Counting your wins

Finding joy in the hellscape

Hello darlings –

Whew, what a year! Not my best work, to be honest. Not the world’s either, though, so…

I’ve been thinking a lot about how to wrap up this year in a way that doesn’t feel depressing as fuck. Here’s what I came up with:

What are my biggest wins from 2025?

By wins, I mean – what are the points in this year where something happened and I could say FUCK YEAH. (even if I just muttered it under my breath). When was I proud of myself? When was I proud of my coven?

Here are the categories I’m using: what are my top writing wins? What are my top academic experiences? What are my top concerts? What are my top five favorite things I did?

Maybe your categories are different! Maybe you want to count your top five teaching moments! Or your best mentoring! Or your best emails (hahahahah no).

WARNING, excessive exclamation points ahead!!!!!

Top five writing wins:

1. I published a book! It took me a very long time! I didn’t know if it would ever be done! It’s a spite publication! It’s probably my last solo authored work ever!

2. I published another lil book! This also took us a long time! I love descriptive work and we were able to do a ton of it!

3. I got a grant! From an organization that never ever ever wanted to fund me! For a project that I really love!

4. I started several new projects that I really like and am excited to work on for a long time!

5. I expanded my coauthorship networks in very intentional ways to include people that I really like!

Top five academic events:

1. I got to travel the world to interact with cool academics from all over! Mexico, Italy, France, Spain, Canada! All over the US!

2. I hosted an amazing writing retreat in France with Kelly where we got to write in the French countryside and I got so much done!

3. I love the Local Political Economy Conference and each year is better than the last!

4. I love EGEN and I got to attend a ton of events with these amazing scholars

5. I love going places and giving talks and attending workshops and I got to do that and meet smart people and see people I like and get free, good feedback on my research?? How is this life?

Top five concerts:

1. David Byrne

2. Sierra Ferrell

3. Billie Eilish

4. My Morning Jacket

5. Amanda Shires

Top five favorite things I did:

1. Seeing a motherfucking BLUE WHALE from a lil boat

2. Hiking with my friends and amazing views of Mt Rainier

3. My trainer is making me lift heavy shit and it makes me feel really powerful

4. Seeing a volcano spew lava

5. Eating so much good food and drinking so much good wine and beers and cocktails

What does this tell me about 2026:

Adventures are amazing. I want to say yes to all of it. With enthusiasm, excitement, optimism.