3x Books That Empowered Me To Reignite My Creative Power and Purpose
Tuesday 4th March 2025 | Written by Stephanie Osborne
It’s been in my heart for a little while now to lovingly divulge some of my most beloved reads when it comes to connecting and reconnecting with my creative power and purpose. These are the books that have deeply evoked the essence of my own creative spirit and power… and I hope they can do this for you too.
The Creative Act: A Way Of Being
By Rick Rubin
Existential | Rich | Enchanting
I recently finished reading this exquisite book by Rick Rubin after holding it on my wishlist for over a year. Now it is my bible. (You’ve probably heard me reference it many times in these diaries, and on the podcast!)
What attracted me to this book was its relevance to my own work with creative coaching, as well as to my personal passion for creative expression and creative living. I was just deeply intrigued to immerse myself in Rubin’s wisdom and lived experience, and understand all the angles on everything creativity.
After purchasing The Creative Act at my local bookstore in Howick last June, I took it across the road to one of my favourite cafe’s and started reading it immediately. Only a couple of chapters into reading it and I could already feel an intense wave of affirmation and alignment flowing through me… rooting me and centering me in clarity. This sensation was followed by a message.
“This is what I am meant to be doing.”
It almost brought me to tears.
Throughout the following months I took my time moving through his words, which were presented as bite-sized “Areas of Thought” ranging from “Everyone Is A Creator” to “The Prism of Self”. I began highlighting and tabbing and interacting with the book, marking my favourite sections to come back to, and where I could feel there was deeper learning and understanding to be nurtured.
It would be impossible to choose my favourite part as there is just so much to be absorbed and digested within this book, but here is one of the quote’s that I marked and that I felt was a powerful reflection of my own soul work and purpose within my creative coaching.
“The creative process can have a therapeutic power. It offers a sense of deep connection. A safe place to voice the unspeakable and bare their soul. In these cases, art does not unravel the maker, but makes them whole.”
Rick Rubin
I could not recommend this book highly enough for anyone who is desiring to cultivate a deeper connection with their creative being, and a more expansive understanding of their own creative potential.
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
By Elizabeth Gilbert
Fizzy | Refreshing | Fun
Big Magic is filled with refreshing insights and honesty, as well as powerful reflections and advice for creative living and for your creative process. It’s one of those books where you feel like you’re sitting down for a coffee with the writer, and she is openly sharing all of her industry and craft secrets with you. In this way, Big Magic feels intimate and cosy.
I remember reading Big Magic around three years ago, when I was still working full-time. Throughout my workdays there were usually little pockets of time where I would be waiting around, and so Big Magic was the perfect book for dipping in and out of as a way to fill the time.
In saying that… it was a major distraction. I did not want to put the book down. Unlike The Creative Act, I found Big Magic to be a really light, speedy and easeful read. It very quickly (and effortlessly) pulled me in, and I found myself lost in a desperate eagerness to know more and read more. I moved from moments of laughter and excitement, to moments of sincerity and resonance. I remember feeling deeply invigorated and energised by her words, while at the same time confronted by her sharp truths.
I relished reading about the experiences of a successful author and her unique journey with creativity. The book is separated into six beautiful parts called courage, enchantment, permission, persistence, trust and divinity. From these titles alone you can really feel the spiritual essence of the book, while also catching a glimpse of the grittiness and authenticity that comes with a creative life.
“A creative life is an amplified life. It’s a bigger life, a happier life, an expanded life, and a hell of a lot more interesting life”
Elizabeth Gilbert
Overall Big Magic really was a magical read. It is one of those special books you will want to keep close to you at all times, for direct advice and deep comfort when it comes to connecting with your divine creative power.
Hero
By Rhonda Byrne
Empowering | Adventurous | Soulful
You might have heard of The Secret? Well Hero is written by the same author, Rhonda Byrne. When I first opened this book in Whitcoulls years ago, I remember being floored by the opening quote.
“Here is a test to find whether your mission on earth is finished. If you’re alive, it isn’t.”
Richard Bach
I purchased it immediately, and a decade later Hero still remains to be one of the most treasured books in my collection. This is a book about purpose, and the pathway to discovering yours. It’s based on The Hero’s Journey, which is a universal narrative structure or framework of storytelling that involves a hero who goes on an adventure. On this adventure the hero is faced with a series of challenges and obstacles, from which they overcome and emerge victorious. The book begins by exploring “The Dream”, before detailing the pathway of “The Hero”, “The Quest” and “Victory”. The hero returns home from their unique journey, changed or transformed in some way.
You might be wondering what this has to do with creativity? Well…while Hero is not actually a book explicitly about creativity or creative living, I feel this is exactly what it’s about. In fact, towards the end of last year I dedicated an entire podcast episode to it called, “Uncovering The True Purpose of The Creative Process: An Exploration of The Hero’s Journey”. This episode is filled with a lot more depth and detail on The Hero’s Journey. You can listen to the full episode here if you’re interested in learning more
Essentially, I believe the Hero’s Journey to be the creative process. The creative process is about more than just bringing an idea from inception to completion (although this is of course a significant undertaking in itself), but the creative process at its core is a journey of personal transformation. I believe the journey of the artists is the journey of the hero, and this is Hero is one of the most empowering books when it comes to reawakening and reconnecting with your creative power and purpose. (Seriously, go and listen to Episode 15 of the podcast… it’s such a delectable exploration) .
“The journey of the hero is about the courage to seek the depths; the image of creative rebirth; the eternal cycle of change within us; the uncanny discovery that the seeker is the mystery which the seeker seeks to know.”
Jospeh Campbell
Overall Big Magic really was a magical read. It is one of those special books you will want to keep close to you at all times, for direct advice and deep comfort when it comes to connecting with your divine creative power.
I would love to know if you have any recommendations for me, or if you would like to share any of the books that have moved you and shaped your own relationship with your creative power and purpose? Are there any books currently on your wishlist that you would like me to add to my own?Have you also read some (or all) of the books above?! It would be amazing to hear from you, so please know you’re welcome to send me an email.
With Lots of Love,
Stephanie xx
Journey A Little Deeper…