Goodbye 2025, It’s Been ... Yeah.

If 2025 had a personality, it would be emotionally exhausting and deeply unserious at the same time, in the worst, absolute worst possible way. Not explosive enough to feel historic in a neat, textbook way, but heavy enough to leave everyone drained and … less than hopeful for the future. It was the year equivalent of staring at your phone after a doom scroll sesh containing bad news after bad news and thinking, “Yeah, that tracks.” (Because basically, that’s what it actually was.)

This was not a year of collective wins. It was a year of watching the same problems intensify while the people with the most power shrugged, deflected, and cashed another check. War and genocide continued to unfold in real time, livestreamed, documented, and then largely ignored once it stopped trending. Entire populations suffered while governments argued over wording, optics, and political convenience. The world did not lack information. It lacked action (well, good action, at least.)

At the same time, wealth inequality reached cartoonishly evil levels. (Lex Luthor, anyone?) The 1% did not just get richer, they sprinted ahead and threw thumbtacks and nails behind them as they ran. There were more billionaires than ever, more luxury goods sold than ever, more record profits announced on earnings calls. Somehow, all of this existed alongside rising homelessness, food insecurity, medical debt, and unemployment. People worked full time and still could not survive. Others wanted to work and could not find stability at all. It started to feel like the system was not broken, it was functioning exactly as designed.

In the United States, the disconnect was especially jarring. We fed the idea that our economy was improving while layoffs became routine and job listings turned into ghost towns. Rent climbed. Groceries climbed. Healthcare remained inaccessible for millions. Social programs were stripped back under the guise of fiscal responsibility, always impacting children, disabled people, and low income families first (especially if they’re people of color.) Compassion became conditional. Survival was framed as a moral failing.

Buy now, pay later debt has skyrocketed to unprecedented levels, and credit card balances are higher than ever, leaving everyday Americans struggling to stay afloat. The housing market remains a nightmare for many, plagued by past economic missteps, rampant property hoarding, and short-term rental schemes like Airbnb that prioritize profit over community stability. This isn’t about “keeping up with the Joneses” anymore; it’s about simply keeping one’s head above water. Essential programs like SNAP and other food assistance benefits are increasingly inaccessible to the people who rely on them the most, leaving families scrambling to feed themselves. Meanwhile, the United States’ healthcare system continues to fail millions, offering expensive, fragmented care that leaves far too many without access to basic medical services or the support they need.

From a cultural and marketing perspective (I have to talk about it, it’s what I do here, and even if it wasn’t, it’s way more influential than people realize, often times unfortunately,) 2025 was also bizarre in a way that felt almost insulting. Brands continued to misread the room and then acted shocked when audiences reacted. The Sydney Sweeney and American Eagle moment was not just a marketing misstep, it was a reminder of how deeply out of touch aspirational branding can be when it centers exclusivity instead of reality. Then came Taylor Swift’s SS necklace controversy, a moment that should have been met with reflection and accountability but instead became another example of how fame insulates people from consequence. Let’s not even start on Target and their AMAZING ability to slash … oh, wait, not prices, apparently they are big on slashing diversity, equity, and inclusion programs … and Starbucks’ uncanny ability to bust up a union.

Fashion and beauty trends did not help. Heroin chic crept back in under new names. Thinness was repackaged as wellness. Curvy body positivity quietly disappeared from campaigns, as if bodies themselves had fallen out of style. Since when did body types become trends? Watching years of progress dissolve into “clean girl” aesthetics and Ozempic-fueled praise felt bleak. The rise of Ozempic culture did not just change bodies, it reignited disordered thinking for an entire generation. It told people, once again, that smaller is better, no matter the cost.

