Email communications are a normal part of business, but sometimes, the threads, constant updates, and other notifications can get the best of us. I looked up one day and found that I had a whopping 4,000 emails in my inbox, and that was just one of them. It can seem overwhelming to purge when you think you might need something for later, want to be sure you're replying to the correct thread, or want to have the ammunition you need to politely read someone who keeps trying to check you about something you'd already done.
So how do you get organized, get from under the stress, and take back the time you've spent constantly responding to requests, deleting emails to get more storage, or managing alerts? Here are a few tips that have helped me:
1. Categorize your emails and set filters so that it's easier to manage your inbox.
I only keep emails that require immediate action or follow-ups in my "Starred" category (Google) and move others to other categories. I'll also flag emails so that I have a visual of those I need to address either within a day to 72 hours. I've often found myself trying to answer every single email as soon as one comes in, even if I'm in the middle of another task or even if it's not urgent. That practice left me always feeling frustrated. It was as if I didn't have enough time in the day to do any real work.
Now, I categorize emails based on the sender, nature of the task, or department with the tools I have at my fingertips, and Google and Outlook both offer these options. You can also adjust filter settings to send emails to certain categories when they have certain words in the subject line or come from particular senders. (Here's a great how-to on creating filters and how to choose what works best for you.)
I'm also now big on the "immediate delete and decline" method where, if the subject line seems spammy, includes weird misspelled words, or is addressed to the wrong company or person, is something I know for sure I'm just not interested in, I immediately trash it. (You can always go back in your Trash inbox and restore it, but after 15 years of being an editor, I've become a master at this. Nine times out of 10, it was trash or a total waste of my time even reading.)
2. Schedule time to purge.
Before you get any more overwhelmed, schedule a purge day that's on your calendar. Add alerts and reminders if you need to. I had those 4,000 emails because I hadn't purged since 2017, so take my word for it: Start purging tuh-day. Block out time weekly or monthly to look through all the categories and get rid of email threads that are no longer relevant, that detail a project that's done, or that indicate deadlines that have long passed. Also, get rid of those inter-office gossip threads or everyday conversations you might have had with your work bestie.
If the email thread is more than one year old, consider getting rid of it. (If this is a work inbox, get to know your company's policies on record-keeping, information privacy, and document filing before doing this. If personal, go ham.)
Set a timer for taking care of a few emails or one category at a time so that you don't further overwhelm yourself sitting at a computer for hours deleting or archiving things.
Put those photos or graphic files on a USP zip or hard drive or, if you trust it, a cloud. (And be sure to have folders so that won't become yet another disorganized abyss that has you searching through for hours to find a photo from 2009---or is that just me?)
3. Turn off unnecessary notifications and unsubscribe from newsletters you don't even read.
The notifications were really a problem. I'd set up notifications for almost every chat platform every one of my clients or companies I worked with used, and it became not only annoying but also took over my inbox. Think to yourself, "Do I really need to get email notifications for Slack updates, or should I just download the app? Do I need to be notified every time I spend $1 on a candy bar, or should I just download my banking app or check my statement bi-weekly?"
Turn off the notifications settings for updates on any and everything that's not really urgent or for things that you could find other ways to stay on top of.
And if you're really not into those newsletters from every online store you shop at or your favorite R&B star, they need to go, too. Unsubscribe or simply bookmark important stories from their websites, follow their social handles, or invest in an RSS reader.
4. Set up a time limit for keeping old emails.
Google has an option (and so do others) where you can set a 30-day deletion limit on emails, and this is perfect for someone like me who hoards digital files. You can set it for emails that are a minimum of 30 days old, and they'll immediately go to your Trash inbox after the time you set.
5. Email templates are your saving grace, so create and use them.
Everyone's talking about AI writing research papers, responding to comments, and creating Instagram captions. Well sis, you are the AI in this process. Pre-written messages that you can simply send with the click of a button are the move.
If it's a process that will always require the same answer, something that uses the same communication steps, or it's a message that can apply to multiple things or for multiple situations, create a template. Google, Outlook, and many other information management platforms offer this option. You simply create one message that can be used consistently and save the template for when you need it.
A good time to use these is in response to frequently asked questions, when onboarding or welcoming new team members, sending emails regarding common practices or policies, or for sales pitches.
You can even create templates that are simple greetings, opening intros for when you're working with a new department or business partner, or for holiday greetings. Customize the names or applicable situations for each template before sending the emails out, and it'll save you a lot of time and brain energy. (And don't respond to every meeting request with just an email, by the way. Add your Calendly or other scheduling platform link.)
I often use templates for sending out invoices, hiring new writers, requesting to set up meetings, sending deadline reminders, or addressing process issues with folks who can't seem to follow directions. (Hey, why stress myself out? I simply send a pre-written step-by-step and call it a day.)
Taking a few steps today to organize your inbox and automate how you use it can save a lot of stress and wasted time cleaning up later.
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'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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Are You & Your Partner Financially Compatible? Here’s How To Tell.
With nearly half of all marriages that end in divorce citing finances as the nail in the coffin to deading their relationship, financial compatibility is one aspect of long-term compatibility that doesn't get talked about enough. Beyond the circular 50/50 discourse and whatever hot-button issues regarding providers and the like, at its core, financial compatibility is about how well your financial behaviors, values, and long-term goals align with those of your partner.
More than it is about how much money a person makes or doesn't make, financial compatibility focuses on how you think about money, how you spend your money, and most importantly, how you plan for the future with your money. Think, questions about money mindsets, spending habits, debt, budget, etc. Are you a saver and he's a spender? Do you see money as a tool for freedom? Does he see it as something to hold on tightly to as a means of survival? Can you talk about your financial goals and plans openly?
Knowing if you and your partner are financially compatible can save a lot of heartache, a lot of headaches, and a lot of money in the end. Keep reading for a few key indicators to pay attention to and learn whether or not you and your partner are truly aligned financially.
Signs You’re Financially Compatible
1. You can talk about money without judgment.
Conversations about money aren't something you dread. You're able to talk to your partner freely and openly about money matters, like debts, bills, the budget, etc., even when it is uncomfortable. There is an understanding that talking about money doesn't have to be something you're on the defense about, instead it's an opportunity for transparency, clarity, and solutions.
2. You respect each other's money personalities.
What is a money personality? According to Ken Honda, author of Happy Money, a money personality is our "approach and emotional responses to money" and there are seven money personalities we can fall under. These personalities can help us understand our own relationship with money, as well as our partner's. For example, maybe you're someone who likes to treat yourself to a fancy dinner once a month and your partner is someone who believes ordering takeout and not cooking meals at home is a cardinal sin.
When you can respect each other's money personalities, neither approach is subjected to judgment and shifts can be made in each other's spending habits as needed and from a place of love versus guilt or shame.
3. You agree on what it means to have "financial security."
Whether it’s building a stacked emergency fund, paying off debt before putting a downpayment on a home or being able to splurge on a baecation without checking your account balance before the bill arrives, your definitions of what it means to be financially secure are in sync, or at least compatible enough to reach a compromise.
4. You are not each other's "financial parent."
You’re not constantly teaching, fixing, or stressing out over what the other person is doing with their money. Although I fast-forwarded through a lot of the most recent season of Love Is Blind, I did pay attention to Virginia and Devin and money seemed to be a recurring theme in their conversations. It was clear Virginia had her ish together when it came to money and her financial plans for the future and Devin was not quite on her level.
Though she said no at the altar for additional reasons, I could also see how sis could eventually get very tired of being her partner's second mama, so to speak. And that's the thing about being your partner's "financial parent," eventually, you could end up feeling like you are one-half of a "parenting" or "teaching" dynamic with your partner instead of feeling like you're equals in a partnership.
5. You make financial decisions with each other in mind, not for each other.
Whether it’s booking a trip, deciding which debt to tackle first, saving up for a big purchase, or planning out your next move, there’s a mutual respect for each other’s input. Those shared goals might look like wealth, freedom, stability, or just a debt-free life that feels soft and secure.
You don’t have to be chasing the same bag in the same exact way, but you do need to be aligned on the vision. What you're building should feel like a joint venture with shared effort and purpose, not one of y’all making major money moves like you're still single. Making financial decisions is not just about where the money goes, it's about where you’re going together.
6. You're aligned when it comes to the big stuff.
Financial compatibility extends to the long-term of money management. The legacy, structure, and shared responsibility that comes with decisions like shared accounts, estate planning, having babies, or even blending families. Will you split bills or combine income? Who’s taking time off if you have a child? How do y’all feel about generational wealth or investing for your family’s future? You and your partner have had the real conversations.
These conversations can’t wait until after the wedding or until after a baby’s here. They’re the foundation for how you function as a unit, and if you're not aligned, or at least willing to get on the same page, that incompatibility can cause friction in the end that love alone can't fix.
Love is cute and all, but building an empire together? That’s the real flex. Tap into our new series Making Cents to see what financial compatibility really looks like when love and legacy go hand in hand.
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