To find yourself, think for yourself." -Socrates
I almost didn’t write this one.
I worry you’ll hear this the wrong way. But, it feels important, and I think someone needs to hear it.
I live in a world of inspiration, self-development, and motivation. I hope to inspire others to pursue their true dreams and create their version of success.
I believe in the power of our mind and positivity.
I believe thoughts create things and we’re all more capable and powerful than we give ourselves credit for.
I believe we can create almost anything we put our mind, intention, some strategy, and action to.
And, I believe some of us are using inspiration and self-development as a buffer. A way to avoid discomfort.
In some circumstances, inspiration and self-development have become an acceptable way to stay stuck and avoid doing the uncomfortable things required to grow.
The same way we might use alcohol to buffer, or numb, feelings….the way we might use cake or a bag of potato chips to soothe tough feelings…heck, the way some of us use work as a way to avoid looking at what’s going on in our life, I think inspiration and self-development have become the ‘positive’ drug of choice.
It feels good, it sounds good, it’s all over the online space, and it’s positive and good for you. Which is true. See above. I believe in this shit.
I think us humans can find a way to overdo or misuse anything for a quick hit of instant gratification. After all, we’re wired to avoid pain and seek pleasure, and we do it well.
Inspiration, personal development, positive thinking, manifesting, all of it on its own equals good stuff.
But, when we fill up on junk food inspiration instead of giving ourselves the nutrition that comes from doing the work to change our thoughts, patterns, and habits, we give ourselves a mental sugar rush, followed by a crash.
I’m all for a good inspirational binge, but scrolling for our next hit to feel good is never going to replace doing the inside-out work.
A Pinterest quote isn’t the same as walking the talk the message represents.
Another podcast telling you, “You can do it”, isn’t the same as going out there and Doing it.
Watching motivational work-out videos isn’t the same thing as sweating it out.
Regurgitating the last business course you bought isn’t the same thing as putting it into action, testing and tweaking it, and experiencing it for yourself.
Regramming memes and platitudes isn’t the same thing as the work it takes to look at your stuff, sit in the discomfort, and move through it.
Um, I’ve watched a whole lotta cooking shows, but you don’t want me cooking dinner. I think you get the point…
I’m all for inspiration. I’m all for personal development. But, I worry we think can scroll our way to change.
I worry we’re using the very thing meant to help us shift and grow as a way to avoid and stay stuck.
When we reach for our Instagram feed for a drag of inspiration, the way we’d reach for coffee to give us pep, we’re missing what’s causing us to need that jolt in the first place.
We’re binging on inspirational posts and stalking ‘influencer’s’ stories like we would a pizza or ice cream instead of looking at the hole we’re trying to fill.
Posting a positive saying goes down as well as a third martini to smother the shit storm you’re in the middle of.
We’re quoting Rachel Hollis as we cozy up on the sidelines, and it feels real good.
Inspirational posts aren’t meant to be consumed like tic tacs, they’re meant to inspire you to stop, think, and do the work so you can change, grow, and uplevel.
I’m all for inspiration. In fact, I hope to inspire you. But, I hope to inspire you to do more than consume.
Yes, I want you to feel good, but I hope my words inspire more than a temporary fix to what’s been a permanent pattern. I hope they inspire you to pause. To think. To sit in what doesn’t always feel so great in the moment but feels so much better on the other side. To do the work to shift and change whatever is wanting you to reach for inspiration in your phone instead of in yourself.
And, I hope you’ll be writing words to inspire others that come from showing up and walking your talk instead of swallowing your truth and sharing someone else’s.
Said with the kind of honest love that comes from wanting you to succeed.
Wishing you your version of success always.
P.S. Ready to inspire yourself and blow your own damn mind? Want someone to hold your hand as you walk through the mindset gunk?
Ready to get out of your own way, show up and take up space like a boss, so you can build a business you're wildly in love with that also gets you paid?
Let's talk. Book a free coaching consultation here.
