We’ve all been there. You pick up your phone to check the weather, and forty-five minutes later you’re knee-deep in a rabbit hole of celebrity gossip or comparing your life to someone’s highlight reel on social media. The digital world is loud. It’s buzzing, pinging, and begging for our attention every second of the day.

I started feeling it a few months ago—a low-grade hum of anxiety that I just couldn’t shake. My focus was shot, my apartment was cluttered with stuff I didn’t need, and my brain felt like a web browser with 50 tabs open. I was busy, but I wasn’t productive. I was connected, but I felt lonely.

That’s when I stumbled upon a concept that changed everything: Simpciry. It’s not just about owning less; it’s about clearing the noise to make room for what actually matters. In this guide, I want to walk you through how I embraced simpciry and how you can too, without becoming a monk or throwing away all your furniture.

What Simpciry Really Means (And Why It’s Not Just Minimalism)

Let’s clear something up right away. Simpciry is often confused with minimalism, and while they’re cousins, they’re not the same thing .

Minimalism is usually focused on aesthetics and physical possessions. It’s the white walls, the one chair, the closet with only 10 items in it. For some people, that’s great. But for me, simpciry felt different. It felt… softer.

To me, simpciry is the application of simplicity to your entire life—especially your mind and your daily habits . It’s a mindset that asks, “Does this add value?” before you buy something, yes, but also before you open an app, agree to a meeting, or stress over a tiny problem.

Think of it this way:

• Minimalism is about the stuff.

• Simpciry is about the soul.

It’s about intentional living. It’s the art of curating your time, your digital space, and your mental energy just as carefully as you might curate a bookshelf .

The High Cost of Digital Clutter

Why do we need simpciry right now? Because we are drowning in data.

Did you know the average person spends over four hours a day on their phone? . That’s a full part-time job. We are constantly switching between apps, tabs, and tasks, which scientists say can reduce our productivity by up to 40% . We aren’t actually multitasking; we’re just rapidly switching our attention so fast that we exhaust our brains.

This “attention residue” follows us everywhere. You’ll be having dinner with your family, but part of your brain is still wondering who liked that photo you posted. You’ll be working on a big project, but a Slack notification pulls you off task. This clutter isn’t just annoying—it’s costly to our mental health .

My Personal “Ah-Ha” Moment

I remember sitting on my couch, scrolling through an app I didn’t even like, and I realized I wasn’t relaxing. I was just… consuming. I wasn’t enjoying it, but my thumb kept moving. It felt like an itch I had to scratch. That night, I decided I needed to reclaim my attention. I needed to practice simpciry.

Applying Simpciry to Your Digital Life

So, how do we actually do this? We can’t exactly quit the internet—most of us need it for work and staying in touch with loved ones. But we can change how we interact with it. Here is the actionable plan I used to detox my digital world.

1. The Great App Audit

The first step is aggressive curation. Go through your phone right now. Look at every single app.

Ask yourself:

• Does this bring me joy or value?

• Does this help me reach a goal?

• Or do I just open it when I’m bored?

If it’s the latter, delete it. You can always re-download it later if you need it. I deleted all my shopping apps and social media apps from my home screen. I didn’t delete the accounts entirely, but by adding that tiny barrier of having to search for the app, I cut my usage in half .

2. Declutter Your Notifications

We have been trained like Pavlov’s dogs to react to a buzz or a ping. Most of these notifications are designed by tech companies specifically to pull you back into their apps .

Go into your settings and turn off all non-essential notifications. I’m serious. Leave on calls and messages from your actual humans. Turn off the news alerts, the “Your friend posted!” alerts, and the game requests. You are in control of your lock screen, not the other way around .

3. Create Tech-Free Zones

This was a game-changer for me. I implemented two simple rules:

1. No phones at the table. Whether I’m eating alone or with friends, the phone goes in another room.

2. No screens in the bedroom. I bought a $10 alarm clock so I didn’t need my phone to wake me up .

Separating my physical space from my devices helped my brain associate my bed with sleep and my table with food and conversation. It grounded me in a way I didn’t expect.

How to Start Living with Intentionality Today

If you want to embrace simpciry, you don’t need to throw your laptop in the river. You just need to start small.

Adopt the “One In, One Out” Rule

This is a classic for a reason. If you buy a new sweater, donate an old one. If you download a new app, delete an old one you don’t use. This keeps your physical and digital ecosystems from overflowing .

Schedule “Slow” Time

We schedule meetings, but we rarely schedule time to just be. Block out an hour on your calendar this weekend to do something analog. Read a physical book, go for a walk without a podcast, or cook a meal without watching a screen. This is simpciry in action—actively protecting your peace .

The 30-Day Simpciry Challenge

Want to really commit? Try a 30-day challenge. For 30 days, try to avoid one major distraction. Maybe it’s unplugging from social media, or perhaps it’s clearing your kitchen counters of all clutter . After 30 days, you’ll have broken the habit loop and can decide, with intention, what you actually want to let back in.

The Emotional Payoff

When I first started this, I was worried I’d feel bored or disconnected. But the opposite happened. By cutting out the digital noise, I actually felt more connected to the people right in front of me.

Living with simpciry has given me back my attention span. I can read books again. I can have conversations where I’m not secretly wondering what’s on my phone. My stress levels are lower, not because my life is less busy, but because my mind is less busy .

The goal isn’t perfection. I still have days where I fall into a YouTube rabbit hole. But now, I’m aware of it. I can step back and ask, “Is this serving me?” and make a change.

Conclusion: Breathe In the Quiet

We live in a world that profits from our distraction. The only way to fight back is to live with intention. Simpciry isn’t about deprivation; it’s about focus. It’s about choosing what deserves your energy and letting the rest fade away.

I challenge you to try just one thing from this list today. Turn off those notifications. Leave your phone in the other room during dinner. Give yourself the gift of presence.

If you enjoyed this guide and want to simplify your life even further, subscribe to the newsletter below for weekly tips on living a calmer, more focused life. I’d also love to hear in the comments: What is the biggest digital distraction you struggle with?