Marie Kondo has taken over Netflix and her tidying method is now in homes across America.
Kondo is a Japanese organizing consultant and author, who encourages tidying by category – not by location – beginning with clothes, then moving on to books, papers, komono (miscellaneous items), and finally, sentimental items. Kondo believes in keeping only those things that speak to the heart, and discarding the items that no longer spark joy.
Most tidying methods advocate a room-by-room or little-by-little approach, which lead most people to pick away at their piles of stuff forever.
According to Kondo’s website, “people around the world have been drawn to this philosophy not only due to its effectiveness, but also because it places great importance on being mindful, introspective and forward-looking.”
MacKenzie Nation is just one Owensboro resident who has joined the KonMari craze. She recently watched several episodes of the “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo” series and said the show inspired her to go through her possessions to see what sparked joy and what she could give away.
After going through her clothes she realized she was still holding on to things from her high school and college days.
“I had so many clothes I knew I had to get rid of some,” she said. “Not only am I freeing up physical space in my home, I am getting rid of mental clutter by tidying up.”
Nation donated some of her belongings to Goodwill and also made some cash by selling her gently-worn clothes to Plato’s Closet.
With so many people getting rid of items that no longer spark joy, thrift stores across Owensboro are reaping the benefits.
New Life Thrift Store manager Sandy Camp and assistant manager Melissa Hamilton said they have been asking recent donors if they have been participating in the Kondo tidying up fad.
“Many donors have expressed their participation in that process and we have been benefiting by receiving new and gently used clothing, housewares and linens,” Camp said. “Proceeds from this store go to several of the New Life Church ministries.”
All money raised by the store goes back into the immediate community, namely those in the northwest neighborhoods of Owensboro. The thrift store also supports the Foust and Cravens elementary schools resource centers.
Hamilton said the store accepts donations 10 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays.
Nonprofits aren’t the only ones benefiting from the donations. Plato’s Closet, a chain retailer known for buying and selling trendy second hand clothing has also seen an uptick in donations.
Todd Bowles, store manager at Plato’s Closet said he is unsure if the store’s increase is due to the Netflix special.
“When I ask many of my staff who are college-aged or younger — many have never heard of Marie Kondo, even though it’s become such a huge deal as of lately,” he said. “But I do believe it’s a good thing to clean out and declutter your life. We always believe recycling your style is always best. We hope to continue seeing an increase in sellers. We feel that our store shows people new and exciting brands that aren’t always available to purchase in Owensboro.”
