Rules for iPhone Minimalism and Happiness

This is a running list of rules I follow on my iPhone.

Home Screens

• Two pages maximum. Aim for one.
• Always leave the last row of each page blank.
• Page 1 is for apps you use every single day. Page 2 is everything else.
• No folders on page 1. Use those twelve spots wisely. Aim for eight.
• Shove all the stock apps you don't use in two folders. Add a third for apps you use less frequently. Let Newsstand gather dust.
• No more than three games installed at a time. (Here's why.)

Notifications

• Start by disabling all notifications. Most notifications are useless noise, and you're an idiot for letting them in in the first place.
• Narrow down which methods of communication you wish to be reachable on at all times. Set their alert style to Banners so they are visible, but not intrusive.
• If you use any reminder apps, set those apps' alert styles to Alerts, as reminders tend to be most effective when they nag you and don't dismiss themselves.