Last night, Mal and I had a little heart-to-heart chat. In the nicest way possible, my husband basically told me that I’ve been a miserable person lately. And, to tell you the truth, he was totally right!
Mal made me realize that I have been pretty negative lately, and I have NO real reason to feel and act this way. Poor Mal has been dealing with my down-in-the-dumps attitude for much too long. Last night he helped me see all of the wonderful things that are happening in my life right now: I have a loving husband, family, and friends, 3 jobs that I enjoy, the cutest pug in the whole wide world… so, what’s my problem?!? I don’t know if it’s a case of the “grass is always greener” or what, but I need to snap out of it ASAP!
So, I’ve decided to focus my attention away from the “bad” and take more time to appreciate all of the good in my life. One way to do this is to note it on my blog from time to time. CNC is basically my personal (yet very public) journal, so recording these realizations will definitely benefit me and likely improve my outlook.
I really hate being so negative! I’m glad that my husband doesn’t “sugar-coat” anything! He keeps it real! 
Ok, enough with the “serious” stuff! Onto breakfast! 
Breakfast
This morning, I mashed up a banana and peanut butter in a small bowl and then spread it inside a whole wheat pita. I then cut the pita into more manageable (and fun!) triangles pieces.
With my breakfast pita, I drank iced coffee with chocolate soy milk– no agave nectar needed this morning!
On my commute into work, I impulsively stopped at D&D for another iced coffee. I probably didn’t need a second one, but it is quite delicious!
Workout
I didn’t make it to Healthworks this morning, but I did manage to exercise before work. Our friends (who we are staying with) live about a mile from our apartment, so I jogged to the gym, lifted for about 20 minutes, and jogged home (approximately 2 miles).
At the gym, I did 2 sets of the strength training workout below:
- Dumbbell Chest Press
- Dumbbell Chest Flies
- Triceps Dips
- Triceps Kick-Backs
- Lateral Shoulder Raises
- 50 Crunches on Decline
Feel Great Weight
New post on Health.com: Jeans Too Snug? Why You Shouldn’t Freak Out
Update to “So, You Want to Start a Blog?” Post
I added a tip about utilizing social media to market your blog. I can’t believe I didn’t think of it yesterday! Social media is super-duper important to getting your name out there! Make sure you use it!
Question of the Day
What are you grateful for?
—-
Mal, Mom, Sister, Murphy
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I think it’s wonderful that you and your husband have an open, honest, and caring enough relationship to have that type of discussion. Glad you are feeling better
I am so grateful for my friends and family, and how blessed I am to live the life that I do.
IM SO PROUD OF YOU FOR HAVING DD!! haha, i fell in love with dd in boston! i love them over sbux, im sorry just have to say that, all in good gest of course
i love making gratitude lists. i got my treatment today with 4 others receiving chemo, puts things in perspective. im so grateful:
-i can chew my own food
-i don’t think i have cancer
-for the people’s spirits who seem to be losing life have THE MOST LIFE!
It’s so great to have a relationship like that with your hubby, isn’t it? It’s been a blessing for me!
I am grateful for my beautiful little girl, for my amazing husband of almost 8 years and a happy, healthy life!!!! Can’t ask for anything more!
I’ve been going through the same thing recently, and while there are some big things in my life that I would like to change (namely, my job!) I have so much to be grateful for. Thank you (and Mal) again for reminding us.
Hi Tina,
Just a thought – everyone has been brushing this off as a “funk” you are in, and maybe it’s just that – we all get in funks. But I think it’s worth pointing out that there is a such thing as clinical depression, and it doesn’t have to do with how many wonderful things are or aren’t in your life. It’s a medical condition, and something that can be worked at with therapy and drugs.
Just wanted to make sure that if this is the case, you aren’t shaking it off as a “funk”. I think our society has a stigma around clinical depression, and it shouldn’t be that way.
Thanks for the wonderful blog!
