By Lorraine Besser, PhD
In her groundbreaking book The Art of the Interesting, Dr. Lorraine Besser introduces a fresh perspective on creating a fulfilling life. As a professor of philosophy at Middlebury College and a founding researcher on psychological richness, Besser challenges traditional notions of the good life centered solely on happiness and meaning. She argues that there’s a key third element that’s often overlooked: the interesting. She defines this as experiences that captivate our minds, engage our thoughts and emotions, and have the power to shift our perspectives. The concept of “psychological richness” emerges through experiences that are novel, complex and challenging, and is a vital pillar of a well-lived life.
Lorraine Besser presents a compelling case for keeping things interesting. The book argues that cultivating genuine interest may be more important in creating a fulfilling life than the relentless pursuit of happiness. At the heart of the book is the idea that “interesting” is not passive, but an active force that shapes our experiences and personal growth. She distinguishes between the superficial and deep, meaningful engagement enriches our lives. One of the key messages is how interest relates to meaning-making. Rather than seeing interest as a stepping stone to knowledge, Besser views it as a fundamental way of being in the world that shapes our relationships, choices, and personal development.
An insight from the book that garnered my attention is her point that the worst thing you can do is to pursue the interesting. Counterintuitively, rather than chasing it, Besser notes it’s best to cultivate the conditions in which it can emerge through mindfulness, openness to new experiences, and trying new things, including small things. She believes it’s about developing the skills to recognize and pursue genuine curiosity.
Another key point in the book is about being intentional about stepping out of your comfort zone, even slightly, to find your Zone of the Interesting. She graphically shows the Zone of the Interesting as adjacent to your Comfort Zone, showing that it’s accessible, and far from the Danger Zone, where things are not interesting – but overwhelming.
The Art of the Interesting is a valuable read for people planning for life in retirement as cultivating interests can provide structure, meaning, and direction to our lives. While research-based, the book offers practical tools, exercises and reflections to help you identify what is personally interesting and how to incorporate more of these elements into your daily life. In addition, the book blends the academic with storytelling (and a sense of humor) that makes it an enjoyable read that will expand and enrich your view of the good life you’re building.
Read: The Art of the Interesting: What We Miss in Our Pursuit of the Good Life and How to Cultivate It
Listen to my podcast conversation with Lorriane Besser, PhD
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