, Author at Minimalist Melinda

M&M Game

By mel on July 12, 2021

Here’s my Munch & Move Game for some fun on the road to Minimalism! So excited to share this with you!!

I love learning through play so I made a yummy game to help organize/minimize.

To play:

1. Get a fun size bag of M&Ms.

*I used a yellow bag of peanut m&ms (because I LOVE them plus it’s easier than the brown bag haha).

2. Open the bag.

3. Munch (eat!) & Move (to the trash, your sell/donate pile, or the correct location) 1 item for each color:

Red = Kitchen

Yellow = Bedroom

Blue = Livingroom

Orange = Bathroom

Green = Garage/Outside

Brown = Anywhere

*For example: I played the M&M Game today (see picture above) and got 6 peanut m&ms in my yellow fun size bag. 1 Red, 1 Yellow, 2 Orange and 2 Green. Here’s what I found to move (trash/sell/donate/relocate): 1 Red (Kitchen) – Cheap Cake Pan (for camping, relocated); 1 Yellow (Bedroom) – Worn Jeans (big holes, trash); 2 Orange (Bathroom) – Deodorant Stone (didn’t work well, trash) & Latex Eyelash Curler (doesn’t work, trash); 2 Green (Garage/Outside) – Set of Knee Pads (outgrown, donate) & Water Table Ducky (moldy inside, trash).

This could be a simple, fun way to help children (adults too!) jumpstart going through their stuff. For my kids, I modified it by making all colors only applicable to their own room and/or stuff (not all the areas listed for adults).

And if you want to do a really big cleanout, just get a Costco-sized container of M&Ms. 😀

Have fun!

Purpose

By mel on June 11, 2021

Why was the oncologist who came in with the surgeon crying??

My husband and I would soon find out.

On February 18, 2020, our 13 year old son was diagnosed with stage IV of an extremely rare cancer (high grade appendiceal mucinous adenocarcinoma). It was a total shock. I dropped from size 12 to size 10 over the next week or two as I could barely eat. Here is a link to a gofundme set up by an extended family member to help with our son’s medical expenses and keep everyone updated on his progress. It chronicles what happened and the miracle HIPEC surgery performed on August 3, 2020 by Dr. Laura Lambert in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.

As of today (June 11, 2021), our son is NED (No Evidence of Disease)! We are SO grateful to God for the miracle that our son is alive!!

This experience has definitely made me think more deeply about the meaning of life and living each day with purpose…because every day is a gift.

So how do I find my purpose?

There are probably lots of different ways to think about our purpose or the purpose of life. I believe we just have to be still long enough and listen to our hearts.

I personally believe life has purpose and meaning, and that my purpose is to love God and others. My understanding of the Plan of Salvation as taught in the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and made possible through my Savior Jesus Christ, has given me peace/hope amid the storms of life.

I hope you can also find your purpose and live your own life of meaning, whatever that means to you.

Have a blessed day friends.

Hello Minimalists!

By mel on May 11, 2021

Minimize Clutter, Maximize Purpose.

I am an aspiring Minimalist. Join me on my journey!

There are lots of way to do and think about life. My goal is to find the best minimalist ways to live life so I can spend more time doing the things that add value. I plan to cover many topics including: organizing, simplying and living with purpose. I will also share my favorite products or services along the way to help others find possible solutions too. This will be worth it!!