New Week

on November 28, 2011
in All Posts

Confession:  Last week was a really crap week.

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I’m pretty good at reframing crap situations in positive lights, but last week was just one small headache and trouble after another.  Nothing that was truly a big deal in the grand scheme of things – I just went to bed feeling defeated and unhappy every single night for 7 straight days.

 

This morning, I woke up thinking, “ENOUGH!”  I am going to have an awesome week.  Even if nothing particularly awesome happens.  Because it’s awesome just to be alive.  Even if you accidentally overdraft your bank account, you feel like everyone hates you, the dog poops on your nice rug, you permanently delete an important work file, and your hormones are running wild.  That stuff is nothing.  Not worth being so unhappy about.

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I started by putting on real people work clothes.  All the other work-from-homers can attest that sitting in your PJs all day long does nothing for your mood!

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And then I de-dog furred myself.

 

Breakfast was something to smile about, too.

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Remember that cranberry relish I mentioned last night?  It’s pretty tasty, especially on oatmeal!

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In the mix:

 

1/2 cup oats

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup almond  milk

1 banana

Toppings: Cranberry relish and pecans

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To make the cranberry relish, I put 2 cups of fresh cranberries, 1 whole orange (peeled), 2 tablespoons orange juice, and 1/3 cup sugar in the food processor and let it whirl.  Yum.  Next time, I would increase the cranberries by 1 cup.

 

A pup is begging to be walked – gotta go.  I hope you have a WONDERFUL Monday. 

{ 61 comments }

 

  • vks November 28, 2011, 9:25 am

    Whenever our puppy poops in the house, I remind myself that I’m so glad WE adopted him (He’s a rescue) and that we love him even if he does poop on the rug sometimes. He could live with people who don’t understand that sometimes little dogs have accidents. 🙂 Kind of silly, but it makes me feel better. And let’s just say poop again to make it 3x in one comment…

    • CaitlinHTP November 28, 2011, 2:04 pm

      @vks: I like this 🙂 I try to remember it’s not that big of a deal. Pup > Rug.

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat November 28, 2011, 9:26 am

    Isn’t it strange how putting on “real” clothes can make you feel instantly better? Great attitude to start off this new week Caitlin. I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful one! 🙂

  • tamicka November 28, 2011, 9:26 am

    I know how you feel. Two months ago I injured my ankle and it still hurts. I decided I was tired of feeling crummy from weigt gain and no exercise from my injury and I did a ten minute walking program this morning. Yeah it hurt and was hard but I feel so accomplished today. And I know today can be great. 🙂

    • CaitlinHTP November 28, 2011, 2:05 pm

      @tamicka: Sorry you’re injured 🙁 Injuries blow.

  • Khushboo November 28, 2011, 9:28 am

    Yesss love this post! The only thing stopping you from having a good day is your attitude! Have a fab week!

  • Alaina November 28, 2011, 9:28 am

    Cranberry relish is great with some grated ginger in it too!

    I hope that your week gets better Caitlin!

  • HRCK @ http://hrcktheherald.wordpress.com November 28, 2011, 9:30 am

    I need that kick in the pants this morning as well. I hope this week is a 180 on last 🙂

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife November 28, 2011, 9:31 am

    I WILL have a great day too! Even though I got crap sleep last night-boo. But it is totally a NEW week–woot!! 🙂

  • Sana November 28, 2011, 9:36 am

    🙂 You get to be alive today!!! Sometimes that is all that it takes for me to get out of my funk!

  • Cindy Robinson November 28, 2011, 9:45 am

    Wow, we must have been on the same “wavelength” I have been feeling the exact same way. I’m usually an upbeat kind of person and happy to just be breathing, but all this other crap keeps dampening my mood. So what if I paid my credit card bill twice and overdrafted??!! Thanks for the inspiring post!!!

    • CaitlinHTP November 28, 2011, 2:05 pm

      @Cindy Robinson: Ugh I hate it when you pay CC twice because they won’t give you the money back! At least mine won’t. And then you have a neg balance just waiting to be filled.

  • Carolina John November 28, 2011, 9:46 am

    Have a great week Caitlin!

  • Katie November 28, 2011, 9:48 am

    That oatmeal looks awesome. Hope this week is better for you!

  • Gina @ Running to the Kitchen November 28, 2011, 9:49 am

    I work from home and am still in my pajamas right now. Going to change right this second, because you’re totally right it changes your mood instantly. Hope you have a better week!

  • Emily November 28, 2011, 9:56 am

    Ooo, that cranberry relish looks awesome. It adds some nice color to your oats!

  • Faith @ For the Health of It November 28, 2011, 9:59 am

    Yay for a fresh start and a great new chance for awesomeness…hope you have a better week!

  • Rachel November 28, 2011, 10:02 am

    Hope you feel better Caitlin! I think your positive attitute despite it all is going to help you felt like yourself in no time 🙂

  • Amanda November 28, 2011, 10:05 am

    Monday is such a great way to re-start, good luck!!!

    PS I’m about to try te pomegranite thing for the first time, thanks to your instructions, can’t wait!!

