Thanks to the GPT assistant, I’ve found out that whoever has a modern MacBook might encounter this problem. Plus, I’ve found some apps that take care of Mac’s battery life. And I’m going to share them with you.

Tame your battery heating

I noticed that when my Mac got hot while charging, my battery was going crazy. I’m always on the go, and I want my laptop to work perfectly. On top of this, I want to not worry about finding an outlet to charge it every hour or so.

Endurance is the first app I’m going to talk about.

With some simple energy-saving settings, this app helped me extend up to 20% battery life. Which is totally amazing!

What does it do exactly?

• Dims the screen light to reduce battery consumption.

• Dials back on your Mac’s processing speed when you are using your laptop for simple tasks that do not require your processor to be at turbo speed.

• Lets you know which apps that run in the background use a lot of your battery.

• Snoozes inactive apps.

Protect your battery

A MacBook getting hot while charging is a clear sign you need to take care of the battery, and that’s exactly what AlDente Pro does. Its name always makes me think of pasta!

The app protects your Mac from overheating, sets charging limits to maintain battery health, tops up the battery when you need it fully charged, and even allows discharging while the charger is plugged in.

I simply love this app because it shows the battery temperature, the overall battery health of your Mac, detailed battery specs, and much more.

One of the best things about it is that you can automate it. For example, if you use some apps that require a lot of your processor’s power, AlDente Pro can pause the charging automatically. This way, you prevent overheating.

What to do with a hot Mac?

It happens to me, and it surely happens to you, too. These two apps help me a lot every day. I’m one of those who want to extend the life of their devices for as long as possible.

But I’m sure I might be missing some. Do you have any other tips and tricks? Share them with me in the comments!

Leave a comment

Now, I never thought it was hard to delete apps on a Mac, but here we are: me, frustrated, confused, and no less sure of myself as a Mac user.

Then, I learned how to delete apps from a MacBook, even when they had every intention of staying.

Why some apps resist deletion

It turns out there are standard apps. You drag them right to the trash, and they go without complaint. Then there are more complicated apps that either:

• Use background services

• And contain hidden files

VPNs are good examples. Antivirus software is another place you’ll often see this. Or even system utilities that run in the background on your computer. The apps themselves are (usually) not malicious. They are just stubborn.

You think you know how to delete an app on a MacBook, but then these guys show up and make you feel foolish. I figured out that for files that know how to survive a trip to the Trash bin, there are still ways you can delete an app on a Mac laptop and keep your sanity in place.

Force removal with CleanMyMac

I found CleanMyMac and got to work:

1. I opened CleanMyMac.

2. I chose the Applications tool and clicked Scan.

3. I went to Manage My Applications and found the apps that gave me trouble.

4. I used the Uninstall button to remove the app.

This took care of most of my issues. But before I could call it a day, I still needed to expel a few phantoms. Phantom files, that is.

Cleaning leftovers with Spotless

Here’s the other thing I learned when dealing with stubborn apps. Even once the program is uninstalled, it will still leave behind phantom files. Clutter cached deep within my computer’s hard drive, no longer serving any productive means but still taking up space.

Another tool, Spotless, allowed me to identify all of my leftover files based on their category. From there, I could decide what to relocate or simply get rid of. This helped me keep my files more organized and less weighed down with unnecessary junk.

What I’ve learned to do differently

Now that I know how difficult it can be to delete an app on a Mac, I’m going to be more careful about what I install on my computer in the first place. After a little bit of digging, I found that this can be a common occurrence with poorly designed or even questionable applications.

Certainly, that’s something I’ll weigh when choosing what to download on my computer.

• Is this tool really something I want?

• Will it linger around like a bad date?

• Is it safe for my computer?

I’m also definitely going to lean into these apps. And you?

I’ve been copywriting long before AI was a part of the public lexicon. When ChatGPT first landed, it barely registered on my radar.

I was busy completing writing projects the old-fashioned way, by hand. That’s still my primary mode of operation. That said, in recent months, I’ve found ways to use ChatGPT to accelerate my daily workflow.

Now, I still completely believe in the value of human-written content, but ChatGPT for copywriting, coupled with a few extra AI tools, can be a good way to do more work as a freelancer. That means more money.

Here’s what I like to use AI for

There are a few select tasks that I will delegate to ChatGPT for copywriting pretty consistently:

• Generating outlines

• Defining technical terms I’m not familiar with

• Reviewing drafts for inconsistencies

• Writing faster

ChatGPT hasn’t replaced my creativity, but it has given me a pretty dependable way of getting words on my processor quickly.

AI can put words on the page, but it often misses the nuance and humor that make things stand out. The unique branding of each client gives my work its value. While AI writes well, it’s lacking that special skill. But when I incorporate ChatGPT into my workflow, I can hit more deadlines and boost my earnings.

How AI plus Mac tools change the way I work

Okay, so let’s say an editor comes in with an assignment I know nothing about. This is pretty familiar territory for any working freelance copywriter, and it also used to be an immediate efficiency bottleneck.

Before, I would:

• Spend two hours just figuring out what the topic was really about.

• Take twice as long as usual writing a first draft.

• Obsessively revise until the work sounds convincing.

Ultimately, I’d usually get something pretty good done, but at the cost of an entire day. ChatGPT can get me a pretty good outline right away. AI for copywriters in this context can give you your talking points.

You’ll still need to massage it a little with good prompts, but speed beats everything, right?

Writing my draft with Ulysses and TextSoap

• Then I begin to refine my draft on Ulysses. It’s an attractive all-in-one sort of word processor that provides a clean interface for a distraction-free work environment.

• When I feel like I’m getting close to finishing, then I clean up my text with TextSoap. TextSoap is a formatting tool. It irons out all those weird glitches that you’ll often get with artificial intelligence drafts.

Sharpening with MurmurType

MurmurType is actually a transcription app. I use it to dictate articles. It sounds silly, I know, but it’s the fastest way to get a draft on the page.

MurmurType helps me write quickly, while the other apps safeguard for quality. With this combination, I can:

• Write articles about 1.5 times faster.

• Maintain the same level of quality on which I built my reputation.

• Use AI without being replaced by it.

A lot of writers resist artificial intelligence, fearful of what it means for what we do. I can understand that perspective, but I’ve learned with experience that it’s not accurate. AI in copywriting is a force multiplier if you use it correctly.

This workflow still has room for me

That’s the important thing to keep in mind. I will use an AI-heavy workflow on certain projects, particularly when the client is okay with it. That said, there are loads of gaps that only humans can fill.

Even drafting an outline for this article on ChatGPT produced quite a few odd inaccuracies and logical gaps that I needed to correct and improve upon with discretion.

I’m very involved in the phrasing, tone, and very funny jokes of my articles, but at the end of the day, if I can use AI to produce my standard of work faster, why wouldn’t I?

Subscribe now

2 weeks ago, I sat down at 9 am ready to write.

By 10:30, I’d written barely a hundred words. But not because I ended up doom-scrolling – which I’m often guilty of. In fact, I’d been busy the entire time.

There was a difficult message I needed to send, and somehow it took 10 minutes to write 30 words. A meeting I needed to catch up on to make sure I didn’t write something outdated. And a shared document that drained my energy before I even reached the second page.

None of those tasks was particularly difficult. But my morning disappeared anyway.

Tiny tasks add up quickly

It was never the writing that slowed me down. That’s the part I actually enjoy.

The problem was the small tasks around it.

Sending an email I kept putting off.

Catching up on a meeting to make sure I hadn’t missed anything important.

Digging through a long document to find one answer.

Even small ones, like converting an image from PNG to JPG, are only simple before you start them. When it’s time for the actual conversion, I need to leave Ulysses and open an editor. Or at least a browser tab. Five minutes later, I’m somehow reading an article I bookmarked weeks ago.

Now, multiply these small interruptions across the entire day. A calendar check here. A reminder there. A quick translation.

