Journal Entries

When you're drowning in your to-do list, the last thing you need is another task. But what if four quick questions could help you actually breathe again?You're tired of being everyone's lifeline. 🛟 You're exhausted from keeping all the balls in the air. And somewhere between your overflowing inbox and your kid's forgotten permission slip, you started holding your breath — waiting for something to fall apart.This episode isn't about gratitude lists or adding more to your plate. It's about using the right questions to shift what's happening inside so you can stop spinning and start seeing clearly.You'll journal through:What actually feels out of control (and how it's showing up in your body)The real fear underneath trying to hold it all togetherWhere this drowning pattern started—and what you did to survive it back thenWhat you could release today that wouldn't cause the disaster you're imaginingStrategic Journal Prompts (extended in the episode):Prompt 1: What feels most out of control in your life right now? Prompt 2: If you stopped trying to keep all of these balls in the air, if you just let one drop, what are you terrified would actually happen? Prompt 3: Think back to the first time in your life that you remember feeling this same drowning sensation. And the key question: what did you do then to try and stay afloat?Prompt 4: Write this at the top of your page: "What if I'm not actually drowning? What if I'm just holding my breath?" What is one thing that you could stop white-knuckling today that wouldn't actually cause the disaster that you fear?After these four prompts, you'll stop white-knuckling your way through the day. You'll see what you're actually afraid of — and realize you've been holding your breath for no reason.Resources Mentioned:90 min Breakthrough Intensives: We get to the root of what keeps you performing instead of enjoying. Plus a 30-minute follow-up call 2 weeks later. https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/offers/LN9xep94Free Calm Mind Blueprint: http://www.samanthapenkoff.com/calm-mind-podWork with me:Private Coaching - 2 open spots: www.samanthapenkoff.com/privatecoachingClarity Call: https://calendly.com/samanthasays/clarity-callConnect with Sam: Instagram | Facebook | Reply to my newsletter

The meditation apps aren't working. The bubble baths feel like another task. That morning routine everyone swears by? You're too exhausted to even start it. And somehow, you're still sitting at your desk at 9pm with your heart racing, completely fried from the day.My client sent me a screenshot of her Oura Ring Results last month — during our one-hour coaching call, her stress level dropped to "restored." The lowest it had been all day. We weren't meditating or doing breathing exercises. We were talking about company policies, team structure, and how to stop putting out fires at work. Her nervous system regulated while we strategized the hard stuff.After listening, You'll then know:Why your body stays in fight-or-flight even when you're "doing everything right"The two gut fears that keep you from getting the support you actually needHow to stop making decisions from overwhelm (so your nervous system can finally exhale)Stop blaming yourself for not meditating enough — and start addressing what's actually keeping your stress high.Resources Mentioned:90 min Breakthrough Intensives: We get to the root of what keeps you performing instead of enjoying. Plus a 30-minute follow-up call 2 weeks later. https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/offers/LN9xep94Calm Mind Blueprint: http://www.samanthapenkoff.com/calm-mind-podWork with me:Private Coaching - 2 open spots: www.samanthapenkoff.com/privatecoachingClarity Call: https://calendly.com/samanthasays/clarity-callConnect with Sam: Instagram | Facebook | Reply to my newsletter

You wake up tired. You go to bed tired. And somehow, between those two points, you’re still holding it all together — work, kids, home, expectations — even though your body keeps whispering, “I can’t do this anymore.”If you’ve been pushing through the fog and telling yourself you’ll rest “after this week,” this one’s for you. Burnout isn’t just about doing too much; it’s about carrying too much alone. And when you’re in survival mode, rest can feel impossible — or even unsafe.In today's journal session, you’ll get space to pause and reconnect with yourself — not to fix the burnout overnight, but to finally name what’s really draining you and what you actually need. These prompts are designed to help you see the emotional patterns underneath the exhaustion, not just the packed calendar.Journal Prompts:What specific moments this week made you feel the most depleted?If your burnout disappeared tomorrow, what would need to change — and what feelings might surface if it did?What would shift if you only gave 70% instead of 110% for the next three days?Press play, grab your journal, and give yourself 10 minutes to breathe again.Resources Mentioned:90 min Breakthrough Intensives: We get to the root of what keeps you performing instead of enjoying. Plus a 30-minute follow-up call 2 weeks later. https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/offers/LN9xep94Calm Mind Blueprint: http://www.samanthapenkoff.com/calm-mind-podWork with me:Private Coaching - 2 open spots: www.samanthapenkoff.com/privatecoachingClarity Call: https://calendly.com/samanthasays/clarity-callConnect with Sam: Instagram | Facebook | Reply to my newsletter

