Magazine subscriptions that you no longer want can be cancelled and this will greatly reduce your clutter.  If you have an accumulation of magazines then you can sort through them in three stacks.

Keep:  These are magazines that have information that you want to keep handy.  You can either tear out the pages you need and put them in page protectors and neatly stored in binders or you can purchase plastic inserts that allow you to slip the insert into the magazine and then put into a binder.  Label the spine of the binder with the title of the magazines stored there and put on a shelf or bin for easy access.  Keep only those that you absolutely need.  If the information is going to be something that you reference multiple times, then it is well worth keeping. What to do with the keepers?

• There are plastic hangers that allow you to slip a magazine inside a three ring binder by slipping the magazine inside a binding sleeve.   It fits right in the binder.  Use a heavy duty binder as several magazines together are rather heavy.  Group your magazines into categories such as hobbies, useful information, outdoor, household or by name of magazine.
• Store magazines in vintage suitcases.  These can be stacked and used as a coffee or end table or in a corner to add interest.  If you collect books and magazines regarding the same subject, consider grouping these together and creating a designated space for these.  When you are looking for one of the items, you will know exactly where it is housed and therefore, keep your organizational goals. Just a hint: spray the inside of the suitcase or box or container with perfume, body mist or other scentsational stuff so that when you open the container to spend some time reflecting upon your repertories of images, ideas and information, the aroma will be pleasing and relaxing as you drift through the pages.
• There are many beautiful and sturdy magazine files that might match the décor in your home.  These can be placed in groups on shelves in your home office or dedicated office space.
• If you are interested in keeping only one or two items from a magazine, cut them out and discard the rest.  These can be kept in page protectors and housed in a binder labeled with the subject.  Such as kitchen, outdoor/gardening, design, cooking, garage, auto, etc.  You can make color copies so that the edges and page sizes are all the same.  They can also be cut up to make collages in artbooks (purchase at the office supply store) that help to connect themes and give you an overall essence of the idea that you are trying to capture or formulate.
• Give yourself a visual reference by writing on the page what it is you liked or the reason that you kept the item.
• Group these like themes together in a binder. Once in a while, look through them and reflect on the reason why you went to the trouble of keeping it.  A common thread will begin to emerge and you will begin to recognize the beginning of your personal style.
• Remember, this is a use it or lose it area and if you are not going to use these from time to time, they will end up being transferred elsewhere.
• When thinking about a new project, take some time to look through these pieces of information for inspiration.  You will begin to refine your project thinking and eventually, your thoughts will mimic what you have collected in the magazines but with your personal style interacting with it.

Donate

However, if it is something that does not contribute valuable information to your daily life, then it is something to transfer to someone or something else. Before you do anything, make sure that you remove the address label or any other personal information.

• Donate magazines to nursing homes, elderly people that you know who are on a fixed income or someone who would like the information in the magazine (gardeners, photographers, etc.)  What about a new bride or mother who may not have the money to spend on a subscription or frequent book store purchases?
• Schools always like magazines for students to cut up for art and learning projects.
• Doctor, dentist, lawyer offices or any place that has a waiting room.
• Have a magazine swap where you meet with your friends and neighbors for coffee one morning or whatever toasts your marshmallows and exchange magazines together.

Take donations the same day that you go to the post office.  Until then keep the magazines in a container that is easy to carry to take with you.

Dispose

These are magazines that are no longer useful to anyone and they can be put into recycling bins or used as dropcloths for craft projects.  Kids like to make paper airplanes so have a contest with the neighborhood children to see who can make the best paper airplane!

Note: Although we are trying to reduce clutter and simplify your life, it is important to be environmentally aware and reduce the amount of wastes in our landfills.

Beauty Routine:

Today is the day to spend at least 30 minutes exercising . Next month we will add more days that we exercise to develop our cardiovascular health, lower our blood pressure and lose weight. Go out for a brisk walk, jog, or bike ride with your family. Remember that your pet is your family too so while you are exercising, make sure that they are exercising as well. We all want our pets to be happy and healthy and it is your responsibility to provide the opportunity for your pet to get the exercise they need. So gather your family and your pets and go for a long family walk in a park. What a great way to spend and enjoyable day!

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