Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Playing the Minimalism Game

877 replies

YupIFreakilyHave · 30/09/2021 21:00

For the month of October I am challenging myself to playing the 30 Day Minimalism Game as described by various people on their YouTube channels including The Minimalists. I prefer Jolita Bartkus' video on this. I know October has 31 days but the last day is for reflecting on how the month went.

How to Play: On the 1st you declutter one thing, on the 2nd you declutter 2 things, on the 3rd three things and so on. By the end of 30th day, 465 items should have been decluttered. Well, that's the aim.

I've been on this decluttering lark for a few years now so it'll be an interesting project. I'll try to update everyday of what was decluttered and maybe a little story of some of the items. I'm doing this online as a way to hold myself to account but I would welcome anyone who would like to join me.

It starts tomorrow. Eek!

Jolita Bartkus' video:

OP posts:
Thread gallery
226
THOSEcobwebsareDECOR · 01/10/2021 05:28

I will play yup!

YupIFreakilyHave · 01/10/2021 08:47

Great those. Welcome.

I'm going to photograph items (no matter how embarrassing) but you don't have to.

Here goes:

1 broken claw clip for hair

Playing the Minimalism Game
OP posts:
THOSEcobwebsareDECOR · 01/10/2021 13:15

I havent gotten rid of anything yet! Hmmmm i shall go and have a look!

Declutterclogs · 01/10/2021 13:24

I'd like to play! What a great idea

Declutterclogs · 01/10/2021 13:42

OK day 1: recycled a small plastic lidless jar that I have kept on a shelf for over a year in case its lid reappeared. (Spoiler: it didn't)

Playing the Minimalism Game
Declutterclogs · 01/10/2021 13:50

That felt so great that I also went through the bathroom cabinet and chucked out 3 half used products that I was keeping 'in case' I started using them again... for about 2 years. I think a LOT of my clutter is 'in case' clutter. I suspect it will feel really liberating to allow myself to get rid of some of it finally!!

Declutterclogs · 01/10/2021 13:51

Thanks OP for starting this!!

YupIFreakilyHave · 01/10/2021 14:09

Welcome Declutterclogs. Are you going to count the additional items for tomorrow or extra ones for today? It doesn't matter really but just remember to keep a running count of how items you have decluttered.

Great first day. I tidied the drawer that the clip came from. Nothing else gone though.

those good luck.

OP posts:
Declutterclogs · 01/10/2021 14:52

Thanks Yup and well done to you too for decluttering your clip AND doing bonus drawer tidying. I think we are off to a flying start!

freezerdinners · 01/10/2021 16:53

Can I join?

I got rid of a bag, some boots and 2 tops to the charity shop this morning. Before I knew about the game.

Can you do more than the allocated number of items each day?! I know it gets harder later on....

THOSEcobwebsareDECOR · 01/10/2021 17:29

Ok i got abit carried away Blush half filled a bin bag in my bedroom, i don't really want to count all the underwear etc so my contribution for today is ....

1 - half packet of maternity pads

Redcake · 01/10/2021 17:36

Yes please to this game. One glove gone. It has been moved all over the house for the past few months. Smile

Playing the Minimalism Game
YupIFreakilyHave · 01/10/2021 17:57

Hello freezer and redcake - a super start.

Well done those. It’s easy to get carried away 🙂

Since it’s our game, I guess we can do what we like. I think as long as you do the minimum for the day, you can do any extra as well but maybe keep a running total for the extra items separate. We will see how it goes. I myself am planning to stick to the number of items per day because I anticipate it’s going to get very tricky by the end!

OP posts:
torthecatlady · 01/10/2021 22:43

I'm aiming for at least one item a day as I already filled a bin bag on Wednesday.

MissCreeAnt · 01/10/2021 23:47

Beautiful video. "We have less things to take care about, and still enough."

Nice idea OP. I am pondering running this in reverse, from 30 down to 1. But then would I need to find 59 items tomorrow, eek!

Redcake · 02/10/2021 00:38

59 items? I’m sweating for you.

@YupIFreakilyHave 👋 I’m already eyeing the spice jars for day 10 upwards.

Akire · 02/10/2021 00:56

That is such a relaxing video! I was surprised how little pile it was still all fit in average size box. I could get rid half my flat and still look cluttered.

sandgrown · 02/10/2021 07:08

Great video thanks

sillyrubberduck · 02/10/2021 07:54

I'll join. Broken laundry basket today. I have another two which is enough.

notthemum · 02/10/2021 08:48

Ooh. I have just seen this thread. I would like to play please. I'm usually up for a game (as long as not too strenuous) and I might even be able to get rid of some junk too.

Akire · 02/10/2021 08:52

I’m going cheat slightly and tick off the days numbers as and when they fit, rather than waste a good day only doing one when like today I feel well enough go “ruthless bin bag mode”

Good luck eveyone!

mum2jakie · 02/10/2021 08:56

Love this idea! As it's already the second October I'll get rid of three things. Really won't be difficult at all!

I'll start with a box for a small lamp we bought for the boy's room months ago. The box is in the toy box! Realistically, we're never going to send it back even if it starts being faulty now so I'm going to bin it now... (1 of 3...)

YupIFreakilyHave · 02/10/2021 09:01

Welcome everyone 😊

misscreeant I like your thinking. 59 items though

redcake Ha! Isn't that cheatingWink

akira and sand I love her videos. Very gentle and, yes, relaxing.

Day 2:

2 hairdryer thingies. I don't even have the hairdryers anymore - one of them died 5 years ago.

Running total: 3 items

Playing the Minimalism Game
OP posts:
Akire · 02/10/2021 09:23

Day #1 jigsaw was going charity shop but missing 8 pieces so bye bye. Did you once never again!

Playing the Minimalism Game
Akire · 02/10/2021 09:26

Day #2
2 whisks (had 3 don’t even cook but kept one just in case)

Total=3

Playing the Minimalism Game