You've tried the probiotics. The massage appointments. The elimination diet. The therapy. You left the toxic relationship months (or years) ago. So why is your body still a mess?Here's what nobody tells you: your body remembers what your mind wants to forget. Those chronic symptoms you can't shake? The digestive issues, the tension that won't release, the pain that moves around for no reason? Your body isn't broken. It's trying to tell you something.In today's episode, I'm speaking with Maura Eliza about the mind-body connection most doctors don't understand — and why healing your nervous system might be the missing piece you've been looking for. What You’ll Reflect On:Why symptoms can be messengers (not malfunctions) — and what they're actually trying to tell youHow unresolved trauma from a toxic relationship can create physical symptoms that won't respond to traditional treatmentWhat German New Medicine reveals about the real root cause of chronic health issuesHow to start listening to your body differently (instead of fighting it)After this episode, you'll stop thinking your body is attacking you — and start seeing it as an ally trying to get your attention. And that shift changes everything. Don't forget to Tag us on Instagram if this episode hits different. We see you.Resources Mentioned:Connect with Maura: https://www.instagram.com/flex.health.with.mauraThe Vibrant Way program — https://thevibrantway.com/Calm Mind Blueprint: http://www.samanthapenkoff.com/calm-mind-podWork with me:90 min Breakthrough Intensives: We get to the root of what keeps you performing instead of enjoying. Plus a 30-minute follow-up call 2 weeks later. https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/offers/LN9xep94Private Coaching - 2 open spots: www.samanthapenkoff.com/privatecoachingConnect with Sam: Instagram | Facebook | Reply to my newsletter

You finally did the thing — got the promotion, hit the goal, made it through another hard week — but instead of feeling proud, you're already asking, "What's next?" Why is it so hard to just pause and celebrate yourself?My client Kristi became CFO after 3 years of working toward it. When she told me, she said, "So I guess that means I'm officially the CFO"—like she'd just completed another Tuesday task. No excitement. No pride. Just... what's next?If you're someone who keeps raising the bar higher every time you reach it, you're not alone. Most high-achieving women were taught that humility and hustle matter more than satisfaction. So even when you've earned the right to rest or be proud, it feels... uncomfortable. Like celebrating might make you lazy, or ungrateful, or seen as "too much."Journal Prompts:What’s the last thing you accomplished that you didn’t celebrate?When you think about celebrating it, what thought immediately follows?If your child achieved the same thing, what would you tell them to believe about their worth?What are you afraid might happen if you actually celebrated your wins?These 10 minutes will help you see how the pattern started—and what it's costing you. Not just celebration, but the ability to feel successful no matter what you accomplish.Resources Mentioned:Calm Mind Blueprint: http://www.samanthapenkoff.com/calm-mind-pod90 min Breakthrough Intensives: (We get to the root of what keeps you performing instead of enjoying. You leave with a custom plan to feel fulfilled at work and present at home. Plus a 30-minute follow-up call 2 weeks later.) https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/offers/LN9xep94Work with me:Free Clarity Call: https://calendly.com/samanthasays/clarity-callPrivate coaching - 2 spots left: https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/privatecoachingConnect: Instagram | Facebook | Reply to my newsletter

You love your kids more than anything… but sometimes it feels like every ounce of energy you pour into them leaves nothing for you. And on the rare days you do want to focus on yourself — a class, a coach, even just quiet time — that whisper of guilt shows up: “Shouldn’t I be doing something for them...or for work...instead?”Most women I work with tell me they feel selfish spending money or time on themselves. But what if investing in your own leadership, clarity, and growth is actually the most selfless thing you could do? Not because it sounds good, but because it literally ripples into every area of your life.In this episode (celebrating 3 years of Journal Entries!), you'll hear:Why the "selfish vs. selfless" question is the wrong one to askThe two types of fear (and which one means you should actually say yes)How my $2,500/month business coach investment led to this podcast existingThe Bali retreat I didn't take — and why I still think about itAfter listening, you'll stop apologizing for wanting more. You'll see that investing in yourself isn't taking from your family or team — it's giving them the best version of you.Resources Mentioned:Calm Mind Blueprint: http://www.samanthapenkoff.com/calm-mind-pod90 min Breakthrough Intensives: https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/offers/LN9xep94Work with me:Free Clarity Call: https://calendly.com/samanthasays/clarity-callPrivate coaching - 2 spots left: https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/privatecoachingConnect: Instagram | Facebook | Reply to my newsletter

