Notion

How to Reset Notion

Spencer LanoueSpencer Lanoue
Notion

Notion is a fantastic tool for organizing everything from personal notes to complex project management. But sometimes, you just need a fresh start. A reset, if you will. Whether you're overwhelmed by cluttered pages or simply want to overhaul your workspace, resetting Notion can be the perfect solution. This guide will walk you through the steps to reset Notion and get your digital space back to a clean slate.

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Why Reset Notion?

Before we dive into the specifics, let's discuss why you might want to reset Notion. Think of it like cleaning out your closet. Over time, you accumulate items that you no longer need or use, and they just take up space. The same thing happens in your digital workspace. Pages and databases can become outdated or irrelevant, making it difficult to find what you actually need.

Resetting Notion can help you:

  • Clear Out Clutter: Remove unnecessary pages and databases to streamline your workspace.
  • Start Fresh: Sometimes a clean slate is the best way to implement new systems and workflows.
  • Improve Focus: A tidy workspace can help you focus better on the tasks that matter.

So, if you're ready to reset and revitalize your Notion workspace, let's get started!

Back Up Your Data First

Before you start deleting anything, it's crucial to back up your data. You never know when you might need to refer back to an old note or database. Fortunately, Notion makes it easy to export your data.

How to Export Your Data

  1. Open Notion and go to the sidebar.
  2. Click on Settings & Members.
  3. Under the My Account section, you'll find the Export All Workspace Content option.
  4. Choose the format you prefer, such as Markdown & CSV, and click Export.

And just like that, you've got a backup of your entire workspace. It's a good practice to keep this file somewhere safe, just in case you need it later.

Decide What to Keep

Once you've backed up your data, take a moment to decide what you want to keep. Not everything needs to go in the trash, right? Consider the following:

  • Important Projects: Are there any ongoing projects that you need to retain?
  • Templates: Do you have any templates that you frequently use?
  • Reference Material: Perhaps you have notes or databases that serve as valuable references.

Go through your workspace and mark the pages or databases that you want to keep. You can either move them to a new workspace or simply list them down to ensure you don't delete them accidentally.

Cleaning Up: The Big Purge

Now comes the fun part: cleaning up! Think of it like spring cleaning for your Notion workspace. Here's how you can do it:

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Delete Unnecessary Pages

  1. Go to your sidebar and identify the pages you no longer need.
  2. Right-click on the page and select Delete.
  3. Confirm the deletion when prompted.

Repeat this process for all the pages you want to remove. Remember, you can always retrieve deleted pages from the trash if you make a mistake, but it's best to be sure before hitting that delete button.

Remove Unused Databases

  1. Navigate to the database you want to remove.
  2. Click on the three-dot menu in the top right corner.
  3. Select Delete and confirm the action.

By clearing out these unused databases, you're not only improving your workspace but also enhancing performance by reducing clutter.

Reorganize Your Workspace

With all the clutter gone, it's time to reorganize what's left. Consider how you want your workspace to be structured for optimal productivity.

Create a New Structure

  • Categories: Divide your workspace into categories like Work, Personal, and Hobbies.
  • Templates: Use templates to standardize pages and databases for similar tasks.
  • Navigation: Set up a homepage with links to your most-used pages or databases for easy access.

This is also a great time to explore new templates or layouts that can help you stay organized. Notion's community offers a wealth of pre-made templates that might just suit your needs.

Customize with Widgets and Integrations

Notion's flexibility allows you to add widgets and integrate with other tools, enhancing its functionality. Whether it's a weather widget or a calendar integration, these can make your workspace more interactive and tailored to your needs.

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How to Add Widgets

  1. Find the widget you want to add from a widget provider.
  2. Copy the embed code provided.
  3. In Notion, type /embed and paste the code.
  4. Resize and position the widget as you like.

Getting creative with widgets can make your workspace not just functional but also enjoyable to use.

Utilize Notion's Features for Efficiency

Notion packs some powerful features that can really help you work smarter. Here are a couple worth exploring:

  • Linked Databases: Use linked databases to pull information from different databases into one view.
  • Tags and Filters: Organize and sort your information using tags and filters for better visibility.

These features can be particularly useful for project management, where keeping track of multiple moving parts is crucial.

Try Out Spell for a Faster Experience

If you're looking for a more efficient way to handle your documents, Spell could be your answer. Imagine a tool like Notion but with AI built directly into it. Spell helps you create, edit, and share high-quality documents in no time, making your workflow smoother and faster.

With Spell, you can:

  • Generate drafts quickly using AI.
  • Edit documents using natural language prompts.
  • Collaborate with your team in real time.

These features make Spell an ideal companion for anyone looking to save time and boost productivity.

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Review and Maintain Your Workspace

Once everything is set up, it's important to regularly review and maintain your workspace. Just like a physical space, a digital one needs upkeep to remain efficient and organized.

Set a Regular Review Schedule

  • Weekly Reviews: Spend a few minutes each week tidying up and ensuring everything is in its place.
  • Monthly Audits: Do a more thorough review at the end of each month to see what can be improved or removed.

Regular maintenance will ensure your Notion workspace remains a productive environment.

Incorporate Spell for Document Creation

While Notion is great, sometimes you need a dedicated document editor. That's where Spell comes in. Not only does it help with document creation, but it also allows for seamless collaboration, making it a fantastic option for team projects.

Spell's AI capabilities mean you can:

  • Create high-quality documents quickly.
  • Use natural language to edit and refine your work.
  • Work with others in real time, just like you would in Google Docs, but with AI enhancements.

For those who frequently find themselves creating and sharing documents, Spell is a game-changer.

Final Thoughts

Resetting Notion can feel like a breath of fresh air, allowing you to start anew with a more organized and efficient workspace. By backing up your data, purging unnecessary items, and setting up a new structure, you can create a digital space that truly supports your workflow. And if you want to speed things up even more, consider trying Spell for document creation. It's like having an AI assistant that helps you draft, edit, and share documents effortlessly. Happy organizing!

Spencer Lanoue

Spencer Lanoue

Spencer has been working in product and growth for the last 10 years. He's currently Head of Growth at Sugardoh. Before that he worked at Bump Boxes, Buffer, UserTesting, and a few other early-stage startups.