The Big Decluttering Step You Won't Find In The KonMari Method

The Marie Kondo empire of books, products, and binge-worthy television taught us many skills: how to cut down on clutter, cherish our belongings with vigor, and fold sweatshirts within an inch of their lives, among others. But somehow the question of why we buy things in the first place, and how we should get rid of them when we're through with them got lost in the joy-chasing shuffle.

Dany D'Andrea, the personal organizer to mbg Collective members the likes of Sophie Jaffe and Jordan Younger, takes a more holistic approach to decluttering. With her LA-based company, Spatial Solutions, D'Andrea stresses the entire life cycle of objects when working with clients.

"When getting rid of things, most people are trying to move them out as quickly as possible," D'Andrea tells mbg. "I want people to be aware that while it's great to declutter our spaces, we have a responsibility to do so in an environmentally conscious way."

"Ultimately you need to take your time with this," D'Andrea says. That means doing your research to find out what donation sites exist in your area and what they accept (a quick Google search should help you find this out!). One nearly universal tip? Old towels and blankets probably won't be accepted at your local Goodwill, but they would be appreciated at your local animal shelter.

"Unfortunately, waste protocol varies by city and by state. For example, all batteries are considered hazardous waste in the state of California," D'Andrea says. "They must be recycled or taken to a household hazardous waste disposal facility."

"Mindful decluttering is really the process of constantly assessing what's serving us and what isn't," D'Andrea explains. To help people figure that out, she starts by asking them a simple question: Why do you have this item? Their gut response says a lot, and making excuses for why you're holding on to something is usually a sign it's got to go. "In order to be mindful about what we get rid of, we must first be aware of why it landed in our space in the first place," she says.