Inspirational Quotes: A Medium for Motivation?

At a time when mental health is a concern for governments, businesses and educational institutions alike, instagram accounts featuring inspirational quotes have emerged. 

One such account is ‘the_motivation_side’, run by Muhammad Hisham, a 1st-year student at Segi University, Malaysia. 

As Hisham puts it: “Inspirational quotes – no matter the social media platform – are a necessity. Everyone needs some sort of motivation in order to reach their desired targets …it helps you to think and ponder things that are important. All in all, I think these accounts give people the mental strength & grit to overcome difficult times.”

His vision, certainly amicable, has been influenced by his religious and cultural background. A follower of Islam, Hisham constantly strives to share positivity and project happiness to those around him. As he put it: “A lot of my quotes do, indeed, come from Islamic contexts..I want to educate people about Islam, to show people that Islam is not what they see on social media. I hope to show a more authentic side of Islam.”

This doubled-pronged approach – to show positive aspects of Islam and to improve others’ mental health – is incredibly important. Hisham later explained to me his hopes that his audience and page will continue to grow so that he can share even more positive sentiments and lessons. 

From a bird’s-eye view, the Instagram industry of inspirational quotes is only going to grow. Its multitude of benefits provides a real-life, practical application for them, spurring youth around the globe to be their best selves. As Hisham concludes: “My page and others aren’t just random Instagram accounts…we are all trying to create a positive atmosphere…we’re trying to inspire kindness. That can only be a positive.”