2025 State of the Union
What It Cost, What It Taught, and How I’m Entering 2026
The Big Picture
This year was quite a turbulent one. I got stronger, I cried in the shower, I made a lot of mistakes, I learned a lot, and I gained some clarity. In a word, 2025 was my season of humility.
The 5 Fs
Faith
Win: I have done much better at conversing with God regarding my goals, my future, and struggles.
Loss: I didn’t tithe as much or as often as I should have.
2026 Focus: I’m going to tithe FIRST, as a show of faith to God.
Family
Win: I was able to welcome my newest nephew to the world, and I’ve been a present uncle, despite the distance between us.
Loss: I struggled in the battle between honesty and people-pleasing, especially when it comes to those I’m closest to.
2026 Focus: I’m going to be honest, especially when it’s hard.
Fitness
Win: I deadlifted 315 lbs, benched 205 lbs, and squatted 275 lbs -- all personal records for me and all more than my bodyweight.
Loss: I struggled with my ego and likely focused too much on moving the needle.
2026 Focus: I’m going to trim down over the first quarter of 2026, hopefully getting to the lower teens for my body fat percentage.
Finance
Win: I remade my budget, restarted tracking my income and expenses, and restarted my journey towards financial freedom.
Loss: I wasn’t able to really save any money this year and feel like I’ve been doggy-paddling to stay afloat.
2026 Focus: I’m going to pay off all of my credit card debt and not regain any.
Fun
Win: I had a blast on a cheap boys’ trip with my brothers and had the gall to go cliff jumping!
Loss: I said “no” too many times to friends.
2026 Focus: I’m going to find free alternatives to hanging out with friends and family, so I don’t miss time with them.
Contract to Freedom
I started Contract to Freedom this year with one goal in mind: to help myself and others in a creative, anonymous outlet. I was surprised how much writing down my thoughts would help me breathe a little easier. It’s felt quite therapeutic writing down everything, from embarrassing failures to wins. Not to mention, it’s given me the push to continually track my income and expenses, which helps tremendously!
For this blog, I hope that 2026 brings some readers. I hope someone struggling with debt reads one of my posts. I hope a new nurse reads my Contract Series. I hope someone other than myself benefits from this project. That being said, I hope 2025 was filled with successes and learning opportunities. I pray for blessings and wins in 2026 and beyond.
I’m not entering 2026 with big expectations — just clear priorities and a willingness to keep showing up. See you next year.