Clutter Is a Signal, Not a Failure: Rashae Islas on Redefining Home Organization
Clutter can carry a lot of shame, especially for moms and caregivers who are told they should simply be able to keep up.
This week on The Chaotic Middle Podcast, I chatted with Rashae Islas, founder of House of Islas, a home organization service that works with clients both locally in New Mexico and virtually worldwide. Rashae's approach is different from traditional organizing, and once they explained why, it made perfect sense.
Why Clutter Isn't a Personal Failure
Rashae opened our conversation by naming something many of us feel but rarely say out loud. Society still expects women and caregivers to manage the household, even though most homes now require two incomes. The standards haven't shifted, even though the workload has doubled.
That imbalance shows up as clutter, but clutter itself isn't the real problem. According to Rashae, it's a signal that something else isn't working.
"It means something is not working, and so that something can be different for everyone."
For some people, that something is a lack of time. For others, it's constant interruptions, decision fatigue, or simply not knowing how to make a space function for their specific life. None of it means someone has failed. It means their systems don't match their reality.
The Problem With Traditional Organizing
Rashae didn't hold back when describing what traditional organizing often gets wrong. Many programs push a rigid, aesthetic-first approach that assumes clients have unlimited time, money, and energy to maintain a picture-perfect space.
Rashae pointed to a common piece of advice circulating online: the idea that everyone has the same 24 hours in a day, so lack of time is just an excuse. They called this messaging harmful, and honestly, so do I. Two people living in the same house, with access to the same resources, do not experience the same day. Default parenting duties, unpaid labor, and constant mental load are not evenly distributed, even when both partners work full-time.
Rashae's approach rejects that guilt-driven model entirely. They approach every client with honesty about their own struggles, including living with fibromyalgia and mental health challenges while parenting a toddler and attending school. Their home isn't a Pinterest board either, and they said so directly.
"I'm not just bullshittng when I say I really understand what you're going through. I am in the thick of it with you."
Meeting Clients Where They Are
Rashae's process starts long before they ever step into someone's home. Clients send photos and videos of their space ahead of time, which lets Rashae understand the layout and start forming a plan.
Once they're physically in the space, Rashae asks detailed questions about emotional attachment to items, comfort levels with letting things go, and how much hands-on support each client wants.
For some clients, sessions move quickly. For others, Rashae sits with them through tears as they process what an item represents and whether it still serves them. This isn't about forcing anyone toward a single aesthetic. It's about figuring out what works for that person's brain and daily routine.
Rashae shared an example involving a client with ADHD who initially wanted every shirt hung in the closet. Rather than following a standard rule, Rashae identified which clothes the client actually wore daily versus which held sentimental value for a future project. They separated the two, hanging daily-use clothes in an accessible closet while storing sentimental pieces safely elsewhere.
"It's really just understanding the way that their life works, where they tend to gravitate towards, what kind of items they regularly use, and then setting their space up in a way that works for them."
Systems That Actually Stick
A major complaint about traditional organizing is that it doesn't hold up once the organizer leaves. Rashae addresses this by sending every client a customized PDF guide after each session. The guide outlines what was discussed, what changed, and small maintenance habits that take just a few minutes a day or a week to sustain.
One of Rashae's favorite low-effort strategies is the drop spot. Instead of fighting the natural tendency for backpacks, shoes, and mail to pile up near an entryway, Rashae works with clients to make that space intentional. A few command hooks, a secondhand shoe rack, or a small labeled bin can dramatically reduce daily friction without a full renovation.
The goal was never perfection.
"The goal is not perfection. It's making your home work better for you. It's giving you a little bit more room to breathe."
It's Not You, It's the System
Rashae studied sociology and identifies as autistic, which shapes how they view clutter within a larger societal context. Rather than treating disorganization as an individual shortcoming, Rashae consistently points back to systemic pressures, unequal labor distribution, and the myth of total self-sufficiency.
They pushed back hard against the idea that successful people achieve everything alone, noting that even the loudest advocates for individualism typically have significant support behind them, whether through spouses, financial help, or family sacrifice.
"Every single person who is successful in every aspect of their life has not one but numerous people helping them in numerous ways."
Answering the Chaotic Questions
At the end of every episode, I ask each guest the same three questions.
If you could go back in time and talk to your 2005 self, what would you say to them?
I think that's hard because I really do still struggle in a lot of ways, right? I struggled as a kid. I had issues as a kid, both with my family and personally. But I think what I would tell them is, look honey, you're going to go through a lot. You are and you're not going to be able to help it. But something that you have always come back to is still holding on to the hope that things can get better. And that's what's gotten you through. And so I just need you to keep holding on to that hope.
A new mom comes to you for advice. What's the first thing you tell her?
I would tell them if your partner is not doing anything to help you, I can go and have a talk with them. Also, what do you want me to bring for dinner tonight? Because moms don't need advice. They don't need advice unless they are specifically asking for specific advice. They need support. Right? Full circle moment. People just need people. So don't ask what you can do for somebody and give them more on their mental load to figure out, right? Tell them I can make you this. I can give you a gift card. I can come over and watch the baby while you shower. Be specific with your help.
What do you hope your kids remember from this time period about you as a parent?
Again, that's like that's kind of a hard and personal question because I like I mentioned, I struggled a lot with my mental health and I have chronic health issues as well, right? And I got really really bad postpartum depression, so I don't feel like I was a good parent during the first year of my baby's life. I feel like I'm almost trying to make up for that time and be really intentional and be really supportive. And so I just hope that they remember that I was there for them, that we had little giggles and playtime, and I tried to support them and just be present. I have to be away sometimes and I hate it. But when they were here in the house with me. Mama was there.
Try the Virtual Home Reset
If this episode has you looking for ways to improve your space, you can start with Rashae’s freebie: Reset Any Space in 20 minutes.
If you’re outside of New Mexico or working within a smaller budget than in-person services allow, try House of Islas’ Virtual Home Reset. After submitting an intake form and photos of your space, you'll receive a fully customized PDF guide within one to two weeks, complete with practical steps and optional product suggestions. Listeners of this episode can use this exclusive link for 10% off.
Give Yourself Permission to Ask for Help
If this conversation reminded you that clutter isn't a character flaw, share it with someone who needs to hear that too. You can find Rashae on Instagram, where they share approachable, judgment-free content about organizing and mental load.
And remember to subscribe to The Chaotic Middle Podcast so you never miss another story of a strong, successful woman who is doing things her own way.
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