BUT what I’m here to share today is something you’ve all been waiting for: THE GREAT KONMARI OF THE SPIRITED THRIFTER’S CLOSET! This is going to be epic so grab a coffee (or wine depending on the time of day), settle in and get ready to share an intimate look at my closet and my Konmari process. Let’s start with an amble through my closet before I started…
So. In Marie Kondo’s book, she recommends going through clothing in a specific order which I followed over the course of a couple of weeks: tops, bottoms, clothes hung (dresses, coats), socks/tights, undies, bags, accessories, clothes for events then shoes. Let me warn you, there is a STORM before the calm. It is inevitable. I made sub-categories for tops and went through tank tops, then t-shirts, then long sleeve shirts then my hanging shirts by colour section. I might have discarded more had I done everything at once and put it all in one mountainous pile, but it simply wasn’t realistic for the time and energy I had available.
I have a sad interlude at this point. I neglected to take photos of my shoes!! (I was doing Whole 30, un-tempered by chocolate or wine, what can I say.) Instead please accept my testimony that I had a LARGE bag of shoe donations when all was said and done. I said goodbye to my green pointy flats and every other pair showing signs of wear along with many that hurt my feet. I kept irreplaceable pairs like my floral flats and my Robert Clergerie and my beloved Ferragamos, and as was the theme for my Konmari, I discarded any pairs that I hesitated over even if they were “good” shoes, like my El Naturalistas. My shoe collection now fits comfortably in my closet and front hall closet and I even have room for a few more pairs so I better go thrifting ASAP.
When you do Konmari, expect to have A LOT of bags and boxes to donate! You can donate in-store at any Value Village and they recently opened Donation Drop Spots in Edmonton area.
Now, I’m going to share some insider information because this isn’t even on the Value Village website yet. There are SEVEN Donation Drop Spots throughout Edmonton with donations at each one supporting different local non-profits, and here are the addresses:
The Donation Drop Spots are open and staffed from 10am to 6pm daily but just FYI you can’t get a discount sticker card for donations made here like you can get in store.
Still, convenience is a huge factor in donating vs. throwing things out, and Value Village wants to make donating as convenient as possible.
Just like in-store donations, VV pays these nonprofit partners whenever community members donate goods to Donation Drop Spots.
Value Village has become one of the largest recyclers of used goods in the world, keeping more than 650 million pounds of reusable items from landfills each year. That’s pretty impressive and a good fit for anyone moving towards mindfulness and sustainability. Don’t throw things out; donate instead and help make our world a better place! AND, just because it doesn’t spark joy for you doesn’t mean it won’t spark joy for someone else. Au contraire! Marie Kondo says “set it free” and by donating, you’re doing just that!
If you’re like me, donating makes you want to shop! We are wired to fill the void – and you certainly can, but be mindful that what you purchase sparks joy! Luckily, Value Village has a HUGE selection – up to 10 000 new items placed on the floor daily, and somewhere in there, Mr. Style is sure to find long-enough pants and stylish sweaters. Right? Say yes.
I learned some valuable lessons in the Great Closet Konmari and I hope sharing this wisdom will be helpful to you too.
I had to let go of the low cost-per-wear standard that I previously held. I kept things that didn’t spark joy, waiting for them to get to a dollar or less per wear (which is hard even for $5 items when you have, er, a substantial wardrobe).
Would it be too bold to ask teachers everywhere to stop with the Mother’s Day gifts of jewelry? Pretty please?! I have enough guilt to contend with without explaining why I’m donating a macaroni necklace, and my kids don’t really care as long as they’re expressing their love. Consumable things are my new go-to for gifts, and I am encouraging others to do the same.
Along the same lines, it is very hard for someone else to re-gift something to that sparks joy for you. It is an intensely personal feeling – even for 5-year-olds! – so think twice before passing something along without explicitly saying it’s okay for the other person to decline.
Discarding is hard, but the more you discard, the more “wear time” you give for the remaining pieces. It’s less competition for the things you love to shine! So just do it!
Konmari doesn’t aim to take away all the things you love just so you can have more room on your shelves. Konmari and minimalism are NOT about having less, they’re about loving what you have, then letting what you have inform your future purchases – in other words, it’s all about learningmindful consumerism.
I am doing the Konmari process throughout my household. Now that I’m done my closet, I’m working on outdoor spaces and then will tackle books, papers and “komono” – all the miscellaneous crap that clutters up my home. I’m still hoping to be done by Christmas! I thought I would feel tired or burnt out from decluttering and purging but on the contrary, IT IS INSPIRING! During the Konmari-ing of each category, you gain momentum to keep going. I can hardly wait to get going on the next category!!
What do you think? Any burning questions? Inspired? I hope so!
Beautifully said and I am loving the concept! I know I have clothing that sparked joy for me 5 years ago and I hold onto it because of that nostalgia, even though i’m no longer the same person with the same style. My closet is due for a big purge soon.
Thanks so much for this. Great article. Enjoyable and humorous read. I just started with my clothes today. I was trying to avoid buying bins and it was in my search for an alternative I found this post. I’ve read most of the e-book (from the public library) and I’m looking forward to letting go of lots more than material things in the end. I’ve also put a hold on her new book, ‘Spark Joy’. Thanks, again. Merry Christmas.
13 Comments
Sigh…have your donation bags gone out already?
Yep Janet, I totally forgot about potential handmedowns – gah – and just wanted to get them out of my house!U0001f616
The Spirited Thrifter I understand. I would want stuff out of my house too
Great job though. I have gained some inspiration from this, Just need to learn how to fold. Our library in SP doesn’t have the paper copy of the book.
oh- just realized I can google the method
My granddaughter should use this method,what say you Deanna Kempster?
The closet overhaul!! Looks Fantastic!!!
This was a great read. Good job! I looove purging!
I recommend buying this particular book – it’s a good reference.
Pingback: Edmonton blog roundup: Sept. 28, 2015 | Seen and Heard in Edmonton
Beautifully said and I am loving the concept! I know I have clothing that sparked joy for me 5 years ago and I hold onto it because of that nostalgia, even though i’m no longer the same person with the same style. My closet is due for a big purge soon.
Pingback: Konmari Round-up #1
Thanks so much for this. Great article. Enjoyable and humorous read. I just started with my clothes today. I was trying to avoid buying bins and it was in my search for an alternative I found this post. I’ve read most of the e-book (from the public library) and I’m looking forward to letting go of lots more than material things in the end. I’ve also put a hold on her new book, ‘Spark Joy’. Thanks, again. Merry Christmas.