  • Katherine November 28, 2011, 10:07 am

    Hope you have a better week!

  • briana November 28, 2011, 10:14 am

    that’s funny, b/c one of the things i love MOST about working from home (which i do three days a week) is that i get to sit around in my robe or pajamas all day!

  • Angela @ MyPinkyToes November 28, 2011, 10:23 am

    It’s okay to feel that way sometimes, but it gives you a nice chance to start fresh! Here’s to a great week ahead!
    (And nobody hates you! Quite the opposite!)

  • Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life) November 28, 2011, 10:32 am

    Agreed- staying in pjs sounds enticing, but by noon I feel like a Los-Er, even if I’ve been working all morning. Real clothes are key.

  • Meaghan (My Spoonful Of Inspiration) November 28, 2011, 10:33 am

    I hope you can have a better week this week! It really is all about the mindset. Think positive and positivity will follow 🙂

  • Cat November 28, 2011, 10:35 am

    I work from home now too. I definitely agree that when I stay in my pjs & glasses I feel super lazy. Just by changing into my contacts, brushing my hair & teeth, & putting on workout clothes I feel a lot better. Of course, I never know when my boss is going to Facetime me so I try not to go too long into the morning in my pjs 🙂

    P.S. I forgot to comment about your house searching post. Move to Huntersville! Where my husband & I live, there are lots places to run 🙂

  • Elisabeth November 28, 2011, 10:43 am

    Way to go with the positive attitude this morning! I could definitely stand to give myself a kick in the pants, too…I’ve been feeling sorry for myself for a couple weeks, as well. Thanks for the inspiration 🙂

  • kathleen @ the daily crumb November 28, 2011, 10:51 am

    i can definitely relate to those days that just feel like everything is wrong. your attitude is so refreshing, though… you’re right, nothing gets better by sitting around wallowing in our sorrows.

    i’m definitely one of those work-from-home-in-pajamas people… i need to get better about actually getting myself dressed!

  • kwithme November 28, 2011, 10:54 am

    I understand about letting the little things get you down. I am working to let the little frustrations go. I try to tell myself if I am not even going to remember in a day or two, why waste the energy being upset.

  • Mahesha November 28, 2011, 11:00 am

    Last week was pretty awful for me as well. Believe it or not reading your blog religiously was what kept me going. So thank you for positively reframing things 🙂

  • Meagan November 28, 2011, 11:12 am

    The pregnancy hormones in first tri are so powerful! After you add in other stress factors, nothing looks so good then hiding under a blanket for the next eight months. Not that they can’t be overcome, but it takes a lot of mental fortitude–I hope to be better prepared next time around. You can do it, Caitlin!

    • CaitlinHTP November 28, 2011, 2:12 pm

      @Meagan: Oh man. It makes me feel better that other women go through this too. It’s so hard and I feel like such a baby!

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing November 28, 2011, 11:12 am

    I AGREE! Last week was… not fun. But it’s a new week, a new start!

  • Claire @ Live and Love to Eat November 28, 2011, 11:26 am

    Cranberry oatmeal sounds fantastic. I hope I get the seniority to work at home eventually!

  • Mary @ Bites and Bliss November 28, 2011, 11:28 am

    Good for you! Make it a good week. 🙂

  • Rebecca @ Naturally Healthy and Gorgeous November 28, 2011, 11:50 am

    Love oatmeal for breakfast, I have it everyday! I just did a post on why oatmeal is so healthy for you…it helps that is so delish!

  • Amanda November 28, 2011, 11:53 am

    I woke up with a crappy attitude today, feeling totally unmotivated and down for no good reason. Your post was exactly what I needed to snap me out of my funk. I’m also going to set aside time to get in a sweaty workout and use the endorphins to help chase away the post-Thanksgiving blues.

    I hope you have a good Monday, Caitlin! Thanks for the pep talk. 🙂

  • Nikky November 28, 2011, 11:55 am

    Mmmm… my mom didn’t make her cranberry-orange relish this year, hers is basically the same as yours.

    Using apples instead of oranges is equally amazing, too. I would have never though to try it with oatmeal though, that sounds yummy.

    I’m sorry you had a bad week! Here’s hoping there’s lots of sunshine these last few weeks before the colder weather sets in! (Cold up here anyway, Michigan turns to tundra pretty soon.)

  • Dee November 28, 2011, 1:02 pm

    This was a really good post to read this morning. I didn’t have a bad week last week, but I did wake up with some serious post-vacation “I don’t want to go to my job today or ever again” Monday blues. But I’d rather NOT spend the whole day in a funk, so I will take up your awesome challenge. And now I know what to do with my leftover fresh cranberry sauce- which is just cranberry boiled with a touch of honey, so it will be perfect with oatmeal!

  • Paige (Running Around Normal) November 28, 2011, 1:05 pm

    Oh dear – hope this week is better, Caitlin! When I start feeling like this, I tell myself to count my blessings, not my complaints.

