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Samantha M Harden, PhD, RYT 500 | The Flourishing Professor

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May you be you… willing, able, failing, getting back up again.

May you see rejection as redirection.

#eldermillennial #fail #phd #yogajourney

May you be you… willing, able, failing, getting back up again.

May you see rejection as redirection.

#eldermillennial #fail #phd #yogajourney

What dualities are you holding?

What dualities are you holding?

How you feeling?

How you feeling?

Bend so you don’t break.

Yes, it’s ok to eat, pee, take your dog for a walk before you do the next thing.

Find community in person or online that consistently, abundantly send out permission slips for being human.

Bend so you don’t break.

Yes, it’s ok to eat, pee, take your dog for a walk before you do the next thing.

Find community in person or online that consistently, abundantly send out permission slips for being human.

Untethering from your résumé

untethering from your labels, your car, your bank account how many letters you have behind your name…

It all means nothing if you are not connecting with your soul’s purpose.

Untethering from your résumé

untethering from your labels, your car, your bank account how many letters you have behind your name…

It all means nothing if you are not connecting with your soul’s purpose.

When you’re double booked and still have to get it done… tell me: How do you manage?!

My strategy: santosha. Contentment with what is despite external. I can work a 12 hour day today and come off the gas pedal tomorrow.

When you’re double booked and still have to get it done… tell me: How do you manage?!

My strategy: santosha. Contentment with what is despite external. I can work a 12 hour day today and come off the gas pedal tomorrow.

When do you rest?
Where do you find community?
How do you recharge to be fierce and strong, soft and open?

Yes, you- processing and holding the weight of the world.

Join us April 11-18 if you can.

If you can’t physically be there, I offer you this: when was the last time you rested (find three breaths, let 2 emails sit, take one full day).

Rest is a revolution!

When do you rest?
Where do you find community?
How do you recharge to be fierce and strong, soft and open?

Yes, you- processing and holding the weight of the world.

Join us April 11-18 if you can.

If you can’t physically be there, I offer you this: when was the last time you rested (find three breaths, let 2 emails sit, take one full day).

Rest is a revolution!

I just read in @lead.star ‘leadership moments’ newsletter that a 1930 visionary, John Maynard Keynes, “believed that once production had expanded to the point that many had their basic needs met, humanity would shift from chasing status or superiority and people would instead focus on how “to live wisely, agreeably, and well.” He predicted people would pursue purpose much more than wealth or accumulation.”

We’re not there. But I do see all the glimmers and intentional leaders rising.

Where are we 100 years from now?

I just read in @lead.star ‘leadership moments’ newsletter that a 1930 visionary, John Maynard Keynes, “believed that once production had expanded to the point that many had their basic needs met, humanity would shift from chasing status or superiority and people would instead focus on how “to live wisely, agreeably, and well.” He predicted people would pursue purpose much more than wealth or accumulation.”

We’re not there. But I do see all the glimmers and intentional leaders rising.

Where are we 100 years from now?

There’s beauty in the break down.

In 2008, working with pregnant people was the reason I went to grad school. I wanted to eventually open a women’s health center from preconception to menopause. I was considered a trailblazer and received funding for this work — my prelim exam was laughable because so few studies had been conducted for exercise with pregnant people.

In 2018 I had surgery and set backs including a cancer scare and infertility diagnosis I was like, wait, I don’t want to work in OBGYN anymore.

I officially had to surrender.

In January of 2020– I proclaimed ‘this is my come back year.’

But the universe had other plans.

2022 burning out but still loving connection with students and other intentional educators. So I started a podcast.

4 incredible seasons of stories inspired me for 4 years.

2026: Many podcast guests also spoke about wanting to write in non academic spaces. What did we create? 👉 an anthology called (Re)search Yourself

Check out the collection for profound pivots and grateful glimmers and everything in between.

We all have a story. What chapter are you in?

There’s beauty in the break down.

In 2008, working with pregnant people was the reason I went to grad school. I wanted to eventually open a women’s health center from preconception to menopause. I was considered a trailblazer and received funding for this work — my prelim exam was laughable because so few studies had been conducted for exercise with pregnant people.

In 2018 I had surgery and set backs including a cancer scare and infertility diagnosis I was like, wait, I don’t want to work in OBGYN anymore.

I officially had to surrender.

In January of 2020– I proclaimed ‘this is my come back year.’

But the universe had other plans.

2022 burning out but still loving connection with students and other intentional educators. So I started a podcast.

