Thank you - 2024
Thank you for another year that was Okay.
2024 was not the best year of my life. By far. There are plenty of reasons for that. As someone who really does try to look at life as a glass half full, I can easily say the back end of 2024 is way better than the beginning, and Anonymous and I have some great momentum for the new year.
Rather than dwelling on what made 2024 such a roller coaster, let’s focus on what was fantastic and brought us together. And that is you, my friend, who reads Okay History.
As 2024 closes out, I want to thank you for reading my essays. I couldn’t be more grateful.
We recently gained quite a few new friends, so welcome!
This essay will provide an overview of OKH and the past year and set the stage for what we plan to produce next year.
Okay History turns four next February and has steadily grown since I began ranking the presidents of the United States. The following year, we ranked the states, and in 2023, we ranked the amendments to the Constitution.
So, Okay History’s primary objective will continue to rank stuff. I have next year’s idea already lined up, and it’s ready to go. We finished the logo, so there is no turning back on this. I have a lot to cover on this topic, so we will begin immediately!
The Maudy Monday Newsletter began about a month after I launched Okay History. It took a while to figure out my posting schedule and what I would write. I began by writing essays on the day events took place, and my ranking essays would be all over the place regarding scheduling. MMN helped my focus and rhythm with essays on Monday and Friday.
If you are wondering why I call it the Maundy Monday Newsletter, “Maundy” means service and references my favorite mass of the year, where Jesus washed his disciples' feet. They freaked out, and when he finished, he sat back, had a Maker's Mark neat, and explained that they were now friends.
Around 2022, I turned MMN into something that only references anniversaries ending with zero or five. I always get the “You forgot Pearl Harbor Day,” and I tell people I’ll do it again in 2031 if we are still here.
Over the years, I’ve added editions. There’s Ask Me Anything and Even More Okay. EMO and Words, Words, Words began as paywalled material as a thank you to those who financially support OKH. I’m not looking to use this hobby to upgrade people. I’m happy with building a community that thinks I’m the smartest person who doesn’t know anything. I’ll talk more about these different series later.
If you are interested in stats, here’s what I can share. I began 2024 with 293 subscribers; on Christmas, I had 355. When I brought everything to Substack full-time in March 2022, I started with 66. So, I’m incredibly humble and grateful people continue to find OKH, subscribe, and read. My biggest jump in subscribers was in 2022. People are probably sick of me now. A lot of people follow me on Notes, which has helped with my views averaging almost 200 per essay.
I have excellent open rates (35-43%), and a surprising number of people have generously supported Okay History with their cash.
Whether you give cash or not, you are generous with your attention, and I hope my stealing it is helpful.
Since ranking stuff is our jam, I’m beginning a new tradition and ranked the top five posts from the past year. There are so many good ones to choose from. In 2024, I published 91 essays and one practicum.
Here are my favorites:
5. Becoming Irish
I became a dual citizen when my application for Irish citizenship finally came through. Anonymous and I took my mom, two sisters, and a nephew to Ireland. What a trip. I can’t wait to go back.
4. Vice President Coach
What could have been! Ranking elections during an election year was a good idea, even when the current election bombed. I enjoyed writing this because I just enjoyed the Governor of Minnesota. The 2024 election had this narrative about how Democrats are elite, and in the meantime, Coach and VP Harris were outside by not one but two Ivy League graduates.
3. What Now, Genius?
I think that when the end of the world comes, there will be only two living creatures walking the earth - cockroaches and people who feel the need to tell Democrats what they did wrong in losing the 2024 election.
2. Flagging Emotions
I get fired up when talking about my friends. I’m loyal, so I won't back off when I put out a flag to honor one of them, and it happens to be the flag of MAGA. This is my most popular Maundy Monday Newsletter ever. Thank you. Also, I just learned Christy’s father passed away this week, so please send the family your prayers.
1. Electoral Pie
Nothing says you are arrogant, like writing something you are 100% sure will happen, only to see you fall on your face. This essay took some time because I kept patting myself on the back as I wrote it. I guess I should be happy there will not be another January 6 for now.
There you go. What do you think? Would you put others in the top five? Maybe How to Be Okay for Thanksgiving or Unhappy Warrior. Should I have ranked Beware of the Populists or Shady?
Am I missing anything?
Okay, so 2025 will see a few changes. OKH is always free-flowing, so I hope what I’m putting forward will be interesting and make sense. Not only do I love your attention, but I also love your patience as I continue to tweak.
First, I will continue to produce at least two posts a week (Maundy Monday Newsletter and Rankings)
Next, Even More Okay will become a long-form essay series in which I write about anything. It could be current events or something I came across that I want to share. EMO will now be available to everyone.
I will post fewer Ask Me Anything editions because lately, I’ve been asking myself stuff, and if I’m going to write about stuff, it’s going to be more stuff, so hence, Even More Okay. If subscribers want to ask me stuff, I will do it. Along with MMN and ranking posts, AMA will be available for everyone.
For those who fork over cash, I will produce a special series for you beginning next year. All I will say is that the series will be unique each year and focus on a specific topic in US history that I find interesting and is present in many different historical settings. Again, this is lined up. The logo is coming soon, so there is no turning back. I have about twenty-five pieces I want to cover over the year. Depending on what's happening, these extra editions could pop in on Friday or Wednesday.
Finally, I will have two much smaller editions to share occasionally. I did two chats in 2023 and want to turn these into a series. OKH Chats will be available to everyone. Also, my book review series Words, Words, Words will continue to be a gift to those who have forked over money. I’m not sure getting a review of books I have read is much of a thank you. But we are doing it!
Thank you for showing up with me each week. I love this hobby, and one thing I love about it is the level of personal responsibility it takes to write consistently. Anonymous and I refer to OKH as “work,” but it’s fun work. I’m impressed that I have kept it going. Knowing there are people willing to read it is one heck of a motivator. So, thank you.
I’m grateful for all of you. The only way I could love you more is if one of you is an editor and can help edit my stuff before I post it. You know this constant need if you have been here for a few months.
Here’s to you. Here’s to what we are going to do together next year!
Okay,
Chris
