Elizabeth Gilbert and creative work

Elizabeth Gilbert is the author of “Eat, Pray, Love”, a memoir that became an international bestseller. In 2009, she gave an inspiring TED Talk about the anguish that comes with any creative work and the fear of never been successful again.

“Yes, I am afraid”, she admits. Afraid of never writing another good book again, afraid of the worst possible feelings that might come with that. But she wonders why these fears and doubts always come with any creative work? Why do artists everywhere have a reputation of being unstable? Why do we have to pressure ourselves in a way that no other professionals do?

She goes back to ancient Greece and Rome; she mentions Africa and the works of Socrates, the dance feasts for God and which kind of relation people had with these moments, with these works. They used to believe that when someone did something impressive, unbelievable, amazing, it was a glimpse of God. It was something that came from outside of their minds, helping them complete the task, amazing viewers with their abilities.

Gilbert pleads that we go back to that, that we release ourselves from the anguish and discomfort of never being good enough again, of already having a great success and not being able to top that.

It is something simple that makes total sense: people deserve cheering even if they tried but could not complete it; if they gave their best and put all of themselves into their projects. It is important to see it as something that gives you fulfillment, not as something that has to be the most amazing thing ever done. When we are able to release ourselves from the pressure and rigidness, maybe we will do even better work. And that counts not only for artists, but for everyone that puts all of themselves into their passion.

Gilbert gives a simple, inspirational and funny speech, using examples from fellow authors and going back in history to support her point of view. She inserts smart jokes in her talk, and her narrative pattern is definitely “leading people into the future”. She wants change.