One minute I’m in Slack. Next, I’m opening Google Docs, then my calendar, then another browser tab.

That’s the kind of friction Eney’s latest update has removed from my day.

Instead of switching between apps and losing 10 minutes here and there, I let the AI assistant handle most supporting tasks, as the new freemium version offers free monthly credits.

Where Eney quietly shows up now

When I need to write something awkward

Somebody has done a task the wrong way. Or maybe they’re two days late on something a client needs.

Whenever I start writing that email, I just find myself rewriting the same sentence over and over, trying to be honest without being harsh.

Now, I ask Eney’s Difficult Message Crafter for a first draft. It gives me a balanced structure I can then tweak until it sounds like me.

After a meeting, I don’t want to replay

Some of my creative meetings end with decisions I’ll need later. Other times, I have to catch up on meetings I missed to ensure I don’t start writing with outdated information.

Listening through would usually cost a lot of time. And in most cases, I’d just put the audio in the background and end up missing key points.

Instead of replaying a 40-minute video just to remember who’s supposed to do what, I ask for AI assistance to summarize the discussion and pull out the key decisions and action items.

If I need something specific, I can ask a follow-up question instead of scrubbing through the recording.

👉 See how I use Eney to manage my meetings

When a document or video is longer than my attention span

Someone shares a PDF, but I’m not even sure it’s relevant to what I’m working on.

My old approach? Open it, read the first, feel overwhelmed, close it, then avoid it for two days.

Now, I just hand it to Eney.

The AI assistant pulls the key points and highlights anything that needs my attention. I spend 5 minutes instead of 40.

Same goes for the YouTube videos I keep adding to ‘Watch Later’ and the links I’ve saved in Apple Notes because “I’ll definitely watch them later.”

When a messy idea needs a plan

This might still be my favorite. In fact, I recently wrote about how it helps me turn a messy brain dump into an actual project plan.

I simply give Eney my raw thoughts. It processes them, groups relevant points together, and creates a logical task list. I’ve connected Notion, so it sends everything there automatically.

Small tasks no longer eat into my day

The biggest benefit of AI help I’ve noticed is that I stay focused for longer as I don’t need to switch between apps. And I still get to complete supporting tasks in between my writing.

That’s because Eney feels less like another AI chatbot and more like an actual assistant. Instead of telling me how to do something, it helps me get it done so I can move on.

When I sit down to write in the morning, I usually end up writing.

If there’s one thing I’m good at, it’s coming up with new ideas. Following through is a different story.

The moment something clicks in my mind, I’m always quick to open Apple Notes or record a voice note on NotePlan (one of my AI notetaking apps) before my brain decides we’re thinking about something completely different.

The problem is that most of these don’t make it past the initial note. They feel exciting in the moment, but a few weeks later, they’ve been pushed aside by a dozen new ideas that seemed just as brilliant.

Recently, it finally hit me that my problem was that I never gave my ideas a clear path to follow.

My brain stores ideas like I do browser tabs

I rarely manage to focus on one idea at a time. When I’m brainstorming, a thought always invites another. Then another. And before I know it, I’m considering something completely different because what if that could work too?

It feels a lot like how I open browser tabs when I’m researching a new topic. If something is interesting, I just “open in a new tab” and figure out later whether I need to read through everything or just a few paragraphs.

That’s what happened a few weeks ago, when I started thinking about creating a faceless YouTube channel. The inspiration? Some really creative parody videos about the World Cup I stumbled across on TikTok. At midnight, obviously.

My brain then went into overdrive, and I started dumping every thought into my notes.

What niche? Sports? No. Historical? Probably. Actual or AI voice narration? How do I handle copyrighted footage?

Five minutes later, the note looked more like junk than something serious.

But then, I realized that that’s actually a very important part of creativity. What I needed was a way to make sense of it and turn it into something I could build.

My AI assistant made sense of the chaos 🤯

My YouTube idea sat in Apple Notes for a few days. Every time I opened it, I had the same reaction: Where do I even start?

Then, I decided to try something different. I copied the entire brain dump into Eney, a proactive AI assistant for Mac. I didn’t ask it to rewrite or brainstorm. I needed a way to turn the idea into concrete tasks I could use to conduct my research, and that’s what I asked Eney to create.

A few moments later, the mess had become an actual project plan. Eney grouped related ideas together and turned them into actionable tasks I could tackle one by one.

But there was one more thing. If I copied those tasks back to Apple Notes, they’d probably disappear into my ever-growing list of ideas.

Instead, I connected Eney to my NotePlan account and directed the AI assistant to send the tasks directly. It created a new page and inserted the tasks for me.

My idea is now becoming a project, and I actually plan to use Eney for the other parts of my research and building process. And why not, considering the app is free and renews my credits every month.

👉 I actually also use it to manage my meetings

What’s actually different now ✨

For a long time, I thought that I needed to become more organized.

These days, I’m not so sure. Well…maybe in other areas, but not when it comes to brainstorming.

Now, I let my brain stick to what it does best, which is to come up with ideas. Then, Eney helps me make sense of them and turns them into something I can act on.

That shift has made a bigger difference than I expected. My better ideas no longer gather dust in Apple Notes. Instead, they become real tasks I can send to Notion, add to my calendar, and slowly work through.

I’m not saying every idea I have will now turn into a finished project. Some are actually better off as just notes.

But when something really deserves a chance, whether it’s a new project or an article idea, it no longer gets buried under dozens of newer thoughts. It now has a place to grow.

Subscribe now

I close my laptop. Like everybody else, I’m excited for the weekend.

2 hours later, I’m checking my calendar on my phone.

Wait... isn’t there a meeting on Monday I’m supposed to prepare for? Or is it Tuesday?

It’s Tuesday.

Somehow, that doesn’t help. By Sunday evening, I’m convinced there’s something I should have done before Monday. I just can’t remember what. And at that point, I’m not going to find out.

My weekends always had one foot in Monday

Every Friday, I’d tell myself that work was over. My brain never fully agreed, but I thought it was completely normal.

I’d remember something on Friday evening. Maybe I’d check my calendar. Maybe I’d convince myself I didn’t need to. On Saturday, I wouldn’t care. Monday is still far.

But on Sunday evening, I’d finally open my calendar and quickly scan it. In most cases, there was actually nothing urgent. But I had spent two days with that tab open in the background for no reason.

My calendar and notes app already had all the information I needed, but I just couldn’t stop mentally rehearsing the week before it had even started.

Every Friday at 4 pm, my AI assistant takes over ⭐

A few weeks ago, I adopted a new routine after realizing that I could connect Eney, a proactive AI assistant, to my Calendar. Before closing my laptop on Friday, I now ask Eney to review my upcoming week. Just that.

Eney goes through my calendar and the tasks I’ve stored on NotePlan. It then gives me an overview of the entire week. Meetings (which I now manage with Eney), deadlines, preparation work, and the awkward gaps between them.

Instead of looking at seven separate days and forgetting to review some events, I now see the whole week as one story.

The part that surprised me most was that Eney didn’t just look for overlapping events.

The AI help tool noticed when I scheduled something like a presentation preparation almost on top of the preparation itself. It’s the kind of mistake that would normally haunt me fifteen minutes before a client call.

If Eney highlights some issues, I just ask for the details on what I need to move around.

That’s actually my favorite part. I no longer have to spend ten minutes dragging calendar blocks around, trying to find a slot that doesn’t create issues elsewhere.

If Eney’s suggestions work for me, I’ll let it move everything. If not, I tweak the plan, and it takes care of the changes.

When the week comes around, I then use its AI assistance to handle different tasks like taking notes during my meetings. After all, I don’t have to pay for anything as Eney’s new freemium version gives me free monthly credits.

Monday stopped feeling like a threat

My new AI habit takes about five minutes, but it gives me back the rest of the weekend.

I’ve actually realized that I kept checking my calendar just looking for reassurance, not really preparing for Monday.

