to perform regular backups to keep memories safe.
Kevin also gets questions about gadgets – are they necessary as part of the Chinese New Year spring cleaning practice?
“Yes, it is important for laptops and desktops. Computers hate heat. With Malaysia’s dusty and humid weather, dust buildup can trap heat inside the device.
“This causes computers to work harder, consume more power, and shorten its lifespan. A clean device runs cooler – and cooler always means longer lasting,” he said.
How to keep your PC clean
First, switch off all connected devices and unplug your PC before cleaning.
Kevin advised against using “harsh or abrasive chemicals, especially multi-purpose cleaners, bleach-based wipes, or strong alcohol wipes. These can damage screen coatings, leave permanent marks, or cause dull patches over time.”
Experts say all that’s needed is a mild cleaning solution and damp lint-free cloth to clean the painted surfaces of the computer. Wipe the surface in a circular motion, avoid leaving excess liquid. Wait for the surface to dry completely then check for leftover fibres to remove.
For screens, gently wipe with dry lint-free cloth. Check air vents and use compressed air to remove lint, dust or debris.
For keyboards, one tip is to hold a can of compressed air a few inches above the keys and spraying gently to dislodge crumbs and dust trapped between them.
Why don’t we declutter?
Based on Kevin’s experience, he said many customers are afraid of losing something that may be important for later.
“It could be a photo that they forgot to back up or documents related to work, tax matters, financial records, or even personal matters. So it depends on the individual’s comfort level. There is no right or wrong,” he said.
As digital items feel ‘light’ and don’t take up any physical space, Kevin said people tend to hold onto them longer than necessary. For computer experts like himself, he believes his role is to guide them.
“We help them understand what can be cleaned safely, what should be backed up first, and how to organise their data in a way that keeps both their device and their mind running smoothly,” he said.
Cheng maintained that reducing digital clutter can help sharpen mental clarity, noting that people now spend much of their lives on devices such as laptops, tablets and phones.
“It’s the same principle as a physical spring clean. Whether people realise it or not, clutter causes stress even when we’ve normalised it.
“Decluttering, whether physical or digital, is like clearing the cache in our heads: it removes stale, low-value residue without erasing real knowledge or memories,” she said.