4 incredible seasons of stories inspired me for 4 years.

2026: Many podcast guests also spoke about wanting to write in non academic spaces. What did we create? 👉 an anthology called (Re)search Yourself

Check out the collection for profound pivots and grateful glimmers and everything in between.

We all have a story. What chapter are you in?

No two days or academics or people are the same.

Don’t compare your progress today with you of before (before baby, illness, funding cuts, distress)

Don’t wait to catch the glimmers, either.

No two days or academics or people are the same.

Don’t compare your progress today with you of before (before baby, illness, funding cuts, distress)

Don’t wait to catch the glimmers, either.

I didn’t know what earning a PhD would take… but more interestingly (?!) I didn’t know the epic life it would open for me.

Keep going. You deserve to see what’s on the other side of the hard work, rejections, and commencement.

I didn’t know what earning a PhD would take… but more interestingly (?!) I didn’t know the epic life it would open for me.

Keep going. You deserve to see what’s on the other side of the hard work, rejections, and commencement.

Researching ourselves — contemplation, reflection, evolution— takes vulnerability and courage.

🪷Through our work, we are not just shaping the present—we are contributing to a samskara, a lasting imprint that becomes part of the parampara, the living legacy of knowledge and purpose passed forward to generations of scholars.

So, what’s your vibe?

📚 Please check out our anthology, especially if you ever feel alone in a grief, pivot, or decision.

💕 But don’t stop there! Share your story, connect with contributors.

So much gratitude for all the contributors, including:
@deborahjgood
@gwegg
@_emmlove
@drluke555
@theflourishingdoc
@dr.violalanier
@natalya_androsova_
@merelindemon
@fionnaboyle
@drbuys
@t_bak3r_mill3r
@gattooooo
@borsika_rabin
@mindyourphd
@miriamverheydenwriter
@dr.lizberry
@laurenfindsaway

Researching ourselves — contemplation, reflection, evolution— takes vulnerability and courage.

🪷Through our work, we are not just shaping the present—we are contributing to a samskara, a lasting imprint that becomes part of the parampara, the living legacy of knowledge and purpose passed forward to generations of scholars.

So, what’s your vibe?

📚 Please check out our anthology, especially if you ever feel alone in a grief, pivot, or decision.

💕 But don’t stop there! Share your story, connect with contributors.

So much gratitude for all the contributors, including:
@deborahjgood
@gwegg
@_emmlove
@drluke555
@theflourishingdoc
@dr.violalanier
@natalya_androsova_
@merelindemon
@fionnaboyle
@drbuys
@t_bak3r_mill3r
@gattooooo
@borsika_rabin
@mindyourphd
@miriamverheydenwriter
@dr.lizberry
@laurenfindsaway

Don’t forget to book time for deep work, interpersonal exchange, rest. It’s fire a balance of 🔥 & 💦

Don’t forget to book time for deep work, interpersonal exchange, rest. It’s fire a balance of 🔥 & 💦

📖 make a list of December deadlines— check in that they’re real and not self imposed (grants, boss’ request, etc.).

🌞Get them done with mid day outside time sprinkled in so you don’t miss all the vitamin d.

🧠Everything else can and will wait. Even if it’s hard to convince your brain of that.

🎉Can you celebrate what you DID accomplish? We’re always on to the next one. Pause. Breathe.

📽️maybe make a slide show to share with your family to help explain what your research is and does

🏃‍♀️Run in to 2026 wit NEW energy. Not stuck. Not self centered. How are you using your talents to bring light into the darkness?

🦴Bonus— don’t set up first week of January to be hellacious just because you took time off. Use the whole month.

📖 make a list of December deadlines— check in that they’re real and not self imposed (grants, boss’ request, etc.).

🌞Get them done with mid day outside time sprinkled in so you don’t miss all the vitamin d.

🧠Everything else can and will wait. Even if it’s hard to convince your brain of that.

🎉Can you celebrate what you DID accomplish? We’re always on to the next one. Pause. Breathe.

📽️maybe make a slide show to share with your family to help explain what your research is and does

🏃‍♀️Run in to 2026 wit NEW energy. Not stuck. Not self centered. How are you using your talents to bring light into the darkness?

🦴Bonus— don’t set up first week of January to be hellacious just because you took time off. Use the whole month.

🎬filming for a lab promo video. I will
never again think acting is easy.

