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

    • Bloglovin
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Cotten Tales

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

For Me

Favorite Things· Rants

5 Feb

photo(26)

I did something for me last week.

It wasn’t for my husband, and it wasn’t for my daughter. It wasn’t for my parents, in-laws, family or friends. It was completely and totally for me.

Samantha.

A person I’m struggling to remember in my day-to-day life.

If you remember, I’m a self-diagnosed exercisephobic. In fact, the last time I worked out is when I walked the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini Marathon… which was three years, 40 lbs. and a baby ago. I don’t belong to a gym, and I don’t like to sweat. Period.

MiniMarathon
But last week I grew a wild hair, as I tend to do, and I decided to stop in to a spinning class with my bestie Lana at our local Park & Rec. I had never been to a group fitness class, let alone a spinning class. I didn’t know what to expect (other than miserably sore legs), but against my better judgement I decided to show up.

I was sure I was going to be that girl in the back of the room, silently dying on her bike. I thought I would be the worst one of the group by far. I knew I would hate every minute of it.

Except I wasn’t. And I didn’t.

Something about my experience last week was liberating. Perhaps I found myself in the middle of that dark room with Katy Perry blaring over the speakers. I was standing and running on this bike, dripping with the dreaded sweat, and I was completely focused ME. I wasn’t concerned about what to feed my family for dinner later that evening. I didn’t care if Dorothy was having a meltdown at home while her dad was trying to work. I couldn’t have cared less about how I looked, or who was looking at me.

I didn’t have a thought in my head, or a worry in my mind. Other than, you know, “keep freaking breathing so we survive this 45 minute class.” For the first time in a very long time, I felt relaxed. And that’s the last thing I expected from Sami Cotten’s impromptu trip to the gym.

I went back to that class a week later, and I’m already looking forward to next week. I even bought a 10 session pass. Can you believe it?

Maybe, just maybe, I’ve finally found something for me.

—

What do you do that is simply and completely about you? How to you remind yourself that you’re still a person, outside of your spouse and mommy roles?

Share this:

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

Related

Leave a Comment

Previous Post: « Meet the Design Team | All About That JUNK
Next Post: Things I’m Loving Lately… | Friday 5 »

Reader Interactions

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