Elizabeth Gilbert on What is Creative Living | Acumen Academy

Summary

The speaker emphasizes that a creative life is about consistently choosing curiosity over fear. Creativity isn’t limited to traditional artistic pursuits, but rather is about exploring new paths, overcoming fear, and staying open to curiosity. Unlike passion, which can be fleeting, curiosity is always accessible and leads to unique, fulfilling experiences. The speaker argues that by making small, daily decisions to follow curiosity, anyone can live a creative and enriched life, regardless of their interests or external circumstances.

Takeaways

• 😀 Creative living is not about being an artist, having an Etsy shop, or engaging in specific activities like gardening or furniture renovation.
• 😀 A creatively lived life is about consistently choosing curiosity over fear, especially in everyday situations.
• 😀 The path of curiosity leads to a more expansive and fulfilling life, while the path of fear leads to a smaller, more restricted one.
• 😀 You encounter crossroads in life daily where you can choose curiosity or fear, and the more you choose curiosity, the more creative your life becomes.
• 😀 The advice to 'follow your passion' is often unhelpful because many people don’t have a clear, singular passion.
• 😀 Curiosity is always accessible, even on challenging days, and can guide you toward creative living when passion may not be present.
• 😀 Passion is like a fleeting, intense force, while curiosity is a constant, gentle whisper that encourages exploration.
• 😀 Curiosity is not a loud, overwhelming force but a subtle prompt, like a scavenger hunt clue that requires investigation.
• 😀 By paying attention to curiosity, you can veer away from the safer, fear-based path and toward something uniquely your own.
• 😀 Choosing curiosity over fear creates a unique life that reflects your personal interests and experiences, setting you apart from others.

Q & A

What is the simplest definition of creative living, according to the speaker?

Creative living is any life where you consistently choose curiosity over fear, making decisions based on exploring the unknown rather than staying within safe, familiar boundaries.

Does the speaker believe creativity is confined to specific activities, like art or writing?

No, the speaker emphasizes that creativity is not limited to traditional forms like art, writing, or having an Etsy shop. It's more about adopting a mindset of curiosity in everyday life.

Why does the speaker differentiate between passion and curiosity?

The speaker differentiates passion and curiosity because passion is often viewed as something rare and intense, whereas curiosity is something that can be accessed every day, even during challenging times when passion may not be present.

What happens when we consistently choose the path of fear over curiosity, according to the speaker?

Choosing fear over curiosity repeatedly leads to a smaller and heavier life, one that becomes limited in experiences and growth.

What role does fear play in decision-making according to the script?

Fear acts as a roadblock, offering the safer path and discouraging people from venturing into the unknown. It's a constant challenge to overcome in order to embrace curiosity.

How does curiosity manifest in our daily lives?

Curiosity shows up in small, subtle ways, almost unnoticed. It's a whisper, a gentle nudge that invites us to explore, ask questions, and learn something new, unlike the loud call of passion.

Why does the speaker say curiosity is more reliable than passion?

Curiosity is more reliable because it is always present and accessible, unlike passion, which may come and go unpredictably. Curiosity is something you can lean on every day, even in difficult moments.

What is the speaker’s view on the common advice to 'follow your passion'?

The speaker believes the advice to 'follow your passion' is not always helpful, especially for those who don't have a clear passion or are unsure of what their passion is at the moment.

How does the speaker suggest people should approach their daily decisions?

People should make decisions by following curiosity rather than fear. When faced with a choice, opting for curiosity can lead to a more creative and fulfilling life.

What is the outcome of consistently choosing curiosity over fear, according to the speaker?

Choosing curiosity over fear leads to a creative life, where one's unique interests and path emerge, distinct from anyone else’s journey.