Creativity is sacred, and it’s also not sacred

“Do whatever brings you to life, then. Follow your own fascinations, obsessions, and compulsions. Trust them. Create whatever causes a revolution in your heart.” ― Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

Elizabeth Gilbert is an award-winning writer of both fiction and non-fiction. Her short story collection Pilgrims was a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway award, and her novel Stern Men was a New York Times notable book. Her 2002 book The Last American Man was a finalist for both the National Book Award and the National Book Critic’s Circle Award.

Her memoir, Eat, Pray, Love, spent 57 weeks in the #1 spot on the New York Times paperback bestseller list. It has shipped over 6 million copies in the US and has been published in over thirty languages.

Big Magic was instant #1 New York Times bestseller. “A must read for anyone hoping to live a creative life… I dare you not to be inspired to be brave, to be free, and to be curious.”

In Big Magic, Gilbert teaches us how to live a creative life beyond fear, and how you can take the stress out of the creative process.

The following are three main lessons from Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert that’ll help you unleash your creativity despite the fear.

3 Lessons from Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

1) Let Your Passion and Fear Coexist

Nowadays, many books and people tell you to overcome your fear as if there is some step-by-step procedure that you could follow and make it happen. But even for the most prominent artists have fears, even after they are successful.

The only way to deal with the fear is to know that they exist and best thing you can for them is get comfortable with the fear.

Gilbert tells us to allow curiosity to drive our decisions, as we keep our fears in the backseat.

Fear doesn’t get a vote. Says Gilbert. Its only job is to remind you of the essential things. Nothing more, nothing less.

When we let our passion and fear coexist, over time we’ll get used to taking our next step or paint our next painting.

Let Yourself Go On a Creative Journey Even If You Have to Start From Zero

“The universe buries strange jewels deep within us all, and then stands back to see if we can find them.”
― Elizabeth Gilbert

“Whenever you think of doing something new,” says Gilbert “and this new idea seems impressive in your head, sooner or later, the doubts will start to creep in.”

You might also have conversations in your mind where you keep asking yourself questions.

This is entirely normal, and you should allow this to happen.

Sure, when you start with something new, there will always be someone doing it better. But regardless, give yourself the freedom to do it anyway.

Take that first step.

Start from absolute zero if you have to.

Tell yourself that you are here to do God’s work.

Be authentic to yourself rather than original.

Give yourself the space to try and fail.

Keep Your Day Job To Rekindle Your Creativity

We have seen many artists hustling right now but are still struggling to pay their daily bills every day.

The stress of not being able to afford paying your bills can sometimes kill your creativity.

Another source of income is greatly needed, to not feel stress out, or under heavy pressure to put foods on the table.

Having a day job that is not related to your art but it pays your bills, will give you freedom, and a mental break from the creative process.

This also means after your workday, you could lock yourself in a room and go on a creative journey for yourself.

And as Elizabeth Gilbert reminds us, “Creativity is sacred, and it is not sacred. What we make matters enormously, and it doesn’t matter at all.

We toil alone, and we are accompanied by spirits. We are terrified, and we are brave.

Art is a crushing chore and a wonderful privilege. explained Gilbert. Only when we are at our most playful can divinity finally get serious with us.

So make space for all these paradoxes to be equally true inside your soul, and I promise—you can make anything.

Now get back to work.

As Gilbert points out, “The treasures that are hidden inside you are hoping you will say yes.”

Thanks again for reading, and have a wonderful day.