Now, I know what Monday brings. I even have an idea of what to expect on Tuesday and Wednesday. I already know which days I’ll be busy, which meetings need preparation, and when I have some breathing room.

But the biggest change is in my brain, not my calendar.

Work no longer follows me into the weekend, and Monday doesn’t arrive with a list of surprises. It just arrived.

Subscribe now

Here’s your goal-driven self-development plan

To save you time, I’ll start with a quick overview of the books and apps that can help you focus, build habits, find meaning, and organize your life:

Build better habits:

• Atomic habits

• Pick one small habit and practice it daily.

• Awesome Habits

Create focus and mental clarity

• Deep work

• Schedule daily blocks of distraction-free work.

• Be Focused

Find meaning and presence

• The power of now

• Practice mindfulness and slow down during the day.

• UpLife

1. Build better habits with “Atomic habits”

You know how it is: when you try to get rid of your bad habits, sometimes, it feels nearly impossible. From my experience, I’d often set these huge goals. And just a few days in, I’d give up. It’s just how it works sometimes. But then I found “Atomic habits” by James Clear – one of the top self-development books out there. The book actually made me believe I could build better habits no matter what kind of person I was. The author shows that small changes made consistently can lead to real results.

So I decided to start tiny. I drank a glass of water right after I woke up. That’s it. So simple, there was no excuse not to do it. Then I added another glass before lunch, and so on. After two weeks, drinking two liters of plain water a day became normal. Then came short workouts, distraction-free reading, and more.

“Atomic habits” showed me you don’t need a big leap. Just small, doable steps.

What you can do right now:

If starting new habits feels overwhelming, go small. I use Awesome Habits, which reminds you of your daily habit and tracks your progress. Stick with it, and before you know it, the habit will become part of your routine.

2. Create focus and mental clarity with “Deep work”

I used to bounce between emails and social media, never really focusing. I knew I needed a fix. And that came with “Deep Work” by Cal Newport. After reading it, I started blocking out 25-minute work chunks. I turned off notifications, stayed off social, and focused on one task.

And you know what? My work improved, and I felt way less anxious.

What you can do right now:

If you can’t concentrate, try short, focused work blocks. Grab the Be Focused app, pick a few times in your day, shut off distractions, and give all your attention to one thing at a time.

Also read: Multitasking almost broke me, but tiny focus fixes helped me

3. Find meaning and presence with “The power of now”

I used to rush through my days — work, home, work again. I rarely paused. But “The power of now” by Eckhart Tolle helped me slow down. I started noticing small moments. The sun. My coffee. My breath.

At first, I kept reaching for my phone out of habit. But like anything, it got easier. And better.

What you can do right now:
Try stopping for a moment a few times a day. Notice your surroundings and feel your breath. If that doesn’t sound easy, try UpLife for short mindfulness exercises. You know, even five minutes can help you reset.

Wrapping things up

I didn’t plan on writing this section, because you already have a list of the best self-development books you’ll be reading. But here I thought, what if you need some words of encouragement? I have some for you.

Please remember that all transformations don’t happen overnight. They take time, effort, and the right tools. If you don’t succeed the first time, don’t give up on the idea of ​​changing something. Just start again. Could this be the time that finally works?

Subscribe now

That’s why I’ve put together a little “starter kit” – a simple way to turn good ideas into real action. This isn’t about reading a mountain of books and never doing anything. It’s about pairing your favorite book with an app that helps you practice what you’ve learned. Think of it as your personal quick-start plan. Ready? Let’s dive in.

1. Master your tasks: Set up your GTD inbox today

Book: “Getting things done” by David Alen

App: Structured

What it’s all about:

The author of “Getting things done” explains that the best way to stop feeling overwhelmed is to get everything out of your head and into a trusted system. Basically, instead of trying to hold all your tasks in your memory — like thinking “I need to email John,” or “buy groceries,” — you write them down in one place. This is called your “inbox” or system. When you do this, your mind feels clearer because you’re not constantly trying to remember everything.

How to use it today:

Pick one task or project, and create your inbox in your favorite to-do app. I prefer Structured, because it comes with AI and lets me create subtasks for my tasks to split my larger agenda into smaller, more manageable steps. Don’t overthink it — just capture everything you need to do. Then, break each task into small, clear steps. Reward yourself when it’s done. Honestly, the hardest part? Just starting.

2. Conquer procrastination: Do the hardest task first every morning

Book: “Eat that frog” by Brian Tracy

App: Chimeful

What it’s all about:
Procrastination! That annoying voice in your head that says “not now” or “later”. The worst part? It makes you feel guilty and anxious. All the time. The whole idea of “Eat That Frog” is simple — do your most difficult, least favorite thing first thing in the morning. Sounds crazy, right? But it works.

How to apply today:
Identify your “frog.” In the evening, think about what you’ve been avoiding the most — that’s your “frog” for tomorrow. Once you identify it, don’t try to do everything at once. Just set a timer for a short work session, like 20 minutes, and start there. Break it into small steps. Just begin.

Apps like Chimeful help me do this by letting me schedule focused work sessions and breaks. It makes starting less intimidating and keeps me on track to finish my biggest tasks little by little.

3. Focus: Create a daily deep work window

Book: “Deep work” by Cal Newport

App: Focus

What it’s all about:

Dedicate time to work without distraction. No emails, no social media — just pure focus. When you start scheduling daily “deep work” sessions, your productivity will shoot up. You’d finally get those big tasks done, the ones that need your full attention.

How to do it today:

Block distracting websites and apps with Focus. When you try to open blocked content, you’ll see an inspirational quote instead. You can customize these, too.

4. Work less, achieve more: Batch and automate tasks

Book: “the 4-hour workweek” by Tim Ferris

App: Spark Mail

What it’s all about:
The main idea I love most from “The 4-hour workweek” is about automating routines so you don’t waste time doing repetitive tasks. Why spend hours on things technology can help with? Emails, filings, cleaning up digital clutter, etc. – all of these can be handled faster. It’s also a smart idea to group tasks and dedicate specific time to do stuff.

How to do it today:

Identify repetitive tasks and batch them together. Set specific times for checking email or social media. I also leverage AI to automate things. For example, I use Spark Mail to generate emails, edit my own draft using AI, rephrase the text, break it into paragraphs, shorten or expand it, and adjust the tone.

5. Build better habits: Track one new time-saving habit

Book: “Atomic habits” by James Clear

App: Awesome Habits

What it’s all about:

We all want to save time and get more done, but big changes can feel overwhelming. Small daily habits like setting specific times to check emails or batching tasks can add up to huge time savings over the long run. Try to build such habits.

How to do it today:

Pick one quick habit that saves you time — maybe clearing your inbox every morning or limiting social media time. Use Awesome Habits to track it daily. Stick with it, celebrate each small success, and watch how these tiny changes eventually free up more time for what truly matters.

Your personal action plan for better time management

There are so many books on time management and handy apps out there, but reading all about it won’t help if you don’t take action. I encourage you to pick just one book and one app from what I’ve shared today. Focus on practicing one small change at a time — that’s enough. Maybe this month, you try one habit or technique. Next month, when you feel ready, add another. No need to do everything at once; keep it light and manageable. My approach is simple because I believe that small steps are enough to make a real difference. While this is my story, maybe it will help you too. Good luck! Just get started today, and you’ll be surprised at what you can accomplish.

Subscribe now

Ever get that urge to dive into old memories? You know, to relive past vacations, birthdays, and that legendary road trip with friends.

Same here. Last weekend, nostalgia hit hard, and I was ready for a stroll down memory lane. I grabbed my Mac, ready to access my iCloud photos…

And hit a wall.

Instead of a photo binge, I was stuck figuring out how to see iCloud photos that seemed to have disappeared. Was I locked out? Were my photos gone? Did I forget some crucial settings?

It was time to fix this once and for all.

