KaterMater’s Adventures!

With everything going on in today’s world, it can be very easy to be worried and spend your days stressed. The worry pit can become overwhelming. It can lead to a constant state of negativity. I myself have fallen into this worry pit over the last several months. It’s easy to do! Through this time though, I’ve learned three things that help me deal with my worry that also might help you deal with your worry.

Pick Up A New Hobby

Whether it’s something as simple as solving puzzles or something as intense as weightlifting, picking up a new hobby can give you something to focus on and distract yourself for a little while from the worry you’re dealing with. Some of my personal favorites that I have been trying to pick up are things like cooking, writing letters of positivity to others, and even this blog! All of these things have been helpful to channel my energy into a useful and beneficial thing rather than putting my energy into worrying.

Write Down Your Worries

Writing down what you’re worried about can help you really focus on those things and get them off your chest. You can make lists of what you’re worried about. You can write it down journal style. By using writing to express your worry, you are able to relieve some of that tension and put it into action. You could also try to do the opposite. Instead of writing down your worries, try writing down positive thoughts. The more positivity you see and you express, the easier it will become for you to have a positive mindset!

Talk to Someone

It’s the oldest trick in the book. Talking to someone about what you’re feeling, thinking, or dealing with can greatly help you overcome those things. Another person can bring you insight and a new perspective that can help you adjust your focus and find sources of happiness. You can talk to a counselor, a close friend, a mentor, a parent, or even a teacher. Talking to someone can help you realize what you’re worried about and put it into words. It can also bring emotions out that you didn’t even know you were dealing with. Having those people that you can go to and talk to about things you are dealing with and worried about will help you process emotions and learn the coping skills needed to overcome.

I hope one of these tips will help you with whatever is on your heart right now. These are stressful times, and I know everyone is dealing with something. I’m praying for you all!

Oh! Happy Thanksgiving!

-Katie

Welcome back lovely adventurers! I hope you had a great week.

Our week was filled with lots of travel, good food family time, and new experiences. John Lukas and I got the chance to travel down to Plant City and visit with his family. We had such a fun time seeing everyone and making memories with them.

During our week in Plant City, we ate. I mean, we ATE.

We started our feast weekend started with an amazing Mongolian buffet. BD’s Mongolian Grill is the most creative and unique little place to eat. You go through a line and pick all the uncooked food you would want to eat and put it all in a bowl. After you’ve picked all your meat, pasta, veggies, spices, and sauces, you hand your bowl over to the chef’s who cook the food in front of you on a giant circle grill.

This was the best Mongolian food I’ve ever eaten! Trust me!

After our night of Mongolian food, we got to spend the weekend with the family carving pumpkins, playing games, and enjoying time together.

We ended our trip in Plant City by watching Jay’s dad preach and then eating a healthy brunch with the family! First Watch is the best brunch place to go in Brandon. Chikichaungas are my new favorite version of chimichanga’s. If you ever have a chance to go to First Watch, go!

Anyways, I hope I didn’t make you too hungry with these pictures! I can’t wait to tell you what happens this week!

Happy adventuring!

-Katie

Welcome back! I’m so excited you’re here to join me tonight!

This week was very busy, but John Lukas and I made the most of it! Instead of traveling super far away, we decided to stay local and explore our own backyard.

With fall in full swing, we decided to go on an impromptu date night. From pumpkin patches, to local thrift stores, to movies on the couch, it was a great night of enjoying time together and taking a break from the hustle and bustle of day to day life.

I don’t know about y’all, but I love the sense of fall that pumpkin decor adds to any room! These cute miniature pumpkins were such a great addition to my cozy little apartment.

Our weekend consisted of staying at home and watching Survivor all weekend! This was the first weekend we stayed home in several weeks. When I tell y’all that this was a breath of fresh air, I mean it. I have a bad habit of wanting to always go somewhere and do something and stay busy. Often John Lukas has to remind me to slow down and let myself recover, which leads me to what I want to talk to y’all about.

Saturday was World Mental Health Awareness Day. Mental health is a topic that doesn’t get talked about much. One in four people struggle with their mental health-myself included. I struggled with mental health issues all through high school and college. I didn’t know what to do or how to handle it. I didn’t think it was something a lot of people dealt with, but then I started to read and study it. I wanted to find a solution for myself, and in that search, I found a community. I found a career path. I found therapy. All of these different things helped me learn how to process, handle, and deal with the issues I was dealing with.

I was able to learn to embrace the weird and awkward parts of myself. I was able to learn to love myself for who I am. I was able to learn that I was created and put on this earth to be nobody else but me.

I still have my days or weeks or even months (like quarantine!) where I struggle, but mental health is something that you continuously grow through! It’s okay to talk about it. It’s okay to admit you’re struggling. It’s okay to ask for help. If you don’t know where to go, who to go to, or what to do, ask someone you trust or even ask me! I will do everything I can to get you the help and support you need.

Anyways, thank you for joining me on this weeks blog! I can’t wait to share with you the excitement that we have coming this weekend! Look forward to chatting with you next week! Happy adventuring!

–Katie