Big Magic – Creative Living Beyond Fear

Big Magic – Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert is a book about creativity and fear. If you’ve already come across this book but have yet to read it, then I highly recommend it! Elizabeth Gilbert’s unique and comical approach to handling fear is a skill that we should all strive to learn. She shows you firsthand, what to do when your inner critic begins to take over. To speak back to that voice inside your head. The one that seems to find a hundred reasons why you shouldn’t do something. Even if that something is a step in the right direction and one that will ultimately make you happy.

Elizabeth Gilbert with Marie Forleo on MarieTV

On the other hand, if you haven’t heard of this book, then I suggest you watch Elizabeth Gilbert’s interview with Marie Forleo on MarieTV to get a feel for the book [I’ll provide a link below at the end of the post]. This was how I came across the book and although the video was over an hour it had me hooked within the first few minutes. So have no fear – you will end up (willingly) watching the entire video interview.

Having watched the interview and read the book, I can tell you that all the important points Elizabeth Gilbert mentions about fear in the video are also in the book. As you are reading it, you will no doubt hear her words and her style of speech echo in your mind.

I wanted to write this post for two reasons. The first was to bring attention to the fact that such a good read and inspiring video exists (yep, I think the video is as powerful as the book), with the hope that you will use it to move beyond fear and let yourself be creative. Fear is something that can arise anywhere, anytime and all the time- beyond your attempts to be creative.
Fear stops you from dreaming. It stunts your happiness. It limits your capacity to grow and it damn well makes sure that you don’t live your full potential. We don’t want any of these things. And it’s best that we learn to control fear, rather it try to control us. So taking on board Gilbert’s light-hearted approach to dealing with fear, is a life-skill we can all benefit from.

What does ‘Creative Lifestyle’ mean at Moments by Charlie?

The second reason why I wanted to write this post was as a means to shed light on the phrase ‘creative lifestyle’ that the Moments by Charlie brand uses. In Big Magic, Gilbert defines creative living as “living a life that is driven more strongly by curiosity than by fear” and sums it up the following paragraph:

“While the paths and outcomes of creative living will vary wildly from person to person, I can guarantee you this: A creative life is an amplified life. It’s a bigger life, a happier life, an expanded life, and a hell of a lot more interesting life. Living in this manner- continually and stubbornly bringing forth the jewels that are hidden within you – is a fine art, in and of itself.”

– Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Big Magic – Creative Living Beyond Fear

Elizabeth Gilbert’s perspective on creative living is what inspired me to create and use the phrase ‘creative lifestyle’ as a means to categorise the Moments by Charlie blog. I felt that it was the best way to do justice to the message and underlying philosophy I wanted the Moments by Charlie blog to represent. If you have yet to come across it on the blog, then our mission is to enrich lives by promoting and encouraging the pursuit of a creative lifestyle that’s founded on a lifestyle philosophy of balance, peace and exploration.

I hope that you’ve landed on this page because this message resonates with you. If you believe that you know of someone who will also resonate with this message and benefit from being part of the Moments by Charlie community, then please pass on the page via email or the social media links below.

If you haven’t already done so, connect with us on our social platforms to stay up to date with all the news and happenings across the Moments by Charlie brand.

Blog Post Links

List of links mentioned in this blog post:

• Big Magic – Creative Living Beyond Fear | Book written by Elizabeth Gilbert, author of “Signature of All Things”, “Eat Pray Love” and many other titles
• MarieTV Episode: Elizabeth Gilbert: How To Live Your Most Creative Life | Interview with Elizabeth Gilbert by Marie Forleo on MarieTv from marieforleo.com