I have loved Real Simple for a long time. I first started reading it when I was in law school, and have been pretty devoted for more than a decade. I noticed that I wasn’t loving it as much as I used to, but thought that maybe the issue was with me. But maybe it is okay to judge a magazine by its cover. If it is, a comparison of Real Simple covers past and present, however, makes me wonder if Real Simple is neither real, nor simple. (Thank you, Linda Richmond.)<\/p>\n

Here’s the December\/January 2000-01 Real Simple cover:<\/p>\n

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And here is the December\/January 2001-02:<\/a><\/p>\n

And here is this December’s cover:<\/p>\n

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I get that they need to change things up over time, but the first two seem to be markedly different than the last one.<\/p>\n

December 2000 & 2001 really were, well, simple. Minimalist, even. I felt no pressure looking at them. In fact, I felt rather calm and as if having a wreath was really all I needed to achieve holiday zen.<\/p>\n

“Okay, self, you can handle this,” I’d say to myself upon first viewing.<\/p>\n

Now, though, it feels like I have to up the ante this year. I have to go from “stress-free” to “SPECTACULAR.”<\/p>\n

“ACK!” is what I said to myself when I saw this.<\/p>\n

It feels like by declaring this the “happiest season ever” that suddenly this Christmas is in competition with every Christmas Past. It also made me wonder about people who are simply not in a position to have the “happiest season ever.” My friend who lost her husband this year is looking to just make it through. She’s not going to have the happiest Christmas ever. She popped to mind shortly after my self-centered freak out, and I wondered how this cover would make her feel.<\/p>\n

Simmer down, Real Simple. Or simple down, if you will. Please think of going back to the old ways, the ways that were a little more toned down and achievable. Real Simple used to be my very favorite magazine. I’m hoping it returns to form soon.<\/p>\n

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Funny quotes about Thanksgiving to tickle your wishbone<\/a><\/p>\n

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