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Hi Reader, Let’s be honest—2025 was a lot. It gave. It took. It stretched. It whispered, then shouted, “Are you paying attention yet?” I was. Eventually. Somewhere between the deadlines, the drafts, and the heartbreak of losing my long-time partner, I learned that deep rest isn’t laziness. It’s medicine. When I finally stopped running on fumes, the silence had something to say. And what it said was this: You can’t create from exhaustion. I also learned that shedding what no longer serves me—old projects, outdated expectations, and a few should-have-known-better habits—isn’t loss. It’s clarity. Which, fittingly enough, made sense in the Year of the Snake—the year of shedding skins, old identities, and, in my case, a business plan I’d chucked out the window by the end of January. And honestly, it felt great. There’s power in letting things (and people, and plans) fall away so you can see what’s still standing with you. So as 2026 starts to hum to life, I’m not making resolutions. I’m making space. Space for words that mean something. Space for joy that isn’t scheduled. Space for whatever wants to be written next. Your turn. What did 2025 teach you the hard way? What are you bringing forward, and what are you leaving right where it belongs—in the past? Hit reply and tell me. I promise to read every response (preferably with coffee in hand and my laptop exactly where it belongs—on the kitchen table covered in Post-its). Here’s to rest, release, and whatever brave new stories 2026 has in store. Best, |
Paralegal and financial pro turned copywriter bringing boring topics to life, serving as the Resident Writing Expert for realtors, attorneys, and financial pros. Check out my emails below and enter your email address to get my freebie, "5 Ways to Make Your Copy UN-Boring"
Hi Reader, You know how I tend to slip into stealth mode at the end of the year. It’s not that anything’s wrong — it’s December being December. I go quiet, Judi 411 powers down, and I spend a few weeks recalibrating with leftovers, reflection, and the occasional existential cookie. But a new year has arrived, and with it comes news that deserves a drumroll: My second book is officially being shopped around. Yep. We’re doing the thing. It’s called Merry-ish: Unwrapped Tales from the Most(ly)...
Hi Reader, Holiday week—hope you're finding moments of peace in the chaos. Just a gentle reminder that my year-end Copy Consult Flash Sale is still available through December 31st. Five hours of focused copy help, good through June 2026. Sometimes the best gift you can give your business is getting the words right. Book your Copy Consult here. Wishing you joy, rest, and perfectly functioning technology,
Hi Reader, You know I live most of my life in the lane of words—sentences, stories, the rhythm of language. It’s my highway, my comfort zone, my well-worn map. But this past year, working with artist Jennifer Faye Colombo has invited me onto an entirely different creative road. Jen came to me for website copy, and together—an hour here, an hour there—we shaped words that felt like brushstrokes: intentional, fluid, grounded in nature and feeling. What delighted me most? Watching her take that...