You keep telling yourself you should be excited — the holidays are coming, right? But instead of peace or joy, it just feels like one long performance. Like no matter how early you start or how much you cross off the list, you’re still on all the time.You’re managing a dozen invisible jobs — gifts, kids, deadlines, emotions — while trying to be grateful and present. You want to slow down, but your brain doesn’t know how to stop running ahead. The pressure to make everyone else’s season special is stealing the calm you keep promising yourself.Strategic Journal Prompts:Who am I trying to be for everyone else right now — and what’s it costing me?What would I actually choose to do if no one expected anything?Where do I stay busy as proof that I’m fine?What does being present look like for me this season — not just in theory, but in practice?After journaling through these prompts, you'll understand why you can't seem to turn off—and that awareness alone will help you stop going through the motions and start actually being there. Don't forget to DM me on Instagram (samantha.s.says) or email me (hello@samantha-says.com) and tell me what came up for you — I love hearing what these prompts unlock for you.Resources Mentioned:Calm Mind Blueprint: http://www.samanthapenkoff.com/calm-mind-podBreakthrough Intensives: https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/offers/LN9xep94Work with me:Free Clarity Call: https://calendly.com/samanthasays/clarity-callPrivate coaching: https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/privatecoachingConnect: Instagram | Facebook | Reply to my newsletter

You know what you want. You're doing all the "right" things. But somehow, you're still stuck in the same patterns—replaying decisions, second-guessing yourself, feeling like you're working harder but getting nowhere.What if the thing holding you back isn't something you're doing wrong…but something you literally can't see? Your blind spots aren't obvious. That's the whole point. They show up as patterns you keep repeating, decisions you keep avoiding, or reactions you can't quite explain.Today, I'm walking you through exactly how to spot what's been invisible to you—so you can finally move forward without the constant mental fog and decision fatigue.In this episode, you'll discover:Why your blind spots keep you reacting instead of responding (and how that's draining your energy)The most common blind spots that stop ambitious womenThe exact questions to ask yourself when you feel stuck but don't know why (below!)How to stop overthinking every decision by seeing the pattern underneath itWhy awareness alone isn't enough—and what to do after you see the blind spot!After listening, you'll be able to recognize when you're stuck in a blind spot and know exactly what to do about it. No more spinning your wheels wondering why nothing's shifting.The 5 questions to see your blind spot:What am I doing (or not doing) because it’s what I think I “SHOULD” do…and what is the ripple effect?Why is this pattern bothering you so much?By NOT doing the thing you want to be doing, what is this protecting you from? What do you actually care about in your business? What value is at the core of your business? What would happen if you prioritized the thing that you actually care about in your business?Resources Mentioned:Calm Mind Blueprint - my framework for processing emotions and making decisions with clarity: https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/calm-mind-podEpisode 180 to stop controlling your business & kids without everything falling apart. Listen on Apple | Listen on SpotifyWork with me:📞 Book a free Clarity Call → https://calendly.com/samanthasays/clarity-call Breakthrough Intensives: → https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/offers/LN9xep94Connect: Instagram | Facebook | Reply to my newsletter

You handle it all — the business, the home, the emotions, the logistics — and still feel like admitting “this is hard” means you’re weak.But what if saying “this is hard” is actually the first sign of strength?In this 5-minute journaling episode, I share a story about meeting another woman who was doing it all — and realizing I couldn’t see my own load until I saw hers. Together, we’ll journal through the hidden pressure successful women carry and what happens when we finally tell the truth about it.Strategic Journal Prompts:What’s currently on your plate that you haven’t fully acknowledged or spoken out loud? What story are you telling yourself about why this should or shouldn’t feel hard?What are you afraid would happen if you fully acknowledged how much you’re carrying?Where did you learn that you have to carry everything silently?If you journal through this one, DM me on Instagram (samantha.s.says) or email me (hello@samantha-says.com) and tell me what came up for you — I love hearing what these prompts unlock for you.Resources:🧠 How to Clear Your Mental Load Workshop Now a mini-course since we already had the original live session!- You're not working too hard to accomplish more at work, or a "bad mom" for not being more present with your kids...your brain is just trying to manage something deeper than your to-do list. Let's fix it!Calm Mind Blueprint - my framework for processing emotions and making decisions with clarity: https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/calm-mind-podWork with me:📞 Book a free Clarity Call → https://calendly.com/samanthasays/clarity-callPrivate 1:1 Coaching (2 spots open, start with a 4 month container instead of 6 in October only) → https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/privatecoachingConnect: Instagram | Facebook

