Here’s How The Bold Type Star Katie Stevens Powers Her Happy

Katie feels fulfilled when she's with her fiancé, her family, her dog, and her friends — and also when she's working. "It's always a difficult decision when work takes me away from home," she says. "While I enjoy being creative and busy, distance is hard, but I am fortunate to have such a strong and loving support system." Katie notes that her friends and family encourage her to go after every exciting opportunity. "Life is about balance, and I'm always navigating a happy balance of both creativity and being busy," she says.

Take the Leap

Katie chose to audition for a major talent competition reality show at age 16. How did she decide to take the leap into the music industry? She says that it wasn't even something she had to think about. "I've been lucky enough to know what I wanted to do from a young age," she says. "So when auditions were near me, I knew I had to go. But I never actually thought that I would've made it, much less ended up where I am today. It was all pretty serendipitous."

To establish balance, Katie likes to cook, as it's very therapeutic for her. She also tries to exercise every day. "Whether it be a full-on circuit, a walk around town, or a run, I always try to move my body in some way," she says. "It gives me energy and confidence and allows me to start the day with a positive attitude."

Getting Rest

After long hours on the set of The Bold Type, Katie confesses to a nightly face plant into bed — especially after a 16-hour day! "I don't really have 'unwind' time," she says. "However, if I work a full day and get out early, occasionally I'll sit on my couch and treat myself to a glass of rosé and chocolate chip cookie coconut ice cream."

One silly habit that brings a smile to Katie's face? Watching talk show videos on her phone. "The interviews are hilarious, the audience surprises make me cry . . . I just go through the whole spectrum of emotions," she says.

Katie admits that she and her The Bold Type character Jane are very similar. "She's on a journey that I am constantly on, which is to let go of perfectionism," Katie says. "I think as humans we try to get everything right, and we're hard on ourselves when things don't go right." She adds that she's trying to learn to have a sense of humor about life and not get stressed by the little things.

Katie is all about defining happiness on your own terms. "Know that every person who 'appears' happy in pictures, in magazines, online? They all have struggles, too," she says. In other words, perfection does not exist. "Immerse yourself in what you're passionate about, surround yourself with people who encourage and uplift you, and get dessert with dinner," she says.

Relationships Matter Most

Katie says that her relationships mean everything to her. "My family, my fiancé, my friends . . . they're the glue, they're my anchors, they ground me," she says. "My success would mean nothing if I couldn't share the ups, downs, and in-betweens with the people I love."

If you're attending POSUGAR Play/Ground on June 9th, don't miss the Power Your Happy panel on the Play stage featuring Katie as a speaker, where she will delve into what fuels joy — and how to find it in everyday life.