Elizabeth Gilbert, bestselling author of Eat, Pray, Love, joins Fearne on the show to discuss her dedication to managing mental health. They share tips on navigating work stress, social media pressures, and surviving success. Boundaries, exploring femininity and ancestral suppression, generational trauma, and the power of mercy and apology are some of the intriguing topics they delve into in this wide-ranging conversation.
Setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care is essential for maintaining well-being.
Embracing the sacredness of one's own life and setting boundaries to prioritize well-being and autonomy.
Surrendering to grief and allowing it to transform a person is necessary for healing.
Deep dives
Finding comfort in vulnerability
In this podcast episode, author Elizabeth Gilbert discusses her comfort with vulnerability and her need for connection. She explains that being vulnerable and open is natural to her, and she surrounds herself with people who share this inclination. Gilbert also touches on the challenges of writing memoirs and the ethical considerations involved in sharing personal stories. She highlights the importance of setting boundaries to protect one's energy and prioritize self-care, emphasizing that saying no and setting limits is essential for maintaining well-being.
Recognizing the sacredness of life
Gilbert shares how she views life as sacred and the importance of recognizing the inherent value and fragility of one's being. She discusses how women have historically been the protectors of what is sacred and fragile, and encourages embracing the sacredness of one's own life. She shares personal experiences around societal expectations of marriage and motherhood, recognizing that she does not fit into those roles and how she has learned to navigate and set boundaries to prioritize her own well-being and autonomy.
Practicing mercy and self-acceptance
Gilbert delves into the concept of mercy, distinguishing it from forgiveness. She emphasizes the importance of mercy in healing oneself, as well as extending it to others. Sharing personal anecdotes, she explores the significance of practicing mercy in daily life and recognizing the sacredness of one's own experience. Gilbert also touches on the role of grief and the need to surrender to it, allowing oneself to fully experience it without resistance, and finding compassion and acceptance in the face of pain and loss.
The power of creative absorption
Gilbert describes how writing allows her to fully absorb herself and use all of her faculties, providing a sense of fulfillment and purpose. She explains that engaging in creative endeavors at the edge of one's capability, where a challenge poses almost too much difficulty, can be particularly rewarding and stimulating. Gilbert also shares other practices that help nurture her mental and emotional well-being, such as dancing, drawing, and writing a daily letter to herself from a place of love.
Navigating grief and surrendering to the process
Discussing grief, Gilbert explains that it is a force larger than oneself and cannot be stopped or controlled. She encourages surrendering to the waves of grief, allowing them to carve out and transform a person rather than resisting. She emphasizes that resisting grief is what leads to suffering and that experiencing it fully is necessary for healing. Gilbert shares her personal approach to bowing down to grief and accepting its presence and power, recognizing it as an intrinsic part of the human experience.
You would think that the bestselling author of Eat, Pray, Love would define her occupation as 'writer' - but, as she reveals to Fearne in this interview, most of her time is dedicated to managing her mental health.
In this wideranging chat, Fearne and Elizabeth share their tips for navigating the stress of work, social media, the pressures of success and her tips for surviving.
Thanks to our sponsors Sweaty Betty - find out more about their amazing activewear, and get an exclusive special offer, when you visit sweatybetty.com/happyplace