Today I’m bringing you the next Monthly Experiment where I’m reflecting on this past month’s journey to tackle our families budget. Spoiler alert: it did not go as planned. But I’m sharing a lot about how I’ve been reframing my mindset around “failed goals” in this season and reflecting on why it didn’t go well and how we’re moving forward.

I’m also giving a little update on my first monthly experiment and how it’s evolved over the last few months, including an update on my recent diagnosis with PCOS. 

Links from this episode:

• Ep 266: Monthly Experiment #1: Healthier Habits
• Desirae on Instagram
• Minimal-ish Podcast Website

Sponsor:

• Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box and a free item in every box at hungryroot.com/minimalish with code minimalish.

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Sponsors

Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box plus a free item in every box for life at hungryroot.com/minimalish

Wildgrain: Get 30$ off your first box plus free Croissants in every box at wildgrain.com/minimalish

Manscaped: Get 20% off plus free shipping at manscaped.com with code MINIMALISH at checkout

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In this solo episode, I’m reflecting on my first monthly experiment in intentional living—focusing on healthier habits. At the start of the year, I was inspired by my conversation with Tyler Moore of Tidy Dad to approach New Year’s goals differently, leading me to start this Monthly Experiments series. Instead of setting rigid resolutions, I’ve been choosing one area of life to focus on each month. For January, that meant tracking simple habits like movement, hydration, and paying attention to what I’m consuming.

I’ll share what worked, what didn’t, and how this experiment has shaped my mindset around actually sticking to my wellness goals. Come along while I chat about progress over perfection, finding joy in small wins, and embracing this healthier living as a form of self-care rather than pressure.

Links from this episode:

• Minimalish Ep 260 with Tidy Dad
• Desirae on Instagram
• Minimal-ish Podcast Website

Sponsor:

• Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box plus a free item in every box for life at hungryroot.com/minimalish

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In this episode, I am honored to sit down and speak with author and speaker Carlos Whittaker to chat about his latest book, Reconnected, and his eye-opening 7-week experiment living in a monk community—completely off screens. We dive deep into what he learned about solitude, slowing down + savoring, being present, and finding true connection (and balance) in a digital world, but also shares so many quick and practical takeaways that he’s implemented since this experiment.

As we kick off a new year filled with resolutions and the pressure to “do it all,” this conversation is such a timely reminder to prioritize intentionality, step away from the noise, and embrace a simpler way of living + connecting with our family. 

Links from this episode:

• Carlos on Instagram
• Order ‘Reconnected: How 7 Screen-Free Weeks with Monks and Amish Farmers Helped Me Recover the Lost Art of Being Human (his newest book that launched Fall 2024)
• The Carlos Whittaker Podcast
• Carlos' Website
• Desirae on Instagram
• Minimal-ish Podcast Website

More episodes on less screens:

• Ep 261: Minimalism Story: Smart Phone to Flip Phone with Abby Brennan
• Ep 235: A Life More Engaging Than The Algorithm - Living a Low(er) Tech Life with Erin Loechner
• Ep 205: Change Your Relationship with Your Phone and Connect More with Your People with Joey Odom
• Ep 191: Unplugging: Digital Minimalism, screen-free activities, prioritizing in-person community, and modeling phone habits with Claudia Erickson

Sponsors:

Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box PLUS get a free item in every box for life. Go to hungryroot.com/minimalish or use code minimalish.

Calm: Get 40% off your premium subscription at calm.com/minimalish

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sponsor:

Wildgrain: Get 30$ off your first box and free croissants with ever boxy when you go to Wildgrain.com/MINIMALISH or use promo code Minimalish at checkout.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, I'm bringing you a quick preview of what 2025 will look like on Minimal-ish, plus letting you in on an extended solo episode series I'm excited about. I hope you'll join me in some monthly "experiments!"

Sponsors:

Hungryroot: Get 40% off your first box PLUS get a free item in every box for life at hungryroot.com/minimalish with code minimalish.

