Hey , hey , mamas , welcome back to Conquering Chaos A Mom's Guide to Self-Care Insanity . I'm your host , sydney Crow , and today we have Robin Reynolds . Robin founded her company in 2008, . Although she's been organizing since she was a child , she is a certified professional organizer and a longtime member of NAPO , the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals . She's played an integral role in the NAPO Los Angeles chapter as a volunteer and board member and as co-chair of the 2012 Organizing Awards , and was recently appointed the president of BCPO , which is the Board of Certified Professional Organizers , for the term of the 2022 and to 2024 .
Speaker 1In addition to being quoted in the Washington Post , the Huffington Post , real Simple Magazine , todaycom , yahoocom , women's Day Magazine and numerous other publications , robin has also worked in a television show , hoarders , and is a published author of of a to zen 26 tips to inspire organization . Her clients include everyone from the stay-at-home moms to busy executives , to a-list celebrities . Her business has been built solely on referrals . She has been involved with numerous , numerous different local charities that are all close to her heart , including Dress for Success , souls for Souls , one Warm Coat and Kids Save . When Robin is not organizing and harmonizing her clients , she is spending time with her teenage daughter , whom she treasures and leads a healthy lifestyle . Welcome , robin .
Speaker 2Thank you , that was a mouthful , it was a bit of a mouthful .
Speaker 1I apologize for getting a little tongue tied there .
Speaker 2Oh , that's okay . It's like there's so much stuff .
Speaker 1Maybe I need to shorten that you have quite the resume . I am very impressed . So tell me a little bit about your business . What got you started in the organizing business ?
Speaker 2Well , it was something like I said that I've always done and I never knew it was actually a profession . And then one day I was reading a magazine and I came across a mention about NAPO and I started looking at it . I was like , oh my God , this is something I could do for a living , like I was so thrilled that something that I just enjoyed doing was something that I could make a career out of . So I immediately went and joined the organization , had no idea how to start a business . I had been an employee my entire life and , kind of trial and error , figured out how to start a business . And here we are all these , many years later .
Speaker 1That's incredible , I mean , and isn't that the goal for everybody ? To find something that you love doing , so that you never feel like you work a day in your life ?
Speaker 2Yes definitely .
Speaker 1I mean well , congratulations on that . That is quite a very , very long , long resume . What would you say ?
Speaker 2your favorite project was Well , I love doing closet design . That's one thing that I love doing because I , you know , gives you my creative outlet also in a different kind of way . But and I like as as weird as it might sound I like home clean outs where basically I just have to pack up everything and , you know , get it wherever it needs to go , whether it's donated or things that are going to be sold or whatever . But I just like that , maybe because I can just move a lot faster with that , because I'm not necessarily working one-on-one with clients , but , you know , then they the the enjoyment also comes from doing something with a client that they never thought of . That , I think , is the simplest change and I've completely rocked their world . You know , it's like I invented sliced bread or something , but it , you know , they just don't think about it because everybody thinks differently , everybody's brain is wired differently . Yeah , it makes a huge difference for someone else .
Speaker 1It really can . I mean , I've had my own mental blocks around organization , whether I mean you and I were having conversations about the digital world and organization prior to getting on this call or my home and then you just somebody will say something or you'll see something and you're like , why didn't I think of that ? That's like the simplest thing , right ? Well , it's transformation and you're like this just made the world of difference and you talk a lot about like not only the clutter in the house but the clutter in the mind , and I can really relate to that . So , when it comes to working with your clients , especially being on the show Hoarders , do you feel like a lot of what you are working with in somebody's home is a mental game ?
Speaker 2A lot of it is because there's a lot of mental . I mean just the work of organizing . I always say it's more than putting a square peg in a round hole , because there is a huge psychological component to every part of it and mostly to the reasons that people want to hold onto things . Because we hold onto things way more than we need to or necessarily . You know , the stuff isn't necessarily serving a purpose . It's just that we have emotional attachments to it . May be sentimental , or it was expensive , or it was this or is that . You know that the reasons that people give are endless as to why they hold on to stuff . So it really is . You know so much more and I forgot your question at this point . What did you say ? There was a point I was getting to and then I forgot .
Speaker 1Just the emotional or like the mental clutter that you yeah the mental piece of it Like do you feel like that's the biggest obstacle that you face ?