For when life feels like nothing you had planned. You did the thing — the career, the family, the move, the reinvention — but you wake up with an ache or disconnect you can’t name. Everything looks “fine” from the outside, but inside, something feels off. That might be grief — and no, nobody has to die for you to feel it.Alyssa Rose joins me to unpack what grief can look like when it’s not about death — but about change.We talk about the quiet ways grief shows up during major life transitions — career pivots, identity shifts, or the loss of the life you expected — and what it really means to honor those emotions instead of rushing past them.This episode is for you if:You're grieving a career pivot, relationship shift, or identity change but feel guilty calling it "grief"You avoid going deep with your emotions because you're scared of opening the floodgatesYou and your partner are navigating the same loss in completely different ways (and it's causing distance)You're a former "positive person" who's finally letting yourself feel the hard stuffYou'll learn how to build trust with yourself to "go there" without losing it, how to ask for support in a way people can actually show up for you, and why tending your grief is actually the most loving thing you can do.Your turn! Try this quick reflection after the episode:Open your journal and write two short lists side-by-side:1️⃣ What I thought this season would feel like2️⃣ What it actually feels likeDon’t judge or fix it — just notice the gap.That space between the two lists? That’s where your grief lives. Naming it is the first step to freeing it.RESOURCES MENTIONED:Alyssa Rose's Website: alisarosehealingarts.comInstagram: @alisarosehealingartsEmail: alisarosehealingarts@gmail.comCalm Mind Blueprint - my framework for processing emotions and making decisions with clarity: https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/calm-mind-podWork with me:Book a free Clarity Call → https://calendly.com/samanthasays/clarity-callPrivate 1:1 Coaching (2 spots open, start with a 4 month container instead of 6 in October only) → https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/privatecoachingConnect: Instagram | Facebook

You know that thing where you're about to go through a big change and suddenly you're up at 2am planning for every possible scenario?I made THREE different Google Docs for my son's school transition. Three. Each one mapped out a different morning routine depending on what time he woke up. I was literally scheduling my coffee time down to the minute.Looking back? That wasn't planning. That was me trying to control something I couldn't control because I was scared.You'll journal through:What's actually keeping you up at night about this transition (hint: it's probably not what you think)The sneaky ways you're trying to make change feel "safer"What you're most afraid would happen if you just... let it unfoldYour personal pattern when things feel uncertainPlus: The reframe that changed everything - what if your discomfort isn't a problem to fix but information about what you actually need right now?Journaling Prompts from this episode:What specific part of this transition is making you feel the most anxious or unsettled right now? (Go deeper than "change is hard")What have you been doing to try to make this transition feel easier or less overwhelming?What are you most afraid would happen if you stopped trying to control how this transition goes?When was the last time you went through a major change in your life? How did you handle it? What patterns are showing up again now?Resources Mentioned:Calm Mind Blueprint - my framework for processing emotions and making decisions with clarity: https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/calm-mind-podWork with me:Book a free Clarity Call → https://calendly.com/samanthasays/clarity-callPrivate 1:1 Coaching (2 spots open, start with a 4 month container instead of 6 in October only) → https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/privatecoachingConnect: Instagram | Facebook

