Resolved: It's Gonna Be a Great Year
Issue 125, featuring Kylee Griswold
This is officially the first Girl’s Guide of 2025 — we made it, everyone! As always, if you missed my most recent newsletter, you can find it here.
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Resolved: It’s Gonna Be a Great Year
I go back and forth on whether I like New Year’s resolutions practically ever year. Typically, I’m so wiped from the holidays and desperate for a normal routine that adding anything on top of that seems like pie-in-the-sky. But on the other hand, resolutions don’t have to be rigid, unpleasant, or start right on January 1. In fact, I think New Year’s resolutions should be about enjoying your life more, not less. That’s why I’m excited to share my smattering of New Year’s resolutions with y’all as well as some readers’ resolutions for the new year.
Evie’s Word of the Year
You know how Pantone always picks a “color of the year” for the year ahead, prompting peanut gallery comments that they can’t possibly know what color will be the most popular in a year that hasn’t happened yet? Well, that’s kind of how I felt about picking a “word of the year,” until I realized it’s not about what happens in the coming year, it’s about your mindset as the year unfolds.
There are always a lot of words bouncing around in my brain, but the one I’m grabbing onto for 2025 is the word “tactile.” As a girl, I loved making things with my hands — sewing, sculpting, drawing. I loved gardening and baking. And I especially loved babies. So I think me from 20 years ago would love everything about the life I have now, but wonder why I consider writing to be my only creative outlet when there’s so much more I could try. Of course, I don’t have hours to spend on intricate crafts these days, but I do have time to appreciate the things I can make and hold in my hands — a 25¢ paperback, fresh-cut flowers from the garden, or a warm slice of homemade bread.
As a writer, a lot of my “accomplishments” feel very ephemeral now. Everything is digital. It can be discouraging to feel like your work is headed straight for a pile of digital clutter. I want to counter that feeling by moving some of my accomplishments into the real world. Cooking new foods, sewing mittens for my toddler, cross-stitching a sampler — all of these accomplishments can provide a dopamine hit better than Instagram or X (even though I love both of those platforms). Who knows — maybe I’ll even get really tactile and start writing on a typewriter (not).
I know this isn’t exactly a New Year’s resolution, but it’s more of a mantra to inspire my resolutions within a resolution. I want to spend more time outside with my kids by learning the Scandinavian art of dressing for the cold with wool and layers. I want to actually remember my friends’ and family members’ prayer requests by writing them down. And I want to read worn-out paperbacks with bookmarks from my favorite used bookstore in Raleigh tucked inside. But most of all — and I know it’s cliché — I want to remember to be grateful for these little things.
Readers’ New Year’s Resolutions
I asked you ladies what your New Year’s resolutions are, and your answers were so thoughtful and inspiring! Here are some of them below:
Emma Freire on becoming a carnivore again: “My New Year's resolution is to start eating meat again. I've been researching MAHA for a story, and I learned a lot about the health benefits of eating meat. I've been a vegetarian since I was 17 years old, so this is a very big switch. I don't have any meat-based recipes in my cooking repertoire. Plus, meat still kinda grosses me out. But I'm starting with bacon and I'll go from there.”
Tryn Haney on her reading goals: “I want to read 100-ish pages a day this year. It's less about the specific number and more about becoming someone who's in the habit of constantly reading.”
Reagan Reese on her top three resolutions: “One New Year's resolution I have is to replace products as I run out with them with natural, MAHA products. Things I have started to do this with already, my detergent, my make up, my shampoo and conditioner.
I am really going to try to build a capsule wardrobe as well. I think it is easy in DC with all the galas and work events to quickly buy items you think you need (a.k.a. fast fashion). I am going to be investing in more made in America, quality items this year.
Another resolution of mine is to attend daily mass the first Friday of every month.”
on her goals for 2025: “I have three main goals for 2025:Read the entire Bible in a year. I’m beginning with Acts, having wrapped up the Gospels at the end of 2024. To start each study session, I’ll also be reading a Psalm, which I’m really looking forward to.
Find a remote job that aligns with my degree — a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources and dual minors in Psychology and Project Management. The goal is to build financial stability and work toward becoming debt-free, ideally creating an income and an impact.
Have no zero-days when it comes to establishing and living out the year I desire. I want to make consistent progress in the different areas of life that matter to me, even if it’s just a small step each day.”
Rebekah Murray on what she’s already doing for a better 2025: “I love everything about Kevin's rule and want to work that into life. One way that came to mind was making time for learning/creativity. I got a year membership to Masterclass and have the first couple of classes planned that I want to take.
I wanted to have a better exercise routine and was wishing for some accountability, and someone in my circle mentioned doing 75Hard and wanting others to join her. I've done it before and found the discipline really helpful! So I started that on Dec. 31. I have a leg injury, so I'm only doing half the exercise, but it's been great to have the accountability every day to be more active.
Most importantly — prioritizing prayer in my time. I volunteer with a group called America Pray Now, and through them, found this book that's honestly changed my life. It's developed my view of prayer and given grace for the journey that it is. ‘Wasting time with Jesus’ is how I want to spend more of my time this year!”
Sarah Calvis with a lightning round: “Become a regular at the fishmonger. Find a perfume I like. Read at least a little bit every day.”
