I’ve started to tackle the last remaining clutter stronghold in our house: the magazines.
I’m currently receiving two magazines a month on subscription {through supermarket deals}, not too much of an issue, but the stacks of magazines from years gone by are; some are from 2005!?! Anyway the great magazine de-clutter of 2011 has started.
Process:
- Take one ring binder with inserts
- Take one small pile of magazines
- Cut out any pictures/articles you want to keep
- Recycle magazine
- Repeat
I’m also instigating a one year rule; one new magazine issue in, one old issue out.
*the photo above is just the tip of the iceberg!
If you’re de-cluttering or minimizing your stuff, what’s the item you’re leaving until last?
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I have a box of ‘precious’ things – mementos, old letters, photos, that kind of thing. That will be the last thing to be decluttered, when I have decided how much space I can dedicate to them.
I sorted through my magazines a few months ago. Out of a pile of 30 magazines, I cut out a handful of clippings. Most of them I haven’t looked at since. Now I very occasionally buy a gardening magazine (mostly over winter, when I am dreaming of spring!, but that is it.
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Laura Reply:
February 4th, 2011 at 4:27 pm
@aurora. I’ve kept a shoebox of mementos + all my wedding phot’s etc. I think we’re all looking forward to Spring!
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If they’re pretty much timeless magazines – gardening or crafts rather than current affairs or fashion, it might be worth offering them on Freecycle/Freegle rather than straight-up recycling them – lots of people would be happy to have them to flick through even if the odd page is missing (although I’d probably mention that in the ad just in case).
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Laura Reply:
February 4th, 2011 at 4:19 pm
thanks Louisa I didn’t think to do that
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I hate clutter…I hate mess…I am beginning to hate things. The process that works for some doesn’t seem to work for me. I don’t even know where to begin. I try, I fail, I try again…and I just feel overwhelmed. Its a daily task to be organized and somehow I want: Everything in its place and a place for Everything!
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Laura Reply:
February 4th, 2011 at 4:23 pm
Misty: It can be difficult and I used to feel very overwhelmed by my stuff..I took baby step, after baby step until I got to where I am now. It can take years. Can you start with just one room and work from there?
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When I went to design school we were required to make these inspiration books, which were binders full of pictures from design magazines. They were meant to be tools for working with clients, if we ever want to show them what a swag is, or show them a certain design style. I put a lot of time and money into my books to make them really great. And now they take up a whole shelf in our office and I have never used them (and am afraid I never will). But it’s just hard to think of getting rid of them.
It took me a while to clean out our baby toys too. I love to declutter, but somethings are harder to let go of.
Good luck with your magazine project!
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You should scan the pages you want to keep and maintain a digital file only. That will get rid of your stacks and possible “now this binder” woes. Win-Win.
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Great idea! It also makes it so much easier now to find the things that you really want.
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My husband sold his magazines in lots on ebay. He made over $100 on them. If you have a full year’s worth of something, it might be worth trying.
Good Luck
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Laura Reply:
February 6th, 2011 at 7:57 am
Thanks Sandy, that’s something I should look into.
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Laura, I can voucher that what First Gen American said is true. I sold whole years (no missing pages) of Victoria and Real Simple and made more than I paid for the magazines…not $100, but still very decent money!
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this has been by far the hardest part for me, but at the same time the most invigorating.
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Laura Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 10:06 am
Hi Paula! De-cluttering can be very hard and I think we all have a tendency to leave the hardest items until last; I know I have.
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