By Julie Regina of Tidy Into Joy
Last week, I attended a talk from a fellow KonMari consultant on sustainability and the environmental impact of the materials in our homes. There was a wealth of helpful info, but my biggest takeaway was a reality check: I have been unknowingly lying to myself and my clients.
I had always believed that donating unwanted items is a responsible choice, and to some extent, it is. But in reality, a staggering 85% of what we send to thrift stores never finds a second life—much of it ends up in landfills or is shipped overseas, becoming another country’s problem. It pains me to say it, but it’s true.
We often feel that donating items absolves us of guilt, that they can live a second life, keeping our things out of landfills and our money from feeling wasted. But the real work of decluttering isn’t just about tidying up; it’s about facing the uncomfortable truth that many of our purchases were a mistake to buy in the first place.
There needs to be a shift in habit at the source—buying less, choosing quality over quantity, and being more intentional about what we bring into our lives. Decluttering isn’t just about letting go; it’s about learning to live in alignment with our authentic selves, so that we’re not letting influencers or other people dictate what we “should” be buying. I’m still learning my lesson, too.
The best part of working with my clients is helping them start fresh. As they let go of what doesn’t spark joy, they discover they need less, and gain clarity on what matters. With this newfound insight, they become more intentional, bringing only what truly belongs into their homes and lives.
It’s life-changing (and world-changing) magic.