embracing your creative path: success, non attachment, and the magic of progress
"The work wants to be made, and it wants to be made through you." — Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic
As a writer and a yogi, I’ve come to understand that the creative journey is rarely a straight path. Like yoga, writing is a practice. It’s a space where we learn to show up, breathe deeply, and trust the process. But often, there’s a voice in the back of our minds whispering, “You’re not good enough. Who are you to create this?”
This voice is familiar to many of us—it’s called imposter syndrome. The fear that, despite our best efforts, we don’t belong in the spaces we’ve worked so hard to enter. It tells us we’re not experienced enough, not qualified enough, or simply not “enough” to deserve success. But what if success isn’t something we need to chase or prove, but rather something we invite by staying true to the process?
In both writing and yoga, there’s a profound lesson that applies to any stage of life: success is not defined by the outcome, but by the practice itself. Whether you’re just starting or are decades into your journey, you are already successful by the simple act of showing up and committing to your craft.
This aligns with the yogic principle of aparigraha—non-attachment. In yoga, we learn to detach from the need to possess or control and instead embrace the flow of life as it is. When we apply this principle to writing, we let go of the obsession with perfection or immediate recognition. We focus instead on the magic of creation—the process, the words, the moments of inspiration that come when we least expect them.
Steady progress is key. In both yoga and writing, the results may not be instant, and that’s perfectly okay. Every small step, every word written, every breath taken on the mat is part of the journey. True growth happens not through sudden leaps, but through consistent, deliberate action, and the willingness to keep showing up, no matter what stage of life we’re in.
As Elizabeth Gilbert so beautifully put it in Big Magic: “The work wants to be made, and it wants to be made through you.” There’s magic in that. We are conduits for our creative work, not its masters. The more we let go of attachment to specific outcomes—whether it's recognition, success, or perfection—the more we invite the pure joy of creation to flow freely.
So, to all the writers and yogis out there: remember, your journey is yours to shape. Don’t let imposter syndrome steal your joy. Success is not a destination, but a state of mind rooted in the simple act of creating. Keep going. Progress, however small, is still progress. And in that progress, you’ll find the magic.
Love, Kara
