📚 Book Review: "Big Magic" by Elizabeth Gilbert

Author: Elizabeth Gilbert

Publication Date: 2015

Genre: Self-Help / Non-Fiction

I recently picked up "Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear" by Elizabeth Gilbert. I don't usually stick with books that don't grab me right away, and initially, this one almost joined the discard pile. About 30 pages in, Gilbert introduced the idea that "ideas are living and seek the most available human collaborator," which I found pretty far-fetched. I almost laughed it off. But I decided to push through and give it a chance. I'm glad I did because the book offers some genuinely valuable insights and helps keep the creative juices flowing by challenging many myths and expectations in the creative world.

Elizabeth Gilbert’s "Big Magic" is like a friendly nudge from the universe, encouraging us all to live a creative life. This book isn’t a guide; it’s an invitation to embrace creativity that we all have. Gilbert’s approach is refreshing—she says living creatively is a way to fight back against the world’s ruthlessness, urging us to live driven more by curiosity than fear.

One of the most striking ideas Gilbert shares is that every one of us is inherently creative. To live is to be creative. The universe hides strange jewels inside us, and it’s up to us to dig them out. But here’s the kicker: it takes courage to bring out these treasures. Fear often makes us take the safe route, leading to predictably boring choices. Gilbert argues that living without uncertainty means living in fear, and that’s no way to truly live.

In "Big Magic," Gilbert paints a fascinating picture of our relationship with inspiration. You’re not a slave to inspiration, nor are you, its master. Instead, you’re its partner. Ideas are alive, she says, and they seek out the most available human collaborator. This concept is a game-changer, making creativity feel like a lively, interactive process rather than a solitary struggle.

Gilbert also shatters the myth that art and perfection go hand in hand. She wants to free artists from the chains of grandiosity, panic, and ego, arguing that artistry dies under the pressure to be a genius. She bluntly states that "art is just stupid," making the creative process feel more accessible and less intimidating.

One of the book’s standout messages is that if you’re alive, you’re a creative person. Gilbert talks to our deepest, darkest, most negative thoughts, reminding us that our creativity doesn’t have to be important or world-changing to matter. Creativity doesn’t promise security, but just existing makes us creatively legitimate. The world doesn’t owe us a reward for our creativity, but that shouldn’t stop us from creating.

Gilbert also dives into the originality versus authenticity debate. She tells us not to worry if our story has been told before because it hasn’t been told by us. This focus on authenticity over originality is a breath of fresh air. There’s nothing truly original in this world, but our unique perspectives give new life to old stories.

When talking about the creative process, Gilbert emphasizes that creativity isn’t clean or glamorous—it’s messy. She advocates for being multi-passionate and warns that not expressing our creativity can drive us mad. Her practical advice, "Done is better than good," pushes us to let go of perfectionism. She also makes a point about ego, calling it a wonderful servant but a terrible master, and she debunks the myth of passion, questioning why we equate creativity with suffering.

"Big Magic" is a beautiful reminder that creativity is part of being human. Gilbert’s wisdom and insights offer a liberating framework for anyone wanting to live more creatively. It’s a must-read for all of us since at some point in life, we might have tended towards safety rather than the uncertain paths of creativity. The lines in this book can become guidelines at those crossroads in life!