Growth Mindset Cats

I decided to explore Growth Mindset Cats this week because I have been feeling burnt out lately. The first cat I found was the Stay Creative Cat. My field requires a lot and constant creative energy. This entire semester has beaten the creativity out of me. I am constantly second-guessing my ideas and stressed about whether they are "creative enough." I am working hard to build my creative confidence, but it's hard when you are mentally exhausted by forcing creativity. I think a lot of my worse ideas come from me forcing it. I think a lot of my best and confident work comes when I am just having fun and not planning it, so this cat really spoke to me. I enjoyed reading all the different ways to maintain creativity, and I think I really try some of the methods this week. 

The second cat I explored was the Path to Success Cat. I have gotten into this really bad habit of comparing myself to others. Like I am always doing it. I remember one of my friends in my major is a year below me and she has already had two internships related to our field, and I was set into a panic. I felt so behind and rushed to try to catch up. Then I talked to my friend who is pre-med, and she told me she was planning on taking a gap year before applying for med school. When I asked why she explained she wasn't sure if med school was what she wanted and she didn't want to rush into it. She wanted to travel and explore before rushing into anything. This automatically made me rethink my entire life. Was I rushing into my field? Should I explore more? Am I forcing myself to like this field because I'm in too deep? This cat is a helpful reminder that there isn't a correct way to succeed, and everyone is on their own path. 

Growth mindset

What started out as a light-hearted conversation about a more productive mindset, slowly turned into a serious discussion about the direction of my life and the people who will be along for the ride. I had a conversation with someone very dear to me about growth mindset, and it lead me to completely re-evaluating our connection and the plotline of our story. I didn't go into it thinking it would change anything, but I came out of the conversation with a different perspective about where I am headed. I don't know if I am headed in the right direction, but at least it's the direction I chose.  

Caption: Ariana's truest moment of growth. We can all learn and grow from the love, patience, and pain and can make us more amazing. 

Growth Mindset

Caption: Created by me on https://builder.cheezburger.com/Builder?targetSiteId=54776#step2

   
   I have heard of the Growth Mindset, and I've tried to implement it into my life when I can. 

   I am someone who has struggled with anxiety for pretty much my entire life. Many things can trigger a panic in me, sometimes nothing will trigger it. However, I've always tried to push myself past the panic, because I've seen what is on the other side of it, and rarely is it ever as bad as the Nervous Nelly in my head makes it out to be. I remember moving to Oklahoma was one of the biggest challenges for me, and when I told my mom that I was doubting the move to OU and wanted to remain in Houston. She said, 
   
   "Why would you do that? You know what's here. You know what you are leaving behind. You don't know what is out there, and you won't ever learn if you never explore it."

   And obviously, that sentiment among a lot of support from friends and family helped me come to and stay in Oklahoma. I like to keep that thought in the back of my mind whenever I am faced with any new and scary adventure. Even at restaurants I remind myself I know what a cheeseburger tastes like and I will never forget the taste of a cheeseburger, but I don't know the taste of a crab-stuffed mushroom and it could be my favorite food. 

Trying new things and exploring new paths is the only way to true growth, and I intend on growing into my best and most well-rounded self I can.