Interview by Kim Mazewski, CPO®, Consciously Cleared and Contained

With nearly two decades in the organizing profession, Reynolds has helped countless clients rethink their relationship with stuff, shame, and self-worth. In our conversation, she talks about her “everything has a price” philosophy, why clutter is so much more than a visual problem, and how awareness—not perfection—is what truly sets us free. 

Congrats on the release of this highly anticipated book and its fresh take on organization. I was hooked from the start, especially your mantra from the introduction—“everything has a price.” Can you expand on that? 

Reynolds: I’m not sure when I first started saying it, but “everything has a price” has been my mantra for years. With every client, I remind them that everything we own costs us something: time, space, money, or energy. After 17 years in business, I believe it more than ever. It’s one of those truths that hits you every time you encounter clutter. 

Who is this book for? Who will get the most out of it? 

Reynolds: Really, it’s for anyone who’s ever struggled with clutter—or even just felt overwhelmed by “too much.” Some readers tell me they didn’t think they had clutter until they realized how much mental energy their stuff was costing them. The book helps people see the hidden prices they’re paying for what they own. 

What’s so unique about this book is that you don’t prescribe how to organize—you talk about the literal and figurative costs. Why was that important to you? 

Reynolds: People don’t always recognize that their clutter is affecting them—emotionally, financially, or physically. When I talk about “cost,” it often makes clients stop in their tracks and see their environment differently. I wanted this book to start that same thought process for readers, to shift the conversation from how to organize to why it matters. 

You also help redefine what a professional organizer really does. Why is the “weekend makeover” stereotype harmful? 

Reynolds: Everyone wants instant gratification, but organizing is a process. Things often look worse before they look better, because everything has to come out before you can create order. It’s like weight loss—you don’t gain 50 pounds overnight and then lose it in a week. It takes time, consistency, and patience. 

How did we get here—as a society so bogged down by clutter and excess? 

Reynolds: I think it began with the rise of credit cards. Years ago, if you didn’t have cash, you simply couldn’t buy something. People owned less because they had smaller homes and fewer closets. But credit cards gave us the ability to buy things we couldn’t necessarily afford. It’s instant gratification: If you want it today, you can have it today. 

You draw a lot on your experience as a Certified Professional Organizer. How did your clients shape the content? 

Reynolds: Every client teaches me something. I once had a client who was an excessive shopper—clothes filled every closet and then rolled onto racks and furniture. Eventually, space runs out. 

Time is another cost. People spend hours looking for lost items. One client couldn’t find the lease for a rental property he owned, which had serious legal implications. We eventually found it, but he had spent days searching before I arrived. That experience really drove home how clutter can have real-world consequences. 

You must witness so many “aha” moments. Why do you think people resist change, even when they know the clutter is draining them? 

Reynolds: People resist because of their attachments to stuff. Even if they don’t like an item, they feel guilty getting rid of it. If it belonged to someone who’s passed away, they fear letting go of the memory along with the item. And of course, there’s the classic “I might need it someday.” It’s all emotional. 

What about denial as a barrier? You mention “clutter blindness” in the book. 

Reynolds: Yes—people literally stop seeing what’s in front of them. They keep putting things off: “I’ll deal with it this weekend,” or “next month.” Eventually, it becomes invisible. It’s like when you stick a reminder note on your mirror; after a while, your brain just tunes it out. Clutter works the same way. 

I love your word choices—“clutter robs you,” “the culprit is clutter,” “clutter consumes…” It’s powerful language that helps people separate themselves from their stuff. Was that intentional? 

Reynolds: Absolutely. I want readers to feel something. If they can get a little angry about the time and energy clutter steals from them, that emotion can become the fuel for change. When people realize clutter is the culprit—not them—it gives them back their agency. 

How do you see shame show up as one of the costs that keeps people stuck? How do you help clients navigate that? 

Reynolds: Shame is huge. Many people delay calling an organizer because they’re embarrassed. I always tell them we’re not there to judge; we’re there to help. I joke that if you had a rash on your butt, you’d go to the doctor and drop your drawers to get it treated—it’s the same with clutter. You just want to fix the problem. 

Sometimes clients expect me to walk in and be horrified, but I often tell them, “It’s not as bad as you think.” That relief alone can be healing. 

So much of your writing feels empowering—like a supportive friend cheering the reader on. Why was that tone important to you? 

Reynolds: I wanted the book to feel conversational and lighthearted. I write the way I speak. Not everyone needs tough love—some people need humor, others need compassion. My goal was to meet readers where they are, without judgment, and make it an easy, relatable read. 

What’s the biggest takeaway you hope readers have? 

Reynolds: I want people to truly understand the price they’re paying for their clutter. It’s nice to have things, but at what cost? That money or energy could be spent on something more meaningful—like saving for a trip, investing in your future, or simply creating peace in your home. I want readers to think differently about what they keep and why. 

Any final thoughts? How can readers stay connected? 

Reynolds: I just hope people enjoy the book and share it with others. They can find me at organize2harmonize.com or on Instagram @organize2harmonize. 

Final Thoughts from the Editor 

What Is Your Clutter Costing You: How You’re Paying for Clutter, Even if You Already Own It isn’t just another how-to manual—it’s a mindset shift. Reynolds’ candid, humorous, and deeply practical approach reminds readers that clutter isn’t about mess; it’s about meaning. By naming the hidden costs we pay in time, money, and emotional energy, she helps us ask the most important question of all: Is it worth the price? 

What Is Your Clutter Costing You? is available now through Bookshop.org (supporting independent bookstores) or Amazon. 

Inspired to tackle your own clutter? Find a NAPO pro near you. 

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Meet the book author, Robyn Reynolds, Organize2Harmonize