A month ago I recorded an episode where I was completely spiraling about my son starting Montessori & my business hours changing. I walked you through my anxiety, my fears about losing work hours, all of it.Today? I'm giving you the raw update. Week one was a disaster. Week two, I sat in my car for 4 hours taking coaching calls with the engine running. Week four, my anxiety is completely gone...even though I'm recording this while Griffin interrupts me every 3 minutes asking for a bandaid because he cut himself on a cardboard knife. (Fact lol I may have edited that one out bc #momfail, but you'll hear his tiny voice!)You'll hear:Why my anxiety disappeared once I stopped comparing schedulesHow losing work hours made me fitter (counterintuitive but true)What actually worked vs. my three planned Google Doc schedulesMy almost 5 year old's transformation in 4 weeksOnce those 7-hour daycare days weren't an option anymore, it stopped being "how will I ever make this work" and became "this IS working."I'm not saying it's smooth. Last week I carried Griffin out without shoes. The library internet keeps dropping calls. But I can breathe now.If you're in your own messy middle trying to make something work that feels impossible—you figure it out by doing it. Even from your car in a parking lot.Mentioned in this episode:Cindy from @mama_vision: mom coach who helped me through this transition (and many other parenting ones!)Work with me:Book a free Clarity Call → https://calendly.com/samanthasays/clarity-callPrivate 1:1 Coaching (2 spots open, start with a 4 month container instead of 6 in October only) → https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/privatecoachingConnect: Instagram | Facebook

You've got the career, the title, maybe the income you worked for. So why does success feel like you're constantly running on empty?If you're burned out behind closed doors while everyone else sees you "having it all," this quick journaling session is for you. I'm walking you through 4 prompts that help you see the gap between how your life looks and how it actually feels—so you can finally figure out what needs to change.Grab your journal and work through:The real disconnect between your external success and internal realityWhat you're actually afraid people will think if you admit you're strugglingYour automatic response when overwhelm hits (and where else it's sabotaging you)What the aligned, peaceful version of you would do differently starting todayThis episode is for you if:You're successful on paper but constantly exhaustedYou snap at your kids even though you don't want toYou keep thinking "this isn't what I worked so hard for"You're barely present at home or at workYou want to stop just surviving your successResources Mentioned:Calm Mind Blueprint: https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/calm-mind-podFree Clarity Call: https://calendly.com/samanthasays/clarity-call Ways to work with Samantha:1:1 coaching: Now accepting applications, 2 spot opens. Learn More here: https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/privatecoachingConnect with Sam on IG: https://www.instagram.com/samantha.s.saysDM Sam on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoachSamanthaHawley/

I opened Google Docs at 9am and just started typing. Bullet points, random thoughts, full-on word vomit. My brain was spiraling about something I actually WANTED for my son—sending him to Montessori.I'd been dreaming about this since he was a baby. But as the start date got closer? How will I work with only 2 hours to myself? What if I can't handle being in mom mode all morning? What if I become that overstimulated, impatient version of myself I hate?In this episode, I walk you through my actual brain dump from February—the fears, the scheduling panic, the limiting beliefs, and exactly how I used strategic journaling to process it all instead of just white-knuckling through.You'll hear:Why wanting something can still feel terrifying (and what that means)The two things I did OUTSIDE of journaling that regulated my nervous system before the change even happenedHow to untangle "I'm excited" from "I'm overwhelmed" when they're happening at the same timeIf you're staring down a major schedule change—less childcare, a new job, homeschooling, or just life throwing you a curveball—this will help you move from "I can't do this" to "okay, I can figure this out."Next Tuesday, Part 2 drops with the real update after a month of living this new reality. Did I spiral? Thrive? Find my flow? You'll find out.Ready to work together?Book a free Clarity Call → https://calendly.com/samanthasays/clarity-callReserve 1:1 coaching (2 spots open) → https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/privatecoachingConnect: Instagram | Facebook

September energy hits different, doesn't it? While everyone's making January resolutions, you're over here actually ready to change things. New routines, boundaries you've been avoiding, that business idea collecting dust - all because you keep telling yourself "when things calm down."Plot twist: They never do. 😂Perfect for working moms who are: Tired of waiting for permission, ready to disappoint a few people to save themselves, done putting their dreams on layaway.Your 4 Strategic Journaling Prompts:What have you been telling yourself you'll get to once things calm down?Pick the biggest one - if you actually did this, the worst thing that could happen is...What's the real fear underneath it all?I give myself permission to _____ even if it means _____Take action: Save this episode, grab a coffee, and work through these prompts. Then watch how different September feels when you stop waiting for perfect timing.Resources Mentioned:Calm Mind Blueprint: https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/calm-mind-podFree Clarity Call: https://calendly.com/samanthasays/clarity-call Ways to work with Samantha:1:1 coaching: Now accepting applications, 1 spot open. Learn More here: https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/privatecoachingConnect with Sam on IG: https://www.instagram.com/samantha.s.saysDM Sam on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoachSamanthaHawley/

