All the Things, 2025 ed.
The most in-depth end-of-year recap I've ever written
I come crawling to you from the holiday underworld, eating chili with toppings at my satellite office (The Brew) and wearing a too-big blazer over a sweatshirt (I am 49, hear me roar!) I’m prone to prolonged self-reflection and grueling stints of interior world-building, so don’t worry, I put my recent physical inactivity to good mental use.
Life ramps up on Monday, launching me into the busiest seasons of my professional life. For now, I am heartened by the thought of Officially Trying for just one day, followed by an immediate downshift into another weekend. Sleep when the baby sleeps/rest in early January when the days bleed deliriously into one another. Without further ado…
All The Things, 2025 ed.
Authoring:
Counterweights launches in 2026!
Have I mentioned my newest book Counterweights: An Essential Practice for Holding Hope in a Heavy World releases on March 24th? All hands on deck!
Much of 2025 was spent with my head-down, writing my 4th book (mostly in secret.) I set out to write the most “Shannany” thing ever and accomplished that. Counterweights consists of 55 short “chapters,” but that doesn’t do it justice. I cannot wait for you to experience it and dive deeper into this hope-restoring practice with me.
You’ve probably heard a thousand authors try to convince you that pre-orders are EVERYTHING. It’s true. :)
Fun fact! The first week I announced this secret book, back in early September, it became a Bookshop Best-Seller. The best surprise! Here’s to sustaining that energy.
:: Paid Soup subscribers, I’ll have some *delicious* updates for you starting next week.
Substack
In 2025, I wrote and published 47 Substack posts. Popular themes were counterweights (duh), weights (mostly political), moral courage, intermittent despair, and ordinary shenanigans. The Soup is consistently ranked as one of Substack’s top Faith and Spirituality publications, which couldn’t happen without you subscribing, reading, commenting (it’s so nice to not feel like I’m hollering into the void) and sharing. (This 2024 post about my faith still feels accurate.)
If you enjoy my work, would you consider supporting it by being a paid subscriber?
Top 5 Substack posts of 2025
Counterweights Weekly
In November I launched Counterweights Weekly. It’s a short (500 words or less) reflection on a political weight from the previous week and a counterweight. Almost 2,000 people have signed up already. Writing two thoughtful, weekly columns (Substack and CWW) has kept me on my toes in the best ways. You can subscribe here. (It’s NOT on Substack and totally free.)
Instagram
Astonishingly, I created 53 Reels on Instagram in ‘25. I’m shook! I have mixed feelings about short-form video in a world draining itself of the ability to focus. I also see the relative risks of building a blink-back platform when the art I bring to the world is long-form writing. All of that to say, I saw meaningful growth on the ‘gram and this is at least partly why.
Importantly, of the 53 Reels, only 3 reached over 500k views and only 7 over 100k. This means the vast majority of them chugged along in the teens and “young adult” metrics. There is real value in consistently showing up to the work with open hands, trusting it will reach the people who need it. It all counts.
Everything feels harder in 2025, including being a creative person on the internet. The IG algorithm has major villain energy and your sister has a book to sell. But the most important aspect of my work is you. I’d rather care for those who are already here than chase imaginary people who aren’t. I take comfort that as “the numbers” rise and inevitably fall, my online spaces become tighter and truer - packed with open-hearted learners who tell the truth and cannot quit hope.
:: Closing out my work updates, I’m thrilled to have hired a part-time assistant to help me with all things book launch. Kayla is my new work bestie, keeping me in line and not minding when I show up to our weekly calls looking a fright.
The Window:
I’m almost to my 6 year anniversary working on staff 2 days/week at the community kitchen. This was the hardest year, due to the sorts of things that can creep in and destabilize all types of work. I’m proud of what I learned through the challenges and that I stayed committed. We’ve turned a corner and I remain wildly grateful for this work and the neighbors I get to work alongside.
Life, in general
:: Cory and I creep closer to an empty nest. Our young adult kids are growing and thriving. Being their mom is a constant reminder of how good this world really is.
:: Cory’s work as Chaplain of the Elkhart County jail continues to expand and flourish. Big updates coming soon!
:: I don’t set reading goals, but I stay reading. I read 50 books: 26 Fiction/24 NF1
:: I thrifted with a vengeance. I found my groove in the men’s department and I now feel unstoppable in a way that might not be healthy, to be continued.
:: I did not darken the door of a Target store in 2025. This isn’t a moral imperative I wish to impose on others. But for me, it works. (read more here)
:: I bought pretty new cookware2 and converted almost my entire undies collection to Evry. (Not an ad! They are life-changing.)
:: I watched loads of television with Cory, cooked my buns off, prioritized meet-ups with friends (with Cory and separately,) hosted beloved guests, met up twice with Emily, felt my feelings, leaned into wanderlust, and constantly reminded myself I’m worthy of rest. (The Brick device has been a game-changer for me. It’s on sale!)
:: I sat in quiet, knitting metaphors and experiencing God in ways that brought freedom and clarity.
I’ll wrap this up for now, knowing there’s always next Friday. I’m thrilled to enter another year with you, brilliant souls. It’s bound to bring trouble, but we’re becoming experts on locating the beauty and carrying it all.
Onward,
Shannan
I will always and forever share the books I’m loving here, as I read them. Find a running highlight of what I’m reading on Instagram.
An affiliate link, because maybe you need cookware, too? I love them!
Becoming your “work bestie” has been a highlight of my 2025! So excited to journey into 2026 with you. Thanks for hitching your wagon to mine. (PS that cookware is gorgeous!)
I'm not sure how to quantify it, but I think I'm most proud of you for hiring an assistant. Way to go, I know it's a big bold step, but it feels like an important one. Not in a "you're so important you need an assistant" way, more of "this is important and you're doing it" way.
Lordt, I hope that translates 🤷🏼♀️ Here's to you, you're truth telling mixed with some good old fashioned blog-esque posts are what keep me wandering back to the interwebs every so often. I've pre-ordered Counterweights (so ready!) but I'll probably never watch a reel, we do what we can where we can 😅.