How to access iCloud photos on Mac

I assumed my iCloud photos would just… appear. Turns out, nope. If you want your entire iCloud library available on your Mac, you need to double-check your settings.

1. Open the Apple menu and go to System Settings.

2. Click your Apple Account, then iCloud.

3. Make sure Photos is switched on.

4. Open the Photos app and go to Photos in the menu bar.

5. Click Settings, then iCloud, and enable iCloud Photos.

6. Wait. If it’s syncing, give it time.

Once I figured out how to turn on iCloud Photos and got everything set up, my pictures started showing up. That’s when I noticed another issue – my iCloud storage was an absolute mess.

It’s time to clean up my iCloud photo library

My iCloud had duplicate photos, random screenshots, and way too much clutter. Some pictures weren’t even syncing because my storage was overloaded.

So, I got strategic.

First, I got rid of duplicates

There’s no poetic way to put this – I desperately needed to clean out duplicates. Luckily, I found Gemini.

This app scanned my iCloud photo library and found identical or near-identical images. It even suggested which ones to delete based on quality. But the best part? I still had full control and could preview everything before making a decision.

Then, I organized what’s left

Duplicates gone, but my gallery was still a mess. There were hundreds of screenshots, blurry shots, and random saved images that had no purpose.

CleanMy®Phone handled the cleaning process. It sorted my photos into categories so I could clear out the junk in batches. Plus, it let me organize photos by date and location, which made it easier to find specific moments.

What if my photos are missing?

At this point, I had everything working. But what if I can access my photos on iCloud, but they just don’t show up? For situations like that I have the Disk Drill app.

If I ever accidentally delete photos or they just vanish, Disk Drill scans my Mac and iCloud storage to bring them back. I tested it on an old drive, and it found pictures I thought were lost forever.

A smarter way to manage cloud storage beyond iCloud

While learning how to access iCloud photos, I realized my pictures weren’t just in iCloud. Some were scattered across Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox. So yeah, managing them was a nightmare.

Luckily, CloudMounter makes it easier. It lets me mount many cloud services as external drives on my Mac. Instead of switching between apps, I can access everything in one place, move files around, and free up space.

Nostalgia unlocked

After sorting out my iCloud chaos, I finally sat back and scrolled through all my old memories. The vacations, the birthdays, the blurry but meaningful photos.

And next time nostalgia hits? I won’t waste an hour figuring out how to access iCloud photos on my Mac.

Here’s how to make your next memory lane trip smoother:

• Turn on iCloud Photos properly so everything syncs.

• Use Gemini to delete duplicates before they take over your storage.

• Run CleanMy®Phone to clear out unnecessary clutter.

• Mount iCloud as a drive with CloudMounter for instant access.

• Recover lost photos with Disk Drill if they disappear.

So, next time nostalgia hits, you can skip the tech headaches and just enjoy the memories.

Subscribe now

I used to think my Mac’s warmth was cozy. You know, like a built-in hand warmer for winter typing.

Then summer came. And suddenly, I wasn’t charmed by the idea of a mini sauna on my desk. Safari slowed down, the bottom case got uncomfortable, and I finally admitted: this wasn’t cute anymore.

Yeah, my Mac was overheating.

My search for answers

The first place I checked? Apple Support. They kindly reminded me that Macs are happiest between 10-35 °C. Well… Mine felt like it was living in a volcano.

So I went down the rabbit hole: Reddit threads, forums, tech blogs. Advice was chaotic.

• Close background apps.

• Stop charging to 100%.

• Buy a cooling pad.

• And the classic: “Don’t use it on a blanket.” (Guilty.)

Extra tip: if you’re going to research “why is my Mac so hot?”, maybe don’t open 50 tabs. That alone heats up your laptop.

Quick fixes that only half-worked

I started small: closed unused Safari tabs, quit apps I hadn’t touched in weeks, and turned brightness down. Yes, I also moved my Mac off the couch.

It helped. A little. But during Zoom calls or when charging, the heat was still back with a vengeance.

The apps that told me the truth

That’s when I stopped guessing and started tracking. Activity Monitor was my first ally. Sure, it’s not glamorous, but it quickly showed me which apps were secretly hogging CPU.

Still, I wanted something clearer. So I opened my secret toolbox.

👉 The first was iStat Menus.

Suddenly, I had real-time stats right in the menu bar: CPU, GPU, memory, and even temperature. It felt like putting on glasses for the first time.

My piece of advice? Don’t wait until your overheating Mac is impossible to touch. Monitoring temps regularly helps you spot problems early.

👉 Then came AlDente Pro.

Apparently, keeping your MacBook at 100% charge is basically slow-cooking the battery. I set mine to stop charging at 80%, and the difference was instant.

👉 And finally, CleanMyMac.

One Performance scan revealed many more login items and background processes than I was expecting. I cleared them out, and my Mac started breathing easier.

The bigger lesson

The biggest plot twist? The moment I realised that my Mac running hot was not the problem, but the symptom.

The real issue was how I used my Mac: leaving apps open “just in case,” charging at 100% all day, and ignoring the background clutter piling up.

Once I fixed those habits, the heat calmed down. And the side effect? My workflow felt lighter, too.

I also wrote about simple steps I used to make my Mac faster — another case where tiny changes paid off big.

What you can try

If your MacBook overheating has gone from “quirk” to “problem,” here’s what helped me most:

• Start with Activity Monitor. It’s not pretty, but sorting by Energy Impact shows which apps are cooking your CPU for breakfast.

• Change how you charge. Keeping your Mac at 100% all day is a slow bake. Stopping at 70–80% keeps things cooler.

• Airflow matters. A blanket is not a desk (yes, I learned this the hard way). Use a stand or at least a table.

• Declutter the background. Login items sneaking back in. Clean them so your Mac isn’t sweating before you open Safari.

None of these is dramatic, but together, they stop the Mac overheating drama.

Cool enough for me

My Mac may never be ice cold, but at least it’s no longer doubling as a desk heater. And honestly, once you understand the habits behind the heat, keeping things cool doesn’t feel like a mystery anymore.

So go check your tab count and give your Mac a break!

Subscribe now

If you’ve ever used an external drive, chances are you’ve seen the dreaded message:

“The disk you attached was not readable by this computer.”

At least, that’s what it feels like after spending hours scrolling through Reddit threads full of the same desperate complaints. And yes, I’ve read a lot of them while trying to fix this myself.

So, why does it happen?

Why your Mac freaks out

It usually means the system recognizes something is plugged in, but can’t understand the format or read the data properly. Here are a few usual suspects:

• File system mismatch. The drive might be formatted for Windows (NTFS) or even exFAT, and macOS doesn’t have write or read permissions.

• Disk corruption. An unsafe ejection, power loss, or system crash can damage the file structure.

• Faulty connection. Loose or damaged cables, USB hubs, or ports can interrupt data transfer.

• Outdated macOS or drivers. New system updates sometimes break compatibility with older file systems.

How to fix “the disk you attached was not readable by this computer” problem

1. Check the obvious first

Unplug and reconnect the drive. Try another port or cable, or skip the USB hub if you’re using one. If it works on another computer, the issue is likely your Mac’s connection.

2. Open Disk Utility

Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility. If your drive appears in the sidebar, choose it and click First Aid to repair the file system.

If the option’s greyed out or fails, the disk might be formatted in NTFS. By default, macOS can read NTFS volumes but not always write to them.

Use iBoysoft NTFS for Mac

When your Mac refuses to open a Windows-formatted drive, iBoysoft NTFS for Mac steps in.
It mounts NTFS drives in full read-write mode, so you can safely open, edit, and transfer files without reformatting.

It’s also great for checking drive integrity before attempting repairs.

4. Try recovering files if needed

If Disk Utility can’t repair it, or the drive stays unmounted, don’t format it yet. Use recovery software (iBoysoft includes this) to extract files first.

And in case your next data loss adventure happens on your phone, here’s how to recover deleted photos from your iPhone.