Speaker 2I don't know if it's the biggest obstacle , but it is a , you know , because when you say mental , it could be two different things . It could be mental in the sentimental way , or it could be mental in how your brain is wired , because organization really is how your brain is wired . Why people some people are good at it and some people aren't , because everybody has their strengths . You know , as I said to you earlier , don't talk to me about technology , because my brain isn't wired for that . I don't care how many times you explain it to me , I'm just not going to get it . Yeah , and the same thing with organization .
Speaker 2But you can also learn . When you have systems that are set up the right way , you can learn to follow the systems , to stay organized . And that's what we do . Is we set up systems for someone in order to help them to get and stay organized . It's not just like OK , because people like well , do I have to be there ? Or how much of my time do you need ? And I'm kind of like , well , all of your time or most of your time , because I can't just make decisions about your stuff . One , I can't make decisions on what you want to keep and what goes , and even if you may not be there the entire time , I have to walk you through what is done afterwards so that you know this is the system for this and this is how you're going to continue to do this . Because , as I joke , I don't live with you , so I can't keep this up for you Like . You have to make the effort to do it yourself .
Speaker 1Yeah , and it really does come down to the system . I mean , my daughter has ADHD , and a common trait for people with ADHD is like they just don't have that organization component in their brain and it doesn't matter how many times I walk her through the system , it still is a struggle . It's still the one thing on her report card that's like oh , she needs better organization . We're like , we're working on it . It might be something that we're going to work on for the rest of her life , you know , and it will be Like the piece of it right . And so I completely understand how certain brains are wired for it and not . So , when it comes to the systems that you're putting into place for people , do you find that people are able to keep them up or do you have a lot of repeat clients ?
Speaker 2able to keep them up or do you have a lot of repeat clients ? It depends . There are some people that are able to maintain it once it's completely set up , but then there are people that you know we do see on a regular basis that what I call maintenance , that we may set up the whole . You know , they may not have anything in place and then we set up a whole system for everything and they were able to maintain it for a little while , but then it might get a little derailed because life got busy or something happened in their world , and then we'll have to go back and kind of do a touch up . But you know when it really depends on the client too and how much effort they're willing to put into it . You know , because , again , they have to maintain it .
Speaker 2So it really doesn't matter what's done . If they're not going to maintain it , then it kind of makes it . You know it's not going to work
at all . Yeah , yeah , like I always equate everything to dieting . It's like , yeah , you can lose 50 pounds , but if you're going to go back and eat bonbons on the couch every day , guess what ? Those 50 pounds are coming back .
Speaker 1Yes , they will .
Speaker 2You have to change your habits , you know so and so , do you like ?
Speaker 1would you classify yourself as , like a habit changer , then ?
Speaker 2I've been called many things , but that's not one of them . But I guess that could be .
Speaker 1I mean , I mean a lot of what you're seeing in the mental wellness space now and personal development is like habit changing right . It really comes to being effective with your habits , like intentional with your time and , like you just said , if you're , if you're not going to do the work and maintain it , then it just kind of keeps falling off or the pounds keep coming back . So it's it's really interesting to me what you do . I mean I've always been drawn to this industry , like you , as a . As a young person , I was always watching , like those , those fixer upper shows . I've I've watched hoarders a few times , so it's interesting to me that you've been on those shows . When it comes to motherhood , what would you say the biggest piece for moms is what that you're working with or that you see in terms of clutter and organization in the home .
Speaker 2Well , I think it's twofold . I think you know one . Everybody feels that they need to be perfect when they're a mom , and there's no such thing as perfect . So it's okay to make mistakes . I mean I do it with my daughter , you know I I feel like every day I make a mistake . I mean she's in college at this point , so , like , whatever I've done , oh well , you know it's it's done , it's done .
Speaker 2Exactly . But you know , give yourself grace , because no one's perfect . And every day I'm like damn , I messed that up , and I messed that up , and I messed that up . And then I just pray that it's not gonna cause her too much angst or that she's not gonna be in therapy too long or whatever , because it's hard . Motherhood is hard , like raising kids is hard .
Speaker 1Yep responsibility for another life .
