Elizabeth Whitworth, Author at Shortform Books

Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? Quotes From Julie Smith

A man holding and reading a book with shelves in the background.

What are emotions? What’s the difference between “confident” and “comfortable”? How are low moods part of a vicious cycle? In Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before?, Dr. Julie Smith shares skills you need to navigate common life challenges and take charge of your emotional and mental well-being. She covers how to identify and challenge negative thoughts, why self-compassion is essential, and how to lessen the power of strong negative emotions. Keep reading for several Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? quotes to get a good sense of the book’s ideas.

Barbra Streisand: Politics & Philanthropy Are Her Twin Passions

What presidential candidates received support from Barbra Streisand? What charitable causes does she give toward? According to Barbra Streisand, politics and philanthropy are her twin passions. Despite her extraordinary career, Barbra Streisand—who’s now in her 80s—doesn’t discuss her work when talking about her legacy. Instead, she emphasizes her desire to leave a kinder and fairer world for future generations. Read more to learn about the causes that Streisand holds close to her heart.

Art Perfectionism: Tips From Elizabeth Gilbert & Julia Cameron

An artist giving her paintings a thumbs up to show her pride in her art perfectionism.

Is “good enough” not good enough for you? Are your standards unrealistically high? Are you willing to produce something that’s not all that great? Whether you create paintings, blog posts, music, or hairstyles, you have a personal standard. You might also tend to set that standard too high. We’ve pulled together some advice on how to overcome art perfectionism from Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way and Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic. Read more to get some encouragement—and perhaps a needed adjustment in your standards.

Henry David Thoreau and Nature: Woods & Wildlife at Walden Pond

Why is Henry David Thoreau considered one of the founders of ecology? How did he connect nature with spirituality? During his two years at Walden Pond, Henry David Thoreau spent hours every day walking and observing the nature that surrounded him. He also strove to live by the rhythms of the natural world. Continue reading to learn about Henry David Thoreau and nature at Walden Pond.

The History of Mir Jafar: Was He the Benedict Arnold of India?

Who was Mir Jafar? Was he just a puppet of the East India Company and the British? How is he regarded today? Mir Jafar served as a military general before becoming the first Nawab of Bengal under the authority of the British East India Company, making him the first ruler of the region dependent on the British for power. He’s a complicated figure with a problematic reputation still today. Keep reading to learn the intriguing history of Mir Jafar.

My Name Is Barbra: Barbra Streisand’s Memoir (Overview)

A silhouette of a woman facing bright lights on a stage.

What’s Barbra Streisand’s background? How does she view herself? What does she value most? My Name Is Barbra, Barbra Streisand’s memoir, tells us about the personal and professional life of one of the most successful and well-rounded performers in history. In addition to her career, Streisand is also known for being a feminist, environmentalist, and philanthropist. Continue reading for an overview of this 1,000-page autobiography.

How to Overcome Limiting Beliefs: 3 Tips From Julia Cameron

A person jumping over a hurdle to overcome limiting beliefs.

Are you your own worst enemy? Do you tend to make excuses for why you’re not pursuing your dreams? In her book The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron shares practical advice on how to overcome limiting beliefs: ground yourself, disprove your belief, and use positive affirmations. Although her book is aimed at artists, her advice on this topic can apply to anyone. Keep reading to get the details on Cameron’s advice.

Who Were the Transcendentalists, and What Did They Believe?

Who were the Transcendentalists? What did they believe? What’s their legacy? Transcendentalism was a 19th-century movement in New England. The Transcendentalists, predominantly philosophers and writers, believed in the goodness of humans and nature and promoted the idea that following your intuition enables you to find meaning in your life. Read more to learn about the Transcendentalists and their ideas.

The History of Shah Alam: The Journey From Ally to Puppet

A silhouette of Prince Shah Alam in India.

Who was Shah Alam? How did he come to power? Was his rule legitimate? Shah Alam, a prince of the Mughal Empire, aided the British East India Company’s (EIC) takeover of Bengal. However, after playing a messy chess game with the company and Mughal rivals, Alam ended up becoming a figurehead ruler controlled by the EIC. Continue reading to learn the history of Shah Alam—specifically, his complicated political journey from a young Mughal royal, to a facilitator of British rule, to a titular leader stripped of his autonomy.

3 Blocks to Creativity and How to Overcome Them

A man overcoming blocks to creativity by standing in an art gallery inside a cage.

Do you feel stuck in your artistry? What’s standing between you and what you want to produce? Are you blocking your own creativity? A major step in cultivating artistry is overcoming negative thoughts and behaviors that block your connection to the creative force. Julia Cameron discusses three major barriers that prevent people from reaching their artistic destiny: perfectionism, limiting beliefs, and addictions. Let’s look at these blocks to creativity and how to overcome them.