welcome back to our monthly feature of moonglowweekly. highlighting someone I admire & whose birthday falls in the current zodiac season (♈︎!!!)
the intention behind this series is to celebrate the incredible people that make up our community. share their stories, their resources, their wins and their realistic approaches to wellness.
today we are spending time with someone who adds so much color + vitality to all that she touches ~ tiff chou !
in her element !
I first met tiff when she was working as studio director at riffs’ here in san diego. I was enrolled in my teacher training at the time and she was often at the front desk with her cutie dog (my now nephew) monty !
I often refer to tiff as the yin to my yang. the herbal tea to my espresso shot. she is the perfect mix of being ambitious while remaining mindful. you can’t help but feel safe, seen and inspired by being in her presence.
tiff is warm, focused, brave, authentic, caring and multi-faceted. she thrives in mastering the in’s and out’s of running a business - her experience spanning from retail, to corporate, to small business and now entrepreneurship. she can figure out any dynamic and extract so many life lessons along the way.
the best part? this ambition is only amplified when it comes to her personal life! from being a wilderness guide to (think leading youth groups backpacking through places like montana, wyoming + alaska) to running her own thriving business, Thundercloud Creative, which is truly spectacular.
I was especially excited to feature tiff this season because it is earth day month. tiff is my go to when it comes to influencing an eco-conscious lifestyle and loving our sweet home planet. from her repurposed containers, buying in bulk, monitoring her overall consumption and being the true thrifting queen ~ I continue to learn so much from her and I know you will too 🌎
I couldn’t be more proud of you & love you forever (don’t forget to say it back)! hehe.
q: who is she?
a: hi I’m tiff, the artist behind Thundercloud Creative, a san diego-based live illustration business. I facilitate moments of human connection and joy through the creation of art in real time at weddings and events. it’s the most fun job in the world! the name Thundercloud Creative came from a lightning storm I survived while backpacking in the mountains. in that moment, I realized that if my life was cut short in a flash, my biggest regret would be not chasing my dream of being a full-time artist. so when I was laid off from my job in tech in late 2024, I took a leap of faith and turned a lifelong love of art into my new career! it certainly hasn’t been easy but forging my own path as a full time artist has proven to be endlessly fulfilling.
one of my personal fav thundercloud pieces ⛰️
q: who are you when you feel most confident and fully in your power?
a: I’m vibrant, silly, and magnetic. I know that I’m attracting positive energy, future opportunities, and connections with good people…and I can’t stop smiling! that’s how I know I’m in the zone!
q: what’s one daily habit or ritual that keeps your energy strong and grounded?
a: as much as I love a matcha latte (like, LOVE), I never rely on caffeine for energy. if I feel like I need a substance to boost my energy or productivity, what I probably need is a nap. so to combat getting into a caffeine-driven spiral, I try to stick to two rules: no phone after 10pm and no phone in the bedroom. it’s not always easy to follow these rules, but I know it helps me get a good night’s rest and sets me up for having enough energy to tackle the next day.
BFFS ☯️
q: what’s the most spontaneous or fun thing you’ve done lately?
a: I recently hosted some friends for a creative workshop where I taught them about the properties of acrylic paint and then we personalized tote bags. it was really magical to bring together people from all parts of my life and have them spend time together. no two bags looked alike, and some people commented that it was the first thing they had done for themselves in a long time. I want to host more workshops to give people the opportunity to connect with their creativity, because that’s where I believe our inner child is waiting for us to hang out with them! I plan to call them Thundercloud Creative Kickbacks because the vibe is easy going and friendly.
q: what helps you feel more connected to nature while living in the city?
a: I go on walks with my dog monty multiple times a day, and while we are outside I really love to admire the plants that we come across and the shifting color of the sky. I try not to rush him since he loves being outdoors so much, and it’s a good reminder to stop and smell the flowers. spring is my favorite season and there is so much in bloom right now! I’m probably stopping to sniff something as often as my dog is!
springtime at tiff's studio
q: what’s something that has inspired or moved you recently?
a: witnessing what it looks like to choose growth and honesty over comfort.
allowing space for the unknown, trusting the process, and watching both myself and someone close to me move through that with intention—it’s been deeply moving. there’s a quiet strength in choosing truth, even when it’s not the easiest path.
q: what has inspired your mindset regarding sustainability or consumption?
a: I actually have a degree in environmental policy and sustainable business practices, but what has inspired me most has been spending time unplugged in nature where my sense of tuning in is sharpened. not only can I hear my own thoughts better, I can hear the sounds of natural ecosystems, the sound of silence, and it’s so pure that I can’t imagine a world without that kind of beauty. when I feel so fulfilled without the trappings of everyday life, it makes me want to consume less.
