South Island Salvation Army thrift stores have seen more January donations this year than last – and it might have something to do with Netflix show Tidying Up.
Hosted by author and professional organizer Marie Kondo, the show follows Kondo as she teaches different families the value of “tidying up” and holding onto items only if they are useful or “spark joy,” while ridding spaces of items that don’t.
The show was an instant hit, inspiring viewers to declutter and evaluate their possessions.
Japanese tidying expert Marie Kondo's #TidyingUp show is on Netflix. In the show, she helps her clients #declutter, #organize and find joy. Also, she shares useful #organizingtips. It's a great show and I hope you'll enjoy it and learn something from it. :-) pic.twitter.com/Ow1fHCL8am
— Evergreen Co. We help organize! (@EvergreenOrganz) January 29, 2019
Me, after watching an episode of #TidyingUp pic.twitter.com/GjpCFDWQYS
— Irina (@justirinathings) January 20, 2019
Today I’ve decided to do the #MarieKondoChallenge and if by touching it or holding it & it does not bring me joy I’m getting rid of it! Or giving it away, lately #myhusband hasn’t been giving me joy so he’s first to go!! 😄😂😂
— Ladyloonskin (@Ladyloonskin1) January 29, 2019
Told mom I was going to sit down and watch an episode of @MarieKondo #TidyingUp so it would motivate me. Watched 2 episodes and I’ve been cleaning ever since. 🙌🏻
— MorganRené™ (@moham1234) January 29, 2019
South Vancouver Island may be on the “tidying up” train too.
Patricia Mamic of the B.C. Salvation Army’s public relations office said January donations are up 25 per cent compared to what is normally received this time of year – and a lot of the donations are household items.
Mamic told Black Press she spoke with one woman who said Marie Kondo had inspired her to donate nine bags of items.
“The process is a positive one for us as humans from start to finish because we get to declutter and offload those items and be able to function better and then at the end of the day it helps somebody who is in need or provides a service to our community,” Mamic said. “The whole process is actually very healthy and very giving.”
Value Village experienced a spike in donations too.
Jeff Smail, VP of operations for Value Village Canada, said an increase in donations this time of year is not unusual.
“While Value Village typically sees an increase in activity this time of year, we have experienced a rise in donations during the first few weeks of 2019,” he said. “It’s great, there is enthusiasm to declutter inspired by Marie Kondo, and we encourage people to pass along items that no longer spark joy, to others.”
“Donating … is a great way to ensure unwanted items end up in the re-use stream, rather than contributing to the 12 million tons of textiles that North Americans send to the landfill each year.”