When you're used to being the person who gets things done, letting go of control feels impossible. Your kid refuses to put shoes on. Your employee questions your timeline. Your partner loads the dishwasher completely wrong. Sound familiar? What if everything actually falls apart?Two things you'll walk away with:🎯 The Two-Part Framework that stops you from losing your mind when things don't go according to plan (works for toddler tantrums AND work meetings)💡 Why Your Default "Must Do It My Way" Response is keeping you stressed, overwhelmed, and secretly resentful that nobody appreciates how much you handleAfter listening, you'll actually feel relief instead of that tight chest feeling when plans change. You'll stop redoing everyone else's "help" and start trusting that things can get done differently (and still turn out fine).No more carrying the mental load of making sure everything happens exactly right. No more feeling like the only responsible adult in the room. This is your reminder that flexibility isn't giving up - it's giving yourself permission to breathe.Resources Mentioned:Calm Mind Blueprint: https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/calm-mind-podFree Clarity Call: https://calendly.com/samanthasays/clarity-call Ways to work with Samantha:1:1 coaching: Now accepting applications, 1 spot open. Learn More here: https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/privatecoachingConnect with Sam on IG: https://www.instagram.com/samantha.s.saysDM Sam on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoachSamanthaHawley/

You know that feeling when someone offers to help and instead of relief, you feel... guilty? Like you should be able to handle it all yourself?If you've been telling yourself "I should be grateful they offered but I just can't accept it," this journaling session is for you.In this 5-minute episode, we're diving into what's really behind that guilt - and spoiler alert, it's not about being ungrateful. It's about the stories you've been telling yourself about what it means to need help.What We're Journaling Through:Your perfect "receiving day" and why it feels impossibleThe guilty voice that shows up every time help is offeredWhat you're really afraid people will think if you actually say yesA tiny practice to start receiving without earning it firstThe 3 Strategic Prompts:When I think about my perfect receiving day, what am I afraid would happen if I took a whole day to receive?What is the voice in your head that stops you from accepting help? What does she sound like?If you gave yourself permission to receive help without earning it, what are you most afraid people would think?This builds on Tuesday's episode about receiving and your nervous system - definitely go listen to that one after this if you haven't already.👭 Register for a workshop with Sam:Permission Slips for Ambitious Women hosted at Meraki Beauty in Batavia, NY. In this 90-min strategic journaling workshop, you'll go from daily overwhelm & doing everything for everyone else to peacefully pursuing your true desires (guilt & people-pleasing officially evicted) — without adding more to your already full plate. Guided meditation + strategic journaling + real-time breakthroughs + mimosas!🥂 12 spots only Register here: https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/permissionslipsworkshopResources Mentioned:Calm Mind Blueprint: https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/calm-mind-podPermission Slips for Ambitious Women: https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/permissionslipsworkshopWays to work with Samantha:1:1 coaching: Now accepting applications, 1 spot open. Learn More here: https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/privatecoachingConnect with Sam on IG: https://www.instagram.com/samantha.s.saysDM Sam on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoachSamanthaHawley/

Hot Take: What if your purpose right now isn't to do more, achieve more, or figure out your next big career move? What if your actual purpose is learning how to receive?My business coach asked me what I'd do on a random Tuesday if I could do anything. My answer floored me: drink matcha, watch reality TV at noon, cook a real recipe with multiple steps, take a long shower, go to bed early. As I rattled these off, I panicked - where's my ambition? What happened to my drive?Then it hit me during a journal session. My nervous system wasn't broken - it was trying to show me my purpose right now. After months of giving, creating, strategizing, and pouring into everyone else, my soul was telling me: your job is to learn how to receive.In this episode:Why your purpose might be receiving instead of achieving right nowThe four ways to receive: physical (rest, nourishment, movement), mental (entertainment, learning for fun, silence), emotional (support, celebrating wins), and creative (making something with your hands, playing without purpose)How constantly saying "I've got it" blocks you from your actual purposeWhy receiving isn't evidence you're failing - it's evidence you're humanThe receiving day challenge that will reconnect you with what your soul actually needsThe purpose shift: We think purpose has to be this big, productive thing. But what if your purpose right now is modeling for your kids that adults deserve care too? What if it's showing the women around you that receiving support isn't weakness?Your end-of-day scrolling? That's your spirit trying to receive something - anything - that doesn't require you to prove you deserve it first.Maybe your purpose isn't another goal to crush. Maybe it's learning that you're worthy of receiving the same energy you pour into everyone else.Ready to explore what receiving could look like in YOUR life? Book a free Clarity Call with me: https://calendly.com/samanthasays/clarity-call👭 Register for a workshop with Sam:Permission Slips for Ambitious Women hosted at Meraki Beauty in Batavia, NY. In this 90-min strategic journaling workshop, you'll go from daily overwhelm & doing everything for everyone else to peacefully pursuing your true desires (guilt & people-pleasing officially evicted) — without adding more to your already full plate. Guided meditation + strategic journaling + real-time breakthroughs + mimosas!🥂 12 spots only Register here: https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/permissionslipsworkshopResources Mentioned:Calm Mind Blueprint: https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/calm-mind-podWeekly Strategic Journal Prompts: www.samanthapenkoff.com/promptsSubscribe so you can hear Thursday's episode & journal with me: 5-minute journal session on working through your receiving blocks!Book a free 30-min Clarity Call with me: https://calendly.com/samanthasays/clarity-callWays to work with Samantha:1:1 coaching: Now accepting applications, 1 spot open. Learn More here:

