Declutter Challenge 2026 - Day 3 - Subscriptions

Today is our first day that we focus on the CAPACITY of our sewing room. So look at your shelves, drawers and cupboards, and determine how much volume your space can hold.

Because it is what it is. And the key to a happy sewing room is to not be OVER capacity.

We’ll start with a simple category - magazines and subscriptions. Both hard copy and those sneaky digital ones that overload your inbox.

Ask yourself, with the square footage you have, how much space do you want your magazines to occupy? Then, only keep the quantity that can fit in that space.

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Is this valuable enough to be here?

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Magazines are like the Fast Fashion of the publishing world. They have entertainment value for a month or two then the next issue is out, and you are on to the next article.

Part 1

Today's challenge is to do a pass through your home to gather up any copies that are spread about. Then, decide on which ones you want to keep.

If you have a bigger, or older, collection ask yourself these questions:

• Are you reading the issues?

• Are there certain issues that you revisit?

• Do they spark joy and inspiration when you open them?

• Does anyone else in your home value them?

  
  

I decluttered my magazines several years ago. And with only two exceptions, I try very hard not to bring home any others. l put them on a bookshelf in my bedroom because I read them before bed. But the rest...I just don't have the space for it.

In the past, I have clipped patterns from past issues, but I have yet to use any. So I have realized that I am not that kind of maker. I either design it myself, or I look online. I know that there are many of you with collections. You do you. They might be like old friends to you and bring you a lot of joy. Only you can decide how much self-space they are worth.

Now magazines or news clippings that feature you or your work are different. Keep them for Day 6.

The magazines that you declutter can be donated or recycled.

Part 2

Take a look at your email inbox. How many blogs and sites are you subscribed to that you have not looked at in months? Put on your timer and see how many you can unsubscribe from in that amount of time. Personally, I need to do this once a month as I find they are such a distraction. One will say "SALE," or "new arrival," and before you know it, I have wasted 30 minutes on stuff I don't need.

Part 3

If you have not chosen a project or UFO to work on during the challenge, do it now. Then put on your timer for 30 minutes and see how much you can get done. When the timer goes off, clear your space and set yourself up for tomorrow.

Two videos I recommend for today are:

Lara is one of the amazing people behind Make Modern, the online quilting magazine

How to make a library of stitches, binding widths so you can remember what you have already tried

Handouts

Several of you have asked for a handout to go with the challenge to help you keep track of what you're thinking, decluttering, tasks that need to be finished, etc. I will post one or two each day so that you don't get overwhelmed. These will be available beginning today. Download and print as many copies as you need.

How old is your oldest magazine? Post them online with the hashtag #declutterchallenge2026. And if you missed any of the previous day's challenges, I’ll post the Declutter Challenge Playlist here.

I’ll see you tomorrow for Day Four.

Take care.

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