2025: Year in Review
A complete list of the bullets and posts from this year's newsletter.
Hi Friends -
2025 was a landmark year for Circles In Space.
When I started this newsletter four years ago I didn’t even really know how to write a newsletter. I made a commitment this year to make Circles In Space this best newsletter and community I possibly could by re-designing, revising, and improving my writing. This year’s accomplishments include:
72 posts
245 bullets
Circles In Space Zine.
Clipboard worksheet.
Deep dives on books, creativity, music, New York City, writing and more.
Thank you for all of your support. I can’t wait to see what 2026 brings!
Here’s a list of this year’s posts:
Notes Worksheet for Focused Creativity
A minimal clipboard worksheet to organize your creative projects.
Deep Dives
Books
Shackleton's List: How Shackleton Sailed 850 Miles After Endurance Sank
When I feel the repetition of daily life creeping up on me, I start walking.
Searching for Shackleton's Endurance
Lessons from the maritime archaeologist who found Shackleton's ship Endurance.
Creativity
5 Ways I Practice 'Being a Tourist' In My City
When I feel the repetition of daily life creeping up on me, I start walking.
8 Ways To Stay Objective For Creatives
Recently a friend discussed a frustration he was experiencing. While practicing guitar, he noticed an error in his playing so he repeats the exercise over and over again to improve the error. But by the end of his practice, he notices that what seemed wrong at first, what was obviously an error now seems normal or ‘corr…
Music
Nils Frahm Brings Neo-Classical to Brooklyn
The German neo-classical musician visits the Kings Theater.
Making Music on the Longest Day of the Year
On June 21st, Make Music plans free shows across the world.
Velvet Sundown: Real Band or Spotify AI?
AI music just doesn’t feel the same. Is Velvet Sundown a real band or part of the growing Spotify AI music trend?
Field Recordings
New York City
On New York City's Future.
We woke this morning to a city with a new mayor-elect. At dawn I went for a run and saw the glowing orange sunlight streaming over the building roofs on Wilson Avenue. As I ran laps around Maria Hernandez Park I saw supportive messages written in chalk on the ground, like you’d see on the streets during a marathon, predicting the race’s victor:
Writing
Four Ways Writing Helps You Find Your Voice
Why write? Writing helps you learn, process, understand, and grow.
How I Take Notes
A reader recently asked me about my note-taking process. This was a very timely question because I’d just been writing about my note-taking process for my own writing practice.
Notes From a Writing Workshop
Are you considering taking a writing workshop? Reflecting on my first workshop.
More
What's In My Backpack
Everyday carry (EDC) are the items and tools that we use on a daily basis. I’ve learned to appreciate the organized efficiency of having my backpack ready-to-go with everything I need for the day.
Zine 001 - Coming Soon.
Earlier this week I posted the above note stating that I’d finally done some work on the zine I’ve promised to subscribers. I know I said back in December that I’d complete it before the end of the year but that was an unrealistic goal mainly because I’ve done little work on the project and I didn’t have the time to devote the entire month to completing…
June 2025 Updates
While combing through old posts last week I found a few updates I made last year. Back when I blogged on my website I tried to write an update each month just to cover my bases and hold myself accountable but I’ve neglected this habit here on Substack. In
Five Bullets
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
Five Bullets 9.19.25
“Now that I have a few moments to spare I shall write a description of my cat.”
October
November
Five Bullets 11.7.25
What's capturing our attention: NYC politics, creative growth, better sleep, free books, and live Monk-Coltrane music.
Five Bullets 11.14.25: November Highlights
What's capturing our attention: Forgotten NYC History, Dave King on Jazz and Creativity, Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics, Roadside Picnic, and Space.
Five Bullets 11.21.25: Small Books & Real Music
What's capturing our attention: Armed Service Edition books, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Solving the Algorithm Problem, and more.
Five Bullets 11.28.25: Jazz, Cats & Worksheets
What's capturing our attention: creative worksheets; jazz guitar; New York's water crisis, & learning from cats.
December
Five Bullets 12.5.25: iPods and New Music
What's capturing our attention: Why I'm still using my old iPod; Bandcamp Fridays; funk band Lettuce's new album; RIP Stax guitarist Steve Cropper; and Redbone.
Five Bullets 12.12.25: This Week In History
What's capturing our attention: Alfred Nobel, Human Rights, John Coltrane, Charles Schultz, and John Lennon.
Five Bullets 12.19.25: "In Hopes That Neil Peart Soon Would Be There."
What's capturing my attention: Gifts for Drummers, Music, Extrapolations, Relay, & NYC.
Thanks for reading Circles In Space. Subscribe to get Five Bullets every Friday.
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See you in 2026!
-Keith