Our theme for the month is SIMPLIFY, which is funny since my usual state of being is more like MAKE COMPLICATED.

But that is why I love this theme so much. I need it.

Our partners for the month are The Minimalists. I adore these guys. They are funny, smart, humble and passionate. When I first met them I knew I had made new friends—new friends I should never, ever invite to my house. On the spectrum of stuff, I fall squarely into the Maximalist category. I was afraid they would judge. 

We have a lot of stuff. Attics and closets and a teaming garage.

The more I got the opportunity to know Ryan and Joshua (the Minimalists), the less I saw their lack of stuff and the more I saw the abundance of time. For me, not yet ready to pack up my bleongings, I really am compelled to look deeply at the priorities piece of what the Minimalist do.

So for this month, come to Mamalode to celebrate the ride, for it is a complex role to be a parent, and find stories and examples of how we can whittle some of it away and seek a simpler way.

I had the opportunity to share a TEDx stage with Ryan and Joshua. Here is their powerful and important message. Don’t be nervous. They don’t judge. Really, they don’t. Guys, consider this your official invite to a full, messy house for a beautiful simple meal among friends.

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About the Author

Elke

Elke Govertsen is a entrepreneur and founder of Mamalode. She has been featured in Real Simple, Forbes, Where Women Create, Ad Tech, and listed as one of Origin Magazine's "Top 100 Creatives." She has been a speaker at The Girls Lounge, Adweek, C2Montreal, HATCH, TEDx and (her favorite) in classrooms. She speaks on a variety of topics from entrepreneurship to overcoming obstacles. She loves consulting in the areas of community design, storytelling and brand building. Her special skills include extreme bootstrapping, overcoming obstacles and creating opportunities. Of the many things she has learned by doing Mamalode, her ability to work with absolute chaos/kids/mess just might be the best. She is learning that slowing down creates more impact.

March 2015 – Simplify
We are partnering this month with the marvelous minimalists: