Don't be a bore!

Last week, I read in the news that Iris Apfel, the US businesswoman, interior designer, fashion designer and actress, died on March 1, aged 102.

I had only seen her on pictures, dressed as a flamboyant New Yorker, but now I also realized she created her life mantra, "more is more and less is a bore."

I took her mantra as an encouragement to embrace abundance, diversity, and a richness of experiences. I also realized that combining her peculiar sounding philosophy with a sense of curiosity can in fact lead to a more vibrant and fulfilling life. Let's explore some elements of this mantra.

Embrace Diversity in Learning: More is More: Explore a wide range of subjects, disciplines, and skills. Don't limit yourself to a narrow field of knowledge. The more you expose yourself to different areas, the richer and more well-rounded your understanding of the world becomes.

Cultivate a Curious Mindset: More Questions: Ask more questions about everything around you. Approach life with a curious mindset, seeking to understand the "why" behind things. This continuous inquiry can lead to deeper insights and a constant thirst for knowledge.

Dress Your Mind with Curiosity: More Experiences: Just as Iris Apfel encourages a bold and eclectic approach to personal style, adopt a diverse approach to your experiences. Attend events, travel, meet new people, and engage in activities that challenge and expand your perspectives.

Find Beauty in Diversity: More Perspectives: Just as a variety of colors and patterns can create a visually appealing style, diverse perspectives and ideas can enrich your understanding of the world. Embrace different viewpoints and learn from people with backgrounds and opinions different from your own.

Curate a Life of Abundance: More Exploration: Apfel's philosophy can be applied to exploring different aspects of life. Experiment with new hobbies, travel to unfamiliar places, and immerse yourself in various cultural experiences. An abundance of diverse experiences can lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

Express Your Individuality: More Uniqueness: Just as Apfel encourages a bold and unique personal style, let your curiosity guide you in expressing your individuality. Pursue your passions, even if they are unconventional, and celebrate the things that make you unique.

Creativity through Exploration: More Inspiration: A curious and open mind is a fertile ground for creativity. The more you explore, the more inspiration you gather. This can lead to innovative ideas, solutions, and a more creative approach to both personal and professional challenges.

Foster a Growth Mindset: More Learning Opportunities: Embrace challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. A curious mindset combined with a growth mindset encourages resilience and adaptability in the face of change.

Combining Iris Apfel's philosophy with a sense of curiosity can bring a sense of vibrancy, uniqueness, and fulfillment to your life. It fosters continuous personal and intellectual growth, encourages exploration, and allows you to create a life that is rich with diverse experiences and perspectives.

In essence, it adds a layer of depth and excitement to the journey of self-discovery and lifelong learning. Let's explore new things, learn a new language, travel to new countries and meet other people!