Forget spring cleaning your closet—your inbox is the real disaster zone.
A new survey has exposed just how digitally messy we’ve become—and the numbers are enough to make even your A.I. assistant short-circuit.
According to the report, the average American has:
1,044 unread emails
12 unread text messages
17 unread social media notifications
11 unread app messages
15 open browser tabs
9 unused smartphone apps
2 pending software updates
Add it all up and you’ve got a digital junk drawer that’s overflowing—and 77% of people say it’s taking a toll on their life.
The Mental Load of Digital Clutter
Half of us say our clutter makes it hard to find important apps, files, and photos, while a third admit they’ve even paid for a new device just to avoid cleaning the old one. (Guilty.)
And while some people walk around like notification ninjas, 63% say they have zero unread texts, and 54% keep social media alerts cleared out. But email? That’s where the digital hoarding kicks in—only 32% have inbox zero.
Inbox Anxiety Is Real
Experts say digital clutter can lead to stress, anxiety, and mental fatigue, the same way a messy room can make it hard to relax. But unlike dirty laundry, unread emails don’t pile up on the floor—they just silently scream from your lock screen.
Can A.I. Fix This?
Maybe. But until the robots are ready to Marie Kondo your inbox, you might want to carve out some time to unsubscribe, delete, and breathe.
Or hey, just do what the rest of us do—ignore it until your phone storage yells at you.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a digital minimalist or a full-on notification hoarder, one thing’s clear: Digital clutter is the new dust bunny—and it’s living rent-free in your brain.
Now if you’ll excuse us, we’re off to delete 876 emails from 2017.