📖Everything is Not enough- griping dedication

🧑‍🏫conference blisters brewing but happy and stimulated

🥰much needed time with my loved one’s babies

📷meals, yoga, and lab meetings for December joys

🎬filming for a lab promo video. I will
never again think acting is easy.

📖Everything is Not enough- griping dedication

🧑‍🏫conference blisters brewing but happy and stimulated

🥰much needed time with my loved one’s babies

📷meals, yoga, and lab meetings for December joys

You are not alone … in the challenging pursuit of happiness. Now and always.

🧩physical, mental, social health are linked!

📲call a friend on a walk

💻 pop on an online class (synchronous or asynchronous)

🏋️‍♀️make your way to a new community at a gym or studio!

https://www.wdbj7.com/2024/08/05/us-surgeon-general-warns-loneliness-isolation-are-national-epidemics/?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwK2zPpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp758vWMXkIxhpL3HGbjOCdFpoCLzzaGPGqQON0t955vITAC5JzEjwk34zCkG_aem_mrn6JpxDLHDoHpvoImDfVw

#bluezones #health #happiness #midlife

You are not alone … in the challenging pursuit of happiness. Now and always.

🧩physical, mental, social health are linked!

📲call a friend on a walk

💻 pop on an online class (synchronous or asynchronous)

🏋️‍♀️make your way to a new community at a gym or studio!

https://www.wdbj7.com/2024/08/05/us-surgeon-general-warns-loneliness-isolation-are-national-epidemics/?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwK2zPpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp758vWMXkIxhpL3HGbjOCdFpoCLzzaGPGqQON0t955vITAC5JzEjwk34zCkG_aem_mrn6JpxDLHDoHpvoImDfVw

#bluezones #health #happiness #midlife

Open shoulders as a strong base for my open heart.

Open shoulders as a strong base for my open heart.

She’s on one.

As you embrace this last month of 2025…a few gentle reminders:

🧱Habit stacking: “Always eat dinner? Add a short family walk and talk after. Always brush your teeth? Share a gratitude in the mirror.”

🎯🎮Gamifying: “Try to make a game of any activities, such as a plank challenge every time dishes are completed or having a bingo card of movement breaks.”
Involving others: “Call a long-distance loved one on a stroll in the neighborhood or sign up for group fitness classes with someone so you feel that you’re supporting them as much as they’re supporting you.”

🚗✈️ Travel hacks: “Move whenever you have time, stay hydrated, and give yourself ample time so backups and delays do not add more anxiety.”

More here:
https://news.vt.edu/articles/2025/12/hnfe-healthy-holiday-habits.html

She’s on one.

As you embrace this last month of 2025…a few gentle reminders:

🧱Habit stacking: “Always eat dinner? Add a short family walk and talk after. Always brush your teeth? Share a gratitude in the mirror.”

🎯🎮Gamifying: “Try to make a game of any activities, such as a plank challenge every time dishes are completed or having a bingo card of movement breaks.”
Involving others: “Call a long-distance loved one on a stroll in the neighborhood or sign up for group fitness classes with someone so you feel that you’re supporting them as much as they’re supporting you.”

🚗✈️ Travel hacks: “Move whenever you have time, stay hydrated, and give yourself ample time so backups and delays do not add more anxiety.”

More here:
https://news.vt.edu/articles/2025/12/hnfe-healthy-holiday-habits.html

I’m one of the happiest professors I know

It’s, in part, because I use ‘notice what I notice’ from my yoga practice

Despite and in spite of it all— being paid to drive your own research agenda, influence the next generation of learners, and pontificate for a living is an unbelievable privilege and blessing

I’m one of the happiest professors I know

It’s, in part, because I use ‘notice what I notice’ from my yoga practice

Despite and in spite of it all— being paid to drive your own research agenda, influence the next generation of learners, and pontificate for a living is an unbelievable privilege and blessing

Just a few:

👩‍🏫 Don’t think your resume defines you. Go forward, heart-centered and connect with all the glimmers the universe is trying to show you.

🥼Don’t think being a medical doctor is the only way to save lives.

🌱Don’t wait to sit in stillness in the grass, find a therapist who makes you both laugh and cry, and prioritize doing nothing. Being. Healing.

📇Don’t feel bad for forgetting someone’s name or them not remembering yours. Smile and reintroduce yourself.

🪷 Don’t wait for Friday or the next accolade…season… promotion … to know you’re already perfect and everything is just an unfolding.

