Mindfulness is a hot trend right now. But what does it really mean to be mindful? What benefits does being mindful offer? Stephanie Catalano is the Mindful Makeover expert and author behind the workbook and guide, Mindful Makeover: Create the Life You Desire. Mindful Makeover teaches you how to be Mindful anywhere and everywhere. Below, Catalano provides information and tips on mindful living.
What does being mindful mean? What inspired you to write Mindful Makeover?
To be Mindful is to be aware with all of your senses. It is to experience life in the present moment without passing judgment and without labeling thoughts, feelings, and/or experiences as “positive” or “negative.” To be Mindful is to also experience life as it’s happening rather than dwelling on the past, worrying about the future, or waiting for the “right” moment.
I was inspired to write Mindful Makeover because of my passion to empower individuals to work towards reaching their highest potential and break-free from “autopilot.” I felt led to create something that is easy, accessible, and most-importantly doable. Not everyone has the time, an interest, or the funds for therapy or coaching, however, people struggle, and I want them to know there is a resource and tool available.
There is a lot of people talking about Mindfulness right now, but not a lot of people are talking about what it actually means, how to start, and beyond that how to maintain a Mindful life when things such as anxiety, stress, depression, fear, and grief are still real. This also inspired me to create Mindful Makeover, an action-based Workbook, offering practical skills.
How does practicing mindful living differ from traditional therapy?
Practicing Mindful Living is different than Traditional Therapy in the sense Traditional Therapy typically requires a person to attend therapy each week for a 60-90 minute session, and this typically lasts for three months (90 day treatment plan). Once you’re discharged, that’s it. This often leaves the person wondering what to do next or having to return to therapy when anxiety takes over again, to name an example. There is nothing wrong with this approach and in some cases, it is needed and recommended.
Mindful Living is a lifestyle rather than something you do. It’s not a 90 day commitment. It’s a daily commitment, a way of living. This is different because Mindful Living helps the person identify any barriers, blocks, and/or beliefs that are interfering with the ability to truly experience life in the present moment and practical skills are learned to help navigate through everyday life and return to the “here and now” as many times as needed. Mindful Living is about healing, empowerment, and transformation so the person can become the observer of their life and experience life in the moment.
Can you briefly explain The Magic Four formula?
The Magic Four is an easy, simple, evidenced-based formula created as a guide for individuals as they begin the journey of transforming from the inside out and take steps of action supportive of reaching their highest potential. The Magic Four is essential in order to reach the place where a person is able to be present in the moment. It’s incredibly difficult to truly pay attention to what’s happening in the present moment if the person is struggling with limiting beliefs, overwhelming feelings, and unresolved trauma, to name a few examples. The intention of The Magic Four is to guide the person inward to gain awareness, begin accepting people, places, things, and events from the past, take accountability and examine how the person contributes to their experiences, and action which is to apply the skills learned and maintain Mindful Living.
Are there any quick tips you can offer someone wanting to start living a more mindful life?
Five Quick Tips to Start Living a Mindful Life:
- In any situation, stop, think, then choose your response rather than reacting.
- Connect with your senses, meaning create moments in the day where you become aware of what you can see, hear, feel, taste, and smell.
- Cultivate Mindful moments when at a red light or in the shower by naming what went well today and what you’re are grateful for.
- Focus on one thing at a time, avoid overly multi-tasking.
- When you find yourself dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, notice it, then re-focus on what is happening in the present moment.
About Stephanie Catalano
Stephanie Catalano is a State of Florida Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Personal Development Author. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Sociology with a minor in Psychology from Florida State University and her Master of Social Work from Florida Atlantic University.
Stephanie has over eight years of experience in the fields of Child Welfare, Mental Health, and Substance Use Disorders with three published books to date: Bonafide Spirit, Painted Soul, and Mindful Makeover. For as long as she can remember, she has been an entrepreneur at heart, and 2017 was the year she chose courage over fear and created her private practice dream, Mindful Living. She created Mindful Living with the vision to empower women as they work towards reaching their highest potential and a higher level of consciousness. This is accomplished through coaching, counseling, workshops, and public speaking.
Stephanie’s most recent book, Mindful Makeover is a 30-day workbook and guide for women who want to learn how to live mindfully, become deliberate thinkers, and align with their true essence and most authentic self. Mindful Makeover is so much more than a workbook; it’s a movement, a way of life. Mindful Makeover is also a podcast, a digital course, and it’s available as a guided video experience with Stephanie.