5 things you can learn from your computer

Weird title huh? Learning things from your computer… wasn't it the other way around? Computers are machines that were invented by us and quite often 'don't do what we want'. And yet there are rules for these machines that we can also apply in our own lives. We can learn a lot from them in that regard! Take a look:

1. Defragment every now and then

Computers work better and faster when you defrag them from time to time. In plain language: clean up! In any case, it does me a lot of good when I regularly do a big cleaning. By the way, that can be about my stuff or about things like spending time, relationships or tasks.

I prefer to live and work in a tidy environment. My head is already so full of everything that I can't really have that physical mess. Clean up, 'declutter' and install systems! There is nothing better than a good broom every now and then. And after that I function a lot better and more efficiently.

2. If something's in the trash, it's not gone

Sometimes you go through the files on your computer and you hit 'delete' when you come across something that is no longer needed. And then it's gone! Or not… because files that you delete from your computer often turn out to be in the trash for months. And they take up just as much space. This way, your hard drive does not immediately get extra space.

And the biggest risk? That you (oh no…) at some point will look in that trash can and put the files back. That way you are back to square one. In everyday life, this can again be about stuff, toxic people or work. Things you definitely don't want near you anymore. But they are only really gone if you empty that recycle bin and really delete all the files.

3. Tetris is a game, not a strategy

You know them… and maybe you have one: a closet where the things intrigued are. Yes, I came up with that word myself, but I think you get my point. That closet that really doesn't have a millimeter of space anymore, because you once spent an entire afternoon cramming as much as possible into it in a special way. Completely in Tetris style.

It goes something like this: “If I turn this thing upside down and turn that other object over… then maybe a third useless thing will fit on top!” Very efficient — until you want to get something out of it and need another afternoon to put everything back in the right way.

Sometimes we are so busy giving everything that comes our way that we forget the most important question: "Does this even deserve a place in my life?" Because sometimes it's just much nicer to remove something than to make a place for it again and again.

4. Back Up Important Things!

Theft, viruses or a simple crash can affect the files on your computer and cause you to lose them. But many things you physically keep are just as fragile. Our photos, documents and diplomas can all be destroyed during a fire or flood. And just as easily as your computer can be stolen, a burglar can find your 'secret stash' for valuables.

So backups! You can digitize photos and documents and store them in multiple places. Preferably locally (so on a hard disk) and in 'the cloud'. The latter can be done, for example, in a DropBox, OneDrive or Google Drive. That way you always have a copy at hand. We also always take pictures of things that cannot be renewed. Heirlooms, a favorite mug, children's drawings… that sort of thing. If the original is ever no longer with us, at least we still have that picture.

5. Sometimes your best option is Format C:\

Sometimes it's okay to adjust your life here and there and get rid of some stuff to get some rest. And sometimes you just need more drastic measures. And on a computer, the most drastic measure is the command “Format C:\” — erase everything! Delete all files from the disk, including the operating system. We're starting all over again.

A fresh start, a clean slate… you've probably heard the advice so many times. And it really works! Maybe it looks like a move or emigration in your life. Or the end (or beginning!) of a relationship. A different diet. Break bad habits. Just do everything differently than you are used to. Because it's never too late to take care of yourself to reinvent.