5. Reformat only as a last resort

“The disk you attached was not readable by this computer” problem is still here, and you’ve backed up or recovered what you can? In Disk Utility, choose the drive. Click Erase and choose APFS or exFAT (if you use both Mac and Windows).

This resets the file system and removes the unreadable error. But only do this after saving your data elsewhere.

Keep your drives healthy

Fixing the issue is one thing, but preventing it is another. A few small habits go a long way:

• Eject safely. Always right-click and choose Eject before unplugging.

• Back up regularly. Time Machine, cloud, whatever works for you, just not “hope.”

• Keep macOS updated. Minor patches often include fixes for disk handling.

• Use CleanMyMac to maintain drive health. Its modules clear cache leftovers and check disk permissions, which can help prevent similar errors down the line.

Back to calm and readable drives

If the “the disk you attached was not readable by this computer” trouble ever interrupts your flow, most likely, your Mac’s just having a formatting identity crisis.

A cable swap, a quick check in Disk Utility, or a little help from iBoysoft NTFS for Mac usually brings everything back. When it’s fixed, make a backup and move on.

Trust me, your Mac’s fine. It just needed a moment (and maybe a better cable).

Subscribe now

Mindfulness is for people with fewer deadlines

That’s what I thought a couple of years ago.

Sure, I’d heard of burnout, imposter syndrome, work-life balance — all the classics. But those were concepts I used in conversations, not tools I actually knew how to apply.

At that time, I didn’t think I was the kind of person who needed mindfulness. I was functioning, writing, and delivering.

That meant I was fine, right?

Then came the creeping signs

Screen fatigue, short temper, a constant mental buzz that made even simple emails feel like a chore. And the worst? My creative ideas became harder to access.

So when the mindfulness trend started taking over my feed, I paid attention. Mostly, because I liked the idea of mindful creativity.

Eventually, I started therapy

Probably one of the best decisions of my adult life.

A year into regular sessions, I had picked up a toolbox of breathing exercises, journaling prompts, mindful transitions, and micro-meditations.

I could feel the change: I was focused at work, more confident in setting boundaries, and even took real vacations. Yes, the kind where you don’t pack a laptop “just in case.”

It took me a while to stay focused in noisy cafés, especially when someone ordered a cappuccino behind me. If coffee shop chaos ruins your concentration too, here are a few tricks that help me stay on track.

The apps that help me stick to mindful thinking

After a gentle nudge from my new therapist (who asked about trackers and notes like they were a given), I made the leap from “mindful when I remember” to “mindful by design.” These four mindfulness apps are now my core team:

1. Mental Walk

Mental Walk is my go-to for quiet journaling that doesn’t feel like another task. It gives me simple prompts and a clean space to write.

I usually open it after a long day or a messy client situation, just to make sense of how I feel. The writing prompts are short and thoughtful, which is enough to help me slow down and get honest.

2. UpLife

UpLife is a therapist-inspired app that offers mindfulness-based stress reduction. You’ll find interactive courses, meditations, guided sessions, and exercises — all grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

The app somehow makes them feel doable even on hectic days. I use it when I need a reset but don’t have time for a full reflection. The best part? It helps me notice patterns I’d normally ignore.

3. Clariti

Clariti creates background audio that adapts to the time, weather, and even my focus level. At first, I thought it was a gimmick, but now I start every deep work session with it.

The soundscapes are simple, like waves or wind, but surprisingly effective. They don’t demand attention the way music sometimes does. Instead, they help quiet that low-level background tension.

4. Awesome Habits

Awesome Habits helps me log tiny habits like 5-minute meditation or a mindful break. I track just a few basics, and that’s enough to keep me consistent.

It even sends low-key reminders that feel encouraging, not naggy. The app gives gentle motivation with streaks, but doesn’t punish you for being human. And that makes it easier to stick with.

What changed

Now let’s talk about results, because knowing how to practice mindfulness is only worth it if it actually helps. Over the past six months of consistent use:

• I cut my average writing time per article by 20–30% without rushing. Before, I’d spend ~9 hours on a 1500-word piece. Now it’s 6-7 hours with fewer edits.

• I handle urgent feedback and demanding clients without spiraling. My “high stress” days dropped from 9–10 per month to just 3 last month.

• I’ve gone from 2–3 content ideas a week to around 6–7. And they’re more diverse. I think it’s all thanks to clearer headspace and better transitions between tasks.

Of course, it’s not perfect. I still have days when I forget to meditate, go for a walk, or procrastinate with five browser tabs open. But the point is that I always come back to it.

Why mindful thinking stuck

Some habits come and go. But mindfulness stayed as a quiet framework for how I work and feel. It helps me handle pressure, protect my focus, and reconnect with my own voice.

For me, that’s the real value.

Excuse me?

That would’ve been helpful information during the 47 times I tore apart the couch looking for the remote.

That small comment sent me down a quiet rabbit hole. I started checking settings I’d never opened before, pressing buttons I’d ignored for years, and discovering features that are buried deep enough that most of us never bother looking.

Here’s what I found.

1. Your iPhone has been a remote this whole time

Once I recovered from the mild shock, I opened the Control Center on my iPhone.

There it was: Remote.

If you don’t see the Remote control in Control Center, you can add it:

• Open Control Center

• Tap the plus icon in the top-left corner

• Tap Add a Control

• Scroll to Remote and tap it.

I tapped it, and it connected instantly to my Apple TV.

And the part that genuinely made me excited: you can type normally. With your actual keyboard. Not that slow letter-by-letter navigation that makes you question your password choices.

2. You can rearrange the Home screen

For a long time, I accepted the Apple TV Home screen the way it was. Random apps in random order.

Then I accidentally held down on an app icon, and guess what?

It started wiggling.

You can move apps around just like on an iPhone. You can even drag one app onto another to create a folder and rename it.

I now have folders called “Streaming,” “Workout,” and “Stuff I open once a month.” It’s not revolutionary, but it makes opening Apple TV feel less like walking into someone else’s living room.

3. Subtitles are easier than I thought

I used to pause whatever I was watching and dig through settings to turn on subtitles.

You don’t have to. Instead, go to Settings > Video and Audio > Automatic Subtitles > Show for Different Languages and turn it on.

Or even easier: hold the Siri button and say, “Turn on subtitles.”

That alone saved me from pausing scenes where everyone whispers dramatically for artistic reasons.

Extra tip. Planning to watch something from YouTube, TikTok, or any other platform on Apple TV? It’s often easier to download it to your Mac first and stream it properly. I shared the safe method I use in my step-by-step YouTube download guide.

4. You can sync audio using your iPhone

This one felt surprisingly technical.

Go to Settings > Video and Audio > Calibration > Wireless Audio Sync.

Now Apple TV will use your iPhone to measure and sync audio timing properly.

It takes about half a minute. You hold your phone near the TV, it plays a sound, and adjusts automatically. I didn’t realise my audio was slightly off until it wasn’t.

5. Reduce Motion makes it feel faster

If your Apple TV feels slightly heavy or slow (especially on older models), try this:

Go to Settings > Accessibility > Motion > Reduce Motion and turn it on.

It tones down the large zoom animations between screens. Technically, it doesn’t make the hardware faster, but it feels smoother, which sometimes matters more.

6. Streaming from your Mac without AirPlay drama

The last discovery happened when I tried streaming a video from my Mac to Apple TV.

AirPlay works, but sometimes the quality dips or the file format isn’t ideal. To avoid those moments I use JustStream.

It streams video files directly instead of mirroring your entire screen, handles different formats well, and keeps the quality stable.

It’s not something you need daily, but if you stream local files often, it smooths out the little surprises that AirPlay can sometimes cause.

The realisation

All these features look minor, but together, they’ve changed how I use Apple TV. It feels more intentional now and less like I’m only using 40% of what it can do.

The strange part is that none of this was hidden. I just never went looking.

