To think you haven't really got a bloody worry/issue if a twee card can cheer you up?

[HomeTimeByeBye]

My favourite instagram account has these workshops and does goody bags for the guests.

One of the things they contain, which she showed on her story, are 'motivation flash cards'

The idea is, if you're feeling down, pick up one of these at random to make you feel better.

They contain things such as 'You got this!' And ' She designed a life she loved"

AIBU to say you don't really have a problem if one of these cards make you happy after reading it?

It reminds me of a tearful woman in her 4 bed detached, crying that the Farrow and Ball paint wasn't quite the shade she wanted but the whole lounge has already been painted.

Or her White Company candle fell on the floor or something

Those affirmation cards are a croak of shit peddled by the sellers and her mates.

I loathe the idea they can motivate your day.

I have a friend who would love something like that, she has motivational quotes all over her house. She suffers from depression and they help her so I imagine these cards would too.

They wouldn't be for me but if they make someone else's day better I can't judge.

Well, it can be reassuring or slightly motivating to see - I have something similar above my desk. Doesn’t mean it magically cures everything, and I don’t think anyone would suggest it does.

MN is weirdly judgey over other women’s choices at the moment.

Agreed . All the motivational quotes in the world don't work on my miserable lazy arse 😂😂

I truthfully have never come across one of those cards that struck any kind of chord in me (and most mentally make me do a sick-pose-fingers-down-throat)

I’m going to make my own alternative ones. They will include...

“We're all going to die, all of us, what a circus! That alone should make us love each other but it doesn't. We are terrorized and flattened by trivialities, we are eaten up by nothing.” - Bukowski

“Razors pain you;
Rivers are damp;
Acids stain you;
And drugs cause cramp.
Guns aren’t lawful;
Nooses give;
Gas smells awful;
You might as well live.” - Dorothy Parker

Anyone else got any suggestions?

I think YABU. I don’t think you can measure other people’s struggles by your own yard stick. I think it’s a bit mean to belittle these things that work for some people.

When I was struggling in a stressful job and was literally right on the edge every day, I stuck a list of my happy things on the side of my computer. Some were motivational, some were blessings, some made me laugh. It really did help get me through that time.

I've just finished a mental health course of CBT. In one session a lot of motivational type things on cards were put out on the tables. I forget what they all said - but I do remember one had something about unicorns and sparkles on it.There was mention of rainbows etc. Not really my kind of thing.

But there was a young girl (18) also on the course, who picked up the cards as we were finishing and asked if she could take them home, she wanted to pin them on her wall so she could read them every day to give her a confidence boost. And she definitely did have genuine severe MH problems and a very sad history and background. So although they aren't my thing, if they help someone then I'm all for them - 'different strokes for different folks' (You can write that one on a card and pin it on your wall for free )

Yabu. Not for me but who are you to judge other people who like them.

YABU, it might not work for you and others but it does for some.
I find it can give a lift to see some of them if feeling anxious or a bit down.

My mother loves that crap, she's a devil for a wordy card and I have a friend who designs & sells inspirational quote cards at 'fayres'.

They make my teeth itch. I just want to get quite irrationally sweary because I know they are often given in a very heartfelt and kindly way,

To be honest, when I'm depressed anything that helps to clear the terrible fog, even a little bit, is very welcome. These things don't need to cure me or cheer me up but if reading one of them helps me get up and wash my hair, I'm all for them.

I think it is the opposite, as they seem to help people who have worries feel a boost. Mini self help quotes.

Hmm, I'll revise what I said because I definitely like a motivational quote too!

Perhaps it's just because they're overpriced with twee designs. And, standing my ground on this one, phrases like "You got this mama!" make me feel an unreasonable rage

I actually quite like sayings and quotes. I had a diary once that had some lovely little facts and quotes in that were really positive.

But Instagram ones just seem too twee, it's not just the quote, but the whole image it's trying to represent

“AIBU to say you don't really have a problem if one of these cards make you happy after reading it?“

That has nothing to do with the price point. I don’t think ‘You’ve got this Mama’ is something I would say personally.

With a friend on diazepam and strong ADs after devoting almost two decades to motherhood and having totally lost herself... no, I’m not sure I would select that card.

Conversely, another friend who is only four months is and sinking, yes I’d use that sort of card to send her a message that she isn’t alone and I care enough about what is going on to sit down with pen and paper (instead of firing off a text or email) and write a few lines of encouragement.

No, she’s not like my first friend. But her problems are still very real (and I doubt she’ll find time to paint anytime soon). It’s that early intervention, that nurturing her and letting her know ‘she’s got this’, and people ‘have her back’, that will possibly prevent it escalating so far.

Verbena87 In the long run we are all dead.

--John Maynard Keyes

Very motivational