Write a commentWhen Belinda O’Neill challenged herself to pen an inspirational quote every day for a year, she had no idea it would give comfort to tens of thousands of people dealing with life in a pandemic.
Twelve months later the bank manager (43), has amassed 53,000 followers through her Be Inspired To Be social media channels and was even special guest at the GCSE prize-giving at her old school, Our Lady’s Grammar, Newry last year.
Her army of devotees has a monthly global reach of over 1.5 million and among her followers are TV presenters Eamonn Holmes and Emma Forbes.
“I made a personal commitment on August 31 last year to write an original inspirational quote or poem every day for 365 days,” says the mother-of-one.
“It meant early morning starts because my daily writings were an additional commitment to work and home. But it is a huge source of pride and a project I’m thrilled to have seen through.
“I’ve seen an amazing growth of people going online to read my daily quotes that deal with coping in difficult times. I had no idea my challenge would coincide with a global health crisis. I write with the aim of helping myself and others foster gratitude, love, healing and happiness – themes that resonate in a pandemic.”
Ms O’Neill from Silverbridge who now lives in Banbridge, Co Down with Peter, her husband of 16 years and their son Leo, says she is indebted to her online followers who read her original writings every morning.
“Not only do I develop inspiration from feedback, but we have become an emotionally resilient tribe. My followers have actually helped me get through the coronavirus crisis by just appreciating my writings.
“My compositions have been a way for me to channel my thoughts, to focus on gratitude and appreciate moments of joy.
“More recently with the schools going back I was able to see the strength in Leo who is aged 12 and who started secondary school. A year’s diet of daily inspiration has helped him too.”
Belinda founded Be Inspired To Be after experiencing illness in her family. “My writing became a form of self-therapy during a challenging time. I set up some social media pages and began sharing my original work with the aim of helping others who were also going through difficult times.
“I’ve been amazed at how much people appreciate ordinary writers like me spreading a little positivity from the heart. I have been humbled by the support for my daily positivity and light through these challenging coronavirus times.
“Our mental wellbeing has never been so important and I believe in starting each day in a positive way. I’m excited for the journey ahead and I hope to reach even more people around the world through my daily words.
“One of Be Inspired To Be’s most popular posts was titled ‘Breathe’, a reminder to be gentle with ourselves:
‘Breathe, you don’t need to conquer every ambition today,
A little step forward is perfectly okay,
Go gentle on yourself, know that you are doing great,
breathe, take it slow, great times await’.”
Facebook: @Beinspiredtobe
Instagram: @Beinspiredtobe_
LinkedIn: @Be Inspired To Be
Twitter: @Beinspired2be