Interview with Kylee Griswold
Today’s interview is with Kylee Griswold, whose name you may already be familiar with if you’ve ever clicked on an article from The Federalist! Kylee and I met working as rookie journalists in DC, and it was clear to everyone around that she was whip-smart. That’s why it’s no surprise she was just announced as a Visiting Fellow at the Independent Women’s Forum! Give Kylee a follow on X by clicking here.
What does your life look like right now?
I’m loving the life I’m building with my husband, Bailey, in the suburbs of Madison, Wisconsin. We bought our first home in 2024 after looking for 15 months in a cutthroat market, and making it our own though endless paint and house projects has been so fun. We’re learning so much about woodworking, landscaping, and DIY repairs along the way, and are rediscovering childhood hobbies like birdwatching (we’re nerds) and gardening. We’ve also been getting more plugged into our church through small groups and a Bible study, and we spend as much time as possible with friends and family.
What are your favorite and least favorite parts of working in news media?
“Never a dull moment” pretty much sums up working in news — which is a blessing and a curse. I’m driven by a desire to pursue truth and justice (Where are my fellow Enneagram 1s at?), so I love that my whole job is to communicate about things that matter. My favorite part of my work is giving people who share my values but don’t spend their days absorbed in the Twittersphere language to articulate what they believe and why about things like faith, abortion, and the sexes.
My least favorite part of working in news is “the grind,” which was fun as a single, fresh-faced college grad and less so now. Election cycles are soul-sucking, assassination attempts and bombshell news will, without fail, occur on Friday nights and Saturdays, and working from home means always working. As a remedy, I’ve been intentionally investing more time into life-giving hobbies that keep me sane, such as painting, exercising, and cooking.
What's the biggest lesson you've learned about relationships in your 20s?
First, relationships are pragmatic. I used to spend way too much time worried about how a particular guy I was dating measured up to some romanticized ideal. Meeting and dating my husband dispelled all the guesswork and games. Does he love Jesus, and will he be a good dad? Yes. Is he cute? Yes. Is he a hard worker? Yes. Do I enjoy spending life with him? Yes. Done and done. Second, don’t waste time. If you’re not sure if you’ve found “the one” within six months, you probably haven’t. Third and finally, sometimes go to bed angry; it’s better than fighting tired. Early in our marriage, simple disagreements turned ugly because we didn’t know how to fight well. Two and a half years later, those discussions are much more productive. Rule of thumb: Don’t bring up heavy things right before bedtime, don’t assume the worst, and discuss the hard stuff on long walks for the endorphins and side-by-side setup.
How has your style evolved over the past few years?
Finding a work-from-home “style” is tricky business (What looks nice with slippers?) because I’m always trying to be comfortable but not slobbish. My business professional attire from my D.C. days has retired to the back of my closet for work trips and TV appearances, but I find that the more “put together” I feel, the more things I put together. So day-to-day I typically reach for a comfy tunic sweater and nice leggings or a cute crewneck, jeans, and white sneakers. I’ve been learning much more about my color palette and try to stick to the cool tones that flatter me.
Do you have any favorite health or beauty products?
I’m all for RFK Jr.-ing my life (goodbye Tupperware and canola oil), but I just haven’t been able to give up parts of my unclean beauty routine. I love Il Makiage’s poreless primer and concealer, and for full-coverage moments, their color-matched liquid foundation is impeccable. I bought it first for my wedding day and never looked back. But the beauty product I can’t live without is Drybar’s dry shampoo, which is great for volume and much more effective than other brands I’ve tried. It retails for about $28, but I always scavenge at Marshalls and T.J. Maxx, where I can typically find it for about half the price.
The Haps
Welcoming Generation Beta
The first members of so-called Generation Beta are already being born — but is this a name that’s going to stick? I argue that Gen Beta needs a rebrand for many reasons in my latest column in The American Conservative. You could say I’m a little biased — I don’t want my future kids to get teased for being betas! You can read my column here.
Ralph Lauren Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom
Yes, good style is a gift to the nation! A bevy of Democratic hangers-on received their shiny Medals of Freedom, but one name I was surprised to hear was Ralph Lauren’s. At 85, the iconic designer has certainly earned it after putting his name on everything from Hollywood stars’ red carpet looks to Olympic Athletes’ opening ceremony uniforms. Writer Marlo Slayback said it perfectly on X: Lauren “is an American icon who captured perhaps better than anyone some of America’s greatest qualities through fashion, from its rusticity, glamour and sophistication.” Read more about how Lauren’s medal made history by clicking here.
Here are more links to what I’ve been reading lately:
Stark Perry and Me (Plough): Please have tissues at the ready for Chelsea Boes’ tale of a decades-old self-published memoir, a child’s diagnosis, and hope.
How the Ivy League Broke America (The Atlantic): The U.S. traded one flawed system of selecting elites for another, according to David Brooks.
Goals, Growth, and Great Books (Substack): Freda Donnelly shares a jam-packed book list!
Snow Day: Fitting school in between snow and sledding (Substack): A new Substack by
shares cozy books to read with your children!
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Fantastic article and interview (as always)! I found everyone's resolutions to be inspiring. Also, having shared mine with someone I admire has added another layer of accountability to mine. In fact, I've already read The Song of Solomon and just finished the book of Acts.