Written by Colleen
Who we actually are, and why I journal
A few people have said something to me lately that stuck. They said they love following Something Inspirational, but they are not always sure who is actually behind it, or what we are really about. So I thought the best way to answer that honestly was to just sit down and talk about it properly, starting with the thing that got me here in the first place. Journalling.
Where it started for me
When I was a kid, journalling just meant a diary. I would write down what I did that day, nothing more. As I got into my twenties, that changed. I started using journalling to write my feelings down, to process how I was actually doing, and I kept that up for years.
Then life got busy, the way it does, and I let it slip. I picked it back up again more recently, and this time it looks a little different. Most days now, I write down eight to ten things I am thankful for. Sometimes they repeat, and that is fine. Then I let myself process whatever is on my mind, and think about what I actually want from the day ahead. It helps me prepare mentally. It leaves me feeling more in control, more empowered, if that makes sense.
Journalling has genuinely carried me through some of the hardest moments of my life. It helped me through losing both my mum and my gran. It helped me again after having my son, during a period where I felt like I had lost a bit of my own identity, not quite sure who I was anymore beyond being a mum. Writing gave me a way back to myself. It also helped me through the decision to do my course at the Digital Career Institute, and figure out what I actually wanted to do next.
Writing gave me a way back to myself.
That is really the heart of why I love journalling so much. It processes your thoughts. It gives your brain the time and space it needs to reflect. And afterward, you tend to understand yourself, or whatever situation you are in, just a little bit better.
How Something Inspirational actually started
At the time, I was on a course at DCI, working on a project, and I really wanted to build something meaningful with a website, even though I am not particularly technical myself. I said to my husband that whatever we built, it needed to be a name that is something inspirational. He said, well, that sounds like your name. I said, that is perfect.
Not long after, I spoke to Louise, who wanted to come on board too. We are great friends, we are both creative, and honestly, doing this together has made the whole thing feel a lot less scary than it would have on my own.
What Something Inspirational actually is
Something Inspirational is a site full of personal development content, and we also love promoting films, books and podcasts. I have always loved writing and reading, and we wanted to bring everything we love together in one place, since films and podcasts are just as much a part of that as books are.
We cover a lot of ground. Quotes, journalling, learning how to slow down in life, learning how to take control back of your life. We also share other people's books and personal development work, so there really is a whole range of things here. I think that range, combined with everything being tied together by inspiration itself, is what makes us a little different. Books that inspire you. Articles that inspire you. Podcasts that inspire you. And people's own stories that inspire you too.
Who it is all for
Something Inspirational is for anyone who enjoys films, books or podcasts and wants to be part of a community built around that. It is also for anyone who genuinely wants to grow, a lot of what we write leans into personal development, encouragement, and the kind of quotes that stop you for a second in your day. If you want to keep being encouraged and keep growing, this is a good place to be.
Why I created the journal
Our journal was actually our first product, and it came from wanting something that worked for two different kinds of people, those who are just starting to journal, and those who already journal regularly. I wanted prompts that felt genuinely inspiring, paired with quotes that felt the same way.
The mascot, Inspi, actually came from an idea from Jasmine, one of our teachers on the course. It felt like the easiest, most fun way to bring some personality into the journal. Inspi shows up in different spots throughout the pages, almost like a little companion alongside the prompts, and it turns into a proper treasure hunt. Collect the letters hidden through the journal, spell out the word, then head to our website, where a fun little video is waiting for you.
There is still more of this story to tell, what I would say to someone who does not think they are a journalling person, what I hope people feel after spending time on our site, and a specific prompt from the journal that means a lot to me personally. But for now, this is where it all began, with a diary as a kid, a difficult few years that writing helped me through, and a husband, a friend, and teachers who all played their own small part in building something that, hopefully, inspires you too.