Why We Love It

In Jadey's interview with Elizabeth Gilbert, she recommends this "beautiful book" by her friend Martha Beck about the transformative power of creativity during times of intense emotions. The book, says Gilbert, argues that "creativity exists on the opposite lobe of the brain from fear and a lot of grief here. So it's a toggle switch: you're either in creativity or you're in fear. You actually kind of can't be in both at the same time, physiologically." It helped Gilbert realize that doing anything creative, even painting a pile of pebbles, could be soothing. "That became a really big part of my healing. You don't have to be an artist, but doing that will transform your nervous system."