Image Source |
In February last year, I hit a very rough patch in my life. My mother fell sick, work was at its peak and everything around was getting too much to bear. I had my first burn-out then and it was a feeling that made me feel miserable about myself. One fine day, I sat down and decided to work on getting out of that melancholic phase. I started a self-project called 'Getting Better' and wrote down things that made me feel better day after day. I started each day writing down a quote in my diary that would inspire me for the entire day. Every time I encountered something tough, I reminded myself of that quote and that gave me the strength to get past it. Soon, I started putting up a quote on Instagram every morning, as part of my healing. This helped me get better. Of course this was not the only thing that helped, but this gave me the motivation to push myself and fight harder.
A month or two into the 'Getting Better' project, a couple of my Instagram friends reached out to me to let me know how much my quotes mean to them and how they have been helping them get better too. When you are going through a bad phase, even a small positive remark would make you feel better about yourself. This one made a world of a difference to me. I've always been a sucker for quotes. I personally believe that every bibliophile is. As much as I love reading, the best part of reading is finding quotes that connect with you and help make you a better person. While I was much younger, I used to write down these quotes in a book as and when I used to read them in a story. These days, while I do not do that, some quotes do linger in my mind even after I have finished reading the book. This quote a day was helping me heal much quicker and it turns out, it was beneficial to others as well.
It has been a year and four months since then and I still continue to do this, day after day. However, a few weeks ago, a woman I know pretty well made a sly remark about how people put up copied quotes on their Social Media accounts and get credit for it. She also went on to say that we have to create our own motivation and not depend on Rumi or anyone else to motivate us. According to her, quotes are only meant to be read and not shared. She says that when you share a quote, you are basically copying content. Weirdly, I felt so bad about this that I stopped sharing these quotes for a few days. I did feel that something was missing during my day, but whatever she had said had a higher impact on me for some reason. Trying to stay calm and patient has clearly taken a toll on the Lioness in me. A day or two later, a friend messaged me asking why I had stopped sharing quotes on Instagram. She said that she missed her daily dose of motivation. The next day, another friend reached out asking me the same thing. That is when I realized that I should just do what I wanted to do. I should just do what is helping me heal. If people talk, let them.
Image Source |
I do agree that we all should motivate ourselves to get better in every step of life, but having motivation in the form of quotes doesn't hurt either, right? Quotes have helped me so much in life. Right from motivating me to take up fitness seriously to light humor to help me get past tough times, it has done it all. If you look at the bookmarks of my browser, you'll see that half of them are quote sites. Having said that, it is very important to only share quotes that you believe in. Or want to practice. There are so many quotes out there about God, his blessings and the power of religion. I don't believe much in either of these concepts, so I stay away from such quotes. I just read them and let be. I only share quotes that I have practiced and that have helped me.
In today's world, where everything is a struggle or a race, every bit of motivation matters. Be it a good word to a friend, the example of another good human, a TEDx talk, a feel good book or a single lined quote, if it motivated you to do at least one good thing, or if it motivated you enough to feel good about yourself, please go ahead and share it. If it helped you, trust me, it will help others as well.
Oh yes! I love the quotes you share. And yes, I look for good quotes while reading a story. I get really disappointed when I don't find any noteworthy quotes in a story (I have read some plain book that just goes on without any remarkable quotations). I share them, of course mentioning the book and the author.
ReplyDeleteIt's NOT copying if we mention the author's/book's name. That person's remark is strange. I write my quotes too, sometimes when I feel/realize something but I don't think there's anything wrong in sharing someone else's quote as long as we mention them.
Thank you, Tarang. Ah books without quotes seem so dull. I love the books that have quotes in them and I always share them mentioning the author. Most of the times, the image I share already has the credits on it. Well, looks like some people just like to make noise for no reason.
DeleteI always love your quotes! How can anyone say what she said? As long as you are crediting the source, there is nothing wrong with putting up motivational quotes.
ReplyDeleteI know what you've been through and believe me, it has helped a lot of people, reading those quotes, including me. I am glad you put them up and have been consistent too.
Soumya, listen to me. Ignore the naysayers. Do your thing. And that reminds me. We have another catch up pending. Soon? :)
My images always have the author credited right on them! Still, some people just have to create a scene for every damn thing. Now, I know better and am ignoring them.
