Rochester resident Matt Knutson is the communications and events director for United Way of Olmsted County.

“I’m running out of space everywhere,” I told Sera after glancing at my phone. Another reminder had popped up to encourage me to download the latest software update, and I once again denied my phone the happiness it deserves. It’s used to the rejection, as I’ve been doing it for several weeks now. One day, hopefully soon, I’ll give it the update it deserves.

Today though, it remains outdated. There’s simply no space left on my phone, so updating the software requires me deleting some of the phone’s contents. I’m not ready to depart from a few photos and songs, so we’ll just pretend all is okay as I daily choose to delay the update.

Also filling up is my work email’s inbox. This typically coincides with a major work project, so I’m thrilled my early morning reminders sent to my inbox are right on time. Next week is a major work and community event that I’m planning, so email access is pretty important as we pull the final details together. I’ve spent the last two days frantically deleting everything I know I won’t need to look back on, but still, the reminders of a full inbox come. Sometimes I think the reminder emails are what actually puts me over the limit for space in my inbox.

These two problems, my phone storage and email storage, came to a head at lunch today when my phone did something I’ve never heard of before. It literally would not allow me to open my email application unless something else was deleted. There was no more room on my phone for an email to be received, and there was barely enough room in my inbox. The uncomfortableness of knowing I put myself in this situation combined with every young person’s fear of being disconnected led me to quickly delete a few applications that I previously felt I could not live without. My email quickly refreshed and I received an unwanted message with coupons for baby products that I promptly deleted. All was well again.

I’d love to write about how frustrating it is that in 2016 I can’t have unlimited free storage in my phone and email inbox. These both seem like real possibilities given cloud-based technologies and how affordable these solutions are for a consumer. Though I’m not an expert, I would assume free storage would make a great marketing technique for both retailers of mobile devices and email products. Nobody likes to be out of space, but nobody likes to pay for space either. Having to prioritize digital files seems like a task of the past, something relevant when we relied on floppy disks and CDs. These days I feel entitled to as much digital space as I can take up, and I shouldn’t have to even ask for more.

Instead of growing space to solve my woes, I think it’s more important to reflect on our need to let our space grow unchecked. Sometimes I forget about how important it is to delete things, clear them from your life. Saying goodbye to blurry photographs of my daughter trying to latch onto the dog’s tail won’t be the end of the world. I have plenty of other snapshots that are at least in focus. Glancing through my personal computer files reveals hundreds of documents I’ll likely never open again. As a photographer, I’ve kept files upon files of pictures I’ve taken since high school. I’m not sure how many photos of a particular sunset I thought I needed, but at the time, it was absolutely necessary that I keep clicking that shutter.

What we may not realize is that these files, emails, apps, songs, and photos all being stored up on a device are still taking up space. Do you know how liberating it feels when I finally go through my inbox and delete a month’s worth of emails? It is as if a burden has been lifted off of my spirit. By purging away the clutter, the unnecessary parts of life that sometimes linger on, we’re able to make room for new, whatever that might be.

With autumn growing nearer and pumpkin-scented candles already appearing in my home, I’m reminded of the leaves changing colors and the falling leaves. Even the trees relieve themselves of what they carry. Now’s a great time to reflect on what you’re holding onto that’s taking up too much space. Sometimes you need to clear space for something brilliant to come your way. That’s exactly what I’m hoping for as I make room for my phone’s software update and attempt to squeeze a few more emails in my inbox.