• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Joy the Baker
Joy the Baker
  • Cookies
  • Bread
  • Cakes
  • Pies
  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Cookies
    • Birthday Cake Recipes
    • Biscuits
    • Muffins
    • Cupcakes
    • Drinks
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Fruit
    • Nuts
    • Buttermilk
    • Chocolate
    • Vanilla
    • Holiday
    • Healthy
    • Gluten-Free
    • Vegan
  • Blog
    • Baking 101
    • Tips
    • Beyond the Kitchen
    • Let It Be Sunday!
    • New Orleans
  • Shop

What Can We Do Better This Week?

May 9, 2016 by Joy the Baker 53 Comments

A Better Monday!

I’m here with some Monday tools because I want us to have a week that is equal parts productive and not totally sucky.  We’re writing lists, we’re being considerate to ourselves and people around us, and we’re going to tackle the big and the daunting.  Essentially, I want us not to pull our hair out.  

We need a team high-five.  Let’s fight the good fight! 

•  I write a daily to-do list but on Mondays it’s nice to write a more broad list in addition to the daily deal.  Write a list of goals for the week.  This could include larger projects you have on your plate, a home task (why is folding laundry so so so hard!? ), or a self-care treats.  (How about a face mask whiiiiile folding laundry?  Boom boom pow.)  

•  WATER!  Drink more water, but make it interesting!  Coconut water powder, add cucumber, add fresh basil, add a splash of aloe vera juice (hardcore).  

•  Have fun making dinner one night.  Yea… even if it’s just for you.  How about The Best Weeknight Chicken Dinner?  There’s buttery rice and peas involved, plus leftovers for lunch.  

•  Try something fresh.  Even if it’s Facebook Live and even though that seems terrifying.  

•  Do the thing you don’t want to do.  For me that means calling my health insurance company.  I’m SO GOOD at NOT doing this.  I need to change my game and really… just do it. Do the daunting things first thing and relish in the glory of crossing it off the list.  

•  In conflict, think of the other perspective.    See someone’s frustration as where they might need support and what you can offer.  And then, if you do this successfully… eat an ice cream sandwich because that business is hard sometimes.  

•  Call someone you love.  On the phone.  With your voice.  It’s all about nurturing relationships which, apparently, don’t nurture themselves.  

•  Give someone a pep talk.  My maj Tracy has gotten me on the pep talk bandwagon this week.  It feels good to encourage people because it’s basically like encouraging yourself at the same time. Positivity breeds. 

•  Think ahead for yourself.  This post , The Beauty Products I Always Run Out Of and Rebuy, got me thinking about the things I need to restock just so my future self can be less frazzled before running out the door to something or other. 

•  Be in love with your life, every bit, even Mondays.  This can be challenging too.  It’s all about perspective and ice cream sandwich rewards.     

Let’s go get it!  

xo Joy

Previous PostNext Post

Filed Under: Beyond the Kitchen

Previous Post: « Let It Be Sunday!
Next Post: Cream Cheese Red Velvet Cake Ice Cream »

Reader Interactions

All Comments
I Made This
Questions
  1. Lena

    July 12, 2016 at 12:30 pm

    I make this at least once a week. It is so easy and my family devours it! Once again Joy, you are amazing. Thank you.

    Reply
  2. Rhonda T

    May 24, 2016 at 6:33 am

    “Call someone you love. On the phone. With your voice. It’s all about nurturing relationships which, apparently, don’t nurture themselves.” WITH YOUR VOICE made me laugh! Good advice, Joy – and I’d tell you that, with my voice, if I had your phone number. :-)

    Reply
  3. Hillary

    May 19, 2016 at 9:31 am

    Great post – thank you!

    Reply
  4. Rosemarie

    May 16, 2016 at 3:50 pm

    This was so very needed today. Thank you :-)

    Reply
  5. Lori

    May 12, 2016 at 6:02 pm

    I definitely should have read this on Monday. Still good on a Thursday!

    Reply
  6. Michelle

    May 12, 2016 at 11:06 am

    I loved this post! Such nice reminders :)

    Reply
  7. Theresa M.

    May 12, 2016 at 5:40 am

    Inspiring! And I made the chicken for supper last night. My family was in heaven! My 13 year old wanted a portion saved so she could have it for breakfast this morning!

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      May 12, 2016 at 9:24 am

      this makes me so happy Theresa! you’re doin’ it!

      Reply
  8. Hannah

    May 12, 2016 at 1:19 am

    You give the best advice Joy. I always look forward to reading what you have to say, especially on Let it be Sunday :) love your positive outlook :)

    Reply
  9. Rhonda Hesser Thomson

    May 11, 2016 at 6:39 pm

    JOY, love love LOVE your blog posts! The Sunday posts keep me informed and, yes is true, add a “cool factor” to my world because: you/Joy = way more hip/in-the-know than me! And, this post? THIS is exactly how I need to start my weeks. I especially like your suggestions to write down weekly goals, give pep talks and try to see others’ perspectives. Thank you for being super-awesome!!

    Reply
    • joythebaker

      May 12, 2016 at 9:27 am

      i’m so glad you’re here!

      Reply
  10. Trang Do

    May 10, 2016 at 11:19 pm

    Love this post!! I enjoyed the read!
    Xoxo,
    Love from http://www.trangscorner.com {a lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and food blog}

    Reply
  11. Lynda Switzer

    May 10, 2016 at 8:02 pm

    Thanks Joy for such an amazing list of reminders! I’m a big fan of coconut water as it replenishes the electrolytes but never heard of coconut water powder. How does it compare to actual coconut water?

