Thanks to You

The truth about 2025

I had a goal of reaching 500 subscribers by the end of 2025, but I failed.

As of this writing, Black Sheep Mom has 497 subscribers.

Which is the best failure I have ever known.

---

As the wonderful Substack guru Sarah Fay, PhD often reminds us frustrated writers, less than 5% of authors sell more than 1000 books. I recently tried to envision all of our readers in one place and smiled knowing that not even a bookstore could hold us.

Not because I am exceptional— but because I am that bull-headed. I showed up through serious illness. I showed up when I felt alone, foolish, and invisible. I wrote when I felt I had nothing brilliant to say. I kept coming back when people doubted me, mocked me, or left.

And somehow, I stumbled into something miraculous here. Sharing this mess of life with you—even through typed words and emojis—has changed everything. Your comments, your essays, and your care have given me a long-missing sense of community. Some days, you are what gets me out of bed.

In November, after a random DM, I met a beautiful fellow Substacker in person for lunch (hi, Bree Stilwell). I was overwhelmed by the tangibility of our instant, real connection. I now have plans to visit England (hi, Annie Scott) and Cuba (hi, Erin O'Brien) to be with some of the most incredibly supportive and real and honest women I have ever known. *Subscribe and read all of their essays, please.

Frankly, it has been Substack that helped me find the people who make me feel alive and dang it, I’m sticking close to them (to you). I am so freaking grateful to feel so freaking alive.

---

No one asked (and I loathe end-of-year platitudes) but I’ll share anyway—

What I am most proud of in 2025 is that I stood out here on the edge of a personal grand canyon and shouted into the death plunge below me: You don’t scare me anymore.

I jumped, belly out and chest forward.

I wrote the truth as I know it. I admitted things most parents never would or could out loud. I wrote fifty-four essays about failure. I demanded answers from people who intimidate me. I risked comfort, approval, and anonymity. I opened our lives to judgment—and to commentary like ‘don’t commit crimes and you won’t go to jail.’

Yes, thank you, dear sir, and bless your heart.

I know this blog isn’t for everyone and that some will unsubscribe this week and next week and that the numbers will always ebb and flow. I am over all of that. My stats are turned off so unless I go digging, I do not know where I stand on leaderboards from day to day— and I have never cared less.

What matters is that YOU have made me feel seen and heard after years of feeling isolated, shamed, and alone. You have stood in the gaps and prayed for us and shared our story with such care.

Thank you.

---

The 2025 Recap

Here are the top essays of 2025 from Black Sheep Mom, based on reads, shares, and likes, in order of popularity. *For a deep dive into the archives, click here.

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

---

Sending you every blessing as we cross into 2026!

I do not celebrate the new year until the Lunar New Year (February 17th this year), after St. Bridget’s Day (or Imbolc), on the first new moon of the year. Gregorian calendars are bunk and I love Danielle LaPorte for teaching me all about this years ago.

Over the next few months, I will be back with fresh essays, hard discussions, new admissions, new fears, and new calls to action. The work has only just begun on our book— which is (ah-hem) my main focus for 2026. I can’t wait to leak ideas and chunks of my writing to you first!

To read all of our upcoming content upgrade to see behind the paywall:

May all of our shared truths continue to be supported in 2026. Thank you for an incredible first year at Black Sheep Mom. If you can take a moment, please tell me what you are looking forward to in the coming year!