If you’ve been around here for a while, you know I love tracking what I read each year as a reference for myself and others.
These posts are part personal record, part recommendation list, and part gentle nudge—for me and for you—that learning doesn’t have to stop when school does.
My 2025 reading list reflects the kind of year it was: a mix of business and finance books to support my transition back to full-time self-employment, faith-focused themes to anchor me, and some just-for-fun reads to balance things out.
This year, there was a lot more fiction in the mix because my girlfriends in Nashville started a book club. I tend to gravitate toward books that help me grow, stretch, and see the world a little differently, so I usually lean much heavily toward non-fiction, but it was a way to stay engaged with them while traveling, so that’s a bonus.
Below you’ll find the full list of what I read in 2025, with links if you want to check any of them out for yourself.
Me (in the circle) at the Charlottetown harbor of Prince Edward Island, June 2025
SIGNIFY was more than my word for 2025; it was both a business name and a compass, reminding me to “make known” what matters most and to live like my life and work are truly important.
Why “Signify” Mattered
Signify has always meant “to make known,” “to be important,” and “to be a symbol of,” which is exactly why I chose it for my business in the first place.
This year, it also became a filter, asking me: Does this choice signify what I value, and is it pointing me toward the life I really want to build?
Work That Signified
My biggest goal for 2025 was returning to full-time self-employment, while shifting my role with Vector Global Logistics to a non-salaried relationship that lent itself to more boundaries.
That change freed up energy to focus on growing Signify again, especially supporting the people and causes that have always been at the heart of my work. I brought on several new clients—including a long-time friend—and it felt incredibly fulfilling to help them succeed in fresh, meaningful ways.
Stepping Into Impact
For the past 18 months or so, I have worked closely with a business coach who helped me prepare mentally and practically for this transition. That preparation made it possible to pivot my services from marketing (a skill I’m grateful for, but not my deepest passion) into Fractional Chief Impact Officer work.
“Fractional” is essentially the newest term for a dedicated contractor who is part of the team but outside the company, bringing specialized expertise to multiple clients. A Chief Impact Officer focuses on the social and environmental impact of an organization, paying attention to both internal and external stakeholders, which is a role I explain more on my company site and now fully inhabit with Vector as well.
Stepping out of Chief Marketing Officer into Fractional Chief Impact Officer at Vector has allowed me to concentrate on the things that light me up—our B Corp Certification, Logistics With Purpose®, charitable giving, emergency response, and other impact-driven projects.
Travel That Meant Something
Travel looked different under the banner of SIGNIFY. After two years of criss-crossing the country, I knew my body—and my chronic health—needed a gentler pace, so I prioritized pet sits of at least three weeks, ideally four or more. That slower rhythm worked beautifully.
I spent over three months in Eastern Canada, where my best friend Heather joined me on Prince Edward Island so we could live out our Anne of Green Gables dreams, and Newfoundland quickly became a new favorite, especially seeing the icebergs up close.
Another large chunk of the year was spent in New England, which continues to charm me with its quaint towns, colonial names, and chilly weather that I truly don’t mind.
There is already exciting travel on the books for 2026, but that story will have to wait. (Follow me on Instagram to see where I go!)
Learning, Community, and Faith
Learning-wise, 2025 was a year of money, finance, and investing—three words that once felt far outside my comfort zone. Near the end of 2024, I read Rich Dad Poor Dad at my coach’s suggestion, and one idea hit hard: I needed to learn how to steward money myself rather than depending entirely on others for financial security.
That insight nudged me into a Dow Janes course, drawn in by their emphasis on values-driven investing, and from there I kept following a trail of resources that helped me feel more informed and empowered. I still have a long road ahead, especially when it comes to long-term planning, but it was a significant step forward.
On the community side, my girlfriends in the Nashville area started a book club. Even though I couldn’t be there in person, I read along from afar and joined the conversation by text. I didn’t always love their picks, but the shared experience helped us stay connected across the miles.
