I am so inspired by Iris Apfel. I already wrote this article on her a while back and watched the movie about the move about her.
I recently watched this short clip. In it she speaks about a lot of things I really believe in.
She talks about style, of course, but also about being happy and having something to do. About being someone that is uniquely you and about doing your own thing.
On shopping
“I’m in love with the process. I love the hunt”
On the more important things in life and what that is
“Education, charitable work, doing a good job at whatever your craft is, honing your own craft, many things to do. Getting dressed is a lot of fun and I think it should be a category.
I also think it’s a good outlet and builder of creativity which a lot of people don’t have in any other area. They can be their own canvas.
And I don’t know why everyone wants to look the same. I find it extremely boring.”
Advice for the business woman of today and discovering who you are
“The problem is that many of them don’t know who they are or they don’t act like they do.
You’ll have to have the courage of your convictions and if you want to have some sense of style you have to work at who you are and cultivate your own personality and express it in what you wear.
And that takes some effort and it’s painful sometimes to find out who you are. It’s not an easy process.
But you know, I always believe that there is no such thing as a free lunch.”
About not worrying about what others think of her
” I never worried about what anybody said about what I wore. I figured that if people did not like it, it’s their problem not mine.
What do I care what everybody thinks. I hope they like it (my style) but if they don’t I’m not going to worry about it. I can’t live to somebody else’s image. I don’t believe in that. I think that’s why so many people go to a psychiatrist. They think they have to be liked. That’s ridiculous.
You should worry about being nice rather than being liked. Everybody is not going to like you and if you try to be all things to all people, you’ll end up be a nothing to nobody.
You just gotta do your own thing but first of all you must have something to do and a lot of people say that they want to do their own thing but they ain’t got nothing to do.”
For me, a lot of what Iris says boils down to one word: FREEDOM
The freedom to dress in whatever way you like in a style that makes YOU happy.
The freedom to do what you love to make YOU happy.
The freedom to doing your craft well, so it makes YOU feel accomplished.
The freedom to earn your own money, so you can spend it every which way YOU like.
This site and my courses aim to help you in your quest of discovering your style and how to dress in a way that makes YOU happy.
Also check: how to reinvent yourself after 40
But another important part of feeling good is to do something you love.
I very much believe that many of us will feel much happier if we have either a job, a hobby, a craft, a business, charitable work or a project that keeps us on our toes, moves us forward and fulfils us.
Something that is just for you and not your husband, your friends or your children.
Ideally it’s a project that can earn you some money in the process too. Not only will a project that you love AND satisfies some of your material needs or desire to give to charities fulfil you more, you will also feel independent, powerful and in control.
I know that I get a lot of satisfaction from the job that I created for myself. My goal 5 years ago, was to create an online magazine for women like myself.
To inspire you with your style choices, give you more confidence and to talk about fashion, style and beauty in a way that is meaningful.
It has turned into so much more. It’s now a thriving community full of inspirational 40+ women.
My courses have helped many hundreds of women feel more confident about themselves and their style. The connections and friends I made through the site are priceless.
The success of this site has also given me a sense of independence and strength I have never felt before.
I feel completely free to make my own decisions.
I have the freedom to travel the world and do my work on any location where there is an internet connection.
I have the freedom to say no often and work on my own terms on projects that excite me.
This website is here because I spent the time to set it up, spent many hours in learning how to make it successful, was willing to make mistakes and fail often. I overcame my fear and just got it started. It is truly my passion project.
And if you like to do something similar, then NOW is the time to start!
You are never too old to do something new!
If you feel that you may be too ‘old’ to try something new or even thought about ‘retirement’ I loved what Judi Dench had to say on that topic:
“I don’t want to be told I can’t do something. I’ll just have a go at it and I may make a terrible mess of it but I’d sooner make a mess than not have a go at all.
I don’t think age matters at all. What matters is your determination not to give up and not to stop learning new things, which I absolutely applaud.”
She goes on to say that the words ‘retirement’ and ‘old’ are banned in her house.
In fact, having a clear purpose or a passion project will keep you young. Never stop learning, never stop going after your passions!
I would love to show you how you can create a project that fulfils YOU and gives you purpose.
If you are interested in that topic and are ready to start a conversation on this, I invite you to head on over to The True Potential Academy.
And if you are not interested in this at all, then don’t worry. We will keep inspiring you with the best 40+ style on this site!
I would love to know what inspires you? What would you still like to accomplish?
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I’m working on treating myself better in retirement. I’m disabled and having a difficult time finding what I CAN do. I want to express my true self through how I present myself to the world. I’ve always been really good at doing this but I’ve lost myself somewhere along the way. My changing body hasn’t helped. I’ve become more and more disabled and I’m also coming to terms with this as well. I also would like to take up cross-stitching again as well. Our son and daughter-in-law have joined a cult and recently just cut-off communication last month with all family. My son and I were always very close so this is very difficult,
Loved reading this post. What inspirational women, you included!
Oh yes! I totally agree with Iris Apfel! Who wouldn t!
Great post. I fully agree. And I think you look lovely. Is that totally irrelevant? Still nice though. Love the fuchsica top with this jacket.
Thanks for posting this video with Iris Apfel. I was fortunate enough to see the Metropolitan Museum’s exhibit about her but didn’t know anything about her at that time. I have the beautiful book from that exhibit and have also seen Albert Mayles film. She has such great advice and is a wonderful example of growing older but better.