Trusting the Magic of New Beginnings
Whim’s Editor shares a little update about where we’ve been and how we’re picking up the torch once more.
I started Whim almost 10 years ago at the age of 22. I’d just come back from a trip around Europe with my friends, after having graduated from Uni. I was also about to embark on studying a second degree, Journalism. I was obsessed with blogs and magazines and wanted my own little space on the internet to explore all of the beautiful things that inspired me.
Over the next 5 years, I worked on Whim in every spare moment, often into the early hours of the morning. It might sound like a lot, but I loved the journey it was taking me on. From being a judge for a national creative awards show and travelling interstate to attend fashion showcases, to having the honour of featuring the work of hundreds of inspiring creatives around the world - there were plenty of ‘pinch me’ moments.
But then, of course, the responsibilities of adult life got in the way. Mortgages, saving for a wedding, and paying bills. That’s when it made sense for me to allow my other dream to take precedence: pursuing my own freelance writing full-time.
My freelance writing has consumed much of my time these past few years and I’m incredibly grateful for the success it allows me. Writing has always been my first love, and it’s wonderful to be able to do this for a living. I am often in disbelief at the inspiring companies I get to call my clients.
Over the years, however, Whim became a dream stuffed in a shoe box and placed on the top shelf of my closet. I knew I’d open it up again one day, but when that day would arrive, I didn’t know.
The truth is, I’ve felt it gnawing at me lately, especially any time I find myself in awe of an artist, a collection, or a new photoshoot. Although I put it out of sight, it could only be out of my mind for so long.
Then it happened. I found myself feverishly shooting emails off to creatives who inspired me and whose work was simply too beautiful for me not to explore.
I’m really excited to announce that I’m picking up the torch one more. There is just something about this second (or third?) time around that feels right. The other week, I read a quote about how sometimes we have to have to step away from a dream to appreciate it more. And then through this process of stepping back, we’re able to pick up on our dream again with more experience and knowledge than we had before.
Even if Whim is the passion project I work on in the amber glow of early morning, it’s the passion project my life is all the more richer for. And to be honest, I hope it can become the dreamy platform your life is all the more richer for as well.
Stay tuned for our first feature of 2022 going live on the blog tomorrow. Trust me, you won’t want to miss this one!
Melanie xx