And, spiritually, SIGNIFY called me to my faith in small but meaningful ways. One was that I was able to visit The Ark Encounter on my travels north. That helped me set a great tone for the year. It is an incredible place, and super helpful to visualize things I’ve read in the Bible. Another simple shift was investing in the Abide app, listening to scripture and stories as I fell asleep.
Over time, I’ve learned that simple, consistent practices often carry the most weight, and I tried to let that truth signify my priorities across different parts of my life.
Five Resources to Find Your Word
Read for your own Word of the Year? Here are five resources to help you find it:
One Little Wordby Ali Edwards – A year-long creative practice that invites you to choose a word and intentionally document how it shows up in your life.
Christian Planner Word Generator – An online tool that offers a faith-centered word to guide your next season, especially if you want a scriptural tie-in.
Morgan Harper Nichols’ “Word of the Year Ideas” – A thoughtful list of word prompts paired with reflective language, perfect if you need inspiration or a starting point.
Since I announced a few weeks ago that I was headed to India this summer, I’ve been asked a lot of questions about the trip and my fundraising efforts. So, I thought I’d take the opportunity to answer a few of them here for you now.
Q: When are you going?
A: We’re going in July! We have tentative dates, but may change them based on the cost of airfare. We’ll try to go when it’s most economical during the month. And we’re planning on staying for about two weeks.
Q: Who are you going with?
A: I’m headed there with two friends. This first is Katrell, who founded the organization we’ll primarily be visiting in Darjeeling, which provides education for at-risk girls in India so they may pursue secondary and university learning. The second is Stephanie who is a friend that also works for Katrell.
Q. Where did you meet the women you’re traveling with?
A. I’ve known both of them since 2012. We met when I was volunteering with the Georgia Chapter of Not For Sale.
Q. How are you connected to the organization?
A. Katrell owns a tea shop in Downtown Atlanta, and the proceeds benefit the scholarship program. I loved the shop and the work she was doing, so I have volunteered my time with her by consulting on her marketing and communications for both projects. I have also attended her monthly fundraising dinners several times, and made sure a lot of my friends knew what she was up to—and where they can get a good cup of tea.
Q. How did the India trip come up?
A. Ever since we met and I fell in love with what Katrell was doing, she’s told me I needed to come with her on this trip. She goes usually twice a year for about a month each time, and I have stalked her every time she’s made the journey. She does a great job documenting it! Now the timing has finally worked out for Stephanie and I to accompany her. And I’m so excited to be going with someone who knows their way around!
Q. What will you guys be doing on the trip?
A. The details are still being worked out right now, but we do have a loose itinerary. We’ll stay with the 11 scholars at their center in Darjeeling and spend time with them, helping however we can and learning their individual stories. We’ll also explore the cities of Kolkata and Darjeeling, and possibly Mumbai or wherever we fly into. Additionally, we plan to visit the tea plantation in Darjeeling where Katrell sources her tea. I’m also thrilled that we’ll be connecting with local orgs that are fighting various forms human and labor trafficking in India to learn from their work. And, of course, we plan on having a lot of fun!
Q. Why do you want to go on the trip?
A. This trip is an opportunity for me to better myself, and in turn, the world around me. It is a chance for me to learn more about issues that I’m extremely interested in and passionate about, such as human trafficking, slavery, women’s rights and girls’ education. If you’ve read even just a few posts on this blog, you know those are common threads. They have deeply wrapped themselves around my heart. I read a lot about these issues, watch movies, do some volunteering and attend events, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for me to see it up-close on the other side of the world in a place where it is more common and exposed. According to the Global Slavery Index, India has more slaves than any other country. So, I’m extremely curious to witness the climate that facilitates such an atrocity. I’m ready to meet these people and share their stories with you. And I know it will give me renewed vigor in my local work.
Q. Is this a mission trip?
A. This is a question I get from friends and family in the Church. It is a trip with a mission for sure, but not one like most of you are used to seeing. It is not affiliated with a church or religious organization.
