Join bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert, known for "Eat, Pray, Love" and "Big Magic," as she dives deep into the concept of purpose anxiety. She challenges the societal pressure to find a singular life path, promoting curiosity and embracing unpredictability instead. Elizabeth shares insights on the differences between careers, hobbies, jobs, and callings while encouraging listeners to enjoy their passions without the burden of monetization. Her wisdom on navigating fear in creativity offers a refreshing approach to self-expression and resilience.
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Jemma's Inspiration
Jemma Stevens's perspective on success, inspiration, and failure was transformed by Gilbert's TED Talk and book Big Magic.
This led Stevens to invite Gilbert to her podcast, a dream come true.
insights INSIGHT
Purpose Anxiety
Purpose anxiety stems from the pervasive belief that everyone has a unique, preordained purpose.
This theology is often self-centered, anxiety-inducing, and unrealistic, leading to a constant focus on the future.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Embrace Presence and Curiosity
Embrace presence instead of chasing a singular purpose; observe life's strangeness.
Follow your curiosity, leading to a more interesting life, even if not traditionally "successful."
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The Bhagavad Gita is a central text in Hinduism, embedded within the epic Mahabharata. It recounts a dialogue between the warrior-prince Arjuna and his charioteer, Krishna, who is an avatar of the god Vishnu. The text explores themes of dharma (duty), karma (action), and the path to spiritual enlightenment. Krishna advises Arjuna on the importance of performing his duties without attachment to the outcomes, emphasizing the concept of nishkama karma (nonattached action). The Gita synthesizes various strands of Indian religious thought, including Vedic concepts, samkhya yoga, and bhakti (devotion), providing a coherent vision of Hindu philosophy and spiritual practice[2][4][5].
The signature of all things
Elizabeth Gilbert
The Signature of All Things is a historical fiction novel by Elizabeth Gilbert that follows the life of Alma Whittaker, a 19th-century botanist. The novel spans decades, exploring Alma's scientific pursuits, her family relationships, and her personal growth. Gilbert's writing beautifully weaves together scientific detail with a compelling narrative. The novel explores themes of ambition, love, loss, and the enduring power of nature. It's a richly detailed and moving story of a woman who defies expectations to pursue her passions.
City of Girls
Elizabeth Gilbert
In 'City of Girls', Elizabeth Gilbert tells the story of Vivian Morris, a nineteen-year-old who is sent to Manhattan in 1940 after being kicked out of Vassar College. Vivian lives with her Aunt Peg, the owner of the flamboyant Lily Playhouse theater, where she is introduced to a vibrant world of showgirls, actors, and other charismatic characters. The novel follows Vivian's journey as she navigates her new life, makes personal mistakes that lead to professional scandals, and ultimately discovers the kind of life she craves and the freedom to pursue it. The story is told from the perspective of an older Vivian looking back on her youth with both pleasure and regret, reflecting on themes of human desire, connection, and the idiosyncrasies of true love.
Eat, Pray, Love
Elizabeth Gilbert
In 'Eat, Pray, Love', Elizabeth Gilbert chronicles her journey as she leaves behind her outwardly successful but inwardly unfulfilling life in the United States. The book is divided into three parts, each set in a different country: Italy, where she seeks pleasure and indulges in the local culture; India, where she delves into spiritual practices and meditation; and Bali, Indonesia, where she aims to find a balance between worldly enjoyment and divine transcendence. The memoir is a personal and introspective account of Gilbert's struggles, growth, and self-discovery during her travels.
Big Magic
Elizabeth Gilbert
In 'Big Magic', Elizabeth Gilbert delves into the mysteries of creativity, encouraging readers to live more creative and fulfilling lives. The book is divided into six parts: Courage, Enchantment, Permission, Persistence, Trust, and Divinity. Gilbert argues that creativity is an essential part of human nature and that it requires courage to accept and overcome fears. She emphasizes the importance of persistence, trust in the creative process, and the need to separate creativity from the pressure of making a living. Through personal anecdotes and insights from other artists, Gilbert demystifies the creative process and inspires readers to pursue their passions with curiosity rather than fear[2][3][5].
In this episode I had the rare and wonderful opportunity to interview a personal hero of mine, the author of Big Magic and Eat Pray Love, writer, true creative and teacher, Elizabeth Gilbert. We discuss why the idea of 'purpose' is incorrect and making us confused and anxious, how to identify your calling, the difference between a career, hobby, job and calling, and how she managed setbacks and failure.
We also discuss the creative process, her wisdom for imposter syndrome and how to let go of your worry and anxiety and have an authentic, true human experience. Listen now!
The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.
The Psychology of your 20s 