Speaker 2Yeah , yeah , raising kids is hard . Yep , responsibility for another life , yeah , yeah so . But in addition to that , we bring , as I briefly mentioned before , we get so much stuff and we indulge , or so many people indulge their kids with so much stuff . And I think , personally , I think it's a bad precedent to start because , yeah , it may be a toy now , but eventually it's a bad precedent to start because , yeah , it may be a toy now , but eventually it's going to be designer clothes , designer purses , car , you know whatever . So I think the biggest thing is learning to say no .
Speaker 2Like you'll have to deal with the tantrum , You'll have to deal with the this , that or the other thing , but you know , you have to teach them that one they can't have everything they want because we don't . That's not real life . Like we all want stuff that we can't have . You know , I want a Lamborghini . Well , guess what it's going to have with so much .
Speaker 2Because I go into home sometimes with one child and they practically have a toy store years old yet and it's just . You know , it amazes me how much and I know a lot of it I'll always hear well , it's my mother-in-law or it's the , you know , for birthdays and this , that and the other thing you know what . Then , instead , talk to you know family about giving either an experience with the child , because that's what to remember . Like , do you remember what you got for your somebody gave you for your fifth birthday ? Absolutely not , but I remember . You know what . I went so-and-so with my grandmother and we went to the mall and we did this and we had ice cream or whatever . It was . Like I remember the things that we did . I don't remember the things that I got .
Speaker 1Yeah , and that's a big thing . Like my husband and I have been on the experience train for a while , where you know we'd rather do a family vacation and take the kids somewhere special . Or you know , even my mom this year for Christmas she was like what should I get the kids ? And I was like just an activity , go do something with them . So we have an indoor skydiving activity that we're going to go do with my kids and I'm like this is way better , Like they're going to remember stuff like that .
Speaker 1And it got to the point where , like my kids are now almost nine and 11 , but we my husband and I both come from divorced families and so it was almost like we would do four Christmases , four sets of birthdays for this , for that , and it was just like we'd come home with all this stuff and we're like this is great , Like my kids feel like special because they got all of these presents in that moment , but then at the end of the day , it's like they either break , or we're selling them in a garage sale in a couple years , or we're passing they lose interest .
Speaker 2They lose interest very quickly . Kids are very fickle and if you're lucky for two weeks and then they're on to the next thing exactly so .
Speaker 1I'm a big believer in that . So I mean , when it comes to motherhood , giving yourself grace , saying no , learning how to say no and basically setting those boundaries around what's coming into your home in the first place . Those would be your top three pieces of advice for them , I think so yeah , for sure .
Speaker 2And the other thing that I say is , especially when it comes to the family , if you're going to spend 20 bucks on a toy , guess what ? Put that 20 bucks into 529 for college , because it's crazy . When my daughter was born , somebody told me at that time that college was going to be about a quarter of a million dollars for four years of school and it sounded ridiculous . Guess what ? It's not so ridiculous because a private university these days is about 70 to $80,000 per year . So you know , in another 10 years , when your kids are in school or another , however much , I mean , it is insane . So they that you know that $20 here , that $20 there , you know from all those different family members , that'll add up and it'll make a big dent , or at least help .
Speaker 1I think it's so great and I mean we're teaching our kids a little bit about money . So every time they're gifted a certain dollar amount , we put half of it into savings and then half of it into a spend jar and they're able to spend that and the other half goes into their bank account . I'm like you might want this money now , but trust me , when you turn 16 and can buy your own car , you're going to feel so good with this money . So they're like , okay , okay , I appreciate it . Now we understand . So sometimes we'll like dream up , look at cars , because they talk about wanting convertibles and we live up in the mountains in Alberta , so I'm like you'll have a convertible for two months of the year .
Speaker 2We don't want a convertible up here . We need to move down where Robin is in Southern California , then you can have a Cali , then you can have . It's funny because I'm from New York and I had gotten a convertible when I don't know whatever time of year it was , but it was a warmer day in New York , let's say it was 60 or something , and it was the winter time , and I was like I had that top down with my scarf and gloves and the heater cranked Exactly .
Speaker 2Just that one day I was like I just want to , I just want my top down for today .
Speaker 1Exactly .
Speaker 2But I froze yes .
Speaker 1Yeah , fair enough , right ? So it's amazing . I love the tips that you have for moms . Now you were telling me about your 10 ways to manage the clutter . I don't know why that . So that word is getting me tongue tied on this podcast today . Sorry folks . 10 ways to manage the clutter in our heads . So can you tell the audience a little bit about that ? 10 ways to manage the clutter in our heads so can you tell the audience a little bit about that ? We're going to drop a link for this in the show notes , guys , but just so that you know what this is all about .
