My Favorite Magazines When Inspiration Is Missing
A soft return to work, and a gentle reminder that not all inspiration lives online.
It’s been hard. I lost my grandma a few days ago, and today I’ve been slowly, gently trying to find my way back into work — as painful and disorienting as that feels right now.
But I’ve always believed that creativity can be a soft place to land. A way to process, to reconnect, or simply to be with yourself. And when I thought about where to begin again, the answer came quietly: inspiration.
I’ve been feeling uninspired lately. Or more precisely — tired of the type of inspiration that comes from scrolling. The kind where you see one thing you like, and suddenly your feed becomes an endless stream of that same aesthetic, that same sound, that same formula.
It’s not just the algorithm — it’s also the moment we’re living in. A time where originality often takes a backseat to virality. Where doing something different feels risky, and sticking to a formula is what gets rewarded.
But I miss when cool meant different. I still live in that time, honestly. That’s why I keep turning back to magazines. There’s something about the printed page — the freedom of format, the slower rhythm, the stories that unfold on their own time.
I’ve been collecting magazines since I was a teenager — it’s one of the little obsessions that’s stayed with me through the years. They're my favorite souvenirs to bring home from every trip. Some people buy postcards or mugs — I hunt down beautiful magazines. Over time, they’ve become a kind of personal archive of inspiration.
Beyond the most well-known (and still very inspiring) titles like Milk, AD, Wallpaper, Kinfolk, Apartamento, Openhouse, and Cabana, I wanted to share some other favorites — a few I collect and a few that are still on my wishlist:
A few gems I love (or dream of collecting):
Observador Lifestyle
My Portuguese favorite. Beautifully curated, with a great mix of interiors, culture, and interviews — all with a local flair.
SSAW
Paris-based and biannual, SSAW explores fashion, art, and culture through thoughtful, visually striking stories.
Serviette
A visually playful, bold take on food culture, design, and the intersection of hospitality and creativity. Fresh and fun.
The Gentlewoman
A classic. Smart, sharp, and always inspiring. Profiles of women you actually want to read.
A Passion Thing
A new favorite. From Austria — Fresh perspectives on life, career, and design.
Self Service
Bold, iconic, a little irreverent. Fashion-forward with a real editorial point of view.
Eaten
For the history and culture of food.
Table
Focused on the culture of food and hospitality, Table celebrates conversation, rituals, and good company.
RUM International
A Danish gem with a global lens. Sleek, architectural interiors and modern design inspiration.
The New Era
Celebrating sustainable design, craft, and the people reshaping creative industries with a conscious eye.
MacGuffin - The Life of Things
Each issue dives deep into the story of one seemingly ordinary object — and somehow makes it fascinating. Smart, unexpected, and beautifully designed.
I’d love to hear about the magazines that inspire you. Whether they’re classic or niche, local or international — drop your favorites in the comments so we can keep this little world of paper and passion alive. ✷
If you enjoyed this one, I’d be so happy if you shared it with a friend. That’s the best way to help this little community grow. 💌
See you soon,
Loved this piece. I too am obsessed with magazines! I always love to find a good glossy. Thank you for these recommendations. I'll definitely check them out!