Just a few:

👩‍🏫 Don’t think your resume defines you. Go forward, heart-centered and connect with all the glimmers the universe is trying to show you.

🥼Don’t think being a medical doctor is the only way to save lives.

🌱Don’t wait to sit in stillness in the grass, find a therapist who makes you both laugh and cry, and prioritize doing nothing. Being. Healing.

📇Don’t feel bad for forgetting someone’s name or them not remembering yours. Smile and reintroduce yourself.

🪷 Don’t wait for Friday or the next accolade…season… promotion … to know you’re already perfect and everything is just an unfolding.

I think one of the saddest things about being an academic is fragmenting yourself and pretending to be an expert.

Of course this is true outside the academy, off the mat.

Bring yourself here. All of you. Your unique gifts, experiences and opinions make you you. Better than AI. More important than being a duplicate of your advisor.

Just
You
Graciously, imperfectly
Perfectly
You

Find your people. Quiet the rest.

#yoga #prof #higherfrequency #highereducation

I think one of the saddest things about being an academic is fragmenting yourself and pretending to be an expert.

Of course this is true outside the academy, off the mat.

Bring yourself here. All of you. Your unique gifts, experiences and opinions make you you. Better than AI. More important than being a duplicate of your advisor.

Just
You
Graciously, imperfectly
Perfectly
You

Find your people. Quiet the rest.

#yoga #prof #higherfrequency #highereducation

😏 how am i contributing to hustle culture?

No taking off for official vacation in 5 years is not a flex. It’s a sign of …(other things).

🪷two recommendations to help you prepare:
Pre- travel read from @phdinclothes ‘How I take off weekends’
https://phdinclothes.com/2021/03/26/how-i-take-weekends-off-as-an-academic/

🎧🎙️permission slip to take time off:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/higher-vibrations-in-higher-education/id1653506070?i=1000599101925

😏 how am i contributing to hustle culture?

No taking off for official vacation in 5 years is not a flex. It’s a sign of …(other things).

🪷two recommendations to help you prepare:
Pre- travel read from @phdinclothes ‘How I take off weekends’
https://phdinclothes.com/2021/03/26/how-i-take-weekends-off-as-an-academic/

🎧🎙��️permission slip to take time off:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/higher-vibrations-in-higher-education/id1653506070?i=1000599101925

Join me for 7 days in Nosara, Costa Rica 🇨🇷
Tree planting & bingo
Nourishing foods
So much yoga on and off the mat.
Learn to slow down and unplug. Reset.

Students of life welcome for April 11-18 retreat! Rooms booking fast so head to the website:

parcilab.org/ivyretreat

Join me for 7 days in Nosara, Costa Rica 🇨🇷
Tree planting & bingo
Nourishing foods
So much yoga on and off the mat.
Learn to slow down and unplug. Reset.

Students of life welcome for April 11-18 retreat! Rooms booking fast so head to the website:

parcilab.org/ivyretreat

It comes as no surprise to me that yoga and writing retreats are on the rise.

We are burnt out and socially isolated.

Yoga | Yuj— to unite— provides time to come back together, come back to self… come to the waters.

Check the website! Study abroad or just ‘regular’ retreat mode. I got you. 🪷

What I don’t got? Much more energy for social media at the moment. Signing out for now. Love always.

#retreat #yoga #phd #writing
#studygram #unilife #gradstudent #phdadvice #collegelife #gradschool #phdlife #phd #phdstudent
PhD life, grad life, uni life, PhD student, productivity, PhD, grad study, study inspo, study.

It comes as no surprise to me that yoga and writing retreats are on the rise.

We are burnt out and socially isolated.

Yoga | Yuj— to unite— provides time to come back together, come back to self… come to the waters.

Check the website! Study abroad or just ‘regular’ retreat mode. I got you. 🪷

What I don’t got? Much more energy for social media at the moment. Signing out for now. Love always.

#retreat #yoga #phd #writing
#studygram #unilife #gradstudent #phdadvice #collegelife #gradschool #phdlife #phd #phdstudent
PhD life, grad life, uni life, PhD student, productivity, PhD, grad study, study inspo, study.

The best thing about the academy? You.

#phd #yoga #changeisgood

The best thing about the academy? You.

#phd #yoga #changeisgood

How to flourish in academia?