Moms with kids who went back to school recently...UNITE! This week hit me like a freight train. New school routines, drop-offs that take FOREVER, schedule changes that make you question everything - and it's only Tuesday. So instead of pretending I have it all together, I'm taking you into my real, messy braindump journaling session.No pretty prompts today. Just me, a Google Doc, and all the chaos that comes with being a working mom trying to figure out this back-to-school thing while running a business with exactly 2.5 hours of work time (if I'm lucky).If you're sitting in your car after drop-off wondering how other moms make this look easy, or if you're questioning whether you're completely screwing up this whole parenting-while-working thing - this one's for you.In this episode:My actual braindump from today (the real, unfiltered version)Why 50-minute school drop-offs are apparently my new realityHow I went from 7 hours of work time to 1.5 hours overnightThe moment I realized I was playing victim (ouch)Why brain dumps are better than letting overwhelm pile up until you explodeSometimes you need permission to just... dump it all out. Consider this your permission slip!Resources Mentioned:Calm Mind Blueprint (the 5 prompts I use after every braindump!): www.samanthapenkoff.com/calm-mind-podMeraki Event - Permission Slips for Ambitious Women workshop at Meraki Beauty - Sunday, September 21st (9 spots left!): https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/permissionslipsworkshopWays to work with Samantha:1:1 coaching: Now accepting applications, 2 spots open. Learn More here: www.samanthapenkoff.com/privatecoachingConnect with Sam on IG: https://www.instagram.com/samantha.s.says

Are you drowning in motherhood while everyone else seems to have it figured out? Brittany Olson from Becoming a Mother podcast breaks down why becoming a mom hits so differently than anyone warns you about.We dive into matrescence (the scientific term for becoming a mother) and why it's not just the sleepless nights that knock you sideways. Brittany shares how she went from dreaming about motherhood her whole life to completely crashing when her son was born - and what she wishes someone had told her about the identity shift, hormone chaos, and that voice in your head saying "choose between sleeping, showering, or eating today."In this episode, we learn about:What matrescence actually is and why it matters (spoiler: it can last way longer than you think)How your brain literally changes when you become a mom - like, physically restructures itselfWhy getting outside isn't just nice advice - it's actually backed by science for mental healthHow to start small with scheduling time for yourself (yes, even scheduling a shower counts)The grief that comes with losing your old self, even when you wanted to be a momWhy feeling excited about time away from your kid doesn't make you a terrible mother👭 Register for a workshop with Sam:Permission Slips for Ambitious Women hosted at Meraki Beauty in Batavia, NY. In this 90-min strategic journaling workshop, you'll go from daily overwhelm & doing everything for everyone else to peacefully pursuing your true desires (guilt & people-pleasing officially evicted) — without adding more to your already full plate. Guided meditation + strategic journaling + real-time breakthroughs + mimosas!🥂 12 spots only Register here: https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/permissionslipsworkshopResources Mentioned:Calm Mind Blueprint: https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/calm-mind-podPermission Slips for Ambitious Women: https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/permissionslipsworkshopWays to work with Samantha:1:1 coaching: Now accepting applications, 1 spot open. Learn More here: https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/privatecoachingConnect with Sam on IG: https://www.instagram.com/samantha.s.saysDM Sam on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoachSamanthaHawley/