My 2025 Wrapped: It’s Not FOMO, It’s Loving Everything

That feel when you question everything because you're about to turn 40.

I think about this tweet a lot:

I don’t know if I actually have ADHD but this is me. I am this tweet. Every time I’m trying to focus on a task and my mind starts to wander, I think about this tweet and then I try to lock the fuck in. And that focus has proven more difficult than ever this year in particular.

I’ve spent this past year doing more at the cost of spreading myself too thin — but at the benefit of learning more about myself and what I truly want in my life.

I wanted to start a podcast, so I jumped on an opportunity with a friend, went hard for several months, burned out, and decided to pump the brakes. I started writing a book, signed the contract, started writing, burned out when it was 85% done, but then got my shit together and took it to the finish line with my co-author. I wanted to be fully present and engaged with my kid’s school, so I volunteered every week in the classroom to make copies, sort worksheets, set up arts & crafts, organize cabinets, and then burned out but forged ahead midway through the school year, and decided to volunteer every other month during this current school year.

I thought I was doing all these things out of obligation, telling myself, “You’re lucky to even have these options, so you have to say yes to all of them,” or, “You care about the kid’s school so you have to clear your schedule every chance you get,” but I realized it wasn’t that at all. I was doing all these things because I wanted to do them. I love creating content and jamming with friends. I care about food and value home cooking, so I cook most days. Getting stronger and healing my core means I go to Pilates. I adore my kids, so I go to all their shows and games. I’m hands-on with my older kid’s math homework because I want them to actually understand it — and because I’m weirdly curious about common core math. I’m obsessed with learning how the world works, so I take online courses. And because I can’t resist homemade, personalized flair, I braided my own Rumi wig instead of buying it. These things are all fun and fulfilling to me.

I’m not burned out from obligations. I’m burned out from wanting to do everything.

It’s not out of FOMO. I’m not afraid of missing out. I just love being there. I’m not afraid of choosing the wrong thing; I hate having to choose at all. Showing up with my whole heart — for myself and everyone around me — matters to me. But the great irony is that going pedal to the metal means that I’m often less present day-to-day. I overcooked the chicken because I left it simmering on the stove while I dashed out for kid pickup. I wasn’t paying attention to my toddler’s cute giggling during dinner because I was on my phone. I didn’t work on my book because I was planning the SparkTogether conference, and then I missed my own SparkToro product deadlines because I was busy working on the book.

As I write this, I’m about to turn 40. I spent this year trying to operate at full blast in every area of life, not because I want to be the best, but because I want to be the most realized version of myself. Never has that desire felt more real than when I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and saw the crow’s feet around my eyes for the first time. As someone who’s looked perpetually 14, I was shocked to see myself clearly: a grown woman who’s still asking herself every goddamn day, “Do I want to be doing this?” And as I sought to answer that question, I just piled more and more questions onto my plate. Do I want to be an author? Take a bite. Do I want to be a PTA mom? Chomp. Will I be that friend who designs and prints the custom itinerary for the annual girls’ trip? Chomp chomp. Will I never miss a basketball game, make it to my 7am flight for the conference, and still high-five my husband over his fantasy football win? (Well, no, not that one, absolutely not.) I’ve run full steam ahead. I’m tired, I’m busy, I’m long-winded. But I am happy. I am the most me I’ve ever been.

Maybe it didn’t have to be this way. Maybe if I were smarter or better organized or just more focused earlier in my life, I wouldn’t have so many to-do’s today. But then I wouldn’t be me. I have to braid the wig to know that I hate making wigs. It’s just how I’m wired.

So what does 40 and beyond hold? If this past year was doing too much and suffering the consequences but emerging with greater knowledge about myself, then next year has to be about moving forward, more intentionally, and with clarity — somehow doing less while still doing a lot. After all, I’m getting too old to put up with my own shit.

📚 My Work Wrapped: Learn from my 2025 to have your best 2026

In the spirit of reflection and looking ahead, here are some highlights of my 2025 work that are worth your time if you’re looking to hone your business, marketing, or people management chops:

• My favorite episode of the Meme Team podcast (featuring lessons on intellectual property for creators, and how to know when to sell out): From Taylor Swift to Hailey Bieber: When to Own vs. Sell Your Brand

• The most read blog post I published in 2025 (if you want to stop guessing at your audience and start using actual data, start here): Audience Research: The Complete Guide for Marketers in 2025 (~10k views)

• My most read blog post this year (but I published it in 2024): Stop Making Your Team Own Tasks. Let Them Own Programs Instead. (~20k views)

• My favorite podcast, in conversation with a friend: The Future of Marketing in an Algorithm-Driven World (Creator Alchemy with Cory Wilks)

• My favorite B2B interview; good if you don’t know me: Content 201: High-Value B2B Assets & Measurement with Amanda Natividad (Dreamdata’s Attributed podcast)

❤️ Have a fun and restful holiday season, friends. Thanks for being here.