Such big plans we had in January. This word… Fearless… seemed like a great choice back then. However, it’s been a word we’ve struggled with (as seen by the lateness of this post). You see, in January we had planned a big Vanilla Beige magazine launch for May. It would have been the month to fearlessly establish our online and offline presence. Fearless. That was what we were to be.
Instead, it is the start of May and anything we had on the drawing board has taken a back seat. Life has gotten in the way and instead of focusing, we were divided. Instead of fearlessly launching something new, we were deep into multiple projects that had taken precedence.
Love is all it takes… or maybe not
Vanilla Beige has been a labour of love ever since it started. In truth, monetisation was always on the cards but since it’s inception, we have never managed to crack that code… be it lack of confidence, lack of effort, lack of need or even lack of want. Often we are accused of not asking. Sometimes we are reprimanded for saying yes for nothing.
Everything you see here has, in fact, been unpaid for (in cold hard cash). We have received free meals. We have received fabulous products as gifts. However, for the most part, we have enjoyed writing, photographing and sharing each and every word – free of charge and because we love what we are doing.
Fearlessness = opportunity
To say this has been a useless or valueless endeavour is far from the truth. Many of the projects that have taken precedence have, in fact, been from people we have met along the way. While this year has not gone the way we imagined it would, being able to accept and continue could actually be considered fearless too.
So instead of talking about fearlessness as being a big bold act. Let’s talk about it as the little things we can do. We don’t believe it has to be an extraordinary thing. Sometimes being fearless means trying something new, even if it’s a small thing like a different food, saying hi to someone you haven’t met before (perhaps a new BFF!), visiting a different cafe or adding a different element to your routine (for me it would be exercise). Even an ordinary act of kindness (as suggested to us on Instagram).
What it means to me
For me personally, the word fearless has taken on new meaning… and here are some examples:
- Taking on new projects even if they weren’t what I expected I would be doing.
- Admitting that I can’t do it all… or even that I don’t want to do it all.
- Learning a new skill, even if it’s not apparent what it will be used for in the future.
- Accepting that I have value in what I do.
- Putting my phone or camera down, walking away from the computer and looking my 3-year-old in the eyes (seriously… fearless!) Then letting him and my 10-year-old know that they are more than my next photograph or story to be written.
- Saying no… and saying yes.
On my board are examples of what has taken my focus from launching a magazine. They are the experiences, projects and brands who have fearlessly trusted me to work with them in other ways. Thank you. Look out for blatant promotion of these brands that I love so, so much!
Fearless inspiration
Here are a few stories that I feel embody the spirit of fearlessness. These writers and contributors have not been paid and have shared their experiences and expertise with us freely. Vanilla Beige would not be the same without them.
Katy – Back on my Yoga Mat
Sabina – A Snippet from the Diaries of Deepest Darkest Suburbia
Sunaina – Nature Talks – My Journey into Natural and Clean Beauty
Mehrunisa – Meatless Mondays make Absolute Sense
Karin – What is a Social Enterprise
I also consider everyone we have ever interviewed or talked to about their business as fearless! Here are our archives.
What next?
Perhaps there will be a magazine, perhaps there won’t. For now, we carry on with what we can. If you ever do see a post marked as Paid or Sponsored, do a little happy dance for us, will you? In the meantime, to support our fearlessness, follow us on Instagram:
- @vanilla.beige
- @vanillabeigeloves
- and our Food & Coffee Lovers Group (feel free to share and comment)
