File: Save As: IamADigitalHoarder.doc

29,472 emails in my inbox.

17,849 emails in my outbox.

Hundreds upon hundreds of gigs of pictures going back 12 years (the majority of which I've never printed).

Hours upon hours of raw video on multiple hard drives.

Four totes of receipts, bills, old paycheck stubs and other business related papers that I might need if the IRS or an executive producer from Hoarders ever knocks on my door.

The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem.  

With the exception of those totes of papers tucked into a closet, you'd never know it.  With the exception of a backlog of laundry from time to time, I'm proud to say I have a clutter-free house.  Now that I'm engaged, it's considered acceptable for me to admit that I even burn Yankee candles and have dried hydrangea. 

Don't hate.

My digital life, on the other hand, is more backlogged than IRS agents trying to figure out Obamacare.  (Take a deep breath.  It was a joke.  Even IRS agents can't figure out Obamacare.)

The digital revolution has enabled us to become data hoarders and stash away anything and everything.

My computers are insanely organized and categorized - but my GOD are they packed with data that I'll probably never need or use again.

College essays that I wrote at 2 a.m.?  Old work projects?  WHY are we keeping these?

Tens of thousands of pictures that....with a little digital snafu....could disappear FOREVER....all because we took for granted the concept that they were safe or perhaps floating in a magical cloud somewhere.

Now that I've admitted my problem, I feel a little better.  But before I forget...I have to save a copy of this blog on my desktop.  Because I never know when I'll need it again...

Kyle S. Reyes is Director of Marketing for Carter Chevrolet and Mazda of Manchester.