📚Read outside your discipline

🕸️Find comfortable ways to network, yes even introverts. I’m happy to practice over coffee

💫downshift and enjoy the process: lifelong learning and inventing doesn’t end in a course, diploma, or promotion

🥗 Nourish yourself and your community. Not when ‘things settle down’ or ‘when you have spare (time or money). Don’t wait to eat or pee after the tenth zoom call. Be here, now.
Share with us: whats the best advice you’ve received?

How to flourish in academia?

📚Read outside your discipline

🕸️Find comfortable ways to network, yes even introverts. I’m happy to practice over coffee

💫downshift and enjoy the process: lifelong learning and inventing doesn’t end in a course, diploma, or promotion

🥗 Nourish yourself and your community. Not when ‘things settle down’ or ‘when you have spare (time or money). Don’t wait to eat or pee after the tenth zoom call. Be here, now.
Share with us: whats the best advice you’ve received?

July you started out terribly … but you redeemed yourself immensely.

Sometimes we have to let go of what no longer serves us… self healing can be realllly small steps like:

🎶🥁 if you were listening to really slow, calming music and you feel more like yourself rapping along to early 2000s bangers … do it.

📱If you question ‘why isn’t __ reaching out to me?’ Reach out first.

👷‍♀️be a builder of knowledge, not a consumer.

🏋️‍♀️Get in goddess squat, scoop up the bullish!t and throw it up in the air like @gratefulgrowthyogatherapy guided us this week in our #200hrytt

🍳 stop frying your brain with scrolling or thinking someone else has your answers.

Follow for more random sh!t I think about that I wish I did sooner.

#pmdd #yogajourney #phd

July you started out terribly … but you redeemed yourself immensely.

Sometimes we have to let go of what no longer serves us… self healing can be realllly small steps like:

🎶🥁 if you were listening to really slow, calming music and you feel more like yourself rapping along to early 2000s bangers … do it.

📱If you question ‘why isn’t __ reaching out to me?’ Reach out first.

👷‍♀️be a builder of knowledge, not a consumer.

🏋️‍♀️Get in goddess squat, scoop up the bullish!t and throw it up in the air like @gratefulgrowthyogatherapy guided us this week in our #200hrytt

🍳 stop frying your brain with scrolling or thinking someone else has your answers.

Follow for more random sh!t I think about that I wish I did sooner.

#pmdd #yogajourney #phd

I didn’t know what earning a PhD would take… but more interestingly (?!) I didn’t know the epic life it would open for me.

Keep going. You deserve to see what’s on the other side of the hard work, rejections, and commencement.

You serve rest and play and a boundaried life.

I didn’t know what earning a PhD would take… but more interestingly (?!) I didn’t know the epic life it would open for me.

Keep going. You deserve to see what’s on the other side of the hard work, rejections, and commencement.

You serve rest and play and a boundaried life.

I had 12 grants rejected this year. Here’s how I’m coping:

💦ugly crying on the couch, dog walk, and bathtub

🏃‍♀️running through the stages of grief— especially that nasty comparison game. Recognizing that that’s human, forgiving myself and moving on.

🫁 finding my breath again

🧘‍♀️solo time on the mat and in a good book.

🤝 reaching out to start new collaborations or strengthen old ones.

🪷remembering that what’s meant for me won’t pass me.

💫The sting of rejection doesn’t change. The process of dealing with it does.

Follow @sincerelysamma for more bts of being an academic.

I had 12 grants rejected this year. Here’s how I’m coping:

💦ugly crying on the couch, dog walk, and bathtub

🏃‍♀️running through the stages of grief— especially that nasty comparison game. Recognizing that that’s human, forgiving myself and moving on.

🫁 finding my breath again

🧘‍♀️solo time on the mat and in a good book.

🤝 reaching out to start new collaborations or strengthen old ones.

🪷remembering that what’s meant for me won’t pass me.

💫The sting of rejection doesn’t change. The process of dealing with it does.

Follow @sincerelysamma for more bts of being an academic.

I didn’t know what earning a PhD would take… but more interestingly (?!) I didn’t know the epic life it would open for me.

Keep going. You deserve to see what’s on the other side of the hard work, rejections, and commencement.

PS in quiddler zero ox is more points than a misspelled proper noun

$5 zelle for the first to guess the song I’m coming back to life to…

I didn’t know what earning a PhD would take… but more interestingly (?!) I didn’t know the epic life it would open for me.

Keep going. You deserve to see what’s on the other side of the hard work, rejections, and commencement.

PS in quiddler zero ox is more points than a misspelled proper noun

$5 zelle for the first to guess the song I’m coming back to life to…

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