This is a public issue of Enthusiastic Encouragement & Dubious Advice. Feel free to share it!

Hi friends! I’m writing this way ahead of my normal schedule because I’m doing my best to take this week off from sitting in front of a computer, at least until after Xmas day. I refuse to do any goal reflections and goal-setting until after Xmas so you’ll hear about that next week. I have some plans for the EEDA ecosystem including updates to the frequency and shape of this newsletter. You’ll hear about that in 2026 as well.

I do want to share something that was shared with me, in case it helps you reflect on this past year and think about what you want to create next year. It’s called YearCompass and it is a FREE booklet that guides you through reflections and goal-setting. I recognize that goal-setting can mean different things to different people and it can also come with its own baggage and traumas. YearCompass seems gentle and supportive and I wanted to make sure you all knew about it.

I hope that the rest of 2025 is joyful and gentle and that you find some time to rest. I promise that I’ll try too!

New episode of EEDA Pod this week! Louboutin Saddles & Slinky Origins

Happy Holidays! Patricia and Nicole close out 2025 with a short episode of the Enthusiastic Encouragement & Dubious Advice. They share some weird Christmas trivia and as always, share what’s filling their cups.

You can find our show, Enthusiastic Encouragement & Dubious Advice on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, and wherever else you get your podcasts. You can also support the show on Patreon, where we have some perks for paid subscribers with even more coming this year. You can also just make a recurring donation through subscribing to our Patreon, as our show is independently run and without ads. It helps keep us going!

Promo: My Zoom Referral Link

I decided to get a paid subscription to Zoom for this following year. I’d like to do more non-day-job things with people and sometimes y’all don’t live in the same area as me. I’m thinking about coworking for Patreon members, maybe a book club for Patreon members too! Who knows? That’s for 2026 me to decide. If you are also interested in a paid Zoom subscription you can get 15% off using my referral link and I’ll get some credit too.

Recent & Current Reads

Inclusion of a book in this section is not necessarily a recommendation and these books won’t always be added to my Bookshop. Links are affiliate links.

Recently Read:

• Why Do I Keep Doing This? Unlearn the Habits Keeping You Stuck and Unhappy by Kati Morton Lmft

• Trans History: A Graphic Novel: From Ancient Times to the Present Day by Alex L. Combs & Andrew Eakett

• Don't Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson and illustrated by Dan Santat (note: perhaps the funniest picture book I read all year)

Currently Reading:

• Fit for the Gods: Greek Mythology Reimagined edited by Jenn Northington & S. Zainab Williams