I hope you’re feeling better! I find myself being negative pretty much anytime I think about work – it’s just such a depressing place for me! But, I am grateful that I’m able to come home to a wonderful husband and two cats that love unconditionally. Plus, I’ve been given the opportunity to follow my dreams and learn more about nutrition and health. The good things are there, you just have to look sometimes!
Just wanted to say that I didn’t pick up on your “funk” at all! You seem so upbeat and positive all the time and I really appreciate that about you and your blog!
Your breakfast looks delicious. Such a good idea. I am grateful for my husband, sisters, parents and friends. It’s great that you’re feeling better too.
I have trouble with being a negative nancy/debbie downer (two favorite phrases ever! haha) myself. It’s tough on everyone especially the hubs. Nice that Mal could tell you. Sometimes when you get into those it’s just SO hard to pull yourself out. And “grass is always greener” stuff is another thing I am terrible at – completely feeling your post today!!
Love your breakfast pizza/pita!
I’m sure many of us can relate to how you’ve been feeling
Just a thought– some people make this comment about me, and I find it frustrating because everyone expresses happiness in different ways. I can be a somewhat reserved person (rarely do I have big outbursts–either happy OR sad– or have dramatic moments, etc.) but that doesn’t mean I’m always “down” or unhappy, etc. Sometimes people who are very effusive find this hard to understand and relate to. Just as the blogword keeps saying “don’t compare yourself” to others based on fitness, eating habits, etc., you also shouldn’t compare your feelings/reactions to others. Everybody is different in many different ways– and they’re all ok!
Whew. All that being said, I know that Mal and your friends and family know you best, and if you truly agree with them and whomever, then listen and do what it takes to be more positive/upbeat, by all means!
But don’t be afraid to embrace your own emotional self
I know exactly how you feel. I’m sorry your experiencing all those negative feelings about life it happens to the best of us. I think thats great that Mal is able to be so straight foward with you and your willing to accept his advice. You go girl! I highly recommend just making sure you get relaxation time at least twice a week to sit down and enjoy yourself and look at all your accomplishments. You have inspired SOOOO many people.
Tina, I totally relate to the Debbie Downers you are experiencing! In fact, my husband had to have the same talk with me the other night. I realized that only I am responsible for the negativity that I so frequently succumb to. It’s really true that happiness is a choice, but it’s so hard to not to put those positive thoughts into action. It has been really helpful to read your thoughts and all the other comments on this post, and I’m determined to keep a good attitude! I am grateful for my husband, the beautiful place where I live and my cozy home, and that I am fortunate enough to have time to do things I enjoy and that I have a job in this uncertain time.
Tina, I hope you feel better soon. That’s awesome of your hus not to just ignore it. It’s important to realize the impact we have on people around us! You do have a lot to be thankful for, but don’t feel like you have to brush off any negative feelings. It’s okay to let yourself feel down sometimes. Sometimes the only way out of it is through it, meaning you have to let yourself express it!
I also normally don’t comment – but this is such a wonderful, honest post. I hope things turn around for you soon!
Thank you for such a candid and motivational post!
I think we all have periods where we are more negative than usual–it is generally a cover from something else. You’re in the process of moving, which is a big life change (even if it’s an exciting one!) Maybe you’re feeling a little nervous? Your subconscious acts in interesting ways! I know that I begin to feel nervous/pessimistic in advance of opening a new chapter in my life. I think about all the things that could possibly go wrong and compromise my happiness. Not the healthiest viewpoint, but it can be a hard one to shake. You’re doing the right thing in making a point to remind yourself of what you are grateful for, and what brings you joy.
Personally, I am grateful for the following things:
-My wonderful, loving family: Mom, Dad, my sister, and last but definitely not least, my brand-new niece.
-My boyfriend, who is my counterpart in so many ways, but who is also far more rational than me in so many critical areas
-My amazing girlfriends, who I would trust with my life.
-My health.
-My body, which I devalued for far too long, and am learning to love and respect.
-My writing, which I also sometimes devalue..but it never, ever fails to let me down when I need it.
-My puppy! I am grateful for not only his presence in my life, but the fact that he sleeps through the night and is now housebroken!
