416 // How to Make Your Home Feel Calmer: Backwards Decluttering and House Hushing with Myquillyn Smith

Dani Watson (0:07)

We grew up with the phrase home is where the heart is. But our culture has shifted, and now the message is, our home should be Pinterest perfect. But I'm calling BS on that message. Home, it's not about the stuff, it's about the story. And whether you know it or not, your home right now is already saying something. So what is it you want your home to say?

Hey, I'm Dani, a former first grade teacher and home decorator. Going from a dual income to a single income so I could stay home with my babies meant budget. Like ramen eating, goodwill shopping budget. And I learned a few things along the way. Like how to bring big style to your home without breaking the bank. And I'm sharing it all with you here. Tips, tricks, decor and design advice so you can start telling your story with your style. Welcome to Fig and Farm at Home where it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful.

Hey friend, before we get in to today's episode, I want to tell you about something. If you've been listening to the podcast for a while, you know my story. I taught myself to decorate on a ramen budget, striping a wall with leftover paint because we couldn't afford to paint the whole thing. I've made the expensive mistakes. I've stood in the store holding something, texting a blurry photo to someone saying, thoughts? I get it. I've been there. Here's the thing nobody tells you about decorating. It's not a taste problem. It's not a Pinterest problem. It's a process problem. You don't need more inspiration, friend. You've got plenty. What you need is a plan and someone in your corner while you figure it out. That's exactly why I built the Cozy Home Reset. It's six months inside the Cozy Home Collective plus a private room reset call with me one-on-one, so you get the community and the personal guidance. Real coaching, real support, a real process, not another list of things to buy. Are you ready? Let's make your home feel like you and especially cozy. Head to figandfarmathome.com/cozyhomereset.

Grab your spot and I'll see you inside, friend.

I say this every time I have a guest on the show, but it is true and it's true again because you are going to be listening to a conversation I had with New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Myquillyn Smith. She has been on the show once before when she was talking about her home house rules, and she's back with another book that she's talking about, Home Hushing. It's her unique spin on decluttering and living in a cozy home without having to live in a tiny home.

For nearly two decades, she has challenged mainstream interior design standards by advocating for a lived in imperfect, which you know I love that, sustainable spaces. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.

Hi, Myquillyn. Welcome back to Fig and Farm at Home. I am so glad you're here. I, before we get started, I need to tell you, you are my repeat guest, and I've only had two repeat guests. So, welcome.

Myquillyn Smith (3:05)

What an honor. Thanks for having me, Dani. I'm glad to be here.

Dani Watson (3:08)

You're welcome. It is so good to have you back. And today we're going to talk a little bit about your decluttering method.

I can't wait to dive in. My moms absolutely love decluttering. We eat this up, but I have to tell you, it is hard for us. It is very hard. And so, I'm hoping you've got the secret for us. And before I tell the listeners what it is you call it, because it's so darn cute, tell us what it is and what it means. Okay.

Myquillyn Smith (3:37)

Well, I'll keep it real short. It's house hushing, which is a decluttering method or it contains that, but it's really a simple method to declutter and decorate for a more peaceful home. And I find that it works especially good for those of us women who love beautiful things, who spend time creating a beautiful home. And it's maybe a little extra hard for us to declutter because we've worked really hard to create a welcoming cozy home.

Dani Watson (4:04)

Yeah. Yeah. Because when we think cozy, sometimes we think stuff.

So how is it possible to have a cozy home? Because I have a feeling, you know, the minute you mentioned minimalism, I have a feeling people are thinking minimalism equals tiny home or no stuff. And how do we have a cozy home when it means getting rid of some things?