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$$PLAIN_TEXT_PREVIEW$$
In this monthly newsletter: my year in review, so many ways to support your creativity, apply for my first creative retreat
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My year in review in photos |
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Since I am who I am, I spent the last couple weeks creating a Year In Review for my business — balancing passion and math. I’ll spare you the deck presentation I made David sit through, but will share the recap here. It may be helpful for your own professional work, creative projects, and seeing how we can work together. My simple — and honestly fun — process: List everything I did this year, paid and unpaid, related to my business Scour photos, quickbooks, socials, my calendar, notebooks, emails, etc for all the things I forgot Note the volume, monetary AND non-monetary value of each item Decide what I’m going to keep doing, stop doing and start doing Make photo collage (above)
The results were clear: I’m energized by the work I do I need to push outside my comfort zone to get more of what I want I want 2026 to be about ‘less is more’ and ‘show don’t tell’
I’m going to keep doing: 1:1 client sessions Team consulting Creative Sundays Virtual Passion Project Workshops Speaking/workshop engagements (carefully selected) This newsletter My creative side projects (podcast, writing, guitar, collage cards/crafts)
I’m going to start doing: My first creative retreat - details below! The book that’s been in my head and only two people know about More video on socials finally?
There are also many experimental things that were great in different ways in 2025 that are not making the cut for 2026. Reach out if you really want the full list… And of course the most important thing with any good plan: knowing it can evolve at moment’s notice. Plans don’t know about years or quarters either. Could this process be helpful for you with your professional or creative reflection and goal setting? If you’d like some support on it, I’m offering a special Year In Review Package for $250 now through January 9th! Email me to get started.
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What's the healthiest, most fun thing you can give yourself or someone else? Time and space for creativity. Keep reading for several great ideas…
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Feb. 13-16 Creative Retreat - apply by Jan 5th
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This is the multidisciplinary creative retreat I’ve been dreaming of and am thrilled to be partnering with Tara Lockhart of Sierra Meadows to make it happen. Our February 13-16, 2026 cohort will be made up of of 8-10 carefully selected creative minds representing a range of creative disciplines—from hobbyists to professionals—all with a current or past creative practice.
Retreat programming is designed to be just the right amount of facilitated group time to spark inspiration and build creative community, mixed with plenty of solo time for you to decompress and work on your creative projects—all while surrounded by the stunning beauty of the Sierra Foothills. We also will be providing delicious meals. Get more detail here and email me any questions!
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**1-2** spots left in my next virtual Passion Project Accelerator Workshop
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Creative passion projects are so good for the creative soul AND can be so hard to prioritize. You may be halfway done with something or have a seed of an idea, but either way you have something specific you want to work on and are looking for inspiration, accountability, feedback, and community to propel your project forward. Sessions include: opening check-ins, projects shares, exercises, and group discussion. I send weekly Sunday inspiration emails as well. The next Passion Project Accelerator cohort meets on zoom 1st and 3rd Fridays @ 10:00-11:30am PT from February 6 through June 19, 2026 (10 sessions). Cohorts include 5-6 people and all creative disciplines are welcome. A mix is preferred!
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Creative Sunday + Jan 11th Live Music + 2026 Memberships
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Our next Creative Sunday is Sunday, January 11th @ 2:00-4:30pm! Reservations are open here. It’s $15 a month or $110 for a full year of access, a guest pass, and picking your table in advance. January’s Creative Sunday Featured Artist is Berkeley-based guitarist, songwriter and producer, John Givens, playing live music for the event and talking a bit about his creative process. “I live for those moments when you feel the room shift, it gets a little quiet and you feel the audience connect with music. Helping people to feel deeper is what it's all about for me,” John says.
John's solo music blends genres, incorporating elements of blues, soul, jazz, and ambient music to create what feels like a lush and gently funky cinematic score. John has produced, been the band leader, and primary song writer on eight albums ranging from an eight-piece soul band (No Lovely Thing), to an experimental post rock group (Lay / Lie), to his own solo guitar records (Music for Road Trips). He currently performs withLay / Lie,The Jake Sampson Blues Group, Americana singer/songwriter,Joe Brennan, and as a solo electronic guitarist. Listen and learn more at johnagivens.com, Bandcamp, and @givenyagoosebumps. Cash bar is open throughout the event and light snacks are provided; Gold Palm kitchen opens at 4pm
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Prioritize Your Creativity Workbook: a lovely gift for yourself and others
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My Prioritize Your Creativity workbook is one year old! I read through it from front to back this past week (I’m sure you know how scary it is crack open past work) and thought, ‘Damn this is still really good.’ I made some minor updates and am re-releasing now, just in time for your holiday gift giving. Special now through December 29th: Get one workbook for yourself for $25 and gift a copy to a friend Get the workbook plus a 45-minute 1:1 with me to talk to about your creative process for a total of $150 - buy workbook/1:1 package here
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Prioritize your creativity Elevate your career & leadership skills For creative industry professionals evolving careers, preparing for job interviews, sharpening leadership skills, and more. Format: 1:1 sessions
Enable creative & efficient teams For creative teams balancing creativity, connection, efficiency and scale. Formats: 1:1 leader sessions, independent consulting, larger scale consulting with Blum
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That’s it for this monthly newsletter! Since you got this far, please help me grow by: Forwarding this newsletter to your creative friends, family and colleagues and asking them to sign up here. Following me on Instagram and/or LinkedIn for some news and inspiration that doesn’t always make it in here. I don’t overdo it, promise.
Thank you! Kate
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