NAUTI WARRIOR: Erika

NAUTI WARRIOR: Erika

I am so proud to showcase a girl full of compassion, love, and beauty! 

Let's get to know this month's Nauti Warrior, Erika. 

1. In what ways do you live a healthy lifestyle?

I try to live a healthy lifestyle by keeping my mental and physical health in check. I think both are equally as important, so I really try to do as much as I can to make sure both are in good condition. I definitely would NOT consider myself a gym rat (LOL) but I do try to exercise by going on hikes, walking when I can, and playing leisurely sports. I also try to eat healthy (Trader Joes salads & avocado toast are my go to!!) As for mental health, I really just try to accept myself for who I am, and listen to what my body and mind tells me, even in times when I want to believe otherwise. 

2. What do you do personally to practice self-care/ self-love?

I try to not beat myself up about the small things, and just remind myself that EVERY opportunity, situation, and person I encounter will end up bettering me as a person. Regardless of the outcome, I know that I can take something beautiful out of every situation, and that pushes me to just accept who I am and embrace everything that comes my way.

3. What are some small things that make your day better?

I definitely think getting enough sleep helps tremendously, and I wish I had realized that sooner. However, I also really like waking up 20 minutes earlier than I should and facetiming a family member or friend, making coffee/breakfast, or listening to music as I get ready. I feel productive and it’s such a good and easy way to start the morning! I also try to be present when I walk to class and not stare at my phone. You never know the things you’ll see/people you’ll run into and that always makes my day more enjoyable.

4. What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives?

I think everyone should say YOLO and go do the things they’ve always been too afraid to do. If something genuinely makes you scared and uncomfortable obviously don’t pursue that, but if you know deep down that you’ve always wanted to try something and are just afraid of taking that initial step, DO IT!!!! This could go for moving to a new city, falling in love, skydiving, raising your hand in class, trying a new sport, literally anything!! Just try it!! People end up regretting the things they don’t end up doing so if you know you want to do something just try it! Regardless of the outcome you will learn something so it’s a guaranteed positive experience :) 

5. What’s the most surprising self-realization you’ve had? 

This is going to sound so weird but the most surprising self-realization I’ve had thus far is that you are allowed to be your own first love. I always thought that I would find happiness and a sense of self worth from a person, event, situation, or environment, and I realize that yes that’s possible, but you have to learn to love and accept yourself before any of that can happen. You will ALWAYS be disappointed if you rely on outside sources to provide you with a sense of purpose. I’ve realized that I need to use this time to truly get to know myself and just learn to embrace all of who I am and what I stand for. Through that I will meet the right people and be guided to the right places, but it all starts within! 

6. Can you talk about the organizations you are involved with that help promote wellbeing? 

My outside organizations have been my favorite part of college so far because they have transformed me as an individual. Delta Beta Tau, the co-ed buddhist service fraternity I am involved with is the best thing I have ever been a part of. This organization centralizes around meditation and open discussion, and through that teaches you so much about life and yourself. It is such an open and warm environment which is what I love so much about it. I could talk about DBT for years but I’ll try to keep it at that. I also serve as a peer health educator which is a program I am so grateful to be involved in. We focus on spreading awareness and serving as resource to students regarding sexual health, proper nutrition and alcohol consumption, and just general ways to keep yourself healthy. I am also a member of SISSTER, which is another wonderful organization. SISSTER aims to spread awareness and reduce the statistics regarding sexual assault, and I am honored to get to work alongside so many passionate and intelligent individuals. It’s incredible to see everyone come together through outreach events and presentations and I am so thankful to be a member. Last but not least, I recently joined OneLove which is a new organization that was started on campus, and will hopefully be in full swing by next semester! The purpose of this organization is to draw a clearer line between unhealthy and healthy relationships, and spread awareness around emotionally and physically abusive relationships. We want to serve as a resource to students and promote only healthy relationships and I am so excited to see all the wonderful things this org will accomplish. 

7. What makes you smile?

People who are just genuinely themselves make me SO happy. I love seeing people comfortable in their own skin because their energy becomes contagious. Regardless of what your hobbies are/what you enjoy doing, it is just such a remarkable thing to witness people investing their time and energy into the things they are so passionate about. It inspires me so much because it takes so much confidence to pursue the things you love, because that can often mean doing it alone.  

8. What motivates you to live well and continue to better yourself?

I am so grateful for all the wonderful people and opportunities I have in my life because without them I would not be where I am. However, there are so many people that are not surrounded by those same circumstances, and it is crucial to remember that and use your resources to create a platform and voice for those individuals. Knowing that I have the ability to make a difference if I put forth the right effort motivates me every day and I hope that within my lifetime I can accomplish the things I have set out to do. 

9.What is your daily mantra/motto that you live by?

Just do you! Allow yourself to be who you are and feel what you feel. Don’t try to fight anything, just begin to embrace all the parts of yourself, good and bad, and through that life will become a lot simpler, and you will become a lot happier.

10. What advice do you have for others who are trying to live nauti? 

I’ve said this so many times now LOL but really just begin to love yourself first. It is quite possibly one of the hardest things to do, but life becomes so much better when you just forget about being this perfect person and allow yourself to be YOU. That guarantees for mistakes to occur, heartbreak to happen, and things to seeming to never go right, but in the end you’re living and experiencing, and that’s the greatest gift we could ask for. Once you begin to just accept yourself and not try to change or justify the way you are, life becomes SO much more beautiful and you really begin to value all the wonderful things we are exposed to. Regardless of who you meet and what happens, you will always learn something. Be open, take risks, and most importantly, treat yourself the same way you would treat any loved one :) You matter just as much.