I am staggering into the end of the quarter-century channeling the vibe of poor Santa and his trusty reindeer above — which is to say, feeling like the air and energy has been sucked out of me. As I whined in my last newsletter, it has been a chaotic couple of weeks — months — even without the arrival of the hellidays and all their assorted stressors and shenanigans.
This was a weird and challenging year in many ways, both personally and professionally, and I’m kinda ready to turn the page on it. That said, it went by in a blur: I still can’t quite get my head around the fact that 2025 will be over in just a couple of weeks. Seems like just yesterday when everybody was freaking out about Y2K and the catastrophic global meltdown projected to result as that newly extra zero in 2000 screwed up the works in every technological or computer system on the planet.
Considering the current state of the world, all that hand-wringing feels almost quaint now. Seems like there’s never an end to the bad news these days, and recent headlines are downright horrifying.
But therein lies one of my most important goals for the new year: continuing to focus on the mantra I learned at the aforementioned M/Power Retreat at Canyon Ranch (perhaps my most plum assignment of 2025). I’ve mentioned it before, but it bears repeating: I will insist on focusing on that which is life affirming, even — and especially — when there’s so much chaos and insanity swirling around. (Case in point: I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve reminded myself of the mantra already this helliday season).
I ho-ho-hope you’re already subscribed, but if not, you know what to do:
2025 Wrapped: My Favorite Bylines of the Year
In an industry that’s tougher than ever for freelancers — folding magazines, ghosting editors, AI’s ongoing assault on the written word (hat tip to Merriam-Webster for selecting “slop” as word of the year) — it’s always uplifting to celebrate the wins despite the constant challenges and obstacles. I wasn’t nearly as prolific in 2025 as I have been in some years (see: all of the above). But I still managed to hit my longtime professional goal of breaking into three new markets (The Toronto Star, Smithsonian, and NetJets Magazine). I did several stand-in editing gigs, which I always love. And I landed a major project, too: writing National Geographic’s 100 Haunts of a Lifetime, which will continue to keep me plenty busy in 2026.
And even after all these years in this crazy biz, I still get a kick out of seeing a story I’m proud of go live. Here, a few of my favorite ones from 2025.
Afar: How Perimenopause and Menopause Retreats Are Helping Women Understand and Demystify the “Big Change”
Smithsonian: Meet the Dedicated Volunteers Who Honor World War II’s Fallen American Service Members by Adopting Their Graves
Afar: Why I Always Visit a Cemetery When I Travel (plus a podcast appearance!)
CNN: ‘It feels terrifying:’ Why some Americans are anxious about traveling abroad under Trump
Robb Report: Why Water—Yes, Water—Is Now the Hottest Amenity at 5-Star Hotels
Afar: What It’s Like Sailing Norway With a Cruise Line That Guarantees You’ll See the Northern Lights
CNN: Final destinations: What happens when the dead go traveling (NB: I’m not at all a fan of this headline, but it wasn’t my call, alas)
New York Post: Cheeseburgers in paradise? Fast food is coming to your next first class flight
The Toronto Star: I’m a Bridget Jones Superfan. Inspired by Her Latest Movie, I Traveled to London to Follow in Her Footsteps
CNN: A 400-year-old tea and coffee shop faces closure in Amsterdam as tourism stokes price rises
And That’s a Wrap, 2025!
Starting tomorrow, after I wrap up one last assignment, I will be taking some time off and filling my cup with Florida’s finest offerings: runs along the water, kayaking in the bayou (with, hopefully, plenty of dolphin sightings), and, of course, plenty of downtime with the fam.
As always, I cannot thank you enough for reading this newsletter, commenting, reading and sharing my work, all the things. Your support means the world. Wishing you and yours a peaceful, fulfilling holiday and good things ahead for 2026.
See you next year,
Blane
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