What is Mins Game?
“MinsGame” is short for Minimalism Game, a decluttering challenge created by The Minimalists. This challenge is designed to simplify your life and space, as well as promote the minimalist lifestyle.
The rules are simple! Get rid of one item on the first day of the month, two items on the second, etc.
Some participants like to run the challenge backwards. So for May, that would mean decluttering THIRTY-ONE items on day one, twenty-nine on day two, and so on.
The first way to play gets gradually more challenging, while the second option gets gradually easier.
Whichever way you choose to get rid of extra junk this month, our May tally chart helps you track your progress to stay motivated through the end!
May Mins Game Tally Chart Download
Here’s your free chart to keep up with your May Mins Game progress!
May Mins Game Tips
Want to make Mins Game a little more interesting this month? Here are a few tweaks you can make to the challenge for a refresh!
1. Theme it
Theming your Mins Game experience can make it more fun and less intimidating. If your house is so absolutely stuffed with things that it’s hard to choose where to start, a theme can help you focus in on something and make real progress.
Here a few theme ideas!
- By room–only declutter items in a specific area for the whole month
- By category of item–clothes, toys, dishes, books, etc.
- By color–only declutter items of a chosen color
- For May, you might do a Mother’s Day theme–declutter old baby items and clothes, kid’s artwork, or common gift items like candles and soaps
2. Hard Mode
Declutter two items per square on your tally chart!
3. Super Hard Mode
Declutter THREE items per square on the tally chart. Getting wild here.
4. Create a points system
You can create a system to earn points throughout the month–then next month, you can try to top your score!
Scoring system suggestion:
- 1 point per decluttered item
- 2 point bonus for items you’ve owned longer than 5 years
- 1 point bonus for items you’ve never used
You can customize your point system based on your personal goals for decluttering. For example, if a particular category is giving you trouble–let’s say, knitting supplies–then you can add 1 point every time you declutter something related to knitting!
5. Count items used.
If you’re running short on items to declutter, count items used! if you’ve got some paint, caulk, or other supplies for projects waiting to be done, go ahead and do them, then mark each completed item off your chart.
For example, I had a stack of spray paint cans waiting to be used for projects, so I would mark each can finished–this also got several things off of my to-do list, and made my house cuter!
Want the challenge to last all year?
Mins Game is a blast, but maybe you’re looking for something longer term.
Try the 2025 in 2025 challenge! We’re decluttering 2,025 items before the end of the year. You can grab the free tally chart here and join the Facebook group to play with others!
