Creating Quote by Elizabeth Gilbert
““Possessing a creative mind, after all, is something like having a border collie for a pet: It needs to work, or else it will cause you an outrageous amount of trouble. Give your mind a job to do, or else it will find a job to do, and you might not like the job it invents (eating the couch, digging a hole through the living room floor, biting the mailman, etc.). It has taken me years to learn this, but it does seem to be the case that if I am not actively creating something, then I am probably actively destroying something (myself, a relationship, or my own peace of mind). I firmly believe that we all need to find something to do in our lives that stops us from eating the couch.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Creative Life, 2015
A restless mind must be given purposeful activity, otherwise it creates chaos and self‑sabotage.
In simple terms: Idle minds cause trouble; keep them busy.
Key Takeaway
Channel creativity into constructive tasks.
Themes
creativity
self‑discipline
mental health
Mood
reflective
motivational
Type
advice
inspirational
When to use this quote
- writing projects
- daily routines
- volunteering
- skill learning
- exercise
Key Concepts
psychology
habit formation
focus
Questions to Reflect On
- What constructive outlet could you start today?
- How does structure protect your mental peace?
A Different Perspective
If the task is too demanding, the mind may still wander to destructive habits.
![“And while [we] do have possibilities that are vast and magnificent and almost infinite in scope, it's important to remember that our choice-rich lives have the potential to breed their own brand of trouble. We are susceptible to emotional uncertainties and neuroses that are probably not very…” quote by Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7fb/elizabeth-gilbert-131_choice_and-while-we-do-have-possibilities-that_30637.jpg)
