How to Live an Interesting and Well-Rounded Life

Nine things I prioritize each month.

Mar 03, 2025

The Week That Was is a Monday letter crafted for those who seek to live with intention and curiosity. In each edition, I share a weekly column, a curated collection of recommendations, photos and moments from my week, and a question for you to take a moment of reverie. For the richest reading experience, I recommend viewing the newsletter in the Substack app or expanding the email for full content.

a weekly column on building an interesting and intentional life

Isabella Stewart Gardner is one of my muses for living an interesting and intentional life.

If you want to live an interesting and well-rounded life, embrace variety and curiosity. A good place to start? Fiction. But not just any fiction. Seek out books by diverse authors that have been translated from languages you don’t speak (yet). These are your passports to new worlds, offering fresh perspectives on life’s big questions. Venture beyond your usual literary haunts—whether that’s Victorian classics or contemporary bestsellers—and allow your mind to wander through different voices, cultures, and experiences. You’ll be surprised how much you can learn without leaving your couch. (The Book Map is a good place to start.)

Of course, no one’s life is complete without a bit of non-fiction thrown in. The trick is to choose topics that genuinely spark your curiosity and force you to see the world differently. Whether philosophy, science, or history, non-fiction offers a wealth of knowledge that doesn’t require a plot twist. Be bold in your choices. Pick up books that challenge your preconceived notions and add nuance to your understanding of everything from human nature to the environment. Remember, learning should never stop—it’s the secret ingredient to building a life that’s as interesting as it is intentional.

Reading, though, is only part of the equation. You’ll want to make time to engage with other minds, too. Find a talk or event with an author, a thinker, or someone whose work has inspired you. These moments of intellectual exchange are not just informative—they’re invigorating. Hearing someone’s personal insights or experiencing their ideas live can push you to think in new ways. Let’s face it: being surrounded by people who challenge your thinking is far more rewarding than spending hours scrolling through your phone.

In the same vein, carve out time for art. We often rush through museums or galleries, as if we're checking off a to-do list, but genuine appreciation comes when we stop to really look. Whether it’s the stark simplicity of modern art or the emotional depth of a classic painting, there’s something profoundly moving about experiencing human creativity. So, slow down. Absorb. Don’t just view—immerse yourself. Art can transform your worldview in ways that few other things can. It’s one of the easiest (and most enjoyable) ways to enrich your life.

And while you’re at it, engage all five senses. Watch a foreign film (yes, with subtitles), and let your mind adjust to new rhythms and perspectives. Try a new cuisine—step out of your culinary comfort zone. Savor a dish you’ve never tasted before. Attend a live performance-music, theatre, or dance—there’s something magical about witnessing art in real time.

Lastly, don’t forget to spend time in nature. Pause and breathe in the beauty around you. Nature has a way of putting life into perspective, offering us moments of awe that are impossible to replicate indoors. And, of course, do some of this with your friends. Share these experiences, and you’ll find that the act of connecting and creating memories together is just as enriching as the experiences themselves. After all, an interesting life isn’t just about what you do—it’s also who you do it with.

Take a moment to thoughtfully weave each of these experiences into your month—it's the key to a life that’s not just interesting, but purposefully well-rounded.

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curated finds that inspire, delight, and enrich

1. The International Booker Prize Longlist

Tied with the Women's Prize, the International Booker Prize is my favorite literary award. Each year, I eagerly await the longlist, hoping to see familiar names but primarily excited for new discoveries. Typically, I’ve read one or two of the selections, but the rest are unknown to me—which is precisely what makes these prizes so compelling. This year’s longlist is particularly intriguing, featuring 13 debut authors, a record-breaking translator, and books spanning 10 original languages, including Kannada and Romanian for the first time. The themes are significant, but the books are compact, with 11 of the 13 coming in under 250 pages. I’ve yet to read any of them, but with nine written by women, I’m starting with Under the Eye of the Big Bird by Hiromi Kawakami before moving on to On a Woman’s Madness by Astrid Roemer—no doubt with several more to follow.

2. Postcard from Arequipa, Perú

Peru sits firmly at the top of my travel wishlist, despite my limited knowledge of the country. That’s why I particularly enjoyed Postcard from Arequipa in Cabana Magazine, a beautifully written glimpse into this southern Peruvian city. Framed by three volcanoes and home to some of the country’s most celebrated cuisine, Arequipa is also the gateway to the Colca Valley—one of Peru’s incredible natural and cultural treasures. The piece paints a vivid picture of a place that feels both grand and intimate, rich in history and culinary excellence. It’s precisely the kind of destination that deserves a visit. One day, hopefully, I’ll get there.

3. Added to My Spring Wishlist

Two months into the year and I’ve yet to buy a single piece of clothing—a small triumph in restraint. As we edge toward spring and summer, I’m starting to consider a few well-placed additions, particularly where my warm-weather wardrobe has a few gaps. My Birkenstocks remain an undisputed summer staple, so this year, I’m tempted to add a slightly more refined pair into the mix. At the top of my list: the Cannes, with its elegant back strap, or the St Barths, both in a versatile mineral blue.

4. Insider Fashion Knowledge

I’m an avid podcast listener, constantly rotating through my favorites, but one that’s consistently in my weekly rotation is Fashion People by Puck correspondent Lauren Sherman. Each episode offers an insider’s look into the fashion world, from behind-the-scenes conversations and business drama to previews of what’s next and interviews with key industry figures. With fresh episodes twice a week, Sherman delivers exceptional coverage, sharp insights, and engaging commentary on the ever-evolving fashion landscape.

5. The World’s Best Tea Towels

These Geometry kitchen tea towels have rightfully earned their status as award-winning essentials. Constructed from the advanced Geoweave™ fabric, they are highly absorbent, quick-drying, and resistant to wrinkles, making them not only efficient but also low-maintenance. With their sleek design and exceptional functionality, these towels are as much a practical tool as they are a thoughtful gift, and they’ve become a permanent fixture in our home. I recently purchased a couple of their spring patterns.

6. Women Artists Postcards

A set of 50 postcards showcasing the works of 50 women artists, spanning from the Renaissance to the 20th century and sourced from across the globe. Perfect for framing or simply propping on a shelf, they bring a touch of art history into the home with minimal effort. A clever way to celebrate overlooked masters while adding character to your space.