Finding Motivation

How does one become unmotivated? Is it the build-up of stress that overpowers our life? Are there other attributes that contribute to one’s motivational level like mental health? There is no one simple answer to this debacle. We have all been there. Yes, even that one person who appears to have their shit together. Maybe you strive to get your day going faster but you’re struggling with where to begin. Maybe you want to do more in your day but feel as though time is not on your side. Here are some ways that might help guide you on your motivational journey:

1. Write it Out
   One reason we may choose to do nothing is when we have a copious amount of things to actually do. Write that sh*t down! Create a To-Do list of achievable tasks for your day. Writing it out has an effect on one’s efforts to complete these tasks. I have my beloved planner where I write my daily To-Do list as well as a “Things I have to do at some point” list. I also created a sticky note on my Mac screen of all the dates of school assignments. Once I finish the assignment I put a check mark next to it, and then delete it once it is time to turn it in. There is something relieving about watching that dreaded list shrink! Lastly, I recently purchased a dry erase board to manage my lists. I absolutely love it! I have it up on my wall and every night, or morning, I write out what I need to get done the next day. Sometimes I like putting little tasks like “brush my teeth” or “make tea” to give myself a small sense of satisfaction.
2. Essential Oils 
   The healing power of plants. Not only do they smell heavenly, but the benefits of certain oils may be exactly what you need to keep you going! doTERRA has beautiful blends that you can diffuse or topically use to help your motivational levels! Pictured below is my favorite blend, ironically called “Motivate”. Just a dab on my temples and wrists and I’m ready to go. Let me know if you need more information! I have two beautiful friends who are advocates for this company that would be more than willing to share their insight and knowledge with you to get you started!
    
   

   
3. Get Rid of it
   Wake up, social media. Bedtime, social media. Don’t know what to do with yourself? Social media. Avoiding doing everything you are supposed to be doing? Social media. It seems as though social media is always our automatic go to when we are bored or avoidant. Many of us developed a habit to be attached to our devices. The time spent on our devices takes away the time that can be used towards something else. Recently I started to delete my social media apps from my phone when I know I have important things to get done. This has not only helped my productivity levels but helped me realize how often I mindlessly pick up my phone. When I wake up, instead of laying in my bed for an extra 20 minutes doing mindless scrolling, I am able to begin my day sooner and start crossing off my tasks on my board!Lastly…
4. Ask Yourself This 
   Why are you so unmotivated? What isn’t serving you in your life? Sometimes what unmotivates us is having to do something we do not want to do. So, why don’t you want to do whatever it is you are doing? I’ll just leave that there for you to think about…

 

I’d love to hear what it is you all do to help your motivation shine!! With so much love, happy Friday and namaste 🙂

Nina

Two Weeks Out West

 

If you spend two weeks with someone couch hopping, camping in trees, sleeping in the car, abandoning your car for 7 hours because they may or may not have gotten it stuck in sand at the beach AND you only wanted to kill each other twice during the whole thing, then you 100% found the perfect traveling partner in crime (take breath here). Thanks Joey for not only being a cool individual, but for taking an eye opening and life changing trip with me.
My best friend, Joey, and I have been talking for months about taking a trip out west. When I returned from my four week trip from Germany, I caught the case of the travel bug and knew we had to do this trip. We picked a date and said no matter what, we are five thousand percent doing this. As I mentioned in my past blog post, Making Decisions I mentioned how I made the decision that I wanted to take a break from school. I couldn’t be more happy about this decision because if I went back, I would have never had this wonderful experience.

Our trip consisted of four states: Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. Each state filled with beauty, so different from one another. Traveling is so important, especially exploring the beauties of your very own country. It’s unfortunate that not everyone has the means or opportunity to go out there and explore. If you’re able to, don’t take it for granted!!

Here are some sights to see/stay when out west: 

Chautauqua. Boulder, CO

 

 

White Sands, New Mexico

 

Absolutely amazing. We had no idea what to expect when we decided to take a trip down to the historic White Sands, but we are so glad we did. We both thought we would just stop by to take a look, and ended up staying for a good couple hours.

 

Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley Arizona

 

 

CAMPING IN MONUMENT VALLEY IS A MUST

 

Joey and I agree that this is the best campsite that we will ever go to. It cost $20 to enter the native land and another $20 to camp, but is completely worth it. You get to choose where on the site you want to set up, and then you are in for a night of beautiful views. While setting up, we met two absolutely inspiring people. One was a gentlemen from Quebec, Canada and the other was a young lady from Japan. Both decided to drive alone and travel the country!! Definitely an amazing way to meet people from all around the word!

 

Lone Rock Beach Campground Lake Powell, Utah

Another fantastic camping spot IF YOU DON’T GET STUCK IN THE SAND. Do not drive a FWD car on the beach… just don’t do it.. We had to leave my car by itself for 7 hours while we slept and then had someone tow my poor car out. But other than that, the views were absolutely amazing and so much fun camping on the beach! Only $14 for the night!

 

Middle Mountain Campground, San Juan National Forest in the Lower Rockies, CO

 

On our way from Monument Valley, we found a hidden gem in the San Juan National Forest. This was such a perfect spot along the lake. It had great reviews as well as a welcoming atmosphere from the owner. Only $24 to camp for the night! I wish we could have stayed longer, but we were running low on days and needed to make our way back up the rockies to Boulder, once again.

This 13 day trip out west was an opportunity not many people have, and I am truly grateful I was able to have such a fulfilling and successful trip with one of my closest friends. Let’s see where this adventure bug has me going next!!