2025 also saw the rise of Ozempic and similar weight-loss drugs being used by everyday people to chase increasingly unrealistic body standards. Social media fueled this frenzy, with perfectly sculpted collarbones and tiny waists becoming the new markers of “success,” while trends like BBLs seemed to fade in comparison. (Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing considering the risks associated with the procedure, but the sentiment that bigger bodies are lesser than is problematic.) The problem isn’t just the pill itself, it’s the culture surrounding it: people feeling pressured to chemically alter their bodies to meet standards that are entirely curated and unattainable for most. This obsession is creating a generation hyper-focused on appearance, fueling anxiety, body dysmorphia, and a dangerous normalization of quick fixes over health and self-acceptance. It’s a stark reminder that while trends shift, the underlying pressure to look “perfect” never really goes away. (I say this as somebody who has fallen victim to this, those overpriced shots are sitting in my fridge as I type this, I am not above this sort of propaganda, so don’t think I’m putting myself above anybody.)

Celebrity culture continued to rot in plain sight. Taylor Swift, now one of the wealthiest entertainers on the planet … for some reason … continued to rake in money through endless merch drops, vinyl variants, and brand tie-ins while remaining silent on nearly every issue that matters. The news cycle obsessed over her relationship with Travis Kelce and speculation about their wedding, as if that were culturally significant while genocide, voter suppression, and economic collapse played out in the background. Her lyrics, especially those in Opalite, leaned into self-victimization and vague empowerment without ever engaging with the real world she profits from. Silence, in this case, was not neutrality. It was a choice.

Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner followed a similar script. Billion-dollar empires built on influence, aesthetics, and consumption, with no meaningful stance on anything that might threaten their wealth or access. They continued to get richer while offering nothing of substance in return. No advocacy. No accountability. Just products, partnerships, and perfectly lit indifference.

The Diddy trial in 2025 became a lightning rod for pop culture discussion, with social media divided into fervent supporters and vociferous critics. On one hand, remaining fans praised him as untouchable and charismatic, turning every courtroom appearance into a moment worthy of headlines and memes. (Because the lore behind baby oil is SO funny … apparently.) On the other hand, critics used the trial to highlight the stark disparities in accountability for the ultra-wealthy, raising uncomfortable questions about how money, fame, and influence can insulate some people from facing the consequences of their actions. From the red carpets to Twitter threads, the trial became less about justice and more about spectacle, a disturbing reflection of how celebrity culture in America prioritizes entertainment over accountability.

Beyond the pop culture frenzy, the trial exposed deeper systemic issues. It reminded the public that women, particularly women of color, are far too often victims of egregious sexual violence while their perpetrators face little to no consequences. Diddy’s wealth and influence only amplified this injustice, making the case emblematic of a society where status can shield individuals from accountability. The trial sparked necessary conversations about the intersection of gender, race, and power in the justice system, revealing that while celebrities dominate headlines, the stories and suffering of survivors are too frequently minimized or ignored. It was a polarizing moment, but one that forced reflection on how America continues to fail those most vulnerable to sexual violence.

The Bezos-Sanchez wedding in 2025 was the ultimate display of 1%er excess, and it was nearly impossible to ignore. Set in Venice, the event showcased a staggering disregard for the city and its residents, with private barges and massive security disrupting everyday life for locals who had no say in the spectacle. (Not to mention, grey carpet.) The wedding itself was over-the-top, with every detail screaming extravagance, and the guest list read like a who’s who of obnoxious celebrity culture, from reality stars to tech moguls. Beyond the sheer tackiness, the affair felt entirely tone-deaf: while millions struggle with inflation, housing insecurity, and climate crises, these elites celebrated their wealth with zero acknowledgment of the world outside their bubble. The event wasn’t just a wedding, it was a glaring reminder of the reckless, performative wealth flaunting that dominates our culture.

Then there was Elon Musk, who managed to disrupt public life yet again. Through DOGE-related interference and political maneuvering, he uprooted or destabilized important programs, flirted with power, then distanced himself once the consequences became inconvenient. His ownership of X, formerly Twitter, further fueled misinformation, harassment, and algorithmic amplification of extremist content. His push for AI, especially through Grok, prioritized speed and dominance (and what he thinks is “humor”) over safety or truth. All of this happened while he continued to abuse his parental power dynamics, publicly clashing with the mothers of his children, including Grimes, and treating family life as another arena for control. (New baby mama dropping when?)

