As we close out 2025, I have been reflecting on the stories that defined this year on the #Strella blog. What began as a lighthearted start quickly shifted into some of the most personal writing I have ever shared. From industry insights to unexpected chaos at home to the profound weight of loss, this year’s content has reflected real life in all its complexity.
The posts that readers connected with most followed a natural progression. In January and February, we explored creativity, design, and the tools that impact our daily work. By early spring, a certain tuxedo cat and his four feline housemates stole the spotlight. And by April and June, the tone deepened as I wrote honestly about navigating the loss of people who shaped my world.
Here are the posts that rose to the top.
2025’s Top 5 #Strella Blog Posts
1. A Perspective on Grief: The Weight, the Hurt, the Hope
This June post became the most-read blog of the year. Written in the raw weeks after losing my mom, it resonated because it spoke honestly about the exhaustion, confusion, and unexpected clarity that accompany grief. Readers connected deeply with the vulnerability of this piece and shared their own stories in return. It was a reminder that grief is universal, personal, and often easier to carry when it is spoken aloud.
2. What’s Left After Death: A Few Boxes and the Love We Carry
Published in April, this post reflected on the loss of my mother-in-law and the emotional and logistical realities that come with settling a lifetime into a handful of boxes. Many readers were walking similar paths with aging parents and told me this post helped put words to something they had been feeling but could not quite express. It became one of the year’s most meaningful conversations.
3. Life with Five Cats: The Wild Reality of a Multi-Cat Household
In March, this post brought humor and warmth to the blog. The chaos of managing five cats—the power struggles, the stolen seats, the territorial drama, and the triumphant return of Bubby—all made this a favorite among readers. It offered levity during a heavy year and showcased the unexpected ways social media can bring a lost pet home.
4. Hot Take: Your Most Frequently Asked Canva Questions Answered
This February post was one of the year’s most useful resources. It tackled the most searched Canva questions and gave readers clear explanations and practical advice. It proved that educational, approachable content still has a strong place on the blog (and in digital marketing), especially when it helps people navigate tools they use every day.
5. Hot Take: We Can’t All Be Graphic Designers
January kicked off with this bold opinion piece that sparked lively discussion. Readers engaged with its perspective on the limits of DIY design tools and the real value of trained designers. The post encouraged people to think more intentionally about branding and the importance of visual consistency, which made it one of the most shared Hot Takes of the year.
A Look Ahead to 2026
This year brought change in nearly every direction. Personally. Professionally. Emotionally. And while I cannot predict exactly what 2026 will hold, I know the blog will continue to evolve right along with me.
What will not change is the heart behind it. The stories will continue. The honesty will continue. The mix of real life, business insight, creativity, and reflection will continue. And the primary voice guiding all of it will remain my own.
Thank you for reading, sharing, and showing up this year. Your support means more than you know.
If there is something you want us to explore in 2026, feel free to leave a topic in the comments. The best ideas often come from conversations like these.
Here is to another year of growth, connection, and intentional storytelling.
