• Inquiries
  • About
  • Travel With Me
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Cotten Tales

  • MY GIRLS
    • DOROTHY
    • FRANCES
  • MOCO FIXER
  • STITCH FIX

Copycats

Rants

31 Mar

Creativity
“Imitation is the highest form of flattery.”

Let’s be honest. The person who first uttered that phrase has to be the biggest biotch on the planet. “Oh, let me steal your ideas and then pin my actions on a nicety. You’re welcome.”

No.

Perhaps it’s the journalism major in me, but blatant copycats are my biggest pet peeve. It’s plagiarism, no matter how small it might be, and that’s not cool.

For example, this week someone stole one of my Instagram photos and claimed it as their own. It was a fake account… that was clearly operated by my 10-year-old niece.

Yes, my niece created a fake persona to act as a fake ally in an online girl fight she was having with another 10-year-old. And here’s the kicker: she still thinks I don’t know who “Taylor” is. You know, since justadramaqueen666 isn’t clue enough.

I was in middle school when MySpace and AIM was cool. This concept is not foreign to me. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.

So what does dear old Aunt Sami do?

IMG_3966
I threaten her with fines and jail time for copyright infringement. Love ya.

Somewhere, Professor Criswell is applauding me.

I tell you this story because recently there has been a crazy influx of “imitation” in my life – by people with more than one decade under their belt. This baffles me. Is originality dead? Maybe I’m missing something here, because I’m not feeling flattered.

Perhaps the quote should be changed. I feel that inspiration is a much more acceptable form of flattery. Don’t take someone’s ideas, but use them to inspire your own creativity.  Then, do the respectable thing and give credit where credit is due. There’s nothing worse than seeing your photo without your byline.

Just ask samanthalc.

End rant.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

3 Comments

Previous Post: « 5
Next Post: My Fix No. 6 – Las Vegas Edition »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kristin says

    March 31, 2014 at 1:52 pm

    I totally understand how you feel with this one! Somebody the other day just took my words and printed them as their own! Get your own mind people….it is way cooler than trying to use someone else’s.

    Reply
  2. Eva Marie Taylor says

    March 31, 2014 at 2:52 pm

    There is a definite difference between straight up copying and being inspired by someone else…because we are all inspired by someone else. I think that quote needs to be reworded also. There really is nothing flattering about being copied/ripped off. But if someone says something I created inspired them to create their own original piece, that is most definitely flattering! But then again, for those who straight up copy…you reap what you sow! Right?!

    Reply
  3. Adrian Kendrick says

    March 31, 2014 at 3:38 pm

    I totally agree! I’ve experienced this a lot as well. I’m never flattered no matter how small it is. Criswell would be proud. Lol

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Primary Sidebar

Hey there, I'm Samantha. Recovering SAHM, and aspiring competitive dance mom. I have a passion for travel, am known to say it like it is, and I most certainly do not have it all together. Currently on a journey toward self love and discovery. Join me. 2021 | Bloom

Latest from Instagram

NEW POST: 4/4 "The pain you feel when you write i NEW POST: 4/4

"The pain you feel when you write is actually the pain of clarifying your thinking." David Perell. 

Link in bio. 🤍

#cottentales #lifestyleblog #lifestyleblogger #momofgirls #momblogger #momsofinstagram #travelblogger #blogging #writing #selflove #positivity #selfcare #goals #beuncomfortable
NEW POST: Dear Samantha, We tend to speak to ours NEW POST: Dear Samantha,

We tend to speak to ourselves negatively. But, what can happen when you write nothing but good things to yourself?

I challenge you to do the same. Link in bio. 🤍

#cottentales #lifestyleblog #blogger #bloggerlife #momofgirls #momblogger #travelblogger #selflove #selfcare #lettertomyself #positivevibes #positivity #positiveenergy #loveyourself #motherhood #weightlossjourney #pelotonweightloss
NEW POST: Sunburn I challenged myself to be uncom NEW POST: Sunburn

I challenged myself to be uncomfortable this year. Sharing this? The real and raw? That's uncomfortable.

