What is the one thing all creative people struggle with?
Creating. Which, unfortunately for them, comes with the territory.
So, if you are like me, or any other writer out there, you are close friends with the feeling of being in a rut. But don't fear, an inspiring book is near.
In Big Magic written by Elizabeth Gilbert, the award-winning author of Eat, Pray, Love, she gives a handy guide to getting your creative life back on track.
Now, what is another thing that all, not just creative, people struggle with?
Reading a whole-ass book. But don't fear, I also have a summary for you near. (Clearly, I'm not a poet, you may cringe now.)
To ease your life I have noted my key takeaways from Gilbert's book. Why? Because I'm a good person. Just kidding (or not). But what I am definitely not kidding about, is my belief that Gilbert's knowledge should be accessible to all. I do however still recommend you read the whole book.
Let's start by defining Big Magic.
First off. What is a creative life? Living a creative life is not about being famous (sorry!). It is also not about getting published (again, sorry). What is it then?
A creative life is living an amplified life.
Now, I know what you're thinking. WTF is an amplified life? In short, it is always being on the hunt for hidden creative treasures inside of you that want to be brought forward. The result of this hunt is what Gilbert calls Big Magic. Cue the fireworks.
Now, this is a Big Concept, so let's break it down by starting with the basics of being creative.
You may be wondering how you can begin your creative life? Well, be a rebel. You don't need anyone's permission to live a creative life. Not your partner's, or your friend's, or your parent's. There, I said it. (Sorry, mom.) All you really need is a little entitlement– the idea that you deserve to create, explore and be free.
Creating is scary. And you are full of doubts. Yes, you're afraid. But fear, Gilbert says, is boring. Why? Because everyone has it. That talented girl in your class? Afraid. That boss at work? Also afraid. Your parents? Definitely afraid.
Gilbert's point is that as long as you aren't okay with being afraid, you will never do anything interesting in life. As I interpret it, comfort zones are really danger zones. It's dangerous because it keeps you from moving forward, from creating, from living.
Okay, okay, okay. So, you shouldn't be afraid. Big whoop. But shouldn't you at least be original?
No. What you should be, is authentic.
Gilbert talks about how multiple discoveries happen in science. Creative ideas work the same. Yes, other people will have the same idea as you, and no, that doesn't mean you shouldn't still use that idea in your own unique way.
If I may use a metaphor: Imagine an idea is like a good pair of jeans hanging in a clothing store. Anyone can take it off the rack. But the idea won't fit everyone the same, or fit everyone well either. More importantly, the way that you style that pair of jeans, aka that idea, is what determines the end product. Maybe you are a high fashion (read: high literature) person with flowery clothes or flowery language. Or maybe you seek comfortability in a pair of Converse and in your words. Slam poetry anyone?
The point? Ideas are unoriginal. The way you style them with your authenticity is what makes a masterpiece.
One misconception is that art always has to have meaning. Gilbert emphasises the paradox that art is both meaningless and meaningful. In layman's terms: Chill, dude. You're taking creating way too seriously. Art doesn't have to be important. For Gilbert, it's thrilling that art can be frivolous. To create is to play. Paint with your fingers, make a horrible clay figure, write a slapstick smut romance if you must.
In reality, creating isn't even about passion, it's about curiosity. The way I see it, curiosity might have killed the cat, but it will save your creativity. You also don't have to go to school to learn how to write, paint, or sketch. You already have a wealth of knowledge and teachers. You just have to look around and inside you.
If you are creative, or just a human, learning never stops. Even though the point of creating is not to get published, the goal is to get educated, Gilbert says. Creativity requires commitment. Till death do us part and all that shizz. And although we would all love to have a fairy wave a wand and present us with our finished creative work, that's not life. Writing is manual labor.
And here comes the but ...
Please don't strive for perfection. Unless, of course, you plan to live a dismal and depressive life. In that case, good luck. Gilbert views perfectionism as a type of haute couture. Basically, it's fear disguised as virtue. And didn't we already say fear is boring?
Let's be real. Tormented artists are so last season. We are taught art is supposed to be a struggle. Sounds fun right? Wrong. Gilbert says: Reject the cult of artistic martyrdom! Don't fetishize the struggle. You'd be doing the world a favour since almost anything is fetishized nowadays. Come on, now. Creative living deserves a little more respect than that.
Now, here comes a harsh truth.
Life owes you nothing. Yes, you! The one who's offended right now.
Look, I know you might be very attractive, or very smart, or your parents are rich, or you drive one of those huge overpriced Jeeps. But stop complaining. If you want to create, it's not going to be unicorns farting pink clouds. It's hard, but that's because everything in life is hard. Not to sound like a motivational post, but: Choose. Your. Hard.
And let's be real. You will suck. And you will fail. At least initially. But another hard pill you have to swallow is that nobody really thinks about you. Maybe for a moment, but then they go on thinking about themselves. Except maybe if you're obsessing over a love interest. (Hi, all my Joe's out there!)
Truthfully, this hard pill is really the cure for your fear. You messed up. So what? Tomorrow everyone will be gossiping about the latest celebrity breakup, not your horrendous short story.
So, what is the takeaway from Gilbert's book?
Live your creative life. Live curiously. Live authentically. And hey, if you're lucky, you might even get a big break.
But that's not the point.
The point is that creating is something you should enjoy. You do it because you love it. And what is life without some love?
Comments