Reflecting on 2025: Lessons and Gratitude from the Year
A heartfelt celebration of growth, challenges, and the beautiful community we’ve built together
As the final pages of 2025 turn, I find myself sitting with a warm cup of tea, thinking about everything this year has held—every small victory, every unexpected challenge, every moment of growth that shaped our story. And woven through it all is you—this wonderful, encouraging, supportive community that makes Books by Rimes more than just a website. You’ve made it a home.
Before we step into a brand-new year, I want to pause… breathe… and take time to reflect on what 2025 has taught us.
This year wasn’t perfect. No year ever is. But it was rich—full of lessons, creativity, connection, and a whole lot of heart.
🌟 Lessons 2025 Taught Us
1. Growth Happens in the Quiet Moments
Some of our biggest steps this year were the ones no one saw: early-morning planning sessions, late-night brainstorming, small brave decisions, and the gentle persistence of showing up every day.
Whether it was writing, creating homeschool materials, filming storytime videos, or developing new breathing exercises, 2025 reminded me that growth isn’t always loud. Often, it’s quiet… steady… patient.
2. Creativity Blossoms When We Make Space for It
This year, I watched creativity unfold in beautiful ways—through toddler meditations, SEL lessons, preschool units, holiday activities, and all the imaginative tools we built together.
And every time you downloaded a resource, shared a post, sent a message, or used one of my materials with your little ones, it confirmed something: there is magic in creativity when it’s shared.
3. Community Is the Heartbeat of Everything
One of the most powerful lessons of 2025 was this: no matter what we create, it becomes so much more meaningful when others join in.
Your encouragement, your stories about using the materials with your children or grandchildren, your wishes for your homes and classrooms—these moments kept me inspired. Every message reminded me that our work here reaches real homes… real families… real hearts.
4. Challenges Aren’t Setbacks — They’re Teachers
This year brought challenges, too. Moments of doubt, days when projects took longer than expected, and seasons where life asked me to slow down.
But challenges taught me resilience.
They taught me flexibility.
They taught me that meaningful work takes time — and it’s always worth it.
Most importantly, they taught me to trust the process… even the messy parts.
❤️ A Year of Gratitude
As I look back on 2025, my heart feels full. Not because everything went exactly as planned, but because so much good grew from imperfect places.
I’m grateful for…
The families who welcomed my stories, worksheets, and breathing techniques into their homes.
The children whose imaginations soared and whose calm moments blossomed.
The educators who used Books by Rimes materials to bring learning and peace into their classrooms.
The grandparents (my people!) who snuggled up with little ones and made memories through books.
The homeschoolers who trusted me with part of their days, routines, and seasons.
The readers who returned week after week, reminding me that writing truly connects us.
And most of all…
I’m grateful for the chance to create.
It is a gift I never take for granted.
📖 Looking Back at What We Built Together
This year held so many meaningful projects and milestones. Some highlights:
✨ New breathing exercises
From Dragon Breath to Snowflake Breath, children across the world found simple tools to calm their bodies and express their feelings.
✨ New preschool and homeschool units
Outer space adventures, seasonal activities, SEL lessons, and early literacy tools all found their way into the hands of loving families.
✨ New stories and guided meditations
We stepped into magical gardens, bedtime forests, and imaginative worlds that helped little ones settle, rest, and dream.
✨ New holiday resources
Printable fun, countdowns, book ideas, and cozy traditions made the season brighter for many families.
✨ Continued growth of our community
More readers, more families, more conversations, more shared joy.
Every project was created with intention and care — and knowing they touched your homes makes them even more special.
🌲 Moving Into 2026 With Hope
As we say goodbye to 2025, I’m carrying forward a deep sense of gratitude and an even deeper sense of purpose.
In 2026, I hope to bring you:
More joyful preschool units
Even more creative breathing techniques
New stories and meditations for calm, imagination, and bedtime peace
More tools for connection, mindfulness, and family traditions
And a continued commitment to making Books by Rimes a place of comfort, creativity, and community
This little corner of the internet has become something beautiful — because of you.
💛 Before We Close the Chapter…
Thank you for being here.
Thank you for believing in the power of stories.
Thank you for giving your children the gift of imagination and calm.
And thank you for sharing part of your year with me.
I am so proud of everything we created together in 2025.
And I cannot wait to see where 2026 takes us.
From my heart to your home — wishing you peace, joy, and gentle moments as you celebrate the end of 2025. Here’s to a beautiful year ahead,
Christi
