Real Simple Thanksgiving…an Oxymoron or Simple Truth?

All right guys, it’s exactly a month to Thanksgiving, a perfect time to get some ideas from all of the magazines on the newsstands right now. We start this week with my favorite, Real Simple. I devoured their Thanksgiving issue in about two hours, maybe less and it was chock full of great ideas, and as usual, heartwarming stories. And yes, full disclosure, it’s my favorite.

The first thing that appealed to me was the title, “Feel Organized for the Holidays.” Love it. It’s a title that will appeal to all Organics, Fun Freedoms and Classic Freedoms. Why? Because we deal far more in emotion and “feelings” than in fact and reality. Our decisions are subjective…much more room for interpretation. But it also gives us a loophole. Doesn’t matter if we think we are organized (because frankly no one thinks they are) it’s about how we feel. And us subjective types can make that happen through sheer will. So do it now! BELIEVE you are organized and you will be.

Okay, if that doesn’t work, Real Simple has a lot of great ideas for the holidays. Tons of great recipes, plus their “perfect turkey” recipe, which is just a tweak of the one from two years ago that we published last year. Click here for that recipe. The difference? This year they don’t put tons of chicken broth in it and they don’t tent it the whole time. I’m just a subjective decision maker, but it seems like doing this will make the turkey a bit dry to me. And no, it doesn’t have to be.

I was so loving all of the different recipes and that’s not surprising. I believe that Real Simple appeals mostly to Organics and Smarts It’s basic, lots of room for dreaming, and gorgeous photo shoots. Plus tons and tons of recipes and there are always some heartfelt and lovely essays about the meaning of life and what’s important. At one point I was reading, thinking, oh my God, how many side dishes are you supposed to make? I want to make them all and that’s crazy, especially since I’m only having 8 people for dinner, and that’s 5 adults, maybe 7. And then, um, I actually read the whole magazine and found that they had a whole bunch of suggested menus. Cool beans. That’s a great service for the big picture, connection making thinkers, which, um is the Organics and Smarts.

Also, so funny. I often read the editor’s note and the beginning, and she is a list maker, which makes her a Smart Structure, Organic Structure or a Classic. 

Do you ever lie in bed at night and mentally go over your to-do list from the day, reviewing everything you accomplished? I do, particularly at this time of year. Goofy? No doubt. But it helps me feel organized, which may not be what life is all about, but some days it sure feels as if it holds a greater meaning.

Goofy? No! It’s just who she is. Most likely an Organic Structure or Classic Freedom. I, um, I can keep myself up with all the crap I have to do, but it’s no list. More like a swirling vortex. (Organic Freedoms are not list makers). So, she goes on to say that everyone should put something on their To Do list that someone will thank you for. Noble indeed. Now for Funs, Organic Freedoms and Smart Freedoms, just DO something, forget the list. The rest of you? Yes, good idea.

And yes, Aunt Barb, you would love this magazine. Get a subscription!! And buy the Thanksgiving issue for some inspiration.