Here at The CultFace we are constantly looking to find new ways to both challenge and inspire ourselves. One simple and obvious way to do so is to simply pick up a book and read!
So we decided ☝🏼 ta…dam to start The CultFace BOOK CLUB
Where we share, review & debate some interesting reads. For the first book we’ve picked ‘Big Magic’ by the one and only Elizabeth Gilbert.
Elizabeth Gilbert
“Big Magic”
A lot of us have enjoyed reading or watching “Eat. Pray. Love” with Julia Roberts with its deep and thought-provoking raw story, so if you’re into this kind of realms you will surely appreciate “Big Magic” by the same author, the one and only Elizabeth Gilbert. In this book she is exploring the core being and essence of Inspiration and Creativity, all stemmed from her personal life journey. Her conclusions and ideas are elegant and witty, her train of thoughts takes you to the places you’ve never been before. The book is universal and, refreshingly so, applies to every human being, be it your boyfriend, Mum or Grandad, for it is truly enlightening in so many beautiful ways.
Elizabeth proves to be a very talented writer, but to become so, she must have had to observe and take a lot of risks herself. Fear. Is it something we should try to avoid, or something we should embrace and find joy in? What is “perfectionism” as we know it, and is it a good or a bad thing? (Shockingly, she mentions that almost 90% of female creators strive for perfectionism and as a result never take big leaps of faith or release their work as is – you probably get a taste of where she is going to). Is our relationship with creativity a one-way road?
Now, to make it clear, when we say “creativity” we don’t refer to the artists, writers or actors as such. Elizabeth believes that we all need to find something to do in our lives that stops us from “eating a couch”, whether we make a profession out of it or not. We all need an activity that is beyond the mundane and that takes us out of our established and limiting roles in society (mother, employee, neighbour, brother, boss, etc). We all need something that helps us to forget ourselves for a while – to momentarily forget our age, our gender, our socioeconomic background, our duties, our failure, and all that we have lost and screwed up. Think of your own creativity as something that drives you to try new things, to lift the unknown curtains, to paint outside of the patterns, to break the moulds. Not a profit, not an outcome, but something that gives you those twinkles in your eyes. Those butterflies in your stomach. Something about your deep instincts and desire to experiment with a mystery. And, as she says, it is never about the end product or result. It is about the journey it entails.
So let yourself be, and let yourself create. Our time on earth is short and should be enjoyed. Give yourself that permission. Practical, yet deeply authentic and inspiring, the book will be your go-to source when you need to sprinkle your daily life with a bit of Magic, and when you feel “stuck” and “locked in”.
Elizabeth Gilbert generously opens up a whole new way of approaching your dreams, ideas, fears and inspiration. It is an easy read, but every page will mesmerise you and keep your attention for just a few moments longer. The aftertaste is fascinating. It is surely the book to savour. We personally always have a few copies sat on our book shelf for the last minute presents, because it makes a thoughtful and meaty little gift.
“It’s all just a game. A big, freaky, wonderful game”.
5 stars out of 5.
Now go make something.
By Annushka
Did you read it yet? Interesting to hear your thoughts
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