Keeping out the Negative Energies

     Ever feel like you're having a pretty good day and then all of a sudden here comes that one person who spews their negative attitude all over you? 

     They do such a good job of bringing you from a state of bliss to crashing down onto their miserable level. And that's exactly what they're trying to do. After all, misery loves company. 

     Let's try to change that. Typically, people who are so miserable are those who lack self love. When you can't love yourself, it's not easy to love others. If anything, these people need love poured out to them even more. 

     Kill 'em with kindness. That's an old saying that can really take you far. It's hard for someone to keep acting so profoundly negative towards a person who only has kind words to say. They'll either walk away or eventually run out of things to say. Either way is stopping the negative spew though.

     Then there are people who don't necessarily try to bring you down, but they only have negative things to say. The complainers. The ungrateful folk. 

     As I talked about in my lat post, being grateful is key. I have personally found that when practiced daily, I have less and less to complain about. I'm not saying one should never complain. We're human. It happens. However, if you find yourself to be one of these types of people, try to break the habit. It will make you a happier person. After all, no one likes to be around complainers all the time. 

     If you find yourself around these type of people, try not to let their negativity impact you. I know, easier said than done. I'm still working on this myself. You can try to "reform" them by talking about the good in their otherwise negative banter, walk away, or accept them as they are and know that anything they say is not because of you, it's who they are as a person. 

     Try to metaphorically zip yourself up in a positivity cocoon. Don't let any of the negative energies penetrate that. 

     I can go from such a good place mentally, to crashing down to the point where it gives me a stomach ache after talking with certain people. And it's from negativity and stress. It will last all night too if I keep harboring on it. It's practically debilitating for me. That's why I have been trying so hard to keep a thick positivity aura around me. 

     If you find that no matter what you do, certain people (or even things like social media) are just toxic to you, maybe it's time to cut them out of your life. Or take a break from them/it at least. This will give you a chance to see how you are mentally without them/it. If you find yourself doing much better, maybe it needs to be a permanent change. 

     You're allowed to cut toxicity out of your life. That's part of self care which we all need a little more of these days. 

Take care of yourself. There's only one you and don't you want to be the best version possible? Good luck out there!

                                                                                                               Always love,

                                                                                                                       Cait

Gratitude

     I wanted to talk about gratitude today. Something so simple, yet so underutilized. Gratitude by definition is "the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness."

     We can all be guilty of putting ourselves in the victim chair by thinking of all the "bad things" going on in a single day. I've done it, you've done it, I'm sure the Pope has even done it. However, we can try to limit those thoughts and negative vibrations by simply being grateful. 

     When I have an early morning and I am just painfully exhausted hearing that alarm blare, I take a minute to think of why life is so sweet. Some simple things I say to help put some pep in my step and not be miserable trudging along that morning are :

I am grateful for my life

I am grateful to be healthy enough to go to work

I am grateful to have a bed to sleep in 

I am grateful to have a job

I am grateful that I get to help people at my job

I am grateful to wake up another day 

I am grateful for the running water I need to brush my teeth

I am grateful to have food in my kitchen

I am grateful for my loving pup

     The list could go on and on. When you say these things, whether out loud or in your head, don't just say it to say it. Say it and really mean it. Be grateful. 

     I find myself in a much better mood and head space after thinking about these things. Along with being grateful, I like to thank (the universe, God, or whoever you find your higher power to be). Appreciate what the universe has provided for you and it will never stop providing with exactly what you need. I have found this time and time again. This also relates to positivity and eliminating the negative thoughts from your life. That'll be a whole other post (or more) :)

     I have found when I start spiraling a little in dark thoughts, those thoughts generally come true in some fashion. I'll give a quick example:

     One time when I had to work a 12 hour shift at an office I don't usually go to (I'm a dental hygienist) I dreaded it all week. Thought about how exhausting it was going to be, stressed about running on time, stressed about making sure I proposed treatment properly so the dentist and front desk folk wouldn't get upset with me (I do not like conflict), stressed about the xray unit (that doesn't always work), stressed about making sure I kept my patients happy and still did a good job for them. This list could go on as well. 

     You know what happened? I didn't have a great day. It was stressful. I did have time set backs.  I couldn't keep everyone happy. It was indeed a miserable, long, exhausting day that needed a bottle of wine when I got home. 

     I took this day and evaluated it. What could have made it better? Why were all of those things happening/why did I let them bother me so much?

     It's been a work in progress but I think I've come close to mastering it. Fast forward to last week where I had to work another 12 in the same office. I had a great day! Sure, I was a little tired when i got up in the morning but nothing too terrible. I even had more patients this day than that miserable day. I had a leaky air/water syringe but nothing I couldn't work around. I couple times I had some time set backs but I was able to catch up. Some of my patients were pretty difficult too now that I think about it. It was also a gorgeous day out that I spent indoors from 6:30 am to 7:15 at night. 

     Doesn't sound like a great day to you? Let me tell you how I made it to be. 

     All week I put myself in the mindset of, "Thursday is going to be a good day. It's going to go by fast because I'm going to enjoy it. I am fortunate enough to get to help people all day and that just feels good. Any obstacles are minor and nothing I can't handle. I get to work with some of my favorite people. I'm making some extra money. I am truly grateful for this job and opportunity to work more."

     What a difference from my first mindset, huh? It truly made all the difference in the world. Moral of the story. BE GRATEFUL. Gratitude is all about the attitude. You can say it, but you need to feel it and believe it. 

     It may take some time to get in this habit. It didn't happen over night for me. I've been working at this for at least a year if not more. However, you will see the changes in your mindset and in your daily life. 

     Dreading the thought of going to the gym? How about this, I am so grateful my body is healthy enough to work out. I am so grateful I have the funds for a gym membership. 

     Things will start to turn around for you, so long as you turn around those ungrateful thoughts. Life is so good :)

                                                                                                                       Always love, 

                                                                                                                             Cait

Welcome!

     Hi everyone! My name is Caitlin. This is my first blog and I'm hoping for it to be a space of positivity, gratitude, and love for anyone who might need a boost or just enjoys the little things as much as I do! 

     Let me tell you a little bit about the name :) 

     Pancake is my sweet little love of a pup <3 She's one of the happiest and most loving creatures I have had the pleasure of knowing. I'm sure we all think that about our dogs (or cats) and guess what...none of you are wrong!! Animals just have this pure love that is never dulled or diluted by other events or emotions going on that day. They will continue to pour their love and affection out towards you so long as you come into the room. 

     All this being said, Pancake continuously brings love, positivity, and joy in my life (and all those who want to pet her as we go for walks). Therefore, I found the name only fitting to base a place of this sort after her. 

     My hope is to help those who might need a pick me up in life. Maybe you need a little boost this morning to remind you of the good things even though it's a Monday, you're exhausted, and you spilled coffee on your white shirt. I am here to remind you that no matter how dark things seem to get, there is always a light if we look in the right direction. 

     I'm excited to bring my day to day journeys of overcoming negative thoughts and how good vibes can transform your life. After all, life is just good :) 

                                                                                                                     Always love, 

                                                                                                                           Cait