Hmm. I think I meant that my writing never lets me down when I need it!
Tina,
Thank you for your honest post this morning. It couldn’t have come at a better time for me, since I had a totally similar conversation with MY husband last night! I think it’s totally ok to get into a “funk” sometimes, we all go through it. it’s important to try to think about all the positive things in your life, and so I think you have inspired a LOT of us on this post to do t he same!
Love your blog!
Just catching up with your morning post – you know, it is so easy to have “grass is greener” thoughts…You’re lucky to have a husband who tells you like it is. Mine does the same…I think it is just life- sometimes things can seem hard, even when you’re incredibly blessed.
I’m thankful for my health, my amazing husband, my family, my job and my friends – just to name a few.
Great post!
I’m grateful for where I attend college. I truly love it up here.
Hi. I have been following your blog for about a month now and can’t get enough of it. I am in recovery from a 10 year long eating disorder and find that the way you approach life, food, exercise, relationships, and just work is SOOOOO healthy and admirable. You have inspired me to live everyday with an “attitude of gratitude” because I am blessed with so many wonderful things. I love the way you allow yourself to splurge on the things that you enjoy but also incorporate healthy strategies into your routine. It has been a huge motivation for me to get over the deprevation dieting and restricting that has been such a huge part of my past. Also I love that you live in Boston b/c it is my FAVORITE place to be in the summer but i can’t stand the winters so you allow me to experience some of my favorite places and memories from when i was younger from the enjoyment of the HEAT in AZ
You are an amazing woman and I just want to thank you for being my inspiration! If you ever doubted if you are making a difference in this world, stop b/c you have made a HUGE difference to me and I pray that I am able to overcome this cross that i carry through surrender to God and help of positive influences like you! THANK YOU again and be blessed!
ps sorry for being so open and blunt but i just wanted you to know how big of an impact you have had on me!
I was really surprised to read this post because you always come across as being happy, healthy, active, and in control (even after a few glasses of wine). I guess Mal knows you best and sees things we don’t. I’m glad he can tell it like it is and get you to look at the positive more than the negative.
You have so much going on between the new adorable addition to the family, living with friends, and being in limbo ’til you move into the new place, I’m sure you’re feeling a little stressed and Mal is probably the only one who really sees it.
I’ve been so miserable at work I’m getting sick of listening to myself b*tch but I can’t help it. I hate my job and feel trapped ’cause I can’t quit and there is NOTHING out there. I’m trying to stay positive but it isn’t easy.
Happy Happy Joy Joy!!!
I have been in much of a funk as well. Luckily I have great friends who are willing to point it out and help lift my spirits. The last thing I want is to be known as “Negative Nancy”. I’ve been trying to leave work frustrations in the office and slowly it has begun to work. I think it’s normal to go through ups and downs. Chin up (or at least that’s what I tell myself.)
It’s interesting that you’ve felt down recently because I look at your blog and accomplishments and think to myself, that’s someone who seems happy with her life and SHOULD feel happy with her life. I admire what you do and it’s true, it’s probably just a grass is always greener phase but look at how many people love what you do everyday! We all should be so lucky!
Tina, you and Mal seem like THE cutest couple, ever!! You two have such a great relationship, I love it.
And i’m grateful for my family!!!!! I’m actually at the airport right now, heading home to see them for the weekend!
PS-the iced coffee with chocolate soy milk sounds absolutely divine!! I must try that this weekend!
I know I’m a little late on this post, but I think you still get the comments anyway, right? Last summer, I had a similar realization. I had been so down about everything, but then realized that things happen every day that I should be grateful for. With that idea in mind, I started my One Good Thing Journal. It’s a little notebook that I write in every night to record the best part of my day. Sometimes it’s a walk with my husband, an excellent bite of food or a chat with a friend. Other times I can record truly exacting and big things like birthdays or running my first 10k. And some days the only good thing I can think of is that the day is over! It is a great way to incorporate gratitude into my daily routine, and I love looking back at it to see all the good I truly have in my life. If you’re still feeling a little punky, I would definitely suggest giving this a try
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