they decided to play the game during November as a “monthlong community giveback.” Although the game allows participants to sell, throw away or donate clutter, they decided to focus on items that still had value and to donate everything to Goodwill. “We feel passionate about supporting Goodwill because we know our donations directly support their mission (of changing lives through education, training and employment),” Jessica said. “There are other thrift stores we could have donated to, but we’ve both seen the positive impact their career services have on our community.” Professional organizer Debbie Keller said the 30-Day Minimalism Game is an excellent strategy for decluttering. “The most difficult thing for people is figuring out where to begin. If you approach it by dealing with one thing one day, two things the next — that’s very manageable,” said Keller, president of Home and Office Transitions in Nashville. “It’s a win-win-win. It gives
you a strategy, it makes it fun and Goodwill benefits as well.”
memories they are associated with and not necessarily the items themselves.”
Jessica and Pete decided to play the game in reverse, giving away 30 things each on the first day and counting down. If they made it through the entire month, they would have given away nearly 1,000 things between them.
By Day 30, the couple’s house had taken on a completely new character. Organized. Simple. Feng shui, even. The last item Jessica donated was her CD collection from middle and high school.
By Day 18, the game was getting more complicated. Jessica and Pete found themselves having to make some decisions and even do a little soulsearching: “Have I worn this in the last year? Why am I still hanging on to that?” Pete gave up his baseball cards. Another example was a dress Jessica had worn for her college graduation. The dress no longer fit, but there it was, taking up space in her closet. “I went ahead and donated it,” Jessica explained. “It’s funny how old items you’ve toted from house to house can be so nostalgic. I had to remind myself that what’s special about them is the
“I haven’t listened to any of the CDs in years, but it was still difficult to part with,” she said. “I am going to make a playlist full of Spice Girls, Destiny’s Child and Shania Twain to remember it by!” Pete and Jessica both felt like winners in the Minimalism Game. And there was one unexpected benefit. “It brought us even closer together,” Pete said. “Over the course of a month, we tried to figure out what things we need and whether they add value to what we are doing or if someone else could use them. I’d say it would be good for anyone’s relationship if they embarked on it together.”
If you decide to play the 30-Day Minimalism Game and donate to Goodwill, please post about your progress on social media using:
#MinsGame and #GiveIt2Goodwill. “We feel passionate about supporting Goodwill because we know our donations directly support their mission (of changing lives through education, training and employment). There are other thrift stores we could have donated to, but we’ve both seen the positive impact their career services have on our community.” A large number of unneeded but still valuable kitchen items were among the possessions Jessica Shutt and Pete Webber donated to Goodwill as a result of playing the 30-Day Minimalism Game.
— Jessica Shutt
Ambassador WINTER/SPRING 2017
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