Apparently, curiosity is a decent teacher.

Subscribe now

I used to ruin my own typing flow every time I wanted to drop in a single emoji.

I’d be writing a message or making a to-do list, then suddenly think, “this sentence needs a 🔥.” But instead of just typing, I’d:

1. Grab my phone and search for it on iOS.

2. Or worse — open Safari, type “fire emoji,” and copy-paste.

3. Or click through menus on Mac like a lost tourist in System Preferences.

All that effort just to pull up emojis on a Mac 😅

And the worst part? By the time I got back to my text, I’d forgotten what I was writing in the first place.

The breakthrough moment

Then one day, someone casually dropped the shortcut into conversation, like it was common knowledge:

Control + Command + Space

And suddenly the emoji panel just popped up.

I felt like I’d unlocked a cheat code that Apple had been hiding for years. Finally, no more device-hopping or browser searches. Just a quick finger combo and every emoji was mine.

I tested it everywhere: Notes, Slack, Gmail, even in filenames. Yes, you can make a folder called “💀 old drafts.”

But guess what?

This emoji shortcut on a Mac doesn’t work in Google Docs. I know, absolutely unfair! My workaround? Keep it open in the bigger window mode. What’s that? Glad you asked.

The secret bigger window

Here’s the part I wish I’d known earlier. If you click the little icon in the top-right corner of the emoji panel, the window expands into the full Character Viewer.

That’s where Apple hides everything. Not just emojis, but arrows, currency symbols, bullets, math signs, and even pictographs.

I don’t use it every day, but when I need a ✓, →, or € in a hurry, it’s a lifesaver. Way faster than googling “checkmark symbol” and copy-pasting.

Ooh, the sweet taste of how a single shortcut can change my flow. Just like the tricks I shared in my Mac automation without coding article.

Tiny details I didn’t expect

The emoji shortcut on a Mac has a few quirks I noticed after some time:

The small pop-up

If you hit the shortcut while typing in a text field (like Google or Messages), you’ll only see the mini pop-up tied to your cursor. It’s quick, but it doesn’t have the expand button for Character Viewer.

Word-to-emoji suggestions

If you type a word, don’t press Enter, and then use the shortcut. Your Mac will sometimes suggest emojis for that word. Type “clap,” and 👏 shows up. Not for every word, sadly. No emoji for “deadline” (yet).

Genmoji in Notes

In Apple Notes, the expand button is replaced with a Genmoji button. Instead of jumping to Character Viewer, you can create your own emoji-style stickers.

Why this tiny trick matters more than it should

Sure, emojis are fun, but they’re also practical. Here’s how I use emojis on a Mac now:

• ✅ for done tasks (way more satisfying than a checkbox).

• 🔥 for deadlines that actually need fire emojis.

• 🐌 for projects moving slower than expected.

• 🙃 for sarcastic comments to myself in drafts.

And because I’m not breaking my typing rhythm anymore, I actually use them more often. It’s faster, more expressive, and it makes the whole process of writing on a Mac feel lighter.

Apps that make emojis even faster

To be honest, the built-in shortcut is all you need. But if you want to take your emoji game to “speed demon” level, I’ve found two helpful apps:

Rocket Typist

I set up text snippets that expand into emojis (or emoji + text) while I type. For example, typing :shrug: turns into 🤷‍♀️, :done: becomes “✅ Done.” It’s perfect for the ones I use daily, like ✅ or 🙃, and it works everywhere I type.

PopClip

While it doesn’t help me type emojis on a Mac, it belongs in the same “tiny actions without breaking flow” category. It adds a little pop-up menu with quick actions whenever I highlight text. Copy, paste, search, translate, change case, and 200+ other extensions.

What changed for me

It’s a tiny thing, but learning how to pull up emojis on Mac with one shortcut has saved me from mini-disruptions every day. And the bonus hacks just make it even more fun.

Now I use emojis in places I never thought I would, like file names or reminders. Basically, if it can take text, it can take emojis.

So if you see too many 🙃 or 🔥 in my articles, now you know why.

Subscribe now

Notebooks, sticky notes, the back of a receipt, the Notes app — my old password system wasn’t a system.

I reused the same 2–3 passwords for everything. And when a site asked me to reset it? I’d just add a “!” or change one letter. Sometimes I’d try logging in five times before remembering I’d used my cat’s name.

The moment it stopped being “fine”

One day, I got a security alert from Google. Someone from a different country tried to access my account. Fortunately, it wasn’t successful, but it spooked me.

I had no idea which password I’d used there, and worse — I’d probably reused it elsewhere.

I finally admitted: I needed a proper Mac password manager.

What I wanted in a password manager

I didn’t care about brand names. I just wanted features that would make my life easier:

• Cross-device sync (Mac + iPhone)

• Autofill that works in Safari and Chrome

• Strong password generation

• Secure sharing (for a few shared logins with my partner)

• A way to import or re-save my mess of old logins

Oh, and I didn’t want to feel like I was launching a spaceship just to find my Netflix password.

The apps I tested (and the one I kept)

👉 I started with Secrets 4.

It’s a beautifully simple Mac password manager with strong encryption and native macOS vibes. The setup was smooth. Importing old logins took just a few minutes, and I loved that it could store not only passwords but also credit cards and secure notes.

👉 Then I tried mSecure which felt more robust.

It offered cloud backup options and a more advanced organization. The built-in templates made it easy to store different types of data without digging around. But the UI felt a bit clunky for my taste.

👉 I also gave Bitwarden a shot.

It’s one of the most secure password managers out there and open-source, which I loved. But syncing across devices with advanced features required a premium plan, and the design felt more functional than friendly.

👉 I briefly considered 1Password too.

It’s widely recommended and truly is one of the best password managers, especially for families or team sharing. But honestly? It felt like more than I needed and a bit more than I wanted to pay.

👉 In the end, I stuck with Secrets 4.

It felt like the right balance of power, simplicity, and Mac integration. Plus, I already had it via Setapp.

The setup was surprisingly painless

I thought migrating from my old chaos would be a nightmare. Most of my logins were in notes, browsers, or scattered on paper. So I went through them one by one and saved each into the vault manually.

It was tedious, but kind of satisfying. Like decluttering, but for my digital life.

Plus, Secrets 4 helped me generate stronger passwords for old logins. I started using Touch ID for quick unlock, and autofill in Safari worked like a charm.

Real changes I noticed

The biggest shift? A peace of mind.

I stopped second-guessing every login. With a Mac password manager, I could remember fewer passwords and feel safer doing it. Sites that used to annoy me with 2FA or weird password rules? Secrets handles it.

And when I joined a new project recently, I didn’t have to Slack anyone, “What’s the login again?” I just popped it into my vault.

The part nobody talks about

Yes, putting all your passwords into one app can feel scary. What if it gets hacked? What if I lose access?

I had the same fear, so I set up a safety net. I keep a few essential logins stored separately in iCloud Keychain. You know, just in case something goes wrong with my main app.

Some people also use a printed master password or an encrypted export stored offline.

Oh, and speaking of panic moments: Changing a Mac password can help avoid security threats. Check it out if I’d been putting off a proper password update, too.

From chaos to calm(ish)

My Mac password manager doesn’t magically fix my memory or erase every login hassle. I still triple-check that I remember my master password. (The fear is real.)

But I’m no longer digging through sticky notes or wondering which version of “Sunshine123” I used.

Let’s play a game called “Daily кoutine.”

You wake up to a long list of tasks for the day. A bunch of unanswered emails (ugh, not Jessica again), two unfinished projects, and a pile of to-dos (not to mention dozens of random thoughts at the same time).

Which of the note-taking strategies would you choose:

1. Get your notebook or planner.

2. Open the Notes app on your phone.

3. Panic, make a coffee, and pretend it’s all under control.

I’m no mind reader, but I guess most of us (including a past version of myself) think of option A as a classic move. And I see why: you can easily write everything down to clear your mind. But you see, it doesn’t save you time...

