We were lucky to catch up with Cat Aldana recently and have shared our conversation below.
Cat, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
I find that whenever I stop yearning to do things that feel “creative,” and surrender to the reality of whatever boring task I’m doing moment to moment – like washing dishes, doing laundry etc – that’s when ideas, inspiration, and boundless creativity flows through me. When creativity pours out of me and becomes a release rather than something I’m searching for, that’s when I know I’m doing a good job of letting myself be bored in my day to day life.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a writer, actor and model.
I write personal essays that reflect universal shared experiences and offer life lessons. I’m a storyteller that sees the world through a maternal, yogic, and comedic lens. You can find my writing on Substack at cataldanasager.substack.com. This Fall I plan to relaunch with some exciting changes so please subscribe and stay tuned.
As a lifelong learner with a heart full of empathy and a hell of a strong intuition, acting is how I channel this part of me in a way that’s honestly – pure fun. I love modeling as well, again, because it’s fun! Pursuing my own personal joy is so important when it comes to how I spend my time away from my kids. I’m grateful to have signed with a talent agency that believes in me and sends tons of opportunities my way.
Becoming a mother was the best thing that ever happened to me when it comes to my career and creativity. Before this point, I was an entrepreneur, business owner and wellness professional. (You can learn more about my past work at eatstretchnap.com.) Through the unraveling of my old self in motherhood, I found my new self – someone who wants to tell stories and play, just like my kids. Through my work, I hope to inspire others to connect to their own sense of play, whatever that looks like. Because who said you need to stop having fun when you grow up?
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1.) Self-inquiry – Personal reflection is a superpower. Never stop asking yourself why you do what you do. Journaling is a great way to get to know yourself.
2.) Courage – There’s these sayings, “Jump and the net will appear,” “Build the plane while you’re flying it,” “Be scared and do it anyway,” – they’re all correct. You must take risks and figure things out along the way. It’s the only way to create change in your life. The best way to put this into practice is to do one small creative thing you’re afraid to do. You’ll survive, and you’ll be forever changed.
3.) This next one seems counterintuitive to #2 but it’s equally important.
Self-compassion – Give yourself permission to be exactly where you are. We spend the majority of our lives in between where we are and where we want to be, a liminal space. Learn to be comfortable in this space, this unknown gray area, whether that’s through creating self-care practices, finding community, or both. There’s a lot of emphasis in this world on advice like #2, which I believe is so true and extremely powerful, but you also got to be easy on yourself and understand that being in between goals is so f-ing normal. You’re good.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Yes! I’d love to collaborate with mothers who are artists of any kind and female Filipino-American actors and comedians. I’m working on an interview series and would love to hear your story.
Email me at [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]). Let’s talk!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cataldanasager.substack.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cataldanasager/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cataldanasager
Image Credits
Ro Birkey
Ian Mclaren
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
