Spring has finally sprung, at least according to the calendar. The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, and thanks to Japanese Organizing Consultant and latest Netflix star, Marie Kondo, men and women all across Apex, and America, are starting their spring cleaning early and tossing anything that doesn’t bring them joy.
Marie Kondo’s bestselling book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, takes readers through the step-by-step process of the KonMari method of organizing. The KonMari method was created by Kondo and “encourages tidying by category—not by location—beginning with clothes, then moving on to books, paper, miscellaneous items, and finally, sentimental items.”
According to Kondo, there are six basic rules of tidying:
Rule 1: Commit yourself to tidying up
Rule 2: Imagine your ideal lifestyle
Rule 3: Finish discarding first
Rule 4: Tidy by category, not by location
Rule 5: Follow the right order
Rule 6: Ask yourself if it sparks joy
If an item no longer speaks to your heart or sparks joy, out it goes! The Marie Kondo effect has swept the nation, bringing order and simplicity to sock drawers everywhere.
But the Marie Kondo effect isn’t just benefiting the cluttered and disorganized. On New Year’s Day, Netflix released Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, bringing the organization guru into living rooms across the country. The Netflix series follows Kondo as she goes door-to-door to help the untidy bring order to chaos. Since the series aired, organizations like Goodwill, The Salvation Army, thrift stores and consignment stores across the country have seen a spike in donations and reselling of items like never before, making this a great time to not only donate, but to shop!
If you’re wondering where you can take those items that no longer bring you joy, but might warm the heart of someone else, here is a list of stores and organizations in the area that you can check out.
Guardian Angel Thrift Store
710 Laura Duncan Rd., Apex
742 N. Main St., Fuquay-Varina
Little Angel Children’s Thrift
740 N. Main St., Fuquay-Varina
Guardian Angel is a non-profit organization supporting Alzheimer’s research. They accept donations of clothing, books, toys, household items and more. All proceeds, after expenses, go directly to Alzheimer’s research.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
826 E. Williams St., Apex
Habitat ReStores accept donations and sell home improvement items. Proceeds are used to help build shelters and home in local communities and around the world.
Cat Angels Thrift Store
959 N. Harrison Ave., Cary
All proceeds from the thrift store go to the Cat Angels pet adoptions and rescue organization.
Dorcas Thrift Shop
187 High House Rd., Cary
Dorcas Ministries help the community thru various outreach ministries. They accept donations and sell items such as clothes, small appliances, books, toys, and more.
Goodwill Donation and Thrift Store
1150 W. Williams St., Apex
Goodwill Industries is a non-profit organization that provides job training, and employment placement services, as well as education and employment for those in need.
Uptown Cheapskate
2037 Creekside Landing Dr., Apex
Uptown Cheapskate is a consignment store selling gently used clothing, shoes and accessories from top name brands like Coach and Michael Kors.
MGC Boutique (My Girlfriend’s Closet)
219 N. Salem St., Apex
MGC Boutique is an upscale women’s consignment store that sells clothing, jewelry, shoes and accessories.
So remember, if those cow-shaped salt and pepper shakers that have been in your kitchen cabinet since your Aunt Sophie gave them to you for Christmas in 2015 are no longer bringing you joy, thank them for their service, and moo(ve) them on out! Their time with you has ended and the moment has come for the them to spark joy in another person’s heart.