Link in bio. 🖤

#cottentales #blogger #bloggersofinstagram #lifestyleblog #momsofinstagram #momofgirls #momblogger #travelblogger #rosacea #selfconscious #selflove #real #empowerment #skincare #mentalhealth
NEW POST: Who are you? (link in bio) I'm looking NEW POST: Who are you? (link in bio)

I'm looking for others who feel like me. People who may have lost a piece of themselves, but are (or want to be) on a journey to re-design their lives. Let's have a book club, or dinner party, or even start an empowerment group for 30-somethings who forgot their favorite color.

Let's help each other grow. 🌿

#cottentales #lifestyleblogger #momsofinstagram #momblogger #blogger #mhn #selflove #selfcare #identity #30something #travelblog #momofgirls #blog #bloggersofinstagram
This is the difference a year makes. ⬇️ 30 l This is the difference a year makes. 

⬇️ 30 lbs. ⬆️ Healthy habits. ⬇️ 4 in. of hair. ⬆️ Strength. ➕ A tattoo & a ton of self love. 

I never knew I could be this person. I’m not super athletic. I have never dieted or counted calories. I never considered myself or my health. I always have watched other women make big physical changes in their lives, but I have never felt like I was capable to do the same.

If you’re reading this, and feel the same way I used to, trust me. 

You can. 💜

(1. January 2020, 2. June 2020 (100 rides), 3. January 2021 (200 rides))

#empoweringwomen #peloton #pelotonweightloss #pelotonbike #loveyourself #fitness #fitnessjourney #cottentales #blogger #momofgirls #momsofinstagram #momblogger #lifestyleblogger #weightlossjourney #weightlosstransformation #selfcare #selflove #selflovejourney #pelotonmom #pelotoncommunity #lovesquad #boocrew #uncomfortable #bloom
NEW POST: What I've Found in the Dark Call it cli NEW POST: What I've Found in the Dark

Call it cliche, but I have a word to live by this year. If I'm being honest, it actually means a lot to me. I even have some semblance of "resolutions," which are really just mantras I plan to manifest into reality... and so far I think it's working.

What's your word for 2021? What are your goals, mantras, or resolutions for this year? Let me know in the comments. 🌸 Link in bio.

#cottentales #lifestyleblogger #mommyblogger #travelblogger #newyear #2021 #quitlikeawoman #momofgirls #blogger #bloggersofinstagram #momsofinstagram #bloom #bloomwhereyouareplanted #peloton #pelotonbike #resolutions #mantra #healthyhabits #newpost #blogging
Follow on Instagram

Follow Me

  • Bloglovin
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Get $25 for Your Stitch Fix!

Stitch Fix

Categories

  • MY GIRLS
  • MOCO FIXER
  • STITCH FIX
NEW POST: 4/4 "The pain you feel when you write i NEW POST: 4/4

"The pain you feel when you write is actually the pain of clarifying your thinking." David Perell. 

Link in bio. 🤍

#cottentales #lifestyleblog #lifestyleblogger #momofgirls #momblogger #momsofinstagram #travelblogger #blogging #writing #selflove #positivity #selfcare #goals #beuncomfortable
NEW POST: Dear Samantha, We tend to speak to ours NEW POST: Dear Samantha,

We tend to speak to ourselves negatively. But, what can happen when you write nothing but good things to yourself?

I challenge you to do the same. Link in bio. 🤍

#cottentales #lifestyleblog #blogger #bloggerlife #momofgirls #momblogger #travelblogger #selflove #selfcare #lettertomyself #positivevibes #positivity #positiveenergy #loveyourself #motherhood #weightlossjourney #pelotonweightloss
NEW POST: Sunburn I challenged myself to be uncom NEW POST: Sunburn

I challenged myself to be uncomfortable this year. Sharing this? The real and raw? That's uncomfortable.

Link in bio. 🖤

#cottentales #blogger #bloggersofinstagram #lifestyleblog #momsofinstagram #momofgirls #momblogger #travelblogger #rosacea #selfconscious #selflove #real #empowerment #skincare #mentalhealth
NEW POST: Who are you? (link in bio) I'm looking NEW POST: Who are you? (link in bio)

I'm looking for others who feel like me. People who may have lost a piece of themselves, but are (or want to be) on a journey to re-design their lives. Let's have a book club, or dinner party, or even start an empowerment group for 30-somethings who forgot their favorite color.

Let's help each other grow. 🌿

#cottentales #lifestyleblogger #momsofinstagram #momblogger #blogger #mhn #selflove #selfcare #identity #30something #travelblog #momofgirls #blog #bloggersofinstagram
This is the difference a year makes. ⬇️ 30 l This is the difference a year makes. 