DeleteThank you, Shy. These quotes have motivated me so much and have helped me get better day after day.
We need to meet soon, yes. Just let me know when and I'll plan the day around it :)
I've seen many people share quotes. Some of them speak to me, some don't. But I don't find them harmful unless someone is WhatsApping me daily. ;-) I do like the quotes you share, Soumya. Maybe, she was irked at something else. I know stuff we share on social media can be misinterpreted. And if she really meant it for you, it was mean and nasty. I know it hurts as is normal. But I am happy that you went back to what you enjoy doing.
ReplyDeleteSocial media can be annoying. Often, it is because of the frame of mind we are in or because some people are really bugging. It can't be helped though. If I find that someone's updates have begun irritating me, I mute them for a few days. That way I am able to deal with them better. Tough times are true tests of mettle and patience. I have been through some of those. Currently going through one pretty difficult phase in life and doing my best to chin up. Coco, exercise (no matter how little), music, food and my family keep me sane.
Just do what you like. One life, live it up 'coz you got one life. I do love this song. :)
Oh don't get me started on the Whatsapp messages! They are insanely annoying.
DeleteSocial Media is a tough place to be in these days. As much as you don't want to be influenced or take something to heart, a part of you gives in. Thankfully sense prevailed soon and I realized that I need to do what is important to me.
I hope you get past this tough phase of life soon, Rachna. We all are here for you :)
Well, whoever made this sly comment, please ignore it! I think quotes have a lot of healing power; everyone also reads/interprets them slightly differently. And just how does one “create your own motivation”? *rolls eyes* Anyway, I’m glad you’ve gone back to posting your daily quotes. <3
ReplyDeleteP.S.; Even I have journals filled with quotes from books (including tons of Rumi quotes). I used to love writing them down when I was younger! Now I screenshot them and have them in a folder on my phone.
Hahaha, I know right? How do we whip up some motivation? :D
DeleteI was expecting this post. I used to check your WhatsApp status every day just for the quotes. I am definitely inspired and I have started sharing too. Undoubtedly, you inspired me in doing this, it doesn't just stop with sharing. Those make me thing and some definitely resonate well too. It is also a way of thinking about you and what you must have been through to put this up sometimes. Tough times don't last long if we find happiness in small things. I learnt this from your daily quotes. I remember searching for your quotes a couple of days when you hadn't put them up. I thought it was a busy day and you couldn't manage this. Now I know what happened. Come on, I learn from you not to give heed to what others say. Sometimes when we open up to kindness, we also get easily hurt, na? Anyway, being vulnerable is good since we can quickly connect with our emotions, accept it and move on. I think this post helped you move on darling. I love your quotes and that's all that matters. Hugs Sou.
ReplyDeleteYou were expecting this? I decided to write this on the fly! :D
DeleteOh yes, I'm not the one to fall prey for others thoughts but even people like me are known to slip once in a while, I'm glad I stepped out of this zone pretty soon.
Love!
I love your quotes, Soumya, and I look forward to them always! Just ignore people who talk rubbish and please continue motivating yourself and us, too! I know, I am in too much of a need for it all! I too love sharing quotes... You never know when a word shared by you could inspire someone to look positively at Life or feel confident about themselves!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shilpa! A quote does have healing powers, I believe.
DeleteI must tell you that I love your daily quotes and really look forward to them for my daily dose of inspiration and motivation. I love reading quotes and draw a lot of strength from them. During our trying times, it is these quotes that helped me to stay positive and focused and not give up.
ReplyDeleteGlad that you are posting them daily and for we all need these little reminders to boost our spirits and refocus our day.
Thank you so much, Shilpa. Many friends have messaged me the same thing and it makes me feel so good that I'm able to do something that helps others as well.
DeleteDaily motivation matters, and quotes are one of the best ways to get and stay inspired and motivated on a day to day basis.
ReplyDeleteI know that sometimes it's not possible to drown out the negativity, especially if they come from seemingly well meaning sources. But I am glad you chose to listen to yourself in the end, and continued sharing the things you believed it. You do you, girl! And rock on! :D
You said it, Shantala.
DeleteSome times it does get really hard, yes, but we need to find the strength to get past it and do what you want to eventually. I'm glad I did :)
Isn't becoming self motivated better?
ReplyDeleteSure is. But a little inspiration now and then doesn't hurt, does it?
Delete