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From Inspired to Intentional: Breaking Free from "Inspiralysis"
- Women Specific
- By InLife Sheroes
- Apr 07, 2025
- 0 Comments
If you’ve ever binge-watched motivational videos, saved dozens of inspiring quotes, or followed every #girlboss on your feed—and still felt stuck—you’re not alone. Welcome to the land of “inspiralysis”: that frustrating state where you feel deeply moved but don’t actually move.
The #StartWithin Movement is here to shift that. It’s not about more quotes or louder motivation. It’s about turning inward, getting honest, and making things happen from the inside out.
What Is "Inspiralysis"?
“Inspiralysis” is that loop where you're endlessly inspired but emotionally paralyzed. It’s scrolling through success stories, watching webinars, or attending workshops—only to end up more overwhelmed than empowered. There’s a high from all that inspiration, but then comes the crash: “Why can’t I do what she did?” or “Where do I even begin?”
It’s especially common among Filipino women who carry not just personal goals, but also family expectations, cultural pressure, and a perfectionist streak fed by comparison culture.
The good news? There’s a way out. And it doesn’t involve throwing your phone into the sea.
Real Talk: What Keeps Us Stuck?
Before we jump into action steps, we need to name what’s keeping us frozen. Here are some common culprits:
- Information overload. When you absorb too much, your brain can't process where to start.
- Fear of failing—or succeeding. What if you fall flat? Or what if you don’t, and then life gets more complicated?
- All-or-nothing thinking. If it’s not perfect, why bother?
- The pressure to be inspirational yourself. Especially if you're the “strong one” in your circle.
Sound familiar? You’re not lazy. You’re overloaded. But you’re also capable.
Break the Loop: From Inspiration to Intention
Here’s how to start moving—even if it’s just one step at a time.
1. Audit Your Inputs
Take a week to track how much content you’re consuming and what it’s actually doing for you. Does that podcast make you feel empowered or inadequate? Does following that influencer help or hurt your self-belief?
Try this journaling prompt:
What kind of content leaves me feeling energized—and what kind leaves me drained or stuck?
Then start muting, unfollowing, or limiting what doesn’t serve you.
2. Name Your Real Goal
This is not your dream board version—the real, gritty one. “I want to start a side hustle” is vague, while “I want to earn an extra ₱5,000 a month by selling baked goods online” is actionable.
Journaling prompt:
What is one specific goal I want to reach in the next 30 days?
Start small and real. Clarity cuts through paralysis.
3. Choose a “No Matter What” Action
Pick one thing you can do today that supports your goal. Not this week—today. Email a mentor. Make a budget. Sign up for a class. Post your product online.
It doesn’t need to be groundbreaking. It just needs to be done.
Quick rule: If it takes under 15 minutes, do it now.
4. Track Progress, Not Perfection
You’re not building a highlight reel. You’re building habits. Keep a simple log of what you did this week that moved you forward, even a little. Celebrate that.
You’re rewiring your brain to focus on doing, not planning to do.
Inspiration is a Spark—Not the Fire
Being inspired is great. But being intentional is what builds the life you actually want. The #StartWithin Movement reminds us that real change isn’t about chasing more inspiration. It’s about tuning in, taking small steps, and choosing progress over perfection.
Don’t wait to feel “ready.” Start with what’s within.
Journaling Prompts to Reflect on Today:
- What’s one story I keep telling myself that keeps me stuck?
- What’s one thing I know I can do but haven’t done yet?
- If I stopped consuming content for a day, what would I do with that time instead?
You don’t need more inspiration. You need movement. You need momentum. And it starts not out there—but in you. Ready?
What’s one action you can take today to break free from inspiralysis?
Join the InLife Sheroes community and be surrounded by amazing Filipino women who will inspire you to move with intention daily.
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