Q. Why are you fundraising for this trip?
A. No one has actually asked me this, but I thought I’d address it as it is a natural question. I actually really struggled with the decision to fundraise. But then I reflected on a few past conversations and here’s where I landed. Predominantly, while this is going to be a fun and amazing trip, it is not a sight-seeing tourist vacation. I very much see it as a humanitarian trip. I will primarily be there to learn and bring those lessons back home with me. If you know me personally, you know I am a natural evangelist for things that I care deeply about. So, this trip will live beyond me. I will find ways to use what I learn, and I will share that knowledge with others whether in the other nonprofits with which I volunteer, my church who will be sending missionaries to live in India next year, articles I write, events I attend or ways yet to be discovered. And the second reason is more simple. In talking with friends in the past about this trip, several of them told me that if I was ever able to go, they would help sponsor me.
Q. How will your funding be used?
A. I’m trying to raise $3,000. Approximately two-thirds of that is just for the airfare. The rest will be food, lodging and transportation within the country. And if I’m able to raise any additional funding, I will happily give that to the scholarship program and their great work.
Q. What if you don’t reach your fundraising goal?
A. Anything that I do not raise, I will pay for out-of-pocket. It will be a bigger strain on my finances than I’d like, but again, I believe this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Q. How can I help?
A. There are three primary ways I’d love your help. The first is, of course, that I’m fundraising for this trip. Any amount you can contribute would be helpful to me. The second way to help is to let me know if you have suggestions and/or contacts for organizations in the areas that we’ll be in. We have a few in mind, but we’re certainly open to ideas! And the third way is to pray for our journey. Though it is not a traditional “mission trip,” prayers for safe travel, making connections, building relationships and more are always appreciated. I’ll never turn down a prayer.
Did I miss any of your questions? If so, just ask! And thanks so much for your time and interest in my trip! To donate or read more about it, you can visit my fundraising page.
**Unfortunately, donations made for this trip are not tax-deductible. I realize that may impact your ability to give, and I still deeply appreciate any consideration. Also, please know that Indiegogo Life, where my fundraiser page is located, charges no fees for its service, therefore all donations will go directly to me outside of your standard credit card fees which are typically around 3%.**
So, if you’ve just started reading this blog recently, you may not know much about me. But I’d like to rectify that now. Here are a few things that might interest you . . .
Language I most want to learn: Spanish. I’ve forgotten most of what I know, but honestly, I’d love to be multilingual in just about anything.
Show I most enjoy binge-watching: Alias
Place I’d most like to travel: Spain
Food I crave most: Appetizers. I love making meals out of an assortment of appetizers.
Pinterest board I use the most:Hair, BY FAR. I’ll never get around to making all those recipes.
Favorite ice cream: Trader Joe’s Coffee Bean OR Bruster’s Key Lime Pie
Biggest fear: Failure
Thing I’m most thankful for: Salvation, followed by grace
Strength I love the most: Faith (second would be independence)
Place I’d most like to live: Probably California, but I’d also love to live somewhere in Europe for at least a year.
Favorite Atlanta eateries: Dr. Bombay’s Underwater Tea Party, di Paolo, Figo, Alon’s, ONE. midtown kitchen, and sooooo many others
Favorite piece of furniture: I have a loveseat made from two movie theater seats. I used to frequent this theater in college so it’s tied to good memories—plus, it has cup holders!
An ability I’m proud of: I’m really good at picking the kind of friends everyone should want and have.
Something I’m not good at and don’t like: Cooking. Despite my best efforts, I’ve yet to rectify this.
A goal I had for this year: Donate hair—just did it!
Biggest pet peeves: Unaware people with strollers and also listening to people eat
A piece of advice I’d give to anyone: You aren’t in control.
Something I love right now: doTerra essential oils
Most interesting previous job: I reviewed restaurants for a short time in a local, Atlanta publication. The publication is no longer in business, but I’m fairly certain that isn’t my fault.
And here are a few other things I posted previously. Now you know a bit more about me. Tell me something about you!
This is a repost of a blog I did last year about this time because it’s a message that still resonates strongly with me, and I hope it will with you too. May your holiday shopping be full of hope and happiness for all.
A few months ago I read Pursuing Justice by Ken Wytsma. I wasn’t expecting the book that it turned out to be, but it was still very good. It sort of turned out to be a Bible study on justice. I would definitely recommend it, and not just for those passionate about the issue like me, but even for the mildly curious. I learned a lot and will be marinating on it for a long time to come.
