What is Mins Game, and what are the rules?
Mins Game is the monthly decluttering challenge coined by The Minimalists. It’s short for “Minimalism Game,” and the rules are simple!
On the first day of the month, you declutter one item. On the second day of the month, you declutter two items. Third day three items, and so on. By the end of January, that’s 496 total items decluttered!
Some folks like to play backwards, where they’ll declutter 31 items on the first of the month, 30 on the second day, 29 on the third, and so on.
Whether you want to play traditional or backwards, our free tally chart below helps you track your progress and stay motivated, so grab it before you go!
January Mins Game Tally Download
Here’s your free Mins Game tally chart for January:
January Mins Game themes and rules.
I like to include a few ideas for themes or areas to focus on each month, so here are a few options for your January Mins Game! These are especially good ideas if you’ve already done Mins Game a few times and are looking to shake things up.
1. Entryway
It might be nice to focus on an area that sets the tone–for the new year and otherwise. The entryway usually dictates how we feel when we arrive home, so decluttering this area can have a huge impact on our mood and how we view our house.
2. Routine Reset
You can declutter by routine instead of by room. For example:
- Morning routine items (skincare, coffee/tea area, supplements, makeup)
- Evening routine items (jammies, bedside clutter, chargers)
- Workday items (desk, planners, tech)
- Cleaning routine items (cleaners, tools, rags)
3. Use It Up
Use It Up decluttering is an effortless way to clear out some junk. Focus on finishing stuff up this month and check off a box every time you do!
Declutter and finish up:
- Half-used products
- Food nearing expiration
- Craft supplies
- Cleaning supplies
- Toiletries stash
4. Cozy Zones
You might be ready for a space refresh to drive out the winter gloom, or maybe you’re ready to really cozy down and hibernate. I’m feeling both, so I’ll probably target a few Cozy Zones for my January decluttering efforts.
Spaces to consider:
- Couch area / living room / reading nook
- Books & media
- Bedding and linens
- Loungewear
- Warm coats and winter accessories
5. New Year, New Habits
Do you have any new habits you’re trying to implement this year? You could pair your decluttering efforts with that new habit formation.
Choose a habit you want to build and declutter anything that might trip you up.
If you want to cook at home more, consider decluttering:
- Kitchen gadgets
- Pantry
- Utensils
- Fridge/freezer
If you want to sleep better, try decluttering:
- Bed and nightstand
- Anything that adds light or noise to your sleeping area
- Random clothing piles in your bedroom
More decluttering challenges to try.
Here are some of my favorite decluttering challenges you might try next!
1. The Pantry Challenge
The Pantry Challenge is a month-long undertaking that helps participants use up their food storage, avoid waste, and make some room in the cabinets.
You can tweak the rules to suit your lifestyle–for example, make an exception for veggies and dairy so you can keep fresh food in the rotation. Or just do it for a week or two!
I like to go hard about it sometimes and be stricter, relying on my frozen veggie supply and growing micro greens. Personally, I find the extra challenge fun!
2. 2026 in 2026
This is our own annual decluttering challenge, where participants strive to declutter 2,026 items before the end of the year. You can grab the tally chart here!
3. Home Heal: De-Stress Your Space
Home Heal is a guided 30-day decluttering program that I created to help people who are struggling in the chaos of a cluttered home. It helps you get your head above water, regain functionality, and find peace fast.
You can read more about Home Heal here.
4. No Buy Year
A No Buy Year is the ultimate decluttering challenge because you get a whole year without bringing any new clutter into your house! Give yourself a chance to catch up, reset your consumption habits, and tweak the rules so they work for you!