Politics and violence intersected in ways that made everything heavier. The killing of Charlie Kirk was tragic in the most literal sense. Nobody should ever have to die for their beliefs, and certainly not in a violent, public manner. That said, we do not collectively need to mourn or memorialize a man whose career was built on spreading bigotry, misinformation, and hate. We also do not need to fly a dead podcaster around the country on Air Force Two using taxpayer dollars. That decision said far more about misplaced priorities than national values.

The response from his supporters only underscored how dangerous his rhetoric was. The way he was canonized, weaponized, and used as a rallying point showed exactly what kind of movement he helped build. Erika Kirk’s behavior in the aftermath was particularly grotesque. She turned CK’s “memorial service” into a WWE Monday Night Raw-style cash grab, complete with pyrotechnics and multiple musical performances. She toured the country inciting rage and grievance politics while her children, completely innocent in this matter and traumatized, were left without a present parent. The hypocrisy was glaring. A woman who preaches that other women belong in the home, submissive and quiet, abandoned her own children to chase political attention, applause, and of course, cash.

The news cycle grew uglier by the day. Antisemitism rose sharply, as did Islamophobia. Anti-immigrant rhetoric became even more openly cruel. ICE expanded its reach, harassing immigrants regardless of legal status and, in some cases, deporting U.S. citizens. Families were separated over technicalities and profiling. Children suffered, and it was treated as collateral damage.

It’s important to remember that antisemitism and anti-Zionism are not the same thing, and confusing the two only spreads more harm. People like Ms. Rachel, who focus on helping innocent children and creating a supportive environment for all kids, are the true heroes in the world, the helpers Mr. Rogers urged us to look for. As Americans, we need to recognize that governments do not always reflect the values of their people. Israelis should not be demonized for the actions of their government, just as Palestinians are not weak for being subjected to war crimes. Above all else, children everywhere are innocent, deserving of safety, care, and a future free from violence, no matter where they are from.

This administration did nothing to ease the cruelty. SNAP benefits were revoked or reduced for families who rely on them to survive. Food insecurity increased while lawmakers argued that assistance encourages laziness. The idea that children and their families should go hungry because poverty is seen as a moral failure was one of the most disturbing undercurrents of the year.

School shootings continued to be a pretty uniquely American horror in 2025, including the shooting at Annunciation here in our home state of Minnesota. It is impossible to normalize this level of violence without losing something essential about who we are. The actions of school shooters are indefensible, full stop, and the fact that children, teachers, and families have to live with this fear every single day is a moral failure, not an inevitability. (The fact that this even has to be SAID is flat-out horrific.) We owe it to the victims of gun violence and their families, everywhere, and regardless of political affiliation, to stop arguing in circles and start acting. Weak expressions of “thoughts and prayers” need to step aside and make way for actual ACTIONS. Common sense gun control has been overdue for decades, and pretending otherwise while memorials continue to grow is not neutrality, it is complicity. No child should have their life cut short in a place meant for learning, safety, and care, (or anywhere … for that matter) and no parent should have to bury their child(ren) because lawmakers refused to do their jobs. May Harper Moyski and Fletcher Merkel rest in peace, and may all who were affected by this senseless tragedy, physically, emotionally, or otherwise, find comfort, peace, and healing. Thoughts and prayers are lovely, and we are absolutely sending them your way, but we will ALWAYS act for change. If you’d like to learn more about what you can do to contribute to a positive future with common sense gun use and improved safety for all, check out the Everytown website HERE.

Another moment that defined the tone of 2025 was the case of Luigi Mangione, who is suspected, not proven guilty, of allegedly murdering a healthcare CEO. It’s important to be explicit here: suspicion is not a conviction, and violence against another human being is never something to celebrate. That said, the public reaction to this case was telling. The rapid spread of phrases like “deny, defend, depose” revealed a deep, simmering rage toward a healthcare system many people feel has caused real harm through profit-driven denial of care. While most people were not endorsing murder, many openly acknowledged they understood the motivations that could drive someone to such an extreme, especially in a system where suffering is often met with paperwork instead of help. That uncomfortable truth says less about one individual and more about how broken, dehumanizing, and cruel large-scale systems have become, and how badly people are craving accountability that never seems to come through legitimate channels.

