Into the Light
BY EMMA GEARY
Issue 02 Cover
For Issue 02, our theme is Connection. Overused as a buzzword, it can feel diluted, but at its core, connection is simply the gift of feeling seen. Whether through a conversation, a book, a photograph, or a work of art, there’s magic in creating something that lets our inner selves step into the light.
Illuminating the way are glimmers–micro moments of joy that evoke a sense of well-being. A warm cup of coffee between your palms. A friend calling at the perfect time. The smaller, the better.
I first learned about glimmers from my therapist, who invited me to notice more nanoseconds of bliss. Suddenly, they were everywhere: ducks waddling by the lake, sunlight on my bookshelves. The term, coined by clinician Deb Dana to describe positive triggers in our nervous system, has since gained popularity on TikTok, with thousands of videos as people connect over their own tiny moments of magic.
To me, glimmers and connections are intertwined: both unexpected, visceral opportunities to crack open a window and let in the crisp air of something new.
The best part of publishing Issue 01 was hearing from readers who found the magazine itself to be a glimmer—whether they discovered a (free!) copy in a local shop or flipped through it on a friend’s coffee table. We were thrilled to see the magazine reach readers across the country, spreading the local love for our wildly talented, vibrant Northern corner of the world.
Issue 02 creates physical space for local writers, photographers, and artists to step into their own light. Sophie Vilensky built an unlikely community in her neighborhood on page 26, and Rachel Hardacre illuminated her playful side on page 52. Moona Moono was designed around shared discovery, and we explore how they foster connection through Asian culture on page 22. Plus, Minnesota Lynx player Alanna Smith shines a light on her fashionable side off the court on page 12.
No matter where this fall takes you, I wish you a season of feeling seen. Cheers to the glimmers, even on our coldest days.
xo, Emma
Editor-In-Chief of Collective Magazine
Emma Geary
Emma is Collective Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief and LAB’s Brand + Editorial Manager. She loves getting lost in a story and is sharing her own on her Substack, Hot Girl Walk. Find her staring at the sun on her daily lap around Lake of the Isles.
