Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Cleaning Out

Yesterday, I canceled all my magazine subscriptions. No more Real Simple organization tips, no more Martha Stewart Christmas ideas, and no more (tear!) Country Living. Country Living holds a special place in my heart, because I've been taking it since freshman year in college when I just wanted mail. But no more! I'm too much of a hoarder to have three hefty magazines coming to me every month. Plus, I haven't had the time to read them, and I've been a couple months behind for awhile.

As the straw that broke the camel's back, I've had some ethical issues with a couple of the magazines: Real Simple is so careful not to make any judgments on anyone's lifestyle, but in an article on budgeting, the first thing they suggested be eliminated was a person's tithe. Sure, it's okay to spend money on a feng shui specialist to come to your home, but heaven forbid we tithe. Anyway, that kind of ticked me off. And Country Living has always been a proponent of the homosexual lifestyle. They showcase a home almost every month that someone and "his partner" built together, and it's finally gotten on my nerves enough to cancel.

So that's that. In one day, I feel like I've significantly decluttered my life. Next to tackle: my piles of papers that reside in the house.

8 comments:

  1. Yup, I'm just filing away magazines that I've never even opened. At the moment, I think most of our subscriptions are up.

    ReplyDelete
  2. @Karen: Yeah, I figure I won't be getting any MORE free time when Caleb comes, so if I can't fit it all in now, I certainly won't be able to then, either. Someday I think I'd like to take Southern Living, but it might be awhile from now.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I only get one magazine (Victoria - I love it!), but I've kept all the past issues, so I've got a pile going, too. For the kids, though, I cheated... I ordered a free American Girl doll catalog for the Princess and free Lego magazines for the boys. That way, they feel like they're getting some really cool mail, but I'm not spending anything for it. Until they start begging for stuff, that is, but luckily for me, I'm good at saying no. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. You are so good! I've been trying to declutter for 2 years, now (by the way, toys will soon start to take over your house)...unfortunately, I've recently jumped on the freebie bandwagon and have 4-5 new (free) subscriptions coming (2 of which are the ones you just cancelled)...sigh.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Well good for you. I'll let you borrow mine if you start go to into withdrawal. I fluctuate from not having any to really wanting one or two mags around the house. So who knows I may be going on a break too.

    And Southern Living has gotten skimpy lately! and they do throw in the token 'partners' too. They're the only ones that can afford to fix up houses and cottages so cute anyways...

    ReplyDelete
  6. I just hate all the ads. It is like you are not getting what you spent on it. And I don't reread. I read it once and then don't look at it much again. I only get one now. And I bought it because it was super super cheap. Like $12 for two years or something. (Better Homes and Gardens)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I LOVE cleaning and organizing! paper stacks....let me at em'!

    ReplyDelete