Do you struggle with magazine and/ or newspaper clutter? For many years I hated to throw away any magazine or newspaper. Thankfully I didn’t subscribe to many of either, but I was just sure I would need the magazines for a homeschooling project or a decorating idea, and the newspapers for wrapping packages or Christmas ornaments.
I had stacks of magazines everywhere in my home, bookshelves, bathrooms, next to the bed, under the bed, coffee tables, end tables, baskets, bins, etc. Then we moved and all the magazines were packed up in boxes. I didn’t unpack the magazines and some time later we had a flood in our storage area. When I opened the boxes they were filled with soaked and ruined magazines. I threw the boxes away and was sad that many of my favorite magazines were gone forever.
The interesting thing is that while the magazines sat in storage and after I threw them away I never missed them. Not once. This was a great lesson for me, because once I realized those magazines cost me more than I gained, I decided it wasn’t worth it for them to clutter up my home.
Does clutter cost you time, peace of mind, or happiness? This weekend identify something that is robbing you of your joy. Throw it out, donate it, or sell it on Craig’s List. You’ll be glad you did.
I have several expandable file folders…labeled for websites to look at, home ideas, childcare ideas and recipes…when I flip through a magazine and see something, I immediately rip it out to stash in the folder, then I can throw the bulk away.
Are you a fly on my wall?
Yesterday and today I decided to tackle my magazine stash. I really didn’t think I had very many–but boy did I ever! I would hide the unread magazines in baskets so company wouldn’t see them. Little did I realize my 1 basket turned to almost 7 full ones!!!
I rip out the pages of interest and store them in binders. I have one for recipes, gardening, our home addition (I put my decorating ideas and the window/doors/cabinet plans in there), and my home management binder (I put projects we want to tackle eventually in my Projects Section). This way I don’t have to flip through an entire stack of magazines, only to flip through 20 pages to find what I needed.
I know, I was writing my post when I saw you talking about it on skype! Too funny!
I don’t know why I’ve kept my Parenting and Parents mags since 2007. Do I seriously think I may revisit them?
Just last week! I had a pile of magazines out in the garage (stacked up all neatly, mind you) that I couldn’t bear to throw away b/c I wanted to go through them…
Then we unexpectedly find out we’re moving this summer and in my flurry of de-cluttering I just threw them all away. My 14yo had to help me drag the recycling bin to the curb, it was so heavy. I have a feeling I won’t even miss them.
I used to keep all of my magazines in fear I would need to reread something. They completely took over any extra space I had in the house. Now I purge them every 2 months. Honestly with all the information on the internet I don’t really need to keep them.
Wish I could get my husband to do this on a regular basis. Thankfully they are mainly in the bedroom and bathroom but such an eyesore! I usually donate my magazines to the library after 3 months or so.
I have subscribed to Outdoor Photographer for years. I finally quit getting it becuz of the repetition of articles, after reading for so many years. But I loved the photos. I used to have piles of them, then downsized to keeping my favorites and the landscape special they put out once a year. I’ve downsized alot of them, just as you say, didn’t miss them when they were in storage. I now get a free Photo Media magazine I pick up 3x a year at a store. I rarely get magazines because of the price. I’ve just been recycling in bin that goes to curb 2x a month, with old magazines. Thanks for your inspiration!
Wonderful post! So true, so true. When we moved several years ago we donated so much stuff. There are only two things that I’ve thought of since then…and I truly don’t even miss them!
I have all these old Architectural Digest magazines in the garage. Do I seriously think I am going to read them?
Great post=great motivation.
I needed to read this.
THANK YOU!
You have no idea how bad my weekend has been because of clutter. We had a fire in our kitchen last month and are still cleaning up after it. I didn’t realize how much clutter we had until we had to take on this major remodeling process. It’s a nightmare! Thank you for this post. I want to become a happy housewife… and I think getting the clutter out of here for good would be a good start.
I LOVE magazines – and I hate to throw them away, esp really great mags with tons of good articles. I’ve tried to tear out the articles, but have a hard time following a good filing system. One thing I’ve done with my favs are keep a couple years worth and file them by month – and thenI dont feel so bad if I dont renew – I can just look at the old ones. But in general I need to get much better at just throwing them away!