Long Live the Paper Magazine! Huzzah!
There’s something magical about flipping through a paper magazine. The glossy pages, the curated content, the way it invites you to slow down and savor the experience and escape into the moment. For a while, I drifted away from them, thinking I could find everything I needed online plus I'm trying to be more of a minimalist and not own so much stuff. But Y'all! the regret is real—especially after I foolishly got rid of my beloved collection of Martha Stewart Living magazines. (Yes, I still grieve them-frequently.) These days, I happily subscribe to Architectural Digest, Victoria, Southern Living, and Real Simple, and I love the hunt of a new magazine from a newstand, and I’m here to say: magazines are worth bringing back into your life.
Here’s why.
A break from screens. We spend so much time staring at digital devices—working, scrolling, answering emails. Holding a magazine in your hands is a mini vacation from the glow of screens, giving your eyes (and brain) a much-needed reset.
It feels like a little luxury. Carving out time to sit with a magazine and a cup of coffee or your favorite beverage feels indulgent in the best way. It’s a moment of pause in a fast-moving world—a time splurge that doesn’t cost much but delivers big on relaxation.
Your brain processes print differently. Studies show that we absorb and retain information better when reading on paper versus a screen. There’s something about the tactile experience of turning pages that helps ideas stick. This is one reason I miss my Living's- I remember the images on the page that had recipes and projects I can no longer find online.
Not everything is on the internet. We’ve been tricked into thinking we can Google anything, but that’s simply not true. Some of the best recipes, decorating ideas, and thoughtful essays live exclusively in print. Once that issue is gone, so is the content—unless you’ve wisely kept your collection!
It supports writers, photographers, and creatives. Buying a magazine—whether by subscription or at the bookstore—helps keep print alive. It supports the talented people who create these beautiful, inspiring publications.
The joy of discovery. Flipping through a magazine often leads you to ideas you wouldn’t have searched for online. A beautifully designed tablescape, a travel destination you never considered, a forgotten ingredient that inspires your next meal—these moments of unexpected inspiration are what make magazines special. As one of an mmm older age, it is also why I miss card catalogs and encyclopedias - I miss all the things I discovered on the way to my destination.
They make the best coffee table companions. A well-placed stack of magazines adds warmth and personality to a home. They invite guests (and yourself!) to pick one up, flip through, and get lost in its pages.
Pass them along when done. You don't have to keep them if you're watching clutter. many Nursing homes and retirement communityes enjoy recieving them and letting the residents read them. They are also great from children's groups for art projects and for your next vision board group.
If you’ve let magazines slip out of your life, consider bringing them back. Subscribe to a favorite, pick one up at the bookstore, or rediscover an old issue tucked away on a shelf. Take one with you and read in the park or while waiting for an appointment. There’s a certain magic in holding a beautifully curated collection of words and images, and I, for one, am not ready to let it go. Long live the paper magazine—huzzah!
PS: If anyone has the Martha Stewart Living Hot Spiced Lemonade recipe please share it with me, it's no longer on her website.
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