New level: AI note takers

I really didn’t want to spend hours searching for the perfect solution. So, I asked my followers on Instagram for their recommendations. It turned out I’d lived in the previous century all that time.

So, let me introduce you to what I (and maybe some of you) have been missing all this time – AI note takers.

The first time I tried one, I instantly knew my notes would never be the same. It’s like having an assistant who doesn’t just store my notes but helps me make sense of them. (I’d have done anything to have one of these during my college years.)

After some trial and error, I found my two favorites: Elephas and NotePlan.

Elephas: The idea catcher

You know that feeling: you’re deep into work, and suddenly, a great idea pops up, only to disappear before you write it down.

Yeah, I’ve been there (way too many times, actually).

With Elephas, there’s no such drama. Why? It has a feature similar to an AI note generator. I just tap Voice Compose and pour my thoughts out, and the app takes care of it.

Last week, while working on an urgent project, an awesome idea came to my mind – to throw the Black Friday ugly purchases party! I didn’t want to lose my working focus, so I opened Elephas, voiced the idea, and within seconds, the app turned it into a detailed description.

Seconds! Is it even legal?

When my brain dump gets too messy even for Elephas, I ask Eney to summarize my scattered notes into a clean three-point list – and it does it right inside my Mac, without switching a single tab.

NotePlan: The mastermind organizer

They say all roads lead to Rome, right? Well, all my plans lead to NotePlan.

This app is like a note taker (AI version), task manager, and calendar all in one. With its help, I can link notes, to-dos, and schedules in a few minutes. So, I don’t just jot down all the possible tasks but create a plan with a purpose.

Last week, I had a crazy mix of countless meetings, tight deadlines, and random bursts of creative ideas. Instead of turning on “Panic mode,” I opened NotePlan.

In ten minutes, I listed all my tasks, blocked time for them in the calendar, and linked my notes to concrete to-dos.

Just like that!

Boss fight: Putting strategies and AI together

Now that the tools are clear let’s talk about note-taking strategies.

If you think, “Who cares about that? AI will do the whole thing” – please, don’t. If you can’t make sense of your chaotic routine, then who can? (Not judging, just pointing out.)

But no worries, here are some of my strategies that might be helpful for you:

The daily dump

Every morning, I dump everything I have in my brain. This helps me see what’s worth keeping and what should be gone for better days (or forever). Plus, Elephas makes this process quick and easy.

The three-point method

Every day, I pick three main points that need my focus. I know it might sound challenging, but trust me – it’s possible. Because I don’t want my plans to turn into an endless list of stuff I’ll never do.

Creative clusters

I group my ideas into clusters for writing ideas, content research, and creative thoughts. This way, they’re more likely to grow into something meaningful (at least, I hope so).

Winning the game: Your turn

I’m pretty sure you’re tired of drowning in sticky notes and forgotten ideas. Otherwise, why else would you read the whole piece? So maybe, just maybe, it’s time to play this note-taking game in a different way. After all, it’s not just about collecting your thoughts – it’s about making your life better.

That tiny grey window? Mood killer and workflow destroyer. Yeah, I’ve been there multiple times.

Back when I first got my MacBook, I didn’t think twice about storage. But a few projects (and 78 Final Cut files later), I found myself in the classic cycle of “what can I delete now to make room?”

I was tired of the guessing game. So I figured out how to check storage on my Mac the right way – and built a simple system for managing it before things got messy.

The real cost of not checking your storage

You know what happens when you ignore your Mac’s storage?

Apps freeze, updates fail, and files get corrupted. Plus, your Mac will absolutely gaslight you into thinking everything’s fine… until it’s very much not.

I once lost 1.5 hours trying to export a 30-second video.

Not because of a rendering issue, but because I had 300MB of free space left. After that, I got serious about making “check memory on MacBook” part of my routine.

Here’s what I do now and what you might want to steal

I won’t bore you with a checklist. Instead, here’s what a week looks like in my MacBook brain-cleaning routine.

Monday: I look at the numbers

I start with iStat Menus. It lives in the menu bar and shows me real-time data: RAM, CPU, and yes, disk space. No need to dig through settings. I can see exactly what’s hogging space.

Why does it matter? If you want to check Mac storage regularly, it has to be easy. This one gives me a bird’s-eye view in 3 seconds.

Tuesday: I clean the junk

Please, welcome CleanMyMac. I used to do this manually (10/10 do not recommend).
Now, one scan shows old cache files, leftover app parts, and even iTunes junk I didn’t know existed.

It once cleared 18.4 GB in under 5 minutes. That’s like digitally throwing out a filing cabinet.

This is where most people stop. But here’s the kicker – if you don’t change your habits, junk piles right back up.

Wednesday: I declutter my brain (and desktop)

Half my problem wasn’t files – it was where I put them. Unclutter fixed that. It’s a little drawer that slides out from the top of the screen, where I drop files I’m not ready to sort yet.

The result? My desktop stopped looking like a teenager’s bedroom.

Thursday: I move stuff to the cloud

Spoiler: You don’t need 500 GB of local files.

With CloudMounter, I connected Google Drive and Dropbox, so now I just mount them as if they were regular folders. That means I can move big files off my Mac without losing access to them.

This saved me from upgrading my iCloud plan dozens of times and completely changed how I view storage on my Mac.

Friday: I back things up and exhale

Before I clear out anything major, I run a backup with Get Backup Pro. It’s quick, non-intrusive, and actually understandable (looking at you, Time Machine).

This way, I can confidently delete big files knowing I’ve got a copy stored away.

And yes, this also means fewer random “archive_2021_FINAL_v2_NEW” folders floating around.

What I’ve learned

Dealing with MacBook storage isn’t just about fixing a full disk – it’s about keeping your system running, your work flowing, and your peace of mind intact.

After setting up this workflow:

• I haven’t seen a “disk almost full” warning in over 6 months.

• I spend 40% less time searching for files or figuring out why apps are freezing.

• My Mac boots faster, runs smoother, and no longer sounds like it’s about to explode.

Want to stop seeing that alert forever?

Start by turning “how to check storage on MacBook” into a habit, not a last-minute reaction. It’s easier to prevent panic than to recover from it.

Also read: The best Mac backup software to sleep peacefully!

Subscribe now

A few weeks ago, I noticed something weird about my calendar and daily routines.

Every day, I’d have about 3 scheduled meetings.

Maybe one that’s supposed to be a quick catch-up (but will still end up running for 45 minutes). Another that was a bit more relevant, fine. But then a last one that I wasn’t sure what it was about.

It just asked “Quick chat?”

And of course, I said “Sure.”

The rest of the week wasn’t any better. And at some point, I realized that I didn’t even remember accepting some of the meetings.

The strange part? None of this felt unusual. I’d just been telling myself that I was busy.

The problem: I was accepting meetings the same way I reply, “I’m fine”

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I wasn’t in control of the meetings I attend.

I was just accepting them.

Saying no to any of the calendar invites felt weird. In my mind, it was like I was rejecting the person, not the meeting.

So instead of what I thought would be an awkward situation, I’d just accept it. The worst I’d do is push the meeting.

I’d then show up, contribute something vague, and spend the rest of the day slightly behind on the work that actually mattered.

The experiment that somehow made me uncomfortable

I’d actually been experimenting with Eney for a while by then. I’d tried a few things like automating file organization and parts of my Mac maintenance routine. Low stakes stuff. And I liked it.

So, I figured I’d try something riskier and let it handle my email, meeting, and calendar management.

Part of me was curious. The second part was like, “Absolutely not.”

I wasn’t entirely comfortable giving an AI assistant so much influence over my work. Organizing your files is one thing. Letting it control your email and meetings feels a bit more personal.

And it definitely felt uncomfortable when Eney rejected the first meeting.