Nina

 

Appreciation

As I sat amongst my cohorts during graduation, I sat in silence while nearly 900 individuals were called up to receive their token of hard work. It almost seemed unreal. Sometimes it still seems unreal. Through laughter, tears, struggle, love, SHINGLES, I was seconds away from hearing my name and walking across a stage to end one of the most impactful and life-changing chapters in my life. While each name of the 2017 graduating class was announced, I continued to sit in silence. My peers wondered why I didn’t seem excited or why I was so quiet. I would gently give a smirk, look down at my lap, and continued to read the blue booklet that included the names of the class graduates. I read every single name. Calming my mind and appreciating those who went through their own obstacles to get to where we all were that day. Graduation.

I wish I could say how I felt when my name was read. Relief, excitement, nervous? I honestly don’t remember what I was thinking. The adrenalin and the anticipation to get off the stage while repeating to myself “don’t trip” was overwhelming. Walking across the stage and shaking hands with the president of the University is one fat blur. If I didn’t have a picture to prove it, I would almost not believe it happened. As soon as I sat back in my seat, it all hit me. Holy shit. I just walked across the stage to end my undergrad career. And every single person who did deserve it. I always joke with myself “who is letting me graduate?” or saying I am a hot mess. In all honesty, I am a badass who just graduated with my bachelors in social work! I did it. And I knew it would happen. Yes, I had doubts, but in my heart, I always knew that in order to achieve my dreams, I have to accomplish an obstacle. I decided to stop saying it is unbelievable because it is believable! I have learned so much about myself and have pushed myself to abundant amounts of limitations and graduated. I couldn’t be more proud of myself.

My heart is full. Beautifully, overwhelmingly full. Through challenging months, I have experienced and witnessed unconditional love from family and friends, but most importantly, I have received this love from myself. An appreciation for my sense of adventure, persistence, and optimistic mindset has evolved, grown, and lightened throughout the years. Most importantly, this has occurred the day I ended my chapter as an undergrad.

I am excited to start my new story. Sunday I leave for a four-week adventure in Germany with family. I am grateful to have so many opportunities, and even more grateful to see family that I haven’t seen in a while. As soon as I return, I begin another adventure with continuing my education in Yoga school. I may have graduated, but this Social Worker will never stand still.

Much love and appreciation.

Nina T. Catalano, BSW 😉

 

 

Thank You, 2016

As a new year approaches, many people begin to reflect on the year that is coming to an end. From observations based on social media sites and communicating with other people, these reflections usually consist of negative opinions or unfortunate events that leads them to believe the year was a horrible year and the next year will be better. From experiencing loss, heartache, and struggle myself, I also experienced life, love, and determination.

“We have to continue to learn. We have to be open. And we have to be ready to release our knowledge in order to come to a higher understanding of reality.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

2016 should not be defined as a “shitty year”, it should be rephrased as a year that may have had shitty events. But within this year, I have learned many things about myself, other people, and life itself. I don’t want to “leave” this year with negative frustration or poor judgment just because sad and negative things happened within the year because, in all honesty, it will carry on into 2017. The only difference between the old year and the upcoming year is a new number. You are in control of how you perceive it.

A popular term used every year by society is “New year, new me”. I think it is fantastic that people want to better themselves, HOWEVER, I think this should be done every day instead of every year! Try rephrasing it to “New day, improved me”. My challenge for everyone is to start their 2017 with not saying “New year, new me”, but living every single day in this new year through struggle, beauty, frustration, and love with “new year, improved me”. Every. Single. Day.

I wish everyone a safe, fulfilling, and peaceful new year. Remember to better yourself every day and to challenge yourself through wonderful and difficult times.

Nina

It’s. Okay.

October went from my favorite month to my least favorite faster than I can even blink. With that being said, I have found myself in a rut, my homeostatic lifestyle interrupted, and although my passion for social work still being alive, it has been hanging on a thread. Or basically, myself hanging off a cliff. Still maintaining my routines as best as I could, I noticed they were not as consistent as I hoped they would be. I believed school, interning, and work had corrupted my life and took away the time I had for myself. For someone who is comfortable with expression and acknowledging my own feelings, I slowly slipped away from it because I always think to myself “Someone else would love to be in my position” or “This isn’t struggling. I’ve seen real struggle throughout my internship”. These thoughts are unhealthy to have. Who says what you are going through isn’t a struggle? Truth is, it’s okay to feel sad. It’s okay to feel happy. It’s okay to sometimes not feel anything at all. It is just okay.

It’s okay to cry

Crying is not a sign of weakness. And if it is, it’s okay to feel weak. We are only humans who carry on many obstacles the universe throws at us. We all wish for superpowers, so the one you can give to yourself is internal strength. With that, being intact with your emotions and acknowledging that you feel like you need to cry in order to release any access stress that is consuming your life, DO IT. Cry it out. Give yourself that superpower.

It’s okay to be happy

Sometimes I feel guilty for having a good day and feeling happy or content with where I am in life. I constantly think about the hardships many people my age encounter and their good day might look like only being hit once, or having one meal that day, or so on. My mind is a pool of situations other people are living in that I forget to think about my own life. Where I am and where I want to be. I am a happy person. I am grateful for so many things and would not change my life for anything. I just have to learn how to be okay with this and learn that IT’S OKAY to be happy.

It’s okay to have imperfections

My life is filled with imperfections. As much as I sometimes hate it, I love it. This is what molds you to who you are. It shows the world how you deal with your imperfections in order to continue living a productive, full life. My fuel to prove myself to my own negativity are my imperfections. You are not your imperfections. You are how you choose to live with them.

Remember that it is okay to feel how you are feeling, no matter what the emotion may be. It is okay to love yourself, to love others, and to love the good days and bad. Life can get hard, and that is okay, too.

Have a wonderful weekend, and I’ll try to be okay if you all do the same! 🙂

Nina