The world has never been more abundant with access. We can see more, listen more, do more — all at our fingertips. Social media overflows with inspirational quotes that we love, embrace, and eagerly share. And yet, for all this abundance, many of us find ourselves starved of something deeper. We are looking outward at what others are doing instead of developing our own inner lives.

In his book The Positive Principle Today, Norman Vincent Peale quoted Dr. Jan S. Marais who once said:

Inspiration and motivation are exactly like nutrition. You have to keep on taking it daily in healthy doses. Otherwise depletion, fatigue, depression and lack of ambition and achievement will very soon manifest themselves.

That metaphor has never felt more relevant.

The Problem with Today’s Inspiration

We are snacking on inspiration the way we might snack on junk food. A quick meme. A line from a famous leader. A reel that makes us nod in agreement. These things taste good in the moment, but they don’t stick. They don’t strengthen the inner muscles that help us grow, endure, and create.

Part of the problem is comparison overload. Instead of being fed by what inspires us, we’re often drained by seeing only the highlight reels of others’ lives.

Another challenge is that much of what we consume is shallow and fleeting. We scroll, we smile, and then we move on — without letting the words or ideas take root. Add to that the constant noise and distraction of our digital lives, and it’s no wonder we feel more fatigued and less inspired, even while surrounded by endless “content.”

Inspiration is not a luxury. Just like nutrition, without it, fatigue, stagnation, and cynicism quickly creep in.

So, if the world is handing us empty calories, where do we go for real nourishment?

Inspiration often arrives not in the noise but in the quiet. It shows up in nature, where awe and wonder reset our perspective. It shows up in stories of real people, whose struggles and resilience ground us. It shows up in art, literature, and poetry, which speak in layers and symbols that bypass logic. It shows up in silence and solitude, where whispers of clarity can finally be heard. It shows up in conversations and community, where honesty and perspective spark fresh thinking. And it shows up in creative play and experimentation, where doing precedes feeling inspired.

These sources don’t just give us a “hit” of motivation — they shape us, stretch us, and stay with us.

Making Inspiration a Daily Practice

Dr. Marais’s nutrition metaphor is a reminder that inspiration isn’t a one-time event; it’s a daily habit. Some of the simplest ways to weave this in include taking micro-doses daily — a poem, a journal entry, a mindful walk.

Scheduling weekly deeper meals — longer reads, time in nature, extended conversations. Keeping an inspiration log — a record of words, images, and moments that move you. Translating inspiration into small actions — even one tiny step that embodies what you felt. Choosing quality over quantity — fewer but deeper sources, rather than endless consumption.

When inspiration becomes part of the rhythm of your life, it works just like healthy food: building resilience, sustaining energy, and strengthening your ability to face challenges.

A Final Reflection

Inspiration is not something we “get” once and then coast on. It is a practice of daily nourishment. In today’s culture of fast, fleeting quotes, the real work is to pause, select what truly resonates, and let it soak into the marrow of our lives.

Because in the end, inspiration is not about consuming more. It is about cultivating depth. And when we do that, our lives stop being about chasing what others are doing — and start becoming the very thing that inspires.

Strategic Reflection Prompts

• When I scroll for inspiration, am I really being nourished — or just distracted?
• What practices or places consistently refill my inner well?
• How can I design a simple “daily dose” of inspiration that strengthens me rather than entertains me?
• Where am I relying on external validation instead of cultivating my own depth?
• What’s one action I can take this week to turn inspiration into an embodied practice?

About Giselle

Giselle Hudson is a writer, possibility thinker, speaker, Strategic Alignment Facilitator™, and MCODE Legacy Coach. She helps solo professionals, non and for profit organizations identify where focus and learning need to occur to stay aligned and achieve real results — all beginning with The One Question Every Business Must Answer™.