Twice in my career, I have known something was going to happen deep in my bones. Sorry to be woo-woo, but like a clear knowing that I would be invited into something beyond my scope, or that a particular project was going to impact differently.
(In 1999, I was sitting in the nosebleed section in a San Antonio arena for “Women of Faith” and knew I would one day speak on that exact tour. I had never written a book or spoken in front of adults. I was 25 years old with a baby and a classroom of 1st graders. I spoke on their entire farewell tour in 2015.)
The other time this happened was just before I started writing AWAKE. I just knew quietly that this book was going to matter differently. I told my business team before I’d written one paragraph that this book would go further. Maybe because I knew you so well at that point, maybe because our community had shared 15 years together, maybe because I was going to tell you the truth like you’d never heard it from me — whatever the premonition, I am so profoundly humbled this book became a lantern well beyond my reach.
I appreciate the accolades of course (Enneagram 3 lol), but the real win is YOU. You, you, you. Those of you who’ve been here forever, the new people that have joined us, and everything you have told me about this little book and how it mattered to you. I have read every single word anywhere you sent or posted it. I knew it was going to be a collective song, but I didn’t fully know.
Thank you for reading AWAKE.
Thank you for adding it to your own story.
Thank you for passing it on.
Thank you for pressing it into someone’s hands and saying “read this.”
If someone you love is ready for it, this book is for them too.
jenhatmaker.com/awake
I woke up to a flurry of texts from my team.
“Jen, get ready for some incredible news.”
• @amazonbooks named AWAKE the #1 memoir of 2025, #7 across all genres. What an honor, @sarahgelman !
• @oprahdaily listed it as one of the “Books that Held Us Through the Storm” this year.
•AWAKE was featured in @usatoday and @cbsmornings today.
•AWAKE is a finalist in two 2025 Best Of categories on @goodreads
I don’t know how to digest writing the #1 memoir of the entire year. I don’t know how to manage any of this, honestly. I just sat on my bathroom floor.
Thank you for reading, recommending, gifting, sharing, listening to, loaning, checking out, downloading, and responding to AWAKE. I am overwhelmed.
This is now our story for sure. It is far beyond me. It has become something new out there in your hands. You are sending it further and further. I am stunned at what you are doing, what you are deciding, what you are changing after reading it. Outrageous.
I surely love you, community. AWAKE has now gone beyond our little coven, so thank you for being so welcoming to new folks here. They are so lucky to have stumbled on this community.
Tag anyone who might want to read this thing and see what the deal is. Let’s find out what it will become in their hands. What an honor. What humbling joy.
jenhatmaker.com/awake
@avidreaderpress
One thing we talked about in last month’s AWAKE Collective was how our bodies are often telling the truth before our brains catch up — and maybe even long before we’re ready to hear and acknowledge that truth.
Sometimes our bodies are also carrying the weight of relationships that no longer feel safe, mutual, or sustaining.
And I think that realization opens the door to another conversation entirely: Who actually holds us in this season of life?
Midlife has a way of clarifying relationships. You start to see who can sit with your story tenderly, who keeps showing up in ordinary ways, and who became family even without sharing your last name.
So this Wednesday inside The AWAKE Collective, we’re talking about chosen family — the ones who stayed, the friendships that became lifelines, and the grief that can come when relationships change shape.
We’re making room for all of it.
If you’ve been looking for a softer, more honest place to navigate midlife alongside other women, I’d love to have you join us. It’s a soft, safe space to land.
❤️ Leave a little heart or a comment if you’re interested — or you can also get the link at my link in bio.
Hi everyone. I am having a Saturday rot day. (Okay, not EXACTLY since I already wrote two recipes for Test Kitchen and a whole ass essay about May, but NOW I AM STARTING for the remainder of the day.) (Enneagram 3’s are incapable of letting you think we are being “lazy” lol, we are the worst.)
I need a new show or movie. I’ve watched all my faves ten times through, a couple of my new shows are done for the season (Rooster, Best Medicine, The Pitt), and I’ve had softball on since this morning.