⬇️ 30 lbs. ⬆️ Healthy habits. ⬇️ 4 in. of hair. ⬆️ Strength. ➕ A tattoo & a ton of self love. 

I never knew I could be this person. I’m not super athletic. I have never dieted or counted calories. I never considered myself or my health. I always have watched other women make big physical changes in their lives, but I have never felt like I was capable to do the same.

If you’re reading this, and feel the same way I used to, trust me. 

You can. 💜

(1. January 2020, 2. June 2020 (100 rides), 3. January 2021 (200 rides))

#empoweringwomen #peloton #pelotonweightloss #pelotonbike #loveyourself #fitness #fitnessjourney #cottentales #blogger #momofgirls #momsofinstagram #momblogger #lifestyleblogger #weightlossjourney #weightlosstransformation #selfcare #selflove #selflovejourney #pelotonmom #pelotoncommunity #lovesquad #boocrew #uncomfortable #bloom
NEW POST: What I've Found in the Dark Call it cli NEW POST: What I've Found in the Dark

Call it cliche, but I have a word to live by this year. If I'm being honest, it actually means a lot to me. I even have some semblance of "resolutions," which are really just mantras I plan to manifest into reality... and so far I think it's working.

What's your word for 2021? What are your goals, mantras, or resolutions for this year? Let me know in the comments. 🌸 Link in bio.

#cottentales #lifestyleblogger #mommyblogger #travelblogger #newyear #2021 #quitlikeawoman #momofgirls #blogger #bloggersofinstagram #momsofinstagram #bloom #bloomwhereyouareplanted #peloton #pelotonbike #resolutions #mantra #healthyhabits #newpost #blogging
L: 12/26/2019, aka my 32nd birthday R: 01/08/2021, L: 12/26/2019, aka my 32nd birthday
R: 01/08/2021, or today. 

My husband took that first photo. He was being nice, and trying to celebrate my birthday. I never told him I hated it. I looked heavy, because I was. My skin was terrible - red, broken out, etc. I was anxious, and stressed (ha! The days before 2020!), and it very obviously showed.

Today I’m in the best shape since high school, which blows my mind. I am actively working every day on my skincare, my mental health, and my reactions. Do I mess up? All the time. This week even, I made major mistakes that affect more than just myself. It’s a constant work, but it’s worth doing. 

I see growth. I see a woman who is starting to feel uncomfortable, and that’s a good thing. Whatever goals you have, or path you’re attempting to journey this year, keep going. Don’t let setbacks end your fight. You can do this. 💪🏻

(Also, both daughters saw me make this image this morning. Both thought I was pregnant in the photo on the left. I definitely was not.😳)

#selflove #selfcare #weightlossjourney #weightlosstransformation #peloton #pelotonmoms #cottentales #blogger #lifestyleblogger #travelblogger #momsofinstagram #momofgirls #bloom #keepgoing #pelotonweightloss #loveyourself
Two years ago, Santa followed us to Eleuthera. Las Two years ago, Santa followed us to Eleuthera. Last year, we danced our way to 2020 on the island. Christmas just doesn’t feel the same this year without the ocean. 🌊

#whitesandchristmas #eleuthera #eleutherabahamas #bahamas #christmas #ocean #momofgirls #mommyblog #lifestyleblog #travelblogger #cottentales
Mentally, I’m here. 🌊 #eleuthera #bahamas # Mentally, I’m here. 🌊 

#eleuthera #bahamas #travelblogger #lifestyleblogger #momblogger #cottentales #travel #nye2019
This is 100 @onepeloton rides vs. 178. This is 159 This is 100 @onepeloton rides vs. 178. This is 159 lbs. vs. 129 lbs. This is broken and lost vs. strong and healing. 

I was so proud of myself in that first photo, and I’m still proud of that Samantha. Steps to a better you will slowly become strides. Thanks to her, now I’m taking flight. ❤️ #selflove #selfcare #peloton #weightlossjourney #weightlosstransformation #pelotonweightloss #pelotonmom #momofgirls #lifestyleblogger #momsofinstagram #momblogger #loveyourself #cottentales

Copyright © 2021 · Cotten Tales & Samantha Cotten