Aspiring creatives, Elizabeth Gilbert has some advice for you:
"YOU DO NOT NEED A PERMISSION SLIP FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE TO LIVE A CREATIVE LIFE."
[seealso slug="strategies-for-overcoming-writers-block"]
The Eat, Pray, Love author is on a mission to inspire creativity in readers. Her new book, Big Magic, is a manifesto on how to live a fulfilling, creative life.
"I feel like so many people -- women in particular -- are waiting for somebody to give them authority to be creative," Gilbert told Mashable. "Or they believe that they don't have the right training to be creative, or they don't live in the right town, or they don't have the right contacts. Or they aren't the right age. Or they believe that creativity only belongs to other people -- to the special, the professional, the tormented, and the talented. Wrong. Creativity belongs to everyone."
To join the conversation about creativity, we partnered with Riverhead Books to host a creativity sweepstakes, asking Mashable readers for their best tips for living a creative life. We also randomly selected one submission to be a grand-prize winner, winning a deluxe edition of Big Magic.
Submissions ranged from specific techniques to get your creative juices flowing ("write things down") to simple encouragements that the time to be creative is now.
Check out our favorites below.
Winner:
1.
Each week try to do/see/read something new & fresh to me. Listen to those who don't agree with my point! #MashReadsBigMagic @mashreads— Dheeraj DeeKay™ (@meetdheeraj) November 15, 2015
Runners-up:
2.
On living a creative life: Behaving creatively is a habit like any other. Do it deliberately and soon it's a part of you. #MashReadsBigMagic— Paul Reali (@paulreali) November 12, 2015
3.
@riverheadbooks @mashreads Yes we have phones, but take time to write out new ideas on paper. You'll see them differently #MashReadsBigMagic— jer•e•my cabo (@jeremycabo) November 11, 2015
4.
Take pictures. Lots of them. Doodle all day. Practice, play, & enjoy the journey to something beautiful & interesting. #mashreadsbigmagic— Jonella Jai (@JonellaJai) November 11, 2015
5.
Always carry AT LEAST one notebook to write down ideas throughout the day, then reflect daily, weekly and monthly! #MashReadsBigMagic— Laura (@Silviana_RO) November 11, 2015
6.
Play Chopped! Buy random, pretty (even hard to pronounce) ingredients and make up a recipe (...hopefully an edible one) #mashreadsbigmagic— Gabriela Avila (@Gavilascho) November 11, 2015
7.
@mashreads I stay creative by jumping into different art forms. #mashreadsbigmagic pic.twitter.com/uOljqm9nyo— Evan Hilton (@evanhilton12) November 15, 2015
8.
Always try new things and never doubt yourself #MashReadsBigMagic— krystalgwb (@krystalboards) November 11, 2015
9.
@mashreads @mashable #MashReadsBigMagic stay focused on the long term - creativity requires work, persistence, and commitment!— Bipper Media (@BipperMedia) November 15, 2015
10.
@mashable @mashreads Fresh air & being outdoors then STOP, look, take a breath and be thankful #MashReadsBigMagic https://t.co/4yZ6FUMfkB— doovay (@doovay_creation) November 15, 2015
11.
A few of my tips to help stay creative #openyoureyes #randominspiration #MashReadsBigMagic @mashreads pic.twitter.com/tvwOLZoIQt— Ross Middleham (@rossymids) November 15, 2015
12.
@mashreads @mashable converse with strangers. Their stories can open up new perspectives #mashreadsbigmagic— Beril Akman (@berilakman) November 15, 2015
13.
#MashReadsBigMagic Creativity Hack: I read & read. I cyberstalk those that inspire me. I switch off & go outside. I travel. #StayCreative— Jess Pitman (@JSMPitman) November 15, 2015
14.
scrapbooking or cooking is my creative outlook #mashreadsbigmagic— Karol Creger (@kacey41451) November 15, 2015
15.
Let mediocrity flow. Work work & work in it. In the mundane you'll find something that'll inspire you to be creative. #mashreadsbigmagic— Anurag Singh (@realanuragsingh) November 15, 2015
16.
Stick to your daily routine. #mashreadsbigmagic— Alexander Yosifov (@AlexYosifov) November 15, 2015
17.
Creativity tip # 1: taking care of myself. I find that running & eating well help my ideas flow better #mashreadsbigmagic— T. (@DopeReads) November 15, 2015