The 30-Day Minimalism Game
I first heard about the 30-Day Minimalism Game, or the Mins Game, a couple of years ago when I came across the blog, the Minimalists. I don't remember exactly how I heard about this blog but I am so happy that I did because it has really been life changing! The founders, Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, started the blog back around 2011 after quitting their corporate jobs in order to pursue a life of meaning; which happened to look like living with less. Together, Joshua and Ryan have written books, produced a podcast, created a documentary, and continue to help over 20 million people live meaningful lives with less. They created the Mins Game as a fun way for people to ease into de-cluttering. What I love about this game is that your encouraged not to play alone but to be a part of a community. I participated in the game about a year and a half ago and loved it. As we approach the month of August, I want to encourage you to grab a friend and give the game a try! Below are the rules, as spelled out by the Minimalists about how the game is played. Along with using the #MinsGame, I would love for you to use our #roomforpeace so that we can follow along on your journey!
The 30-Day Minimalism Game:
Find a friend or family member: someone who's willing to get rid of their excess stuff. This month, each of you must get rid of one thing on the first day. On the second day, two things. On the third day, three things. So forth, and so on. Anything can go! Clothes, furniture, electronics, tools, decorations, etc. Donate, sell [, recycle, ] or trash. Whatever you do, each material possession must be out of you house - and out of your life - by midnight.
It's an easy game at first. However, it starts getting challenging by week two when you're both jettisoning more than a dozen items per each day. Whoever can keep going the longest wins; you both win if you can make it call month. Bonus points if you play with two or more people.Win or lose, we'd love to hear about your game on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram: #MinsGame.
Y'all have been asking, so today I'm finally sharing with you the resources that I initially used to learn about minimalism and simplifying my life. The concept of "minimalism" had been buzzing around for a year or so before I finally decided to look into it to see what it was all about.
When my mom suggested that we limit of our gift giving this year and instead focus more on doing things as a family, I jumped at the opportunity. The older I get the more and more I crave quality time with loved ones because I know that life is short; and that our memories will last forever.
One of the great things about eating seasonally is that it provides us the chance to experience new flavors and to benefit from vitamins and minerals that we might not have received earlier in the year. The flavors of the produce in season are also much more satisfying as they have just been harvested during their natural season.
Living a debt-free lifestyle is a lot more tangible than people may think. When we spend without thinking and live beyond our means we often times find ourselves stressed out and living paycheck to paycheck. Its only after we get rid of the clutter and stop buying just for buying's sake that we will begin to attain a sense of financial peace and freedom.
A friend of mine recently asked a question on her Instagram stories: "Help! What do I do with my kids' artwork?" Not having kids of my own I didn't have an answer for her but was curious as to what the response would be. Like her, a lot of parents find that their kids are bringing home at least one to two pieces of artwork per day.
It’s easy to view these boundaries as burdens, as robbers of fun however when we stay within in them on a consistent basis, we learn to love the authority that they encourage. We have a sense of peace.
"I've learned to have the mindset that nothing is too precious", she explained. If a piece isn't working out she'll subsequently go over it or throw it out. She doesn't feel the need to hold on.
We can't force everyone else in the family to feel the same way about these memories as we do; and we don't want to, right? Why would we? A part of what makes memories so special is because they are ours.
I am a believer that we all have to get to a place where we are broken and realize that "somethings gotta' give" before we ready to make a change. We're all marathon runners at heart but after a while our legs are going to give out. We all get to this point eventually because we are human.
Coffee shops and our phones are just a couple examples of distractions or "noise", that we encounter on a daily basis. This "noise" can disguise itself in many forms, from physical possessions and interior spaces, to the thoughts that we play on repeat.
Friends, it took me a long time to get to this point. For most of my childhood and early adult years I was a complete pack-rat. I would hold onto clothes, gifts, home décor accents, and family heirlooms that I no longer used, desired, or needed for fear of three things.
I first heard about the 30-Day Minimalism Game, or the Mins Game, a couple of years ago when I came across the blog, the Minimalists. I don't remember exactly how I heard about this blog but I am so happy that I did because it has really been life changing!
There is something freeing about traveling light; about being able to pick up your bags and go. Just as we can become weighed down by our possessions at home (physically, mentally, and emotionally), so too can we when we travel.
This 362 square foot home is tucked inside the quiet, artistic streets of Venice, California and is home to Whitney Leigh Morris and Adam Morris, along with their two pups and baby boy, West... By only having what they use and love, they are able to make their small space work. Whitney's motto is that: you don't have to live large to live beautifully.
I really latched onto the idea of "shedding" things and "minimalism" a couple of years ago, after learning of the author, blogger, and speaker, Joshua Becker, of Becoming Minimalist. Hearing his story about discovering minimalism and how it changed his life, really struck a cord with me and propelled me on this journey of seeing minimalism as more than just a trend...
The journey of minimizing was not always an easy one. While my husband was kind enough to get on board early on he was not always as inclined to get rid of things as quickly as I was.
A quick glance at her home address and list of professions, most would be quick to see that Sheena Jeffers is seizing life. It was about a year ago that Sheena and her boyfriend Ryan sold their home and belongings, and moved onto their 43-foot catamaran boat which they appropriately named "Seas Life". Instead of being tied down, they are making room for peace in their lives... traveling and discovering more about themselves, the world, and their life purpose.