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A review by paperindy
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
challenging
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.5
This was such an unexpectedly inspiring book. Big Magic talks about why and how to live a creative life. It is for professional creators, sure, but mostly it’s for anyone who likes to make things, professional or not.
Gilbert offers a frank perspective on being creative as a practice, a habit, a privilege, a joy. She shares the belief that making art is one of deep commitment with serious impact that speaks to the very nature of the human soul, and also that it really doesn’t matter at the end of the day and tells you to not take it so seriously, people. This balance of serious and not-serious is so wonderfully kept up throughout the book.
This book really helped me reflect on why I like to take pictures of books stacked amongst pretty things, to paint sunflowers on to-do lists, to dress up and wear lipstick, to plate my food in fun ways, to dance in the bathroom, to do singing lessons just to sing, to draw someone’s portrait just because, to write random snippets when the mood strikes. It was a reminder that being human is being creative and how lucky are we to have that?
The audiobook was brilliant. Funny, friendly, with great tone and good tips. Big Magic makes you want to steal fifteen minutes in a stairwell to make out with your art. It reminds you that curiosity is more reliable than passion. That your ego is a great servant and a terrible master. That it doesn’t matter if your creativity is a side hobby that doesn’t pay the bills - it’s still worth doing. And above all, making things should be done because it’s fun and you like it.
Overall it argues that a creative life is a life lived well, and I so wholeheartedly agree. This is highly recommended for anyone who likes to create or make at any level, it will kick your creative gears back into drive and open your heart up to welcome inspiration however it might arrive.
Gilbert offers a frank perspective on being creative as a practice, a habit, a privilege, a joy. She shares the belief that making art is one of deep commitment with serious impact that speaks to the very nature of the human soul, and also that it really doesn’t matter at the end of the day and tells you to not take it so seriously, people. This balance of serious and not-serious is so wonderfully kept up throughout the book.
This book really helped me reflect on why I like to take pictures of books stacked amongst pretty things, to paint sunflowers on to-do lists, to dress up and wear lipstick, to plate my food in fun ways, to dance in the bathroom, to do singing lessons just to sing, to draw someone’s portrait just because, to write random snippets when the mood strikes. It was a reminder that being human is being creative and how lucky are we to have that?
The audiobook was brilliant. Funny, friendly, with great tone and good tips. Big Magic makes you want to steal fifteen minutes in a stairwell to make out with your art. It reminds you that curiosity is more reliable than passion. That your ego is a great servant and a terrible master. That it doesn’t matter if your creativity is a side hobby that doesn’t pay the bills - it’s still worth doing. And above all, making things should be done because it’s fun and you like it.
Overall it argues that a creative life is a life lived well, and I so wholeheartedly agree. This is highly recommended for anyone who likes to create or make at any level, it will kick your creative gears back into drive and open your heart up to welcome inspiration however it might arrive.