It's incredibly valuable to reflect at the start of a new year on what came before. 2025 has been a very rewarding year personally.

After doing some journaling the word that came to mind to describe this year is 'chrysalis'; the cocoon made by caterpillars before they transform into butterflies. This has been a chrysalis year for me as I grow as a writer.

My two main projects; my book and movie, are on the precipice of emerging from their transformation cycle and coming out into the world. I can't wait to share them. Hopefully soon!

"What gets measured gets managed" as the saying goes. I tried to find ways to measure the things that I wanted to improve upon this year without it taking up a ton of effort. My Calendar did a good job of letting me know just how much I was able to do this past year.

Here are a few highlights

I Read 15 Books

No real rhyme or reason to my choices - I try and read something pulpy and then something that might help me grow. I would like to read more classics but I keep finding other books that I want to read.

I Worked Out 102 Times

I manage to get an average of nearly two workouts a week. I can give myself a lot of excuses about how busy I am but that is definitely the area where I fell short of my personal expectations.

I Made 44 Sketches

I wanted to sketch once a week and I fell short of that but overall I got closest to my goal with regard to sketching. I will need to do some formal art training in order to get to the level I would like to achieve but I am content just in the act of paying attention to the world and trying to capture the beauty I notice.

I Published 20 Essays, 13 of them Professionally

Most of my mental energy was focused on writing this year so its no surprise that this is the area that showed the most progress. I am beyond happy with my writing journey. I was hoping that I would be able to publish 3-4 essays and I managed to publish over a dozen.

How Sketching Supports Learning in Science
When high school students patiently sketch something like the growth of a plant over time, they learn skills that go beyond science.
George Lucas Educational FoundationSelim Tlili
From Truman to Trump: Lessons in statistical humility in math applications - The Educators Room
An educator uses historical and contemporary political examples to teach students how to critically evaluate data, recognize bias, distinguish correlation from causation, and build stronger, evidence-based arguments.
The Educators RoomSelim Jamil

I was Interviewed for my First Podcast!

I wasn't seeking this out but I was very grateful to do it. The Podcast wouldn't have been possible without the writing. I hope to find other opportunities to talk with people in this format.

I Publicly Launched Sketching for Science

Sketching for Science
Sketching for Science is transforming how science is taught throughout the country. We believe that science education should be an inherently creative discipline that sparks curiosity and ignites joy as we directly observe and explore the secrets of life and the universe.
Sketching for ScienceExpertise, not rank, saves lives: School safety after Abby Zwerner

This is a big deal for me. Having a place that shows what I believe and what I have that is worth sharing is important. I didn't think having a website would be so fulfilling but it reminds me that I have things that are of value.

I completed my book, Sketching for Science, due to be published in the new year!

The journey of writing has been one of the most fulfilling things I have done in my adult life. Crystallizing the thoughts that occupy me so that they can be useful to other people is a daunting process. I am not a detail oriented person by any stretch of the imagination so to write a book has required me to stretch my capacities beyond what I thought would be possible.

I have worked to share the best that I am capable of creating

There is something wonderful about knowing that I am trying to give the best that I have to offer the world. I hope my book and movie are well received. Regardless how they are received by the general public I will look at both of these projects and honestly say without a shred of doubt that I put 100% of my effort, determination, intellect and willpower into sharing the best that I am currently capable of making.

I can't wait to share more of the joys of the next year with you all. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking time out of your life to read my thoughts and share your opinions. It means the world to me! Wishing you all a joyous 2026.

Thank you 2025