It didn’t send the rejection automatically, but it drafted a rejection response mentioning a few upcoming tasks on my calendar. It then left the final button to me.

I read the message. Thought about it.

Then edited it.

Then deleted it.

Then restored it.

Edited it some more, stared at it for another minute, and hit send.

Meeting declined.

For the first time.

Part guilt, part relief.

But after doing it two more times that same week, I realized it was something I should have started long ago. The meetings weren’t being declined because they weren’t important (though some could easily have been a Slack message). It was because they weren’t more important than tasks that were already on my calendar.

The meetings are still standing after the cull

My calendar didn’t become empty, and I didn’t expect it to.

I could feel the change, though. A good chunk of my meetings disappeared. The “quick chats.” The catch-up without a clear reason. And some seemingly useful ones where my contribution was minimal.

The ones that survived are the ones that tie directly to my work. Active projects and actual decisions.

Now, if an email arrives with something vague like “Let’s discuss.” My thinking has changed from “when do I have time?”

Now I’m like, “Discuss what?

The weather?

The meaning of life?

Well, I don’t say that. But if somebody wants to “discuss project x,” they’ll have to be more specific about what they want to discuss about project x.

Showing up on purpose feels different

In the first week of my experiment, I thought I’d found a hack to save time. And technically, it is.

But after two weeks, what I liked most was that my calendar now felt calmer. Lighter.

When a meeting showed up, I usually knew why I was there. Somehow, I even started preparing for meetings sufficiently. Not showing up with color-coded notes, but I knew what value I’d add to the discussion.

I no longer casually give away the time I had promised myself. AI itself didn’t teach me to say no, but it made me notice how often I was saying yes by default.

And once I saw the pattern, it became harder to ignore.

The moment your external hard drive is not showing up on a Mac is the moment your heart drops into your stomach.

It might have your photos, project files, or, you know, everything.

Yeah, I know. I’ve experienced that delightful mix of panic, denial, and bargaining (“Maybe if I unplug and replug it, the universe will fix it?”).

The good news: most of the time, it’s fixable. And we’re going to walk through it together.

Quick safety note: If your drive is clicking, overheating, or making strange noises, stop immediately. That’s physical damage, and DIY fixes can make it worse.

👀 Start with the easy checks

I started with the Fix My Mac GPT assistant and it showed me the quick solutions: People always skip these, and they always matter.

• Try a different cable or port

Cables die quietly — swap it. And USB hubs love drama. Plug the drive directly into your Mac.

• Check Finder preferences

Sometimes the “external disks” setting is off. Go to Finder > Settings > Sidebar > Check External disks.

This alone fixes the “external hard drive not showing up” problem surprisingly often.

• Use another Mac (if possible)

If it works elsewhere, your drive is fine, and it’s your Mac that needs attention.

👉 Check Disk Utility

Open Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility > View > Show All Devices.

If your drive appears but is greyed out, that’s good news. It means the Mac sees it, but can’t mount it. This is where things get fixable.

👉 Try mounting the drive manually

If your “Mac not reading external hard drive” issue persists, click Mount in Disk Utility.

If that doesn’t work, try this:

• Go to View, then Show All Devices

• Choose the parent volume

• Try Mount again.

Sometimes, only the whole device can be mounted, not the sub-volume.

👉 Run First Aid

Choose the external drive, click First Aid, and Run. This checks the file system and repairs directory errors.

What usually happens:

• It fully repairs the drive.

• It partially repairs it, but won’t mount yet.

• It says “cannot repair” (don’t panic — we’re not done).

If First Aid works, eject properly and celebrate your survival.

👉 Check the format

If a drive was formatted on Windows in certain NTFS variants, macOS might detect it but refuse to mount.

If you see “NTFS” under Format, no worries — the data is fine. macOS just can’t write to it natively.

So I simply use iBoysoft NTFS for Mac. It gives macOS full read/write access to NTFS drives, so the disk mounts normally and you can manage files without needing a Windows PC.

If the drive mounts, back up

Even if everything suddenly works again, don’t trust it.

This is when I open Time Machine, the native macOS backup app. It lets me create a full backup of the external drive with minimal setup and no micromanaging. Once it starts, it runs quietly in the background, giving me peace of mind even when the drive feels unstable.

If you want the full breakdown of how I back up my Mac, I wrote a separate guide about it.

👀 If repair fails, try Terminal

If an external hard drive is not showing up, there’s one more thing to do before panicking — manual mount in Terminal. It looks intimidating, but it’s really just two commands.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Terminal and run this to see every connected disk: diskutil list

You’ll get a long list, so find the identifier of your drive. Something like disk2 or disk4.

2. Then try mounting the whole disk: sudo diskutil mount /dev/diskX

Replace X with the number from step 3.

3. If macOS still refuses, mount the volume instead: sudo diskutil mount /dev/diskXsY

Example: disk2s1. Terminal will show the exact name.

4. Type your password (nothing will appear — that’s normal) and wait a few seconds.

If it works, the drive pops up in Finder like nothing ever happened. If not, that usually means the issue is deeper than a mount problem, and the next step is recovery.

Why this matters

I’ve had that awful moment where a project and a folder of photos seemed gone. Fixing the “external hard drive not showing up” problem feels like defusing a bomb for the first time.

But once you’ve done it step-by-step, you realise it’s manageable.

Annoying? Yes. But absolutely manageable.

Today I have a number for you: 47

That’s the number of emails that were waiting for me at 9 am last Tuesday. And that was before I had even opened a single work file or prioritized my tasks for the day.

The worst part?

I knew that out of all those, only about 4 or 5 needed any action from me. The rest were just reply chains I’d been CC’d (some for reasons I don’t know), newsletters I had subscribed to, and Google Doc comments that were addressed to other people.

But I’d gotten used to reading all of them anyway. After all, that’s what you do, right? Manage your inbox and stay on top of everything.

Turns out I was just wasting my productive morning hours on things that I didn’t need to.

The inbox was a second job I never applied for

At some point, I had resigned to the fact that my email is always full.

So, I’d check it in the morning.

Then after lunch.

Then, after finishing a task.

Sometimes, I’d even open my email, read a few, and somehow end up back there after 10 minutes.

Not that we all don’t check our emails. But most of the time, I was digging through things I didn’t need to. And that meant I was using up time I could have spent on more valuable tasks.

My inbox had quietly become a second job. One that didn’t even pay.

What happened when I let Eney handle the triage

I had been using Eney for about 2 months, but mostly for local tasks like converting images and summarizing meeting notes. The only thing that had come close to email management was checking my Calendar, which Eney does quite well.

And that’s actually where I got the idea to try the AI assistant for email triage.

After activating it, I only found 11 emails the next morning. Eney has routed emails by importance, handles routine responses automatically, and only highlights the emails that matter.

It’s ruthless, and I like it. I can’t miss a client email, but I also don’t see Google Doc comments where I haven’t been specifically tagged. The fact that I host a document doesn’t mean I need to know everything other teams have done with it.

I still don’t need to reply to all the emails that Eney highlights, but that’s because it also includes updates it thinks are important. No newsletters, and no CC threads that have been going on since last week.

Others are summarized or pushed into the “you probably don’t need to think about this right now” category.

At first, I still manually went through all the emails as I had not yet fully trusted Eney, but I didn’t need to anymore after 3 days.

Nothing broke when I stopped reading everything

I’ve always had issues with relinquishing control (it’s just a fancy word for losing control, as Monica from Friends says).

So, trusting an AI assistant for something so crucial for my work wasn’t easy.

But after a few days of confirming everything, I felt comfortable. I stopped being paranoid that I’d lose an opportunity or something would slip through the cracks if I didn’t check all emails.

In fact, the opposite happened.

The fewer emails I read, the easier it became to spot the ones that actually mattered. People are still CC’ing me when they don’t need to, but I no longer feel responsible for every message. I don’t even see some of them.

Even better? My time management is much healthier with the reduced distractions.