  • Amber K November 28, 2011, 1:26 pm

    I think we all need a reminder to snap out of our own funk sometimes. Thanks for being mine today 🙂

  • Mandy November 28, 2011, 1:46 pm

    I’m sorry you had a bad week! I look forward to your blog EVERY day to make me smile, it’s like I have a friend that I get to catch up with every morning! Know that you are awesome and you create so much light with everything you do from Operation Beautiful to your books to your blog. Hope you have an AMAZING week this week 🙂

    • CaitlinHTP November 28, 2011, 2:13 pm

      @Mandy: Thank you so much Mandy! You made me smile.

  • Lindsay @ biking before bed November 28, 2011, 1:56 pm

    I could get used to working in my pjs:) I have been eating leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving in my oatmeal and it is my new favorite topping!

  • Jamie @ Don't Forget the Cinnamon November 28, 2011, 2:04 pm

    It’s so funny and so true how something small like putting on nice clothes can instantly change your mood!

    Also, I made a cranberry relish last week but I didn’t peel the orange before adding it to the food processor–it added a really nice kick of orange flavor and was very visually pleasing!

  • Katie @ Peace Love and Oats November 28, 2011, 2:25 pm

    Oooo cranberries and oranges sounds like a great mix! I hope you have a better day! And I know what you mean about putting on “real” clothes. I’m a law student and sometimes have 4 day weekends, by the end of the weekend I FEEL like a slob because I look like one! Also gets really bad during finals…

  • Claudia November 28, 2011, 2:46 pm

    The other day my friend gave me a ribbon that says ” eu tenho mil motivos para ser feliz hoje”. This means: I have a thousand reasons to be happy today. I tied it around my keys to help me remember. 🙂 Every time I feel down I think of one – I want to make a list!

  • lindsey November 28, 2011, 4:14 pm

    Hello! Just a little note to tell you congrats on your new addition to the family! I’ve been SO anxious to read every pregnancy post because I’m abou two weeks ahead of you in my pregnancy! Yay babies! Anyway, today I’m writing because I can’t help but ask, where did you get that spoon? Do you have an entire set of them (and where can I buy them)? Strange thing to dwell on, I know, but it is super cute!!

    • CaitlinHTP November 28, 2011, 4:47 pm

      @lindsey: Aw thanks 🙂

      I got the spoons at Crate and Barrel! They are actually appetizer spoons and are sold individually.

    • CaitlinHTP November 28, 2011, 4:54 pm

      @lindsey: And congrats!

  • Alett November 28, 2011, 5:29 pm

    Sending positive vibes for a fantastic week!!
    xo

  • Army Amy* November 28, 2011, 5:50 pm

    It’s so true that there’s a lot to be happy about. I always thought so, but now that my husband is deployed, I really get it. Don’t let the little things get you down!*

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin November 28, 2011, 6:51 pm

    Love the positivity in this post! Whenever I get really stressed out and upset about school, I always remind myself that life is not supposed to be wasted being unhappy. In the grand scheme of things, nothing really matters except being happy! 🙂 Hope you had a great day!

  • Brittaney November 28, 2011, 9:34 pm

    It’s actually refreshing to hear you so you feel like this sometimes. I feel like this quite often and I attribute it to working the endless 8-5 cycle and feeling like life is going no where. I always just think that if I could work from home and make my own schedule that going to bed annoyed and unhappy feeling would go away. Really though our attitude is what we decide it’s going to be no matter what the circumstances are.

  • katie @ KatieDid November 28, 2011, 10:18 pm

    I hope your day turned out to be a good one!

  • kristen @ livinlifeinlouie November 28, 2011, 11:32 pm

    I just bought a bag of cranberries at sams today- I will have to try this out!

  • Katy @ HaveYouHurd November 29, 2011, 10:04 am

    The 2nd photo of the oatmeal is BEAUTIFUL!

  • Julia H. @ The Petite Spiel November 29, 2011, 7:50 pm

    Changing out of pajamas is HUGE. I always notice that during long breaks from college (like Christmas break or summer vacation), I start off spending lots of consecutive days in pajamas. And then I mysteriously feel crappier. Suddenly I put on real people clothes and BAM everything’s better!

  • Jolene (Homespun Heritage) November 29, 2011, 7:55 pm

    Oh, the hormonal days! That part I don’t miss…I’d would OCD myself into a cleaning frenzy…one time I had gotten myself so worked up cleaning that when my husband came home I was blue! I joke not, we thought it was my heart and before they did an x-ray (ekg was norm) I asked for a pregger test on a whim and BAM! I was expecting! Well, that made sense!

  • Shayla @ The Good Life November 30, 2011, 12:58 pm

    I’m sorry you were having such a lousy day and just wanted to let you know again how very much I love your blog. Haters gonna hate – right? I know I don’t personally know you but you’re an inspiration to me and you have helped me in more ways than one when I was going through and recovering from my disordered eating days.

    Now that we’re trying to conceive, I especially love reading your pregnancy updates and following you on this amazing journey – I was so excited when I heard you were pregnant!!

    Just want to let you know what a positive impact you have on people and to remember all the ladies here that love you 🙂

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