Intentional publishing

Letting my life’s circumstances dictate where this passion project is taking me, has ensured that there were never any real restrictions as to what was possible. Even a lack of budget simply meant that I would just take a little longer to save up enough money to produce a new issue. The organic process of this when-ready concept also found its way in my vision regarding the quality of production and attention to detail. The publication should be the best of what it can be and if this means I need more time…so be it. The downside of this approach is that it is hard to say when a project is truly finished. Simultaneously, when is the opportune time to start a new issue, as it usually takes me between six to nine months to create one.

Let’s Explore

The above mentioned curiosity-driven intention, translated into Let’s Explore as the title for my magazine and the name of my publishing agency. When I first started with this project, Let’s Explore was mostly attributed to literal exploration, hence the amount of actual travel-related content in the first two issues. But Let’ Explore also stands for a figurative way of discovering. It stands for exploring new territories in terms of different interpretations of the same theme. It stands for both the positive and negative experiences that come with a certain occurrence. It stands for a diversity of storytellers. It stands for the inclusion of as many different voices as possible. And ultimately, it stands for showing a sincere interest in and learning from all of these facets, in order to be able to move forward with new and inspiring knowledge.

Lessons learned from the Perseverance-issue

What I did know, was that the process of making the Perseverance-issue confirmed my belief that everybody has a story worth telling. Because for every story told, there is at least one person out there who can benefit from that story. And one is more than none, so each story matters! Brainstorming with contributors about how to best craft their story to fit into the narrative of the magazine, sharing struggles some of us were facing and exchanging ideas about global events that were taking place, fueled a personal exploration. It was an exploration of my views regarding things like ego, selfishness, selflessness, insecurity, acceptance, fear, inequality and how those views impacted me. But also how it shaped my desire to publish impactful stories that could make a difference in the lives of others.

The ideas that formed around these subjects found their way into my notebook, which serves as a vault for ideas that stay in my mind for at least a month or two. Because if an idea can stick with me for that long, it means that – at some point – I will have to DO something with it. Not necessarily something big or profound. Just … something. Call it closure for the lack of a better word. While on a week-long retreat I gained insights – through exercises and self-reflection – into what I find important and what drives me. It felt like my earlier notes and the outcome of the retreat (in which I formulated a personal intention for the upcoming years) aligned perfectly with the human-interest and social awareness direction the magazine was taking. It felt empowering to experience a clearer path for both my personal growth and the evolution of the magazine.

Curiosity evokes change

These events invigorated me. It gave me a sense of purpose because it looked like I had found a way to use my skills to make a difference. So much so, that it propelled me to go back to school, to learn additional skills, and commit to making Let’s Explore Publishers about something bigger. It culminated in redefining my vision for both the magazine and the publishing agency: “I believe in a world in which people are open-minded and sincerely curious about what others have to say, to learn from the stories of others and strive to live an inspired and inspiring life.”

The mindset I am currently in, could not have been achieved without the making of the Perseverance-issue, my volunteer work on Lesvos, me going back to school and the necessity of staying home due to COVID, which helped me to reflect on what I truly find important. On top of that, this journey was kickstarted by my curiosity, which evolved in finding inspiration in places I did not, at first glance, expect. The long time between publishing the latest issue and this launch of the new theme, apparently, was needed to align my drive with my passion project. Now, the time of thinking and living in my notebook is over. It’s time to actually do something!

What’s your Empowerment-story

The idea of the magazine is to create a publication of inspiring interpretations on the theme Empowerment, which can be presented in countless ways. In order to create a coherent collection of stories, these will – as in previous issues – be categorized in people, places, projects and ideas. Please use this structure to guide and/or inspire you.

My ambition is to publish a diverse, inclusive, open-minded and curiosity-driven magazine, that makes the reader think. By doing so, it can then present meaningful insights about Empowerment and perhaps even inspire change. To make this publication happen, I’m looking for your tale of Empowerment. Please remember, that for every story told, there’s often at least one person who can benefit from that. […] Do not sell yourself short by thinking your story is not good enough!

This also means that you can make empowerment as big as a subject as you like. It can be “small” as in: that which makes you get up in the morning, that which inspires you when your creative juices have difficulties flowing or events that lift your spirits when the walls are closing in on you due to COVID restrictions. On the “larger” end of the spectrum you can think of: stories that amplify the voices of minorities, create awareness regarding gender equality, racial justice, climate change, etc. or ways to find security in uncertain times.

Whichever way you choose to present your interpretation, remember that there is no right or wrong story, no matter how small or big its impact has been. Diversity is key and any form of personal experience (i.e. growth or lack thereof), acknowledgement of possibilities for change in the past/present/future, sharing one’s struggles to feel empowered or a having an inner voice that tries to keep you small, helps shape a narrative that could be empowering in and of itself.