How One Freelance Journalist Turned Her Wildest Stories Into an Epic Holiday Party

[AIcash]

After years of heavy health reporting through the pandemic and an emotionally draining eight-month investigation in 2024, freelance journalist Anna Medaris decided 2025 was going to be fun. She reported on the country's first aufguss championship, ran alongside an ultramarathon competitor before their interview, held a stein-drinking competition in Central Park, took Jazzercise classes for research, and interviewed a man who swam around Manhattan in handcuffs. By the end of the year, she had a collection of stories so absurd and joyful that they inspired an idea — throw a party celebrating all of it.
The result was a freelance holiday party featuring a towel-waving performance by the national aufguss champion, Taco Bell delivery, German beer, a live stein-holding contest, Jazzercise, and a Q&A with the people behind her most memorable stories of the year. The point was not just the party itself — it was the intentionality behind it. Looking back on your work with genuine celebration rather than just ticking off an annual review checklist is something every freelancer can benefit from, regardless of whether your beat lends itself to quite so many ridiculous storylines.

[nihalsari]

freelancers celebrating their work because no one else is going to do it