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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Am I the only one to loathe inspirational quotes...

126 replies

noworklifebalance · 27/12/2018 20:17

...and especially gifts with these quotes written on them?

Before anyone jumps down my throat

  • I am grateful for the thought behind the gift, as it is well intentioned
  • I also realise it is just an opinion (not an AIBU) and probably akin to hating puppies and other cute animals.

However, it just sets my teeth on edge and makes me want to metaphorically poke someone in the eye (which I never do, metaphorically or literally).

I just want to know that I am not alone in my irrational loathing of something that is fundamentally nice and probably helpful to others.

OP posts:
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12
ChristmasRaven · 27/12/2018 21:03

I don't understand how any one does care

For me two reasons:

  1. I have had a few shit storms in my life in recent years and people have tried to make me feel "better" using ridiculous quotes. I get that they are well meaning. Hence I do not take my rage out on them! But that then leaves me with whatever shit situation I am dealing with, along with internalised rage that people have quoted crap at me!
  2. People think that items with said pathetic quotes make great gifts! Again, not something I would upset them by saying to their face but again, internal rage!
SmokeGetsInYourEye · 27/12/2018 21:10

YANBU

HJE17 · 27/12/2018 21:17

This study made quite a stir a couple of years ago. It purports to show that people who rate “inspirational” quotes (derived from a bullshit generator as referred to by a PP) as having merit, tend to perform less well on cognitive tests and be more inclined to believe in conspiracies and pseudoscience. www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/12031212/Scientists-find-link-between-people-impressed-by-wise-sounding-profound-quotes-and-low-intelligence.html

Original poster
noworklifebalance · 27/12/2018 21:18

Reading your posts (not the two sensible ones) makes me irrationally happy.
LOVE LOVE LOVE the demotivating quotes.- they actually have the opposite effect and make me laugh - a win!

OP posts:
Davros · 27/12/2018 21:22

They're not even quotes are they? They're just words and sayings and shite at that. You see them a lot in Wanted Downunder

rabbitfoodadvocate · 27/12/2018 21:32

I hate things like this so much! Inspirational quotes, wall decals, references to unicorns etc. They all make me cringe more than I can handle!

brizzledrizzle · 27/12/2018 21:33

The one about learning to dance in the rain

I have that one too Grin

overnightangel · 27/12/2018 21:35

“Live Laugh Love” is the worst

AwkwardSquad · 27/12/2018 21:36

Thanks, couchparsnip, just had a happy few minutes playing with inspirobot Grin

Paddy1234 · 27/12/2018 21:38

There's no i in team particularly annoys me.

ChristmasRaven · 27/12/2018 21:41

I like this one

Am I the only one to loathe inspirational quotes...
Zwischenwasser · 27/12/2018 21:50

paddy

There’s a ME

SilentShadows · 27/12/2018 21:53

As part of my secret santa present this year I received a coaster which says:

"I don't need an inspirational quote, I just need coffee".

If I'd been given a coaster with a "traditional" inspirational quote on it I'd have hated it, but this was perfect!

PatPhoenix · 27/12/2018 21:55

Not keen, always off-putting.

But someone sent me this poem yesterday and I was genuinely loved up and cried and shit about it. Considering having it put on a t-shirt not really

Joy and Woe

Bestoftimesworstoftimes · 27/12/2018 22:07

Some corkers on here
despair.com/collections/demotivators

1stdatejiggyness · 27/12/2018 23:31

@brizzledrizzle was that real?! Omg. Awful! Shock

ImpTime · 28/12/2018 00:16

On a serious note ... I think its because of the loss of religion/faith and deeper traditions and expressions. So its more of an "airhead" kind of world in some ways. People have to replace it with something, hence all these airhead inspirationals! 'Live, laugh, love' has got to be the most airhead of them all though.

BeachtheButler · 28/12/2018 00:34

They are marvellous and truly inspiring and there should be more of them the fact my favourite cousin owns a small firm that makes this shit has nothing to do with it.

LipstickHandbagCoffee · 28/12/2018 00:47

I hate inspirational quotes and their fuckin saccharine upbeatness
And light up words or signs. So inane and twee
And drippy hashtags #blessedmommy #livin my best life #imamutha #angels watching over me

Original poster
noworklifebalance · 28/12/2018 00:55

I also hate self reflection and mindfulness or, more specifically, the preaching of it ~especially on my friend's IG posts, which feel obliged to like in support of her~

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Original poster
noworklifebalance · 28/12/2018 00:55

(Ignore the ~ )

OP posts:
JaneJeffer · 28/12/2018 01:13

You know what to do nowork Keep Calm and Carry On...

Rockmysocks · 28/12/2018 05:38

Live, laugh, love and Keep Calm were over everything like a nasty rash a couple of years back.

The keep calm was especially annoying with the gazillions of adaptations to the 'carry on' bit.

floribunda18 · 28/12/2018 05:55

Inspirational quotes can be rather trite but there is nothing wrong with mindfulness and self-reflection. Except, perhaps when it is used by employers and schools as a panacea to solve their crappy practices which are causing poor mental health for their employees/pupils.

Religion can be extremely trite and stupid as well, it's not a case of organised religion: deep, meaningful, well-considered, someone's own spirituality: trite and air-headed.

MawkishTwaddle · 28/12/2018 06:00

I bought this mug for my son’s last birthday.

Am I the only one to loathe inspirational quotes...
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