There were a few things mentioned in the book that stuck with me, but none more than what I wanted to share with you now. Did you know that it costs approximately $21 billion to get clean, safe drinking water to everyone in the world? If you weren’t aware, almost 1 in 7 of the world’s population doesn’t have access to this most basic need. $21 billion. I know, right, it sounds like a lot—like a whole lot! It sounds like scratching our heads and calling summits and raising money and finally reconciling ourselves to the fact that $21 billion is impossible to find in a world drowning in debt. Sometimes it sounds like giving up.
And then I found out…
The National Retail Federation estimates that over $600 BILLION will be spent in November and December this year. I’m sorry, what? That’s just this season. When I think about it, that makes me sick. In fact, the contrast in those two numbers has literally haunted me since I’ve read the book.
I think about people I know that rush around trying to buy gifts, any kind of gifts, for the people on their Christmas list. Mostly those are close family and friends, but usually there’s at least one obligatory gift on there as well. I think of gifts that aren’t bought out of need, but out of courtesy. I think of the stress so many people feel when it comes to the holidays. It seems to be more about putting anything under the tree that caring about what it is, as long as you’ve checked that box.
Something. Has. To. Change.
I love the holidays. I love the chill in the air, and the warm drinks. I love watching Christmas movies. I love decorating my apartment. I love seeing twinkle lights go up everywhere. And I love buying gifts. Gift giving is one of my love languages. It makes me happy to see the look on people’s face when I give them a gift. In fact, the anticipation of seeing their faces when I give them the gift makes me happy! I have always tried very hard, whether it’s a birthday or Christmas, to find the perfect gift that will make the recipient smile. It’s a challenge that I relish.
And, if I do say so myself, I’m pretty good at it. But the last few years, ever since pursing justice myself and learning more about supply chain and slave labor, I’ve tried to challenge myself in a new way. I try very hard to find not only gifts of meaning, but gifts that do good or do not perpetuate slave labor. I’m also an environmentalist, so I try to cut down on packaging and reuse when possible. So, really, I thought I could pat myself on the back from up on my high horse—until I read those statistics.
Now I’m trying to figure out how to do more. I can’t completely give up gift-giving, because I love it so much, but there is more I can do. For one thing, I can help educate you. What if we all started buying differently? What if we started contributing more and consuming less? What if we took a hard look at the real difference between shopping and giving? What if the presents had real meaning, not just for the recipient you know, but those who created it or will benefit from the purchase? What if?
Here is an awesome video by Advent Conspiracy to help illustrate. In fact, they have a lot of great personal and church resources to help you explore this idea. I’m looking forward to reading their book this season.
As I said, I don’t have this all figured out, but I’m trying. I want to contribute, not just consume. I want buy better and think better and live better. And even more, I want that for everyone else. I want it for you, and those you know, and those around the world who don’t have clean water or adequate shelter or who live in fear. We all share this world.
The holidays are a season of hope. Hope, joy, peace—we see those words written on everything this time of year from cards to commercials. What if they weren’t just platitudes? What if we added those to our Christmas list? What if, when we started buying gifts, we kept those three words in mind? Will the things we buy this season promote hope or joy or peace? If not, then let’s not buy them. Find a better alternative. I bet there’s one out there.
There are so many more, though, so keep looking! And if you need to go the department store route, you could even institute your own TOMS-esque one for one model. For example, if you give someone a shirt, donate one as well. Challenge each other to be better, think creatively and give more.
Give gifts that tell stories, and write yourself a new one in the process.
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And here’s a great article from the TODAY Show about families who try to put more meaning into gifts and the holidays.
Here is another from LearnVest, a money budgeting site if you’re looking for a more frugal point-of-view.
One more from journalist/activist, Nick Kristoff, whom I greatly admire.
DID I MISS YOUR FAVORITE RESOURCE? PLEASE ADD IT IN THE COMMENTS SECTION! I’D LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT IT.
Mental Post-Its 