Speaker 2I mean , basically , it is what it what . It is exactly what it says . It's just a way , because life is so busy , we're always thinking about a million things . You know , we don't take the time for ourselves , as mom , to do anything a lot of times for ourselves . And you know , it's kind of like when they say , on a plane , you have to put on your oxygen mask first before you can help anyone else , cause if you pass out you're not helpful to anyone else . So it's the same thing . It's just different ways that you can kind of give yourself a reset or a chance to breathe . You know , I think actually breathing is one of them , if I remember correctly , because we don't breathe . You know , even if it's just a five minute . You know , reset , let me sit . You know , take five minutes , breathe or step away from the chaos and just breathe . Then you're a single parent . You know , whatever , there's a lot of reasons why people work two jobs and they're still parenting . You know , it's endless .
Speaker 1It really is . Yeah , and I feel like moms especially , we carry a lot of that burden of home life , Like , even if you have a supportive partner or husband or spouse , moms tend to really carry that like the the list of all the things that have to happen , right Like it's the volunteering in the school , if they can , it's the field trip information , it's the lunch and the groceries and all the things , and so to be able to take that pause and and have those moments to it's to not so much self care but just to support yourself so that you can show up for yourself and your kids in the best way , that's really amazing . So we're going to make sure that we put that in the show notes , you guys . Robin also has a course called the ultimate home organization program . Do you want to share a little bit about that ?
Speaker 2Sure . So I created a program because obviously I can't work with everyone in the world but although I might like to and you know I do see clients virtually , but I do see clients also , obviously , in person . But the thing is is not everyone can afford to hire an organizer , so this is a cost effective way for them to be able to get the benefits and the wisdom of a certified professional organizer and be able to do it on their own . And I go into , you know , a lot of the detail of of why we do things , the way that we do . You know , like the first module is probably the most important because that's trying to get to understand the habits that you have and why things happen . And then the rest of it is organizing pretty much every single decluttering and organizing every single area in your home , from the kitchen to the office , to the garage , to the playroom , you know , the kids rooms , everything , the bathrooms , you name it , it's in there .
Speaker 1I love that and so helpful . And , like you said , I mean you're , you probably have a bit of a team , but you're one person , one organization , so you can't work with everybody . So this is a great way for you know , if you guys are out there just kind of staring at a bit of clutter , wondering where to even start , this would be a great first step in terms of getting the ball rolling . If you are not near Robin or able to afford those full services to have somebody come in and do it for you .
Speaker 2So yeah , really , organizers everywhere , you know . But it isn't you know it's you get what you pay for . Not going to say that you can't find people in all different , because obviously what I've charged when I first started is very different than what I charge now , but it's also based on your experience and your knowledge .
Speaker 1Really , yeah , yeah , I mean like anything right , the longer you work at a job , the more experience you have . Hopefully , the higher paid you are in that industry . So I won't say it's a blanket , the way that it is all the way always , but you know you would think that that's , you know , the right way to do things . So , Robin , is there any last piece of advice or information that you'd like to give the listeners today ? What would I like to ?
Speaker 2you know . If you're going to start the organizing or decluttering journey yourself , the only thing I would say is that remember that it wasn't start , it didn't happen overnight .
It kind of crept up , just like you don't gain 50 pounds overnight . So when you're doing the process whether it's with my course or by yourself just do it in little pieces . Start in one little area . The only thing I will say is finish that one room before you go on to somewhere else , because when you see the progress , you'll feel more motivated to keep going into other areas . So , whether it's a corner , whether it's a tabletop , whether it's a closet , finish that one area . Then go on to something else and you'll start feeling that you're making actually some progress and an accomplishment and pat yourself on the back and reward yourself for like yes , I did it . I finally did it , you know .
Speaker 1Perfect . Yeah , I mean you . Everybody needs to celebrate those small wins , right ? No matter how big or small they might seem from the outside . If it feels like you've accomplished something , I'm a strong believer in celebrating all your wins . So , yes , I really appreciate you being on the show today , Robin . Thank you guys for tuning into today's episode where we help you conquer the chaos one day at a time .