at year’s end, a fermata

The SWD team making chocolate in London after a public masterclass, April 2025.
(L–R: Simon, Amy, Jody, Kaitlin, Mike, Alex, Cole, Randy)

A fermata over a quarter-rest.

In music, a fermata signals an extension—a moment to hold a note, or a rest, longer than expected. It doesn’t mean the piece is over, but rather that we sit in anticipation, or we take a breath...letting something resonate a little longer before moving on.

This time of year feels like that: a natural but longer-than-normal pause in the rhythm of work and life. At SWD, we formally put work on hold (for two weeks, from close of business on Friday the 19th until Monday, January 5th), and use this time to reflect on what’s happened, what’s changed, and what lies ahead.

This year brought the publication of storytelling with data: before & after. Working on the book gave us a reason to look back through years of client work, and remember those folks who had invited us into their world, trusted us with their data, and asked thoughtful questions about how to make it better. As we selected which examples to include and revisited the visual makeovers themselves, we found ourselves remembering the unique challenges they were trying to solve, as well as the conversations and energy in the room when we revealed an "after" version. From Toronto to Trinidad, from the Bay Area to Boston to Belgium, and dozens of places in between, each session brought something different. And revisiting those moments reminded us just how lucky we’ve been to work with so many smart, curious, and generous people, all striving to make their data clearer and their stories stronger.

We also marked a milestone this year with the release of the 10th anniversary edition of storytelling with data. Revisiting the original book a decade after it first came out reminded us how much has changed (tools, terminology, ways of working), but how much more has held steady. The need for clear, thoughtful communication with data is just as relevant now as it was then, and in many ways, even more critical. What has evolved is how we teach and apply those ideas, shaped by years of continued learning and the experiences we've had working with so many of you.

And of course, this time of year inevitably inspires us to reflect on the changes we’ve seen over the past year. Change, after all, is both inevitable and unrelenting. It can be exciting, or difficult, or both. Maybe most often, it’s both. This year, like every year, brought transitions to SWD, both big and small. What we’ve come to believe is that even when change feels uncertain or uncomfortable, it creates the conditions for growth. Letting go of what was can make room for what could be.

The core of what we do is incredibly rewarding. We get to help people see their data more clearly, build confidence in their skills, and communicate in ways that make a difference. That’s work we’re proud of, and deeply grateful to do. At the same time, we recognize that doing the work we love often means putting other things on hold. Time with family. Space for ourselves. The personal projects or quiet moments that don’t always make the calendar. A pause like this gives us the chance to return to those parts of life that matter just as much.

We feel incredibly fortunate that our work is meaningful and fulfilling, but it’s not the only meaningful part of our lives. Taking time off creates space for everything else that matters, too. We hope you get that chance during this season, as we make a point of doing each year—and we’re also trying to build in more of these pauses throughout the year, not just when the calendar gives us permission.

So as we hold here at year’s end in this moment of reflection, we’re feeling grateful for the challenges, the connections, the people, and the progress we’ve made. Thanks for being part of this journey with us. Whether you’ve read our books, joined a workshop, participated in our community, or followed along with the videos, podcasts, or this very blog: thank you.

We don’t take your engagement or your trust for granted. When the fermata ends and the next movement begins, we look forward to making beautiful music along with you in 2026.