Happy new year to my readers and friends! I want to share something exciting with you, from the glorious Pacific Northwest coast—where the weather is clear and cool, and the liminal hours have been unusually colorful:

I have been quietly serving for a little while now as what I’ve come to call a “creative compass,” for folks who do creative work as a substantial part of their lives. I love this work, I have seen that it’s needed, and I feel called to continue and expand it. I’m telling you about it today because I am ready to welcome a limited number of additional clients.

A creative compass is someone who helps you figure out the creative work you want to accomplish and why, and then stay motivated and accountable to your own best workflow.

Someone who helps you untangle the threads of multiple projects and responsibilities, set meaningful intentions, and follow them through.

Someone who companions you in the work of discernment, motivation, and process. Another working creative, with the tools and questions to provide focused, friendly, professional support.

I’m not aware of an easy descriptive name for this service. You could call it coaching, mentorship, consulting, or really attentive listening and reflection.

Talking with my first clients about their experience, I’ve decided on “coaching” for now—because this is not about corporate productivity-hacking, and it’s also not therapy. It’s encouragement, accountability, and companionship.

Sessions focus on things like motivation, executive function, and process. The goal is always: empowering you to do the creative work you want to do.

If this sounds like a service that would benefit your practice, reach out to discuss what it might look like to work together. I’m tkshepersky@yahoo.com.

If you know someone else who might want to work with me, please send them this post. I’ll be grateful.

Capitalism is a reality of our world (at present), but please know that I’m committed to making Creative Compass as financially accessible as possible. I use a sliding scale, and I’m open to other ways to work together. Reach out; let’s talk.

I’m thinking a lot lately about right work, thresholds, wild becoming, and the openings that come with big transitions—in our personal lives, in our world. I may share some of that in a future essay.

It’s hard to know quite what to wish for you right now, friends. “Happy New Year?” That’s how I started this update, and yes, I do wish you happiness. I’m also more-than-usually aware of how utterly fragile and fragmented happiness feels.

Like many of you, I’m facing 2025 with a high degree of uncertainty. ‘Happiness’ isn’t the first thing on my mind. This is not something I’m merely feeling; I think it’s part of what defines our collective lives in this long moment. I believe (I suspect like many of you) that companionship and community are some of the best answers we can make to this moment. Creative Compass is one of my answers.

I’m thinking about how the conventional words “Happy New Year” are actually a formal blessing. And a statement of something that might be hope, or courage, or love. So:

May you find happiness—and companionship, and fulfillment—wherever it offers itself, small or large. And wherever you can offer it to others.