Caveats:
1. My central nervous system is fried, so I won’t be watching anything alarming. It is alarming enough living on this earth right now.
2. I love funny, cozy, clever, smart, whimsical, hilarious, heartwarming, zippy. I’ll leave it up to you to decide what zippy means.
3. Save your scary show recs. The devil prowls but he won’t find a portal into my psyche through my Samsung television set.
4. Bonus points if a show is set in small town: Maine, Oregon, Alaska, Washington, New Hampshire, Vermont. I don’t care, Sophistication Police. Only God can judge me.
5. Notable past winners if this helps you select your recs: West Wing (the perfect show?), 30 Rock, Parks and Rec, The Newsroom, New Girl, Hacks, Northern Exposure (also the perfect show? WHAT’S UP 1990), Shrinking, The Mindy Project, Younger. You get the gist.
Following my metric, what is out there I must immediately pull up and watch for the next six hours on this couch with my snacks? Can also be a movie but I will need at least three to match the criteria.
This 👆🏼 will be my view and will not change until bedtime if that helps inspire your recs.
(Save this post if you need your own list of new shows because this community is UNDEFEATED on this stuff.)
Before the Noise: Friday Courage. AMY GRANT EDITION!!
I have been singing @amygrantofficial songs since I was in middle school. Between growing up as a Baptist kid AND as a Gen-Xer, she was basically the soundtrack of my life. The WAY I sang her songs into my hairbrush in front of my full-length mirror.
In addition to all her talent, she is maybe the dearest, most sincere, earnest and kind people I have ever met. I kid you not. She is also so inspiring and BRAVE. Ask anyone who knows her. Absolutely meet your heroes if they are Amy Grant.
After a health crisis and a long road back, Amy is making music from a place that feels so grounded and honest. Not polished-for-show honest. Real-life honest. The kind that only comes from living through heartbreak, healing, love, family, loss, and all the quiet in-between moments.
I’m absolutely giddy she’s back on the For the Love podcast this week.
Our conversation felt like sitting on a porch with someone who has earned every bit of her wisdom. We talked about her new album (spoiler alert: it’s amazing), what it means to return to yourself after life knocks the wind out of you, and how creativity changes as we do.
We also talked about writing later in life, making meaningful art without needing to prove anything, and the people who carry us through every version of ourselves. There’s something especially beautiful about hearing Amy reflect on creating alongside Vince and their daughters, and how much this season has reshaped the way she tells stories.
Go listen wherever you get podcasts.
Concert pics from 2025 and 2023, respectively, where we sang along the entire time.
Favorite Amy Grant song?
The problem with winter skin is that it’s suddenly summer. And some of us are not emotionally prepared for our arms and legs to re-enter society.
But THIS. This is @yvesrocherusa Pearly Oil and it is saving the day over here.
Comment GLOW and I’ll DM you my link to this goodness + code GLOW30 for 30% off sitewide.
It gives the prettiest glow — shimmery but not glittery, subtle but effective. It’s lightweight, non-greasy, and it smells like a Tahitian gardenia vacation.
Also, Yves Rocher is the #1 beauty brand in France, so they absolutely know their stuff.
Anyway, if your skin needs a soft reboot before pool days, sundresses, beach trips, or just surviving grocery store runs in shorts again… here you go.
Comment GLOW and I’ll send you the link + discount code.
#yvesrocherpartner
Before the Noise: Thursday Body
Proud of this queen. What an inspiration @alitruwit is.
She has now made it her mission to help others overcome hardship, too, with her nonprofit: Stronger Than You Think.
Feels like time for a little baby spam. Weston is 8 1/2 months old which is bananas. As you might surmise, he gets no attention, no love, no care, and no special treatment. Frankly, we’re bored. Like, what good is a baby? He can’t even make his own sandwich. What are we, still in diapers?? Come on, man. Lock in.
Anyway, we’re not obsessed. He is not the joy of our little family unit. I guess enjoy these dumb, non-cute pics. Be sure to scroll through to Blue Steel at the end lol. And my good morning message. 🥹❤️
My babyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. I can’t wait for all yall to be grandmas. It will be over for everyone else.
