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 ask
• The 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 existing
• The Bali retreat I didn't take — and why I still think about it

After 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.

• Calm Mind Blueprint: http://www.samanthapenkoff.com/calm-mind-pod
• 90 min Breakthrough Intensives: https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/offers/LN9xep94

• Free Clarity Call: https://calendly.com/samanthasays/clarity-call
• Private coaching - 2 spots left: https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/privatecoaching

Connect: 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:

1. Who am I trying to be for everyone else right now — and what’s it costing me?
2. What would I actually choose to do if no one expected anything?
3. Where do I stay busy as proof that I’m fine?
4. 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.

• Calm Mind Blueprint: http://www.samanthapenkoff.com/calm-mind-pod
• Breakthrough Intensives: https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/offers/LN9xep94

• Free Clarity Call: https://calendly.com/samanthasays/clarity-call
• Private coaching: https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/privatecoaching

Connect: 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.

1. What’s currently on your plate that you haven’t fully acknowledged or spoken out loud?
2. What story are you telling yourself about why this should or shouldn’t feel hard?
3. What are you afraid would happen if you fully acknowledged how much you’re carrying?
4. 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.

🧠 How to Clear Your Mental Load Workshop (Tuesday, Oct 21st — 4 spots left) - 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-pod

• 📞 Book a free Clarity Call → https://calendly.com/samanthasays/clarity-call
• Private 1:1 Coaching (2 spots open, start with a 4 month container instead of 6 in October only) → https://www.samanthapenkoff.com/privatecoaching

Connect: Instagram | Facebook