Manscaped: Get 20% off + free shipping with the code MINIMALISH at Manscaped.com.

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Today on the podcast, we’re diving into another Minimalism Story with special guest Abby Brennan. Abby is a mom of two, wife, writer, and project manager who has embraced simplicity and sustainability in both her home and digital experiences. She talks about her transition from smartphone to flip phone and the impact of reducing screen time on her creativity and family life.

If starting or continuing to pursue minimalism is on your list for 2025, or you’ve just been curious about a simpler + more intentional life with less screens, this episode is for you.

Links from this episode:

• Abby on Instagram
• Abby’s Website
• Desirae on Instagram
• Minimal-ish Podcast Website

More Episodes on Screen Time:

• Ep 235: A Life More Engaging Than The Algorithm - Living a Low(er) Tech Life with Erin Loechner
• Ep 191: Unplugging: Digital Minimalism, screen-free activities, prioritizing in-person community, and modeling phone habits with Claudia Erickson

More Minimalism Stories:

• Ep 252: Minimalism Stories with Sami Townsend
• Ep 220: Minimalism Stories with Jordan Jones
• Ep 201: Minimalism Stories - From Extreme Minimalism (+ tiny house living) to Minimal-ish with Korie Veidel
• Ep 192: Minimalism Stories with Leah Franklin 

Sponsors:

Calm - Stress less, sleep more, and live better with Calm. For listeners of our show, Calm is offering 40% off a Calm Premium Subscription at calm.com/MINIMALISH.

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I’m so excited to kick off 2025 with having special guest Tyler Moore, also known as “Tidy Dad” on social media, back on the show. Today we are talking about our shared experience of the post-holiday chaos and navigating seasons of life that just feel “cluttered” both physically and mentally.

I loved this conversation with Tyler and his gentle approach to goal setting or routine “experimenting” in the new year and plotting for moments of joy amidst the chaos. Through these conversations he shares so many practical tips and mindset shifts from his new book, ‘Tidy Up Your Life”. 

Links from this episode:

• Tyler on Instagram
• Tyler’s website
• Order ‘Tidy Up Your Life’ (his new book launching Jan. 7th, 2025)
• Desirae on Instagram
• Minimal-ish Podcast Website

More episodes with Tyler:

• Ep 197: Layering Routines and “Surthriving” with Tyler Moore

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I'm here with a yearly reflection and goal-setting episode! I've kept this one mostly short and sweet, focusing on how we can reflect on how far we've come this year as we set goals that truly matter to us.

Sponsors:

LMNT: Get your free LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/Minimalish

MeUndies Kids: get 20% off your first order, plus free shipping, at MeUndies.com/minimalish and enter promo code minimalish.

Calm: Go to calm.com/minimalish for 40% off unlimited access to Calm’s entire library.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we bring you #2 in our Holiday Replay Series

Today I talk with one of my favorite people on the internet, Kat Steck, all about simpifying this season and celebrating it according to your own values. We discuss gift giving, putting less pressure on ourselves to do things we don't want to do, making new traditions, less consumerism, frugal traditions, and more.

Kat on Instagram

Desirae on Instagram

Podcast Website

Sponsor:

Manscaped: Get 20% off + free shipping with the code MINIMALISH at Manscaped.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is part of the Holiday Repay Series.

We are getting Hygge today on the show because winter is the perfect season to do so. This time, I went straight to the source: Denmark. I started following Diane in Denmark on her Youtube channel a while back, and I knew she was the perfect one to teach us how to Hygge our way through the winter and holiday season. We talk about several ways to get through a long winter and celebrate the season by planning Hygge into our days.

Sponsors:

Born Shoes - Go to BornShoes.com today for a 15% discount plus free ground shipping on all full price shoes when you use my promo code, MINIMALISH.

Manscaped - Get 25% off + free shipping with the code MINIMALISH at Manscaped.com.

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