    Reply
  12. Ella

    May 10, 2016 at 5:44 pm

    Oh I love this. Yes! It’s so good to start off the working week with positive good vibes. That chicken looks like the perfect thing to make one day during this rainy/cloudy week too.

    Reply
  13. Carly @ Littleladynibbles

    May 10, 2016 at 12:25 pm

    What a great and helpful post to get us all motivated. A needed addition to my week!

    Reply
« Older Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

RELATED POSTS IN Beyond the Kitchen

Oscars 2023 Party Menu

Since I was raised on movies, the Oscars ceremony is my Super Bowl. I look forward to it all year long and always try to watch all the contenders. Of course I’m in it for the films, the celebs, and the clothes. But I also love a good theme party—who doesn’t? My ideal Oscars party…

Read More

Fat Tuesday aka Paczki Day

Happy Fat Tuesday everyone! We’ve arrived at the day before Lent, where everyone loses their minds and indulges before 40 days of meatless Mondays and fish fry Fridays. Chicago, while having faith from all corners of the world, is an incredibly Catholic-centric city – kind of like New Orleans. Growing up non-denominational Christian I never…

Read More

New Year, New Orleans

If you can spend a holiday away from home, do it. Christmas on a beach with a cocktail? Yes, please. Santa can bring his swim trunks! This year I decided to ring in the new year in New Orleans, my favorite place outside of Chicago, with my girlfriend Breyon. A bae-cation, if you will. We…

Read More

Primary Sidebar

Fresh baked emails, delivered to your inbox

Receive recipes from Joy the Baker and updates on events at The Bakehouse.

HI! I’M JOY!

Welcome! This has been my little corner of the internet since 2008!

I’m a baker, photographer, cookbook author and teacher.  I live laugh love in New Orleans. 

MORE ABOUT JOY AND THE TEAM

BOOKS + Magazines

JOY THE BAKER 2022 SUMMER MAGAZINE

JOY THE BAKER 2021 HOLIDAY MAGAZINE

JOY THE BAKER 2020 HOLIDAY MAGAZINE

HOMEMADE DECADENCE

OVER EASY: SWEET AND SAVORY RECIPES FOR LEISURELY DAYS COOKBOOK

JOY THE BAKER COOKBOOK

joy the baker on facebook joy the baker on twitter pinterest-social instagram-socialbloglovin-social

JOY @ WILLIAMS SONOMA

SHOP THE CAKE LINE OF CAKE MIXES!

DRAKE ON CAKE

Passionate from miles away since 2015.

Check it out on Instagram

Drake on cake instagram.

 

BREADS YOU’LL LOVE

jambalaya buttermilk biscuits in a row

Smoked Sausage Jambalaya Buttermilk Biscuits

inside of warm cinnamon roll on plate

How To Make The Best Single Serve Cinnamon Roll

Orange roll on a plate with a fork.

Christmas Morning Orange Rolls

LET’S MAKE COOKIES!

wider shot of lemon bars stacked on a plate with a bite taken out of one lemon bar

My Favorite Classic Lemon Bars Recipe

completed recipe close up shot of a blondie so the toasted almonds, chocolate chips, and sea salt can be seen

My Best Classic Blondie Recipe

cowboy cookies close up showing texture.

Cowboy Cookies with salted cereal brittle

Footer

Instagram

joythebaker

📚Baker and author of books and magazines
🎂Creator @drakeoncake
💁🏻‍♀️Classes with me @thebakehousenola
🍰 Products with @williamssonoma

joythebaker
Life Skill No. 458: How to Make 1️⃣2️⃣ Cup Life Skill No. 458: How to Make 1️⃣2️⃣ Cupcakes with just 1️⃣ Stick of Butter⁣
⁣
Full recipe linked in my bio! xo
Someone call @foodnetwork because Dad and I need a Someone call @foodnetwork because Dad and I need a baking show stat. Here’s our very best chocolate chip cookies and all the little tips that make them perfection. ✨🍪 Find the full recipe linked in the profile!
We’re baking the classics on Joy the Baker this We’re baking the classics on Joy the Baker this month and up next, my very favorite Lemon Bar recipe with fresh lemon juice and the tiniest hint of coriander. ⁣🍋🌼✨
⁣
Find the full recipe linked in the profile and bust out the white chocolate and macadamia nuts for next week’s bake! ⁣
⁣
#lemonbars #easybaking #bakedfromscratch #joythebaker
Day in the Life: out in the woods writing a little Day in the Life: out in the woods writing a little cookbook about camp food. 💖🏕️🙋🏻‍♀️
Homesick Banana Bread. Recipe linked in the profil Homesick Banana Bread. Recipe linked in the profile (and you don’t have to be homesick to make it). #bananabread #sundaybaking
Let’s make one single GIANT PANCAKE which is the Let’s make one single GIANT PANCAKE which is the perfect Breakfast Dessert or Spiral Bake - whatever you need it to be. ⁣
⁣
Pro Tips: Smell you buttermilk and decide it’s probably fine. Flip the pancake with reckless confidence. You can sit to eat - you don’t have to eat like you work in a restaurant anymore. ⁣
⁣
Find a version of the full recipe linked in the profile. Xo.
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · Joy the Baker
All rights reserved. Violators will be whupped and sent to bed with no dessert · Privacy Policy

Scroll Up