Feeling overwhelmed by your inbox? Newsletters, promos and updates you didn’t even sign up for can pile up quickly, making it hard to focus on the emails that actually matter.

Clearing out this clutter is easier than it seems and even small steps can make your inbox feel lighter and more manageable.

Each email you unsubscribe from gives you a little more mental space and helps you feel calmer every time you open your inbox.

Here’s my simple, four-step approach to reclaim your inbox:

Step 1: Spot the emails you don’t need
Scroll through your inbox and notice which emails you always skip over. These are the ones quietly cluttering your inbox and pulling your attention away from what really matters.

Maybe it’s a store you haven’t shopped at in years, a promotional email you never open or a newsletter that no longer resonates with you. Take a few minutes to really look and you’ll probably be surprised at how many emails you’ve been automatically ignoring.

Step 2: Find the unsubscribe link
Open one of the emails you’ve identified and scroll to the bottom. Almost every newsletter has a tiny “Unsubscribe” or “Manage Preferences” link tucked away in the footer. It’s easy to overlook, but it’s the key to taking control of your inbox.

Some newsletters even give you options to adjust how often you hear from them, so you don’t have to unsubscribe entirely if you still want occasional updates!

Step 3: Click and confirm
Once you’ve found the link, follow it and confirm your choice to unsubscribe or adjust your preferences. Some senders make this a one-click process, while others might ask a few questions.

Don’t feel like you need to tackle everything in one sitting; even unsubscribing from just a few emails at a time will make a noticeable difference. Over days and weeks, these small steps add up to an inbox that actually works for you, not against you.

Step 4: Remove existing emails from that sender
After unsubscribing, it’s time to clear out the emails already in your inbox. Most email platforms let you search by sender: type the sender’s name or email address in the search bar, select all the messages that appear and delete them in one go.

This instantly clears clutter and gives your inbox a fresh start. Seeing all those old emails disappear is surprisingly satisfying and it reinforces the good habit you just started.

It might seem small, but making space in your inbox helps you make space in your mind too. Start with just a few emails today and notice that satisfying feeling of calm every time you open your inbox.

Declutter Your Email Inbox in Minutes