10 under the radar magazines for creative + conscious living

It’s 8:21 am, Sunday. I’ve just arrived at my favorite local coffee shop, plucked the most sugar-laden pastry from the display, and purchased my 12oz latte for here complete with a partial-latte-art-heart a la the perfectly friendly (but not pre-9am obnoxiously so) barista. I’ve had this blog post dancing around my head for weeks now, since one late afternoon work break spent scrolling through Instagram on my phone in bed with the AC on in my sweltering LA apartment led to many a new magazine discovery.

Ever since I picked up Conscious, I’d been on the lookout for other magazines either for creative or conscious living (hopefully both). The majority of the magazines that are read en masse (and yes, I subscribe to a few), aren’t exactly aspirational in the right way. We all know this. Fashion, decor, and lifestyle magazines give you the tools to conform to a certain ideal (that’s honestly not one we as individuals even care to subscribe to): what products to buy, what looks to achieve, etc., whereas these lesser-known (though quite popular on the indie, art, and/or blogger scenes) mags are aspirational in the way they help you reach a more fulfilling life, one that doesn’t just look better on the outside, but actually feels good, truly inspires, and maybe even helps people. I haven’t had the chance to scoop them all up just yet, but luckily most of the print ones even have some online component like a digital mag or a blog.

I am not starting the day inspired. I blew off work Friday (and let me tell you it was a good day) and have each and every bit to make up today, and then my normal Sunday routine (clean, farmers market, this labor of love of a blog). But as they say, you can’t wait for inspiration to strike, you gotta knock down its door.

1. Conscious :: A lifestyle-based print / digital magazine and daily updated website setting out to change the conversation by focusing on positive media, solutions journalism and conscious culture. Positive media is really important and hard to find, not only does mass media focus on the negative, it focuses on a certain kind of negative that’s incredibly filtered. Flipping through this inspires the reader with stories of people making a difference and gives you ways to do join in. Their website is full of great content too. @cmagazine

2. Bunch :: A guide for the daring creative. In addition to the print magazine, Bunch uploads weekly web stories with fascinating profiles of interesting creatives doing interesting things. @bunchmagazine #oneoftheBUNCH

3. Trouve :: A magazine celebrating the creative lifestyle and those who live it. Trouve is French for found, and the magazine highlights makers and creators based on a chosen theme: the current issue is ‘balance’. @trouvemag #creativityfound

4. Darling :: The art of being a woman. I think most bloggers know Darling. They also have good, bite sized editorial pieces on their blog. @darling #darlingmovement

5. Artful Blogging :: {pictured above} Visually inspiring online journals. What I like about Artful Blogging is that you get to know bloggers beyond who are popular on bloglovin’ or Instagram at the moment. You can see more on my recent feature here. @stampington

6. Local Wolves :: A digital + print magazine for creative minds. I found Local Wolves on instagram and it took me forever to actually check out the magazine. They have a unique crafty vibe surrounding their profiles of makers, DIY projects and recipes, wellness articles on things like positivity and living simply. Their current issue on self-love is such a welcome inspiring break from a lot of the online content I’ve come across lately. You can read online or order as well. @localwolves

7. Woven :: Woven Magazine exists to celebrate artists, craftsmen, and makers alike to share their stories of fear and triumph, risk and return. Woven seeks the common thread among people and their stories. Maybe you don’t directly relate to any particular theme, but by reading their perspectives, you become connected. Find their content online + at their blog. @wovenmagazine (Seattle based!)

8. Sand and Such :: A magazine dedicated to sleep and everything around. The concept behind S&S is so intriguing. They publish weekly interviews and articles online (here’s one to get you started) about anything related to sleep–but not just sleep itself: the spaces where it takes place, the lack of it, the ritual of it–with stunning photos. Those titles are how all titles should be written, in my opinion! @sandandsuch

9. Remarkable :: A digital gallery, magazine and marketplace showcasing remarkable humans doing and making remarkable things to help people live better and harm less. The team is based all over the world, so I feel like they really do have a great grasp on global issues and unique perspectives. Read the latest digital issue ‘Power’ or subscribe here. @remarkablemagazine

10. The Great Discontent :: A triannual magazine featuring candid interviews with those who create. NYC based, this magazine focuses on long-form features, short profiles, and film. The digital component is full of interviews on different artists for you to scoop up. @greatdiscontent

I love when I finish a post 100x more inspired than before. Sometimes trudging your way through the creative process is exactly that you need, especially to kick off the day and workweek. Happy reading.