271. Overcoming our purpose anxiety ft. Elizabeth Gilbert
Jan 31, 2025
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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.
Purpose anxiety can hinder personal growth, as societal pressure to find a singular calling creates unrealistic expectations and stress.
Understanding the distinctions between hobbies, jobs, careers, and callings helps alleviate the pressure of needing a life purpose.
Embracing fear and uncertainty is crucial in the creative process, as it allows for exploration and personal expression despite potential setbacks.
Deep dives
Rethinking Alcohol Consumption
The discussion revolves around the decision to engage in a month of alcohol abstinence, particularly during dry January, as a means to reconsider one's relationship with alcohol. The experience is framed as a personal test and a commitment to lifestyle goals while maintaining social connections. Heineken 00 is highlighted as an ideal alternative, offering the familiar taste of beer without the alcohol content, allowing individuals to feel included while drinking non-alcoholic beverages. This exploration emphasizes balancing social enjoyment with personal health aspirations.
Purpose Anxiety in the Modern World
The conversation addresses the pervasive issue of 'purpose anxiety,' a feeling many young individuals experience when they feel pressured to discover a singular life purpose. It critiques the societal belief that everyone has a unique calling, leading to unrealistic expectations and self-centeredness. The discussion emphasizes that this pressure can often lead to stress and dissatisfaction, contrasting it against the idea of living in the present instead of being fixated on an elusive purpose. The speaker advocates for cultivating presence in life, allowing individuals to appreciate the journey rather than obsess over predetermined outcomes.
Distinguishing Between Life Roles
A key distinction is made between hobbies, jobs, careers, and callings, explaining how each serves a different purpose in life. Hobbies are framed as enjoyable activities without any financial or societal expectations, while jobs are necessities that may not bring fulfillment. A career is described as a job one is passionate about, whereas a calling is something deeper that may not be tied to monetary reward. This differentiation aims to alleviate stress by affirming that not everyone needs to have a singular and consuming calling, thus fostering a healthier approach to work and passion.
Creativity versus Fear
The dialogue emphasizes that creativity often conflicts with deeply ingrained fear, which is rooted in human evolution. This fear inhibits individuals from trying new things as it associates change with potential danger, causing anxiety. The discussion encourages embracing uncertainty as part of the creative process, emphasizing that fear is a natural reaction that needs to be managed. By recognizing this dynamic, individuals can approach creative endeavors with a mindset that prioritizes exploration and curiosity over fear of failure.
Grounding in Times of Change
The conversation touches on the importance of grounding oneself, especially during significant life shifts, whether they be negative or positively overwhelming. It is suggested that engaging in simple, earthbound activities can help return to a state of balance and clarity amidst external chaos. The speaker shares personal experiences of finding solace in nature and mundane tasks, which helped provide perspective during tumultuous times. This approach underlines the value of embracing simplicity as a means to navigate emotional turbulence and foster resilience.
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.
