Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic is such an interesting mix of what it means to be a creative. Let’s explore.
Stubborn Gladness
(Part I, 4:40)
‘Stubborn Gladness’ is about creating from a place of joy.
Creative Living
‘A creative life is an amplified life.’ (Part I, 12:00)
Gilbert describes creative living as a life that is interesting and full of wonder. A life driven by curiosity.
Cautioning readers against taking on debt for their art, Gilbert suggests that living a creative life can be done without formal qualifications and warns against demanding your art ‘pay;’ a sure-fire way to stunt your creativity.
‘You can do this stuff yourself, people.’ (Part III, 40:09)
Fear
Gilbert asserts that fear is necessary for our survival and, rather than try to avoid it (an impossibility) we must make space for it. To live a life without fear — that is never taking any creative risks — would lead to a life that is uninteresting and lacking.
Magic
The way ideas come and go is a kind of ‘big magic’. Gilbert suggests we must be open to ideas. We must possess an openness to work with inspiration.
Paradox
At the heart of living a creative life is the paradox that art is essentially meaningless, and yet, deeply meaningful. (Part VI, 6:30)
Be serious about your art, Gilbert suggests, but don’t be so serious.
Perfection
‘…the drive for perfectionism is a corrosive waste of time…’ (Part IV, 35:58)
Gilbert encourages the creative to be free with their art, to relax and release it into the world; if only for the benefit of moving on to other projects, creating other art. ‘Done is better than good.’ (Part IV, 43:50)
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Reference: Gilbert, E. (2015). Big Magic. Riverhead Books (timestamps: Bolinda audiobook read by Elizabeth Gilbert)