Facing the File Pile with Doyo Courage
Discover the Japanese “doyo” tradition and how I’m using this seasonal shift to declutter my digital space and reset my creative flow.
Feeling the Season Through the Old Calendar
In Japan, alongside the modern calendar, there's also the old lunar calendar that's still referenced to stay in tune with the seasons. I’ve grown more familiar with it ever since I started paying attention to the moon’s cycles—like I mentioned in a previous blog. These cues help me reflect on the changing seasons, adjust what I eat, and decide how much rest I need based on how I feel.
What’s “Doyo,” Anyway?
Right now, we’re in the middle of spring doyo—a seasonal transition period that comes four times a year. It lasts about two weeks and is traditionally seen as a time to rest and reset. Farmers avoided working the soil, people took extra care of their health, and it was a common time to clean, sort, and prepare for the new season ahead.
My Doyo Plan: Digital Decluttering!
This time around, I’ve decided to declutter… my Dropbox! As a former KonMari Consultant, just hearing the words “organize your space” makes me itch to start tidying. I’ve been using Dropbox for five years now, and with all that storage, I’ve let things pile up way too much. But lately I’ve been revisiting old files more often, and honestly—it’s chaos! I keep thinking, “Why didn’t past me organize this better?” So this spring doyo, I’m clearing out the clutter and making space for new creative work. It’s my way of being kind to future me.
A Gentle Cue to Reset
Doyo reminds me that it’s okay to pause and take stock—not just physically, but emotionally and digitally too. Even if it’s just cleaning up your desktop or clearing space in your camera roll, this transitional season is the perfect time to refresh and reset in small, doable ways.