capitalism will make you believe that you don’t have/aren’t doing/are not enough. trends will always make you feel like you’re uncool if you don’t participate, when they’re really just encouraging you to look or act like everyone else. beauty standards will tell you that aging is wrong, when it’s the natural rhythm of life. when you can see these constructs for the myths they are, the urge to consume grows quieter and you start to view life with an abundance mindset instead of a scarcity mindset.
q: what’s one bold step you’ve taken (or want to take) toward living more sustainably?
a: this might be kind of random…but I haven’t had a tv or any streaming subscriptions for the last 15 years. it’s not that I live under a rock (I still love watching movies at friends’ houses), I just found that reducing my exposure to entertainment media really allowed me to have so much more space in my head and time in my day to cultivate my own creativity! what followed suit is also that my life choices naturally became more sustainable and based on my needs vs. wants because I wasn’t being influenced as much by what I was seeing on screen.
q: what’s one small habit you’ve adopted that’s better for the planet? *perhaps one that you would consider pretty approachable?
a: reducing my use of AI and rejecting the pressure to adopt it. as an artist I fear that we are losing our unique voices and perspectives as we become more reliant on AI to do the thinking and talking for us. I love being a live artist, because I get to create original artwork in real time for people. AI could never! 😛 I believe there’s a time and place for it to be used effectively, but we also have to acknowledge that it is just so bad for the planet due to its massive energy usage, water consumption, and e-waste! I remember being a kid and not knowing a lot of things, and just having to wonder about them or ask another human to tell me about it. there’s something almost nostalgic and peaceful about wondering without the guarantee of finding an answer.
q: what’s one action others can take that actually makes a difference?
a: shop local. you literally vote with your dollars. when you put your money back into local economies instead of giving it to large corporations, you’re supporting your neighbor’s creative vision and hard work. you’re rooting for them to succeed. you’re voting to preserve the environment, community character, and human connection.
q: what inspires you to take action, even when change feels overwhelming?
a: I think about the butterfly effect, and how small actions can lead to big change. imagine every single coffee shop in the world. now imagine that one person brings in their reusable to-go cup at each shop. that would be thousands of pounds of trash reduced! what if it was two people? the action itself is minor, but the impact can be major.
q: what quote, mantra, or saying fires you up right now?
a: why not me?
q: what’s one piece of advice you’d give your younger self?
a: reframe your envy as “glimpsing at the possibilities.” when you see someone with something you want, whether that’s a lifestyle, material possession, or otherwise, take it as a signal that you have something to strive for and they are just the ones showing you that it’s possible to achieve it!
you can find tiff and her beautiful online shop + additional offerings on her business page x
for this week’s new moon:
tomorrow’s (4/17) aries new moon will peak at 4:51am pt. aries is the first sign of the zodiac and a new moon in this cardinal fire sign sign is especially ripe with new beginnings, bold action+ identity shifts.
this moon is challenging the stories within you that tell you to play small. encouraging you to develop trust in areas where you have doubt, to ignite passion where there may be apathy, and to discover a version of yourself that is asking to be met with open arms. to remember your autonomy and your agency.
with all of this being said, I have ONE, big, juicy tip for this moon:
BE HUNGRY. aries new moons are generally good for taking action – trying something new and innovative, and going at it with gusto and confidence. it’s a time to be assertive, take charge of our lives, start a brand new project, and rediscover our own personal courage. be open minded to what your gut is guiding you toward and away from. this can be around the exciting, reassuring feelings + also the uncomfortable, challenging feelings.
confidence is built through taking action - taking bold steps even when fear lingers. trust in your ability and in your agency to navigate the unknown. every challenge is an opportunity to strengthen your inner warrior. it’s time to stop asking so many questions or playing out every. possible. outcome. in your head. we might take steps towards self-mastery and self-empowerment by tackling things that undermine us. this concept in action…Mel Robbin’s 5 second rule.
aries is, “act now, find out later,” aka exist in fearlessness toward what feels right for you! stop thinking - start doing. there is additional learning to be found in the doing. aries learns through experience and action. we might consider acting on a constructive impulse and following a hunch or taking a risk. aries learns through experience and action, so let’s go out on an adventure !!!
journal…
~ what intentions do I want to set for a fresh start this new cycle?
~ what would my life look like if I moved forward without hesitation or self doubt?
~ what are you hungry for? what is being evoked within you?
affirm…
~ I step boldly into this season of transformation.
~ I embrace new beginnings with confidence and excitement.
~ my passions are my guide and I follow them fearlessly.
~ I am worthy of success, abundance and fulfillment.
~ I rise from winter stronger, wise and more powerful.
Tiff, your wit and lightheartedness are such a gift to us all!! 💛
tiff!!! You are an absolute queen. Loved reading this 💛💛