Before I ever knew there was a choice: “to be (…or not be…)” a creative…
I was just a kid —
making potions, unsightly concoctions, and forts in my parents’ backyard in Northern California.
I ground up rocks, stir-fried sticks and berries, dug for orange clay, tortured roly-polies, and rearranged bamboo and banana trees into mini garden palaces.
I would make up songs, poems, and entire one-woman shows — performing them in front of our family dachshund (who was, to be fair, a very attentive audience).
The outdoors was synonymous with play — with dreaming.
If you couldn’t find me in the yard, you’d certainly spot me across the street at the neighbor’s house — climbing their old sycamore tree.
Blisters, bruises, and scraped knees were my art.
And then…
almost imperceptibly,
those afternoons and evenings disappeared.
Finding My Way Back
In every decade since, I’ve experienced the forgetting — then the profound remembering — of nature’s critical role in my creative being.
In high school, I was hyper-focused on academics and extracurriculars. I craved to explore the outdoors, but felt intimidated.
Then, a couple mentors showed me to the ropes of backpacking — how to pitch a tent, choose the right footwear, cook delicious meals over firewood, even construct an igloo…
So, I started joining their weekly hikes and monthly camping trips.
Slowly, that little girl who used to dig up clay came out to play again.
In college, juggling schoolwork and multiple student jobs meant I was mostly confined to an urban campus. But, during my senior year, I found a hiking club that brought together students and professors to connect beyond the classroom.
I ended up joining their backpacking trips through Zion National Park, Yosemite, Death Valley, and Bryce Canyon — and these group trips truly enlightened me.
In fact, in the decade since — I’ve witnessed my most creative, joyful self bloom when held in the embrace of forests, valleys, and mountains.
A More Recent Awakening
When I got laid off from my corporate job three months ago, I set off on multiple solo journeys to beautiful landscapes around the world— the islands of Indonesia, valleys of Mexico, jungles of Costa Rica, and summits of Peru...
And, it was during these hikes, conversations, and quiet hours outdoors that I dreamt up some of my most inspired ideas — and ended up giving Tomatokind a big glow-up.
Part of that glow-up was building what you now know as Possibilities Club: a community that facilitates creativity and dream-building through workshops & in-person events.
And now, we’re taking this community outdoors!
And here’s the selfish part — I created Possibilities Club FIELD TRIPS because I (myself) need to be in this kind of community.
I am discovering life as a full-time creative entrepreneur and crave spaces that blend curiosity, story, exploration, connection, and movement.
A Field Trip for the Creative Soul
In this new chapter, I wanted to design something that would reconnect our creative community to the outdoors — to help us experience nature’s inspiring, transformational, and grounding powers.
So, whether you’re a seasoned backpacker or a paved-trail enthusiast, join us for monthly group hikes designed to spark curious conversation, connection, and creative inspiration!
Each Field Trip is led by me (Vanessa) and features a different creative guest — from documentary filmmakers to chefs, muralists, health coaches, children’s book authors…
(Oh, and if you have a guest to nominate, please do!)
What People Are Saying
Here’s what participants have shared about their Possibilities Club experiences:
“The workshop allowed me to be silly and creative. I felt less judgmental toward myself, and that helped me connect with my inner child.” - Virginia
“The icebreaker was unique and personally challenging because it forced me to quiet down my inner critic while tickling my creative brain. The group share-outs also helped me learn more about others — and myself — and reminded me we’re all figuring it out together.” - Janelle
“I left the event feeling freer and more authentic.” - Kam
🌿 You’re Invited on Nov 9th!
So, if you’re a creative who loves being inspired in nature — join us on our next Possibilities Club Field Trip! → “Nurturing Our Creative Vitality: Field Trip to Marin Headlands with Magali Mathieu”
Date: Saturday, November 9th
Time: 9:30–11:30 AM
Location: Tennessee Valley Trail Head, Marin County, CA
Difficulty: Easy (~ 3 miles round trip)
The first 3 get a special gift snail-mailed to them. And, if you’re currently a free Tomatokind subscriber, you’ll get a 6-month paid membership FOR FREE.
✨ Let’s experience together what it feels like to be fully alive, outdoors, and open to limitless possibilities.