Looming over all of this … was Artificial Intelligence (AI). The internet became flooded with low-quality, machine-generated content that buried real voices. Artists, writers, and creators watched their work be scraped and repackaged without consent. Misinformation spread faster than ever, amplified by bots and synthetic accounts. Regulation lagged far behind reality. Trust eroded.

AI is moving faster than most of us can keep up with, and while some uses are genuinely helpful, generative AI is causing serious headaches. From deepfake videos to hyper-realistic imagery and AI-generated writing, it’s becoming nearly impossible for the average person to tell what’s real and what isn’t. This is especially concerning for older generations and younger kids who haven’t developed strong media literacy skills yet (the children have an excuse … the adults not so much, though.) When AI-generated content spreads misinformation, it doesn’t just confuse people, it can actively shape beliefs and decisions in harmful ways, sometimes leading to outrage over situations that never actually happened.

The environmental impact of AI is another side effect that doesn’t get nearly enough attention. Training AI models, especially those for generative art and content, requires massive amounts of energy, contributing significantly to carbon emissions. While some forms of AI are neutral or even helpful, the environmental cost of generative AI, particularly when it’s being used to scrape, copy, and churn out work without compensating human creators, is disproportionately high. The pseudo-outrage online often misses this nuance, lumping all AI together instead of distinguishing between tools that enhance productivity and those that exploit existing content.

This all circles back to one crucial skill: media literacy. People across the age spectrum, from older adults to young kids and everybody in between, are struggling to critically evaluate what they see online. Reading between the lines, questioning sources, and understanding context is more essential now than ever, because generative AI can create content that looks completely legitimate but is entirely fabricated. Yes, AI will likely replace certain jobs, especially those that rely on repetitive tasks, but the idea that we’ll all be replaced by robots in the near future is overblown. The bigger risk isn’t robots taking our jobs, it’s humans failing to think critically in a world where AI is a new and powerful filter for reality.

The solution isn’t to get rid of AI or generative AI altogether, these tools can be incredible when used responsibly, but there absolutely needs to be federal regulation to hold bad actors accountable. The spread of misinformation cannot continue unchecked, intellectual property theft cannot be tolerated, and the creation of CSAM (Child Sexual Abuse Material,) AI-generated or not, must be criminalized and prosecuted. Clear laws and standards would give creators, companies, and the public guardrails to innovate safely, protect human rights, and prevent AI from being weaponized against society. It’s past time for policymakers to step in and make it clear that while AI can be powerful and useful, misuse is unacceptable.

So yes, 2025 was a lot. Not in a dramatic, cinematic way, but in a grinding, soul-crushing-and-numbing way. A year where nothing felt resolved and very little felt hopeful.

Despite it all, it did clarify something important: Neutrality is not harmless. Silence is not apolitical. Where we spend our money, attention, and energy matters. Supporting harmful people and systems has consequences, even when it feels passive. So does choosing to disengage, to divest, and to demand better.

As we move toward 2026, the goal is not perfection, it’s accountability. It’s choosing equity over convenience. It’s supporting people who are doing real work, even when it’s not glamorous. It’s remembering that kindness is an action, not a brand.

As we say goodbye to 2025, let’s take a moment to reflect on all we’ve endured, mourn the lives lost, and hold space for those who are hurting. Here’s to 2026, a year we hope will bring more kindness, more understanding, and more protection for the innocent, especially children who deserve to grow up safe from violence and harm. May the universe shield us all, guide us toward compassion, and remind us to uplift one another whenever possible. If you’re struggling, know that help is available, reach out to resources like the National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 or text 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. Wishing everyone health, happiness, and a renewed sense of hope in the year ahead.

Goodbye, 2025. You were not inspiring. You were a reminder that progress is fragile and that we cannot afford to sleepwalk through history, all while teetering on the incredibly thin line between worthless apathy and the absolute WRONG side.

Here’s hoping 2026 brings more courage, more humanity, and fewer excuses.