Big Magic

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• Fear can ride along on every creative journey, but it never gets to drive
• Treat ideas as visitors who will move on if you do not say yes
• You need no permission, no degree and no suffering to make things
• Do not ask your creativity to pay your bills; that pressure kills it
• Curiosity is a more reliable guide than passion, so follow small interests

In deze bit

1. Living a creative life without terror

   A woman in her 40s wants to paint again but tells herself it is too late, she was never that good, and people will laugh. Elizabeth Gilbert wrote this book for her, and for everyone who has a hidden creative wish buried under fear.

2. Fear is boring and comes along

   Gilbert does not tell you to conquer fear. She says fear is useful when a tiger is near and useless when you are trying to write a poem, and it cannot tell the difference.

3. Ideas are visitors, say yes

   Here is Gilbert's most unusual claim, offered half as fact and half as a helpful story: ideas are living things that travel around looking for a human partner. An idea taps you on the shoulder.

4. You have permission already

   Many people wait for a licence: a degree, a mentor's blessing, a review that says they are allowed. Gilbert says no such licence exists and you should stop applying for it.

5. Keep the day job, follow curiosity

   Gilbert kept ordinary jobs for years, waiting tables and working in bars, and she urges you to do the same. Asking your creativity to pay the rent puts a knife to its throat.

6. Put it to work

   This week, name the creative thing you have been postponing and write fear a short note saying it may come along but not drive. Pick the one idea that has been nagging you and take a 20 minute step toward it today, before it moves on.