Do you ever find yourself drowning in a sea of open browser tabs?

It starts with an excellent resource you want to read later. Then, a video you plan to watch but don't have time for right now. Next, there's that concert you want to buy tickets for—but first, you need to find a friend to accompany you. Before you know it, you have so many tabs open that you've forgotten why you saved half of them! You might even click through your tabs only to realize an event has already passed, you've already read that article (maybe twice), or the information is no longer relevant.

We keep tabs open as a way to remember things for later—just like we might leave physical items out as reminders, only to end up with overwhelming clutter. And just like a messy space can make it hard to find what you need, an overload of tabs can make it impossible to track why you kept them open in the first place.

If you're ready to declutter your digital space and keep only a handful of essential tabs open at a time, let's explore some better ways to save important information, take timely action, and fully enjoy the fun content you come across.

Use Bookmarks to Keep Track of Websites

I'm a plus-sized woman, and when I found online clothing retailers with cute, well-fitting options (instead of options that looked like potato sacks), I left those tabs open on my computer or phone. I wanted to remember them, but they eventually got buried under dozens of other tabs.

One day, I realized how many clothing tabs I had open. Instead of keeping them all there indefinitely, I created a bookmark folder called "Clothing." Now, even if I fall back into the habit of leaving tabs open, I can save them quickly when I do a tab cleanup.

Take a look at your open tabs—do you notice any themes? If so, create bookmark folders for them. Store the folders in your bookmarks bar for easy access. That way, your favorite websites are just a click away without adding to the visual clutter of endless tabs.

Use a Calendar or Task Manager for Time-Sensitive Tabs

Some tabs stay open because they involve an event—like a play, concert, or conference—or an action item, like filling out a form or making a purchase. But if you don't act in time, those tabs become useless.

Instead of leaving them open indefinitely, schedule a reminder! Add an event to your calendar or create a task in your to-do list. Make sure to include the relevant link in the notes so you can find it easily when the time comes. This way, you can confidently close the tab, knowing you won't forget to take action.

Use Tab Groups for Organization

If the thought of hiding websites in bookmarks makes you cringe, or if you tend to ignore calendar reminders, tab groups might be your perfect solution. Many browsers now allow you to group tabs, assign colors, and give them names.

For example, create an "Urgent" tab group for things you must address soon. You could also group tabs by project, hobby, or interest—whatever makes the most sense for you. With tab groups, you can visually organize your tabs without losing track of what's essential.

Set Aside Time to Review Your Tabs

Just like tidying up your physical space, maintaining your digital space becomes much easier with a routine. Set aside time—maybe once a week or even daily—to go through your tabs. You might rediscover useful websites, remind yourself to act on time-sensitive items, or realize some tabs are no longer needed.

The goal isn't necessarily to close every tab in one sitting. Instead, focus on clearing out content with deadlines or quick reads. Pair this routine with another habit, like checking your email, to make it easier.

Enjoy the Web Without the Overwhelm

The internet is full of amazing, useful, and entertaining content, but it's easy to let it pile up and become overwhelming. With just a few simple changes—bookmarking, scheduling, organizing, and reviewing—you can keep your browser tabs under control while still accessing all the great content you love.

Give these strategies a try and enjoy a more organized, stress-free browsing experience!