Life Without Envy: Ego Management for Creative People

"Life Without Envy" was a wonderful read! As an author, I've been envious of more successful writers. I was sick of being stuck in my negative, draining mindset. While browsing on my Kindle for an envy-themed book that could help me, I struck gold with Camille DeAngelis' book."Life Without Envy" is fascinating. DeAngelis writing is incisive and heartfelt. I love the fact that she doesn't hold back when depicting her writer envy. One doesn't need to be an author to benefit from her wisdom; the book speaks to all kinds of creative arts.Each chapter begins with an unusual, brilliant, and fitting quote. I love great quotes and DeAngelis put her energy into finding the perfect quotes that expressed the heart of each chapter. There are also fantastic anecdotes about her time at a writers' retreat at a Scottish castle. I don't want to spoil anything here but her experiences are spinetingling and memorable.As a relatively new vegan, I was thrilled to find out that DeAngelis finds that her vegan lifestyle has significantly contributed to her productivity and creativity!One of the highest compliments a writer can receive from a reader is, "I was sad when your book ended because I wanted to read more..." and that's how I felt about "Life Without Envy."

I can't say enough about this book. (I've tweeted about it recently but thought I ought to sit down and properly review it here.)But, despite not being able to say enough about this book, I will do my best to hit the highlights. It is smart, funny, wise, thoughtful, motivating, authentic, inspiring, helpful, well-written, engaging, and just all around AWESOME. (And I get the sense the author is all those things, too, though I haven't met her, so I can only say what I sense from reading the book; and it's a very personal-seeming book, so I think she's just as awesome, if I had to guess.)It's really hard to be in any creative field and not gauge yourself by what others are doing (not impossible, but hard). We're always comparing ourselves to others, and of course marketing your work requires you to be on social media, and you can't help but see other people's book deals or speaking gigs and the like and compare them to what you have or haven't achieved. But getting down about this kills creativity! Still, the vicious comparison-cycle can feel so natural that it's hard (but not impossible) to even realize it's a choice we can make.I knew I couldn't consistently make a different choice alone, but I had a hard time finding anyone who admitted to being envious of others in their field (we can't break a habit without first really looking at it, right?)....until I found the book. So I am deeply grateful for DeAngelis's work. And plus she refers to two of my most beloved teachers, Byron Katie and Eckhart Tolle, so that's an extra treat for me. (And she includes lots of excellent quotes by other thinkers, too, sprinkled throughout the book in a way I find appealing.)Really, even on my worst days, I can pick up this book (and it lends itself to rereading so nicely) and feel better: calmer, more grounded, more focused on my own proverbial test paper, and more ready to exert the only control I really have, and the only place where control even matters: within my own creative process. Before the book, I would be more likely to subsume craft under thoughts (aka, worries) about the business end of things. And I know I wasted lots of time and energy that way. (And it's not a bad thing to think about business, I don't mean that. But what I was doing was not productive or fruitful, was just comparing my writing life to others' and then telling myself I was coming up short.)Thank you so much for writing this book, Ms. DeAngelis! It is most needed in the creative arts, and I cherish it and am grateful for it! It really is one of my most valued resources as a writer.

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Life Without Envy. Camille DeAngelis has tackled the intriguing subject of the role ego plays in a writer’s or artist’s life and creative work. She does so with wise insights, memorable quotations from famous creators and philosophers, advice, and humor. How can you keep doing the creative work you love rather than allow every shifting wind to affect you, whether it’s a less-than-stellar review or your envious feelings towards your more successful friend? Life Without Envy provides guidance for creative people looking to break through blocks by allowing their ego to help rather than hinder their process. As a creativity author and professor, I learned so much from this book, and I believe it is a must-read for all writers and artists!

This book makes some good points. It's too short for my taste, but it does get the general point across that you have to be without envy to really live a creative life, because that green eyed monster will eat away at your ability to produce. It doesnt' have a lot of strategies, some, but not enough, but it's good for people who just need to hear that voice and get back to working.

Fantastic read about living a creative life without the easy-to-succumb-to envy that usually comes with it. I really enjoyed the way the author talked about each difficulty and interacted with her own writing career and how she overcame that which I found helpful

A book full of wisdom and practical strategies for freeing up energy wasted on envy. DeAngelis is a marvelous writer and she has put together a book that is both moving and useful. It is the kind of book I will go back to again and again, turning to its advice whenever I feel jealous or entitled, whenever I forget that fulfillment is not found in external recognition.

A lovely little book full of all different kinds of wisdom. Makes you feel calmer and more contented just to read it.

I rarely leave reviews, but once I finished this book my first instinct was to leave one. This is such an important book, whether you consider yourself an artist or not. Reading it brought me a lot of peace, and if anything it was very inspiring. It's also a quick and easy read and is great if you're looking for something to help motivate you to create.

It is to the point, it is uplifting, it is informative, it offers some simple exercises and in addition to all that, it is a fun read.And while I think it is a Must for everyone working creatively, I think it is a "Should", for everyone else, too.We all create in one way or the other, we all strive for recognition. We have all known moments of envy. This book puts everything into perspective. I loved everything about it. A full five stars and a definite recommendation, exceeded expectations!