What is the Mins Game or Mins Challenge?
“MinsGame” is short for Minimalism Game, a monthly decluttering challenge and fun game created by The Minimalists. It is a monthly challenge designed to simplify life and promote the practice of minimalism.
The rules are simple!
On the first day of the month, declutter one item.
On the second day, declutter two.
On the third, three.
And so on.
Some people like to play backwards, where on the first of the month, they declutter 31 items.
The second day, they declutter 30.
And so on.
The downloadable tally chart below is a free printable that allows you to participate and track your progress with either version of play.
Benefits of the Mins Game
The Mins Game is more than just a decluttering challenge; it’s a pathway to a simpler, more mindful life. By participating in this fun game, you can feel accomplished as you gradually get rid of all the stuff that clutters your home and mind. Each item you part with is a step towards a more organized and serene living space, which can significantly boost your mental health.
A clutter-free environment promotes a sense of calm and clarity, which can extend to other areas of your life. By establishing new habits and routines, you develop greater self-awareness and self-discipline, setting the stage for long-term success.
One of the standout benefits of the Mins Game is its incremental approach. Starting with just one item on the first day, you build momentum and confidence as the days progress. This reduces the overwhelm that can accompany large decluttering projects.
How to Play the Mins Game
Ready to dive in? Here’s a simple guide to get you started!
1. Commit to the challenge. Get yourself in the mental space to stick to the challenge. Connect with others doing the same challenge, download the chart to track your progress, or do whatever you need to do to stick with it.
2. Start small. On the first day, get rid of one item that you no longer need or use. It could be anything from an old magazine to a broken hair product. Simple!
3. Increase daily. On the second day, get rid of two items, and continue this pattern for the entire month. By the end of the challenge, you’ll have gotten rid of a significant amount of stuff.
4. Stay motivated. Take breaks when needed and keep your motivation high. Consider involving family members or friends to join you in the challenge. You can also join our Facebook group, where hundreds of people participate in the challenge every month!
5. Play backwards. If you’ve played the game before, you might want a new challenge! Play it backwards by reversing the order–on day one, get rid of the most items. On the last day of the month, you’ll only get rid of one!
To ensure success, you might establish some ground rules for yourself.
1. Get rid of broken items. Focus on items that are broken or no longer useful.
2. Donate usable items. Donate items in good condition to a local thrift store or charity. This can lessen the pain and guilt of decluttering.
3. Find homes for keeps. Create a designated place for items you want to keep. If you can’t find a home for an item to consistently live, it might not belong in your house anymore.
4. Avoid replacing items. Resist the temptation to replace items you get rid of with new purchases! Especially in February, with all of those President’s Day sales!
February Mins Game Tally Chart Free Printable Download
Grab your free tally chart to track your Mins Game progress. Thank you to our wonderful moderator, Gisèle, for designing it!
And don’t forget to check back in with us each month to grab your new tally chart!
February MinsGame Tips
If you participate every month, you might be looking for a new angle to make the challenge exciting again. Here are a few ideas!
Winter items
February is the perfect time to evaluate winter items you haven’t used this season, since winter is nearly over. It’s also a good time because everything is fresh in your mind–you still remember what you used and what you didn’t.
Take a look through your boots, scarves, gloves, coats, and other winter accessories that you haven’t worn this season. If you haven’t worn it, you probably won’t.
Outside of clothes and accessories, think about winter decor that you didn’t love. If you feel resentment toward packing the item away, it’s probably not important enough to keep.
You can also consider indoor exercise equipment–if you didn’t use it in winter while you were cooped inside, you certainly won’t use it in summer when there are more exciting outdoor activities to do.
Winter items declutter list
- Unused indoor exercise equipment
- Scarves, boots, gloves
- Coats and jackets
- Unwanted winter decor
- Unwanted Christmas gifts
- Winterizing products (I finally caulked up the windows I never open, so I was able to get rid of the tape and plastic I would normally use to winterize them)
Pre-spring cleaning prep
As we approach spring, it’s good to take a look at your cleaning supplies and tools so you’re ready to roll when it’s warm enough to get those windows open!
Declutter your equipment–any cleaning tools you haven’t used this past year can go. We don’t need to hold on to things that we know we won’t use, including cleaning products. You can pass cleaners that are full or mostly full to your local shelters.
Pre-spring clean declutter list
- Extra mops and brooms
- Cleaning products you don’t use
- Spare parts you’ve never used (like the squeegee head on your steamer)
- Gimmicky tools you bought from TikTok shop and hate
Crafting supplies
If you’re a big DIYer when it comes to Valentine’s Day gifts and cards, this month might be a convenient time to look through those crafting supplies!
Crafting supplies declutter list
- Glitter
- Dried/unused paints and glues
- Pipe cleaners and pom-poms
- Your least favorite brushes
- Dead markers and pens
- Supplies for hobbies you’re no longer interested in
Valentine’s Day Mins Game
If you live with a significant other, go head-to-head with this challenge! Make up fun rules and rewards–like if you both fill all of your squares for a whole week, you get a special date night.
Otherwise, you might work alone and theme your decluttering day–go through your Ex Lover memory box, your jewelry, your candles and decor, that special container under your bed. It’s just easier to work with a theme so you can focus with less effort. And it’s more fun!
Decluttering Strategies for Success
While the Mins Game provides a structured approach to decluttering, incorporating a few additional strategies can enhance your success.
Start small. Begin with small areas or categories, like a single drawer or a box of old clothes. This makes the task less daunting and helps build momentum.
Be ruthless. Don’t hesitate to get rid of items that no longer serve a purpose. Remember, the goal is to simplify your life and reduce clutter.
Create a “Maybe” box. For items you’re unsure about, place them in a “maybe” box and set a deadline. If you haven’t used or thought about the item by then, it’s time to let it go.
Keep the end goal in mind. Always remember why you started the challenge. Whether it’s to create a more organized home or to reduce stress, keeping your end goal in mind will help you stay focused.
Declutter hidden areas. Don’t forget about hidden areas like closets, cupboards, and drawers. These spaces often accumulate clutter and can make a big difference when organized.
By integrating these strategies, you’ll find the Mins Game more manageable and effective, leaving you with an organized, clutter-free living space.
Overcoming Common Challenges in the Decluttering Challenge
Embarking on the Mins Game can be a rewarding journey, but it’s not without its challenges. Here are some common obstacles and tips to overcome them:
Feeling overwhelmed. If the amount of clutter feels overwhelming, break the task into smaller, more manageable parts. Focus on one area or category at a time and take regular breaks to avoid burnout. You can also link up with friends and others participating in the same challenge to get extra motivation and support.
Difficulty letting go. Struggling to part with certain items? Ask yourself if you still use or love the item, and if you would miss it if it were gone. If the answer is no, it’s time to let it go.
Lack of motivation. Staying motivated can be tough. Enlist the support of friends or family members, share your progress on social media, or keep a decluttering journal to track your achievements. Or join our Facebook group!
Staying on track. Create a schedule or routine to stay on track. Set aside specific times each day or week to work on decluttering and stick to it as much as possible.
More decluttering challenges.
Here are some other fun decluttering games you might try out!
2,025 in 2025
Looking for a longer running decluttering game? This is a year-long challenge, where participants race to declutter 2,025 items by the end of 2025!
Scavenger Hunt
Try out this super fun decluttering scavenger hunt! It’s a great way to get rid of stuff and include the kiddos! Or you can do it with a partner or friend.
100 Items To Declutter
If you want to try an easier challenge, try out this checklist of 100 specific items you can declutter around your house! You can finish this one in a weekend, or